Development Studies at University of Manchester - UCAS

University of Manchester

Degree level: Undergraduate

Development Studies

University of Manchester has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

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Course summary

The BA(Econ) is an interdisciplinary course allowing you to specialise in Economics along with other social science units such as philosophy, politics, and sociology. You have the flexibility to either delve into technical units in Economics such as Econometrics and Mathematical Economics or combine Economics units covering inequality and climate change with social science units. This will enable you to develop a well-rounded understanding on social issues. The Development Studies pathway is taught by experts in Economics, Politics, Sociology, Social Anthropology, and Social Statistics. The course offers a rich and coherent basis for understanding the processes and solutions to the problems of development. It is an interdisciplinary field of study concerned with the issues, problems and policy options facing the development world, such as:

inequality;

poverty;

hunger;

wellbeing.

Economics, Development Studies, and all joint social science pathways share a common first year, allowing you to switch to a different pathway should you discover interests in other social sciences.

How to apply

29Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:: L900

Institution code:: M20

Campus name:: Main Site

Campus code:: -

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - AAA

AAA We do not accept two A/S Levels grades in place of one A-level. Applicants must be studying at least one of the following A-level subjects: Accounting, Anthropology, Business Studies, Classics, Economics, English Language/Literature, Further Mathematics, Geography, History, Law, Mathematics, Modern Languages, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Use of Mathematics and World Development. We accept native language A Levels providing they are taken in the same sitting as your other subjects. We will not accept the combination of Mathematics, Further Mathematics and a native language. We accept the Level 3 Diploma in Financial Studies (DipFS) as equivalent to an A-level if taken alongside two full A-levels from the list of acceptable subjects above.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM

The School accepts Pearson BTEC Level 3 qualifications for entry as long as it is in a relevant subject and taken alongside A-levels. The A-level you are taking must be included in the list of subjects found in the A-level entry requirements above. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma - accepted with grades DDM in combination with an A-level at grade A in a different subject area to the diploma.

Access to HE Diploma

We require a QAA-recognised Access to HE Diploma (a minimum of 60 credits overall with at least 45 at Level 3), with merit or distinction in a subject area relevant to the chosen course. - Typical applicant - A mature student returning to education after a number of years. - Typical offer - Pass Access to HE Diploma with 45 level 3 credits (45 Distinctions). - Minimum Grade C or 4 in GCSE/iGCSE English Language and Grade B or 6 in GCSE/iGCSE Mathematics. Contact: Tom McCunnie, [email protected].

Scottish Higher

We accept Scottish Advanced Highers and Highers in one of the following combinations: Three Advanced Highers at grades AAB. or Two Advanced Highers at grades AA, plus two additional Highers at grades BB. Applicants taking a different combination of Highers and Advanced Highers should contact [email protected] for further advice. Applicants not taking English language or Mathematics at Higher level must achieve grade C in English language and Grade B in Mathematics at SCQF Level 5.

AS

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - D*D

The School accepts Pearson BTEC Level 3 qualifications for entry as long as it is in a relevant subject and taken alongside A-levels. The A-level you are taking must be included in the list of subjects found in the A-level entry requirements above. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma - accepted with grades D*D in combination with an A-level at grade A in a different subject area to the diploma.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - M

The School accepts Pearson BTEC Level 3 qualifications for entry as long as it is in a relevant subject and taken alongside A-levels. The A-level you are taking must be included in the list of subjects found in the A-level entry requirements above. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma - accepted with grade M in combination with two A-levels at grade AA in different subject areas to the diploma.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D

The School accepts Pearson BTEC Level 3 qualifications for entry as long as it is in a relevant subject and taken alongside A-levels. The A-level you are taking must be included in the list of subjects found in the A-level entry requirements above. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate - accepted with grade D in combination with two A-levels at grade AA in different subject areas to the diploma.

Scottish Advanced Higher

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 36 points

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

Extended Project

The University recognises the benefits of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. Although the Extended Project will not be included in the conditions of your offer, we strongly encourage you to provide information about the EPQ in your personal statement and at interview. A number of our academic Schools may also choose to take your performance in the EPQ into account should places be available in August for applicants who narrowly miss the entry grades for their chosen course.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - D3, D3, D3

GCSE/National 4/National 5

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - DDM

The School accepts OCR Cambridge Technical (CTEC) Level 3 qualifications for entry as long as it is in a relevant subject and taken alongside A-levels. The A-level you are taking must be included in the list of subjects found in the A-level entry requirements above. Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - accepted with grades DDM in combination with an A-level at grade A in a different subject area to the diploma.

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma - D*D

The School accepts OCR Cambridge Technical (CTEC) Level 3 qualifications for entry as long as it is in a relevant subject and taken alongside A-levels. The A-level you are taking must be included in the list of subjects found in the A-level entry requirements above. Cambridge Technical Diploma - accepted with grades D*D in combination with an A-level at grade A in a different subject area to the diploma.

OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma - MM

The School accepts OCR Cambridge Technical (CTEC) Level 3 qualifications for entry as long as it is in a relevant subject and taken alongside A-levels. The A-level you are taking must be included in the list of subjects found in the A-level entry requirements above. Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma - accepted with grades MM in combination with two A-levels at grade AA in different subject areas to the diploma.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate - D

The School accepts OCR Cambridge Technical (CTEC) Level 3 qualifications for entry as long as it is in a relevant subject and taken alongside A-levels. The A-level you are taking must be included in the list of subjects found in the A-level entry requirements above. Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate - accepted with grade D in combination with two A-levels at grade AA in different subject areas to the diploma.

The University recognises a number of foundation programmes as suitable for entry to this undergraduate programme: Applicants completing the INTO Manchester in partnership with The University of Manchester international foundation programme are required to achieve AAA in academic subjects and grade B in the EAP with writing and speaking grade B and listening and reading grade C. Applicants completing the NCUK International Foundation year are required to achieve AAA in academic subjects and grade B in the EAP with writing and speaking grade B and listening and reading grade C.

Additional entry requirements

Interview

English language requirements

Test	Grade	Additional details
IELTS (Academic)	6.5	6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in each subtest.

All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either: - GCSE/iGCSE English Language grade C. - IELTS 6.5 overall with no lower than 6 in any component. - TOEFL (IBT) 90 overall with minimum of 20 in each subset. - iGCSE English (Second Language) grade B - An acceptable equivalent qualification. The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student from outside the UK and the EU must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language in order to be granted a UK visa (Tier 4 visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. This level is often referred to as the 'B2 level'. Additionally, our individual Schools may ask for specific English Language proficiency levels that are necessary for their academic programmes. In most cases these requirements are likely to be higher than the B2 level.

Acceptable English Language Qualifications

http://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/admissions/language-requirements/

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Fees for entry in 2025 have not yet been set. For entry in 2024 the tuition fees were £9,250 per annum for home students, and are expected to increase slightly for 2025 entry.

Sponsorship information

Scholarships and bursaries, including the Manchester Bursary , are available to eligible home/EU students. Some undergraduate UK students will receive bursaries of up to £2,000 per year, in addition to the government package of maintenance grants.

Provider information

Visit our website

University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PL

Course contact details

Visit our course page

Directorate for the Student Experience

[email protected]

View address on Google Maps

Location	Qualification	Study mode	Duration	Start date	Apply
Main Site	BAEcon - Bachelor of Arts in Economics	Full-time	3 years	22 September 2025	Available to Apply	Course option b52819cb-d36c-4732-adae-561561e6efeb