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The UK has some the world’s leading universities offering degrees related to humanitarian aid. Focusing on humanitarian action, disaster response and international development, these UK colleges provide industry recognised humanitarian degrees. Taught by some of the leading professionals in humanitarian aid and development, these undergraduate degrees are strong options for student wanting to begin a career in international aid and to study in the UK.

International Development BA – University of Leeds

The University of Leeds has one of the leading humanitarian bachelor degrees in the UK. Their BA in International Development provides students with foundational knowledge in the key themes of global development. Students also engage with global development challenges as well as investigate inequality, poverty reduction and economic development.

The international development bachelors at the University of Leeds in the UK lays a strong academic foundation for a career in humanitarian aid.

The International Development BA at the University of Leeds, one of the UK’s top universities, offers students a wide range of modules relevant to a career in humanitarian aid. Students on the undergraduate degree can choose modules including ‘International Politics’, ‘Freedom, Power and Resistance: An Introduction to Political Ideas’ and ‘Contemporary Africa: Politics, Society and the Environment’.

Students on the International Development bachelors at the University of Leeds in the UK can also take modules on the legacy of colonialism in global development and how different international organisations work towards improving international development.

The international development bachelor’s degree at the University of Leeds in the UK is also a strong option for those wanting to go on to work in humanitarian aid as students can take an optional overseas placement as part of the degree.

The University of Leeds bachelor’s degree in International Development is ideal for those wanting to go on to a humanitarian career. Their 3-year full-time undergraduate degree costs around 9,000 GBP for UK students and 20,000 GBP for international students per year. UK applicants usually need A level grades of ABB.

BSc International Disaster Management & Humanitarian Response – University of Manchester

Manchester University is one of the UK’s top institutions offering courses on humanitarian aid. Manchester University’s bachelors in International Disaster Management & Humanitarian Response is a unique undergraduate degree in the UK focusing specifically on the practical skills needed for a career in aid.

Students on the bachelor’s degree learn about the root causes and impacts of disasters as well as the historical, political, geographic and social contexts that surround them. Undergraduate students on the Manchester University humanitarian bachelors investigate the causes of current world conflicts and analyse ongoing humanitarian responses.

The Manchester University bachelors in International Disaster Management & Humanitarian Response is taught by some of the UK leading humanitarian professionals. Students on the course are encouraged to critique current trends in humanitarian affairs as well as assess current organisations leading international humanitarian work.

As one of the UK’s leading humanitarian bachelor degrees, students on the Manchester University course are encouraged to develop their own ideas to address the current challenges the aid industry face and conduct unique independent research into disaster management and humanitarian responses to crises and conflicts. The Manchester University bachelors also offers a fieldwork placement with some of the leading humanitarian NGOs, an ideal way to gain vital humanitarian field experience.

Applicants to the Manchester University bachelors in Disaster Management & Humanitarian Response from the UK need A levels of AAB with at least one humanities subject. Non-UK applicants taking the International Baccalaureate require 35 points overall with 6,6,5 in Higher Level subjects. Non-native English speakers need a IELTS score of 6.5 with no elements below 6.5 or equivalent. Students from the UK will pay around 9,000 GBP a year to study the bachelors. International students should visit the university’s website for fee details.

BA (Hons) International Development with NGO Management – University of East London

The University of East London offers a unique bachelor’s degree highly relevant to humanitarian work. The BA in International Development with NGO Management is the only course the UK combining the theoretical focus of development studies with the practical tools needed to manage the NGOs responding to humanitarian crises.

On the undergraduate students gain the skills and knowledge needed to critique current disaster responses and develop their down idea of how the challenges of global development can be met. The bachelors also takes a wide contextual view looking at current and historical world events and their impact on humanitarian affairs worldwide.

The International Development with NGO Management undergraduate degree at the University of East London is one of the leading humanitarian bachelor degrees in the UK. Students on the course get a chance to design development and humanitarian interventions and learn practical skills needed for a career in humanitarian aid such as project management and proposal writing.

The University of East London’s International Development with NGO Management bachelor’s degree also allows students to complete work placement is some of the UK’s top NGOs, gaining highly relevant experience for a career in humanitarian aid.

Entry requirements for the International Development with NGO Management bachelors at the University of East London for UK applicants are A levels of least two passes. Non-UK applicants taking the International Baccalaureate require 25 points including a least 15 points at Higher Level. UK students pay tuition fees of around 9,000 GBP a year and international students pay around 12,000 GBP a year to take the degree. The International Development with NGO Management undergraduate at University of East London can be taken over 3, 4, or 5 years and full-time or part-time. Students can start the degree in September or January.

International Development BA – Kings College London

King’s College London is one of the UK’s top ranked universities offering degrees related to humanitarian work. Their bachelor’s degree in International Development is unique among UK humanitarian bachelors in that it includes a heavy focus on middle-income countries and how they respond to crises and development.

The undergraduate degree in International Development at King’s College London has students investigate how growing economies can overcome development challenges, as well as explore how economic, political, governmental and environmental policies can affect global development.

The International Development undergraduate degree course at King’s College London is a strong choice for those wanting to work in humanitarian aid and study in the UK. The bachelor’s degree is led by some of the UK’s leading humanitarian and development professionals.

Students on the undergraduate degree are encouraged to critique the development models of countries such as India, China and Brazil as well as research how environmental and man-made disasters, as well as human conflicts, can have a humanitarian impact on these and other middle-income countries. The course is also ideal for those wanting to work in humanitarian aid as students can take a placement year abroad as part of the degree.

UK applicants to the international development bachelor’s degree at King’s College London require A level grades of AAA. It is encouraged to have at least one social science at A level. Non-UK applicants on the International Baccalaureate require 35 points with also one social science preferred. UK students pay around 9,000 GBP a year to study the International Development undergraduate at King’s College London. International students pay around 20,000 GBP a year.

BA International Development – University of East Anglia

The University of East Anglia (UEA), located in Norwich, UK, offers a bachelors in International Development. Students on the degree course investigate how contemporary and historical events have resulted in unequal global development. The degree combines the study of politics, anthropology, economics and geography to allow students a broad understanding of international development and humanitarian issues.

The undergraduate degree in International Development at University of East Anglia is led by a combined team of UK and international development and humanitarian professionals.

Studying for a career in humanitarian aid in the UK at the University of East Anglia on their bachelors in International Development is a strong option. The degree allows students to develop the practical skills needed for a career in humanitarian aid, including proposal and report writing, data analysis, presentation giving and team work.

The undergraduate degree in International Development at the University of East Anglia in the UK takes a broad approach to humanitarian and development learning, covering key topics such as poverty reduction, the role of globalisation in development, gender and development as well as conflict and humanitarian responses.

Entry requirements to the bachelors in international development at the University of East Anglia for UK students are A level graded ABB or BBB. For non-UK applicants on the International Baccalaureate require at least 32 points. UK students on the University of East Anglia’s bachelors in International Development pay around 9,000 GBP a year. International students can find full details of the fees required on the university’s website.

International Development BA (Hons) – University of Sussex

The 3-year full-time bachelors in International Development at the University of Sussex is one of the top humanitarian degrees in the UK. Taught by leading professionals in the humanitarian industry, students on the course explore global development, humanitarian action, human rights and sustainable development.

Students on the bachelor’s degree explore the current challenges faced by the humanitarian and development industry and are encouraged to create unique tools and practices to meet these challenges.

The University of Sussex is one of the mostly highly ranked colleges specialising in humanitarian degrees in the UK. Students on the undergraduate degree in International Development at the University of Sussex can take modules including ‘Colonialism and After’, ‘Global Development Challenges and Innovation’ and ‘Institutions of Aid’. Modules are also available on ‘Development and the State’, ‘Environmental Perspectives on Development’ and ‘Health, Poverty and Inequality’. The University of Sussex bachelors in International Development is ideal for those wanting a career in humanitarian aid and to study in the UK.

UK applicants to the International Development bachelor’s degree at University of Sussex need A levels of AAB-ABB. International Baccalaureate applicants need 32-34 point overall. English language requirements are IELTS score of 6.0 with at least 5.5 on each element. UK students on the international development undergraduate degree at the University of Sussex pay around 9,000 GBP a year. Non-UK students pay around 18,000 GBP a year.

International Development BA (Hons) – University of Portsmouth

The University of Portsmouth, in the southern UK, offers an undergraduate degree in International Development. Aimed at those wanting a career as a humanitarian, the bachelor’s degree at the University of Portsmouth focuses on the theoretical and practical skills needed.

The degree prepares students to work in NGOs in roles focused on humanitarian action, fundraising, campaigns, community development and public policy. The University of Portsmouth bachelor’s degree in International Development is ideal for those wanting a career in international aid and to study in the UK.

The International Development bachelors at the University of Portsmouth is one of the leading humanitarian undergraduate degrees in the UK. Students are taught by some of the UK’s leading humanitarian and development professionals.

Students are encouraged to undertake individual research into development topics of their interest. Students explore major development challenges including global poverty, climate change, current conflicts and ongoing humanitarian responses. Students also learn key soft skills needed in the humanitarian industry including team work, problem solving, analytics and prioritisation.

The bachelor’s degree in International Development at University of Portsmouth can be taken in 3 years or 4 years with a placement. UK applicants need A levels of BBC or BCC. Non-UK applicants should visit the university’s website for entry requirements. Non-native English speakers need a IELTS score 6.0 with no part below 5.5. UK students pay fees of around 9,000 GBP to study the international development undergraduate at the University of Portsmouth. International students pay around 15,000 GBP a year for the degree.

BA International Development – University of Essex

The University of Essex in the UK offers a bachelors in International Development. The degree covers five main areas, all of which are highly relevant to humanitarian aid work. Firstly, the students investigate the role of NGOs and international aid on low income and developing countries. Secondly, the degree focuses on conflicts, their contexts and dynamics. Thirdly, the degree covers the world economy and how unequal global development has occurred. The University of Essex bachelors in International Development goes on to cover the role of international and national financial institutions on global development and politics and current events of the Middle East.

The International Development undergraduate degree at the University of Essex is a strong option for those wanting to go on to a career in humanitarian aid. The course takes a broad political view of international development and students are encouraged to develop independent research into global development.

The bachelors in International Development at the University of Essex is taught by some of the leading development and humanitarian professionals in the UK, allowing students to gain first-hand knowledge of the UK aid industry. Students on the undergraduate degree can also take an option to study abroad – a good addition for those wanting to work in humanitarian aid.

The bachelors in International Development at the University of Essex in the UK is a 3-year degree, or can be taken in 4 years with a placement year. The degree costs around 9,000 GBP a year for UK nationals and around 17,000 GBP for non-UK nationals. UK applicants need A level grades of BBB to apply to the University of Essex International Development bachelors. International entry requirements depend on the country being applied from and can be found on the university’s website.

BA (Hons) Global Development – University of York

The University of York is one of the top ranked university’s in the UK. The University of York has a bachelor’s degree in Global Development. Students on the undergraduate degree explore the foundational theories and key practices of sustainable development and global justice. Students also learn the tools and methodologies used in successful development.

The bachelor’s degree in Global Development at the University of York also focuses on developing students’ leadership and problem-solving skills – key requirements for a career in humanitarian aid.

The 3-year undergraduate degree in International Development at the University of York is ideal for those wanting to work in humanitarian action.

Students on the bachelors can take modules highly relevant to humanitarian work, including on ‘Foundational Issues in Global Development’, ‘Exploring Social Policy and Social Justice’ and ‘Historical Perspectives on Economic Growth’. There are also modules available on ‘Introducing Social Policy’, ‘Political Communities in World History’ and ‘Concepts in Environmental Science’. There is also the option to study a language for additional course credits – a good option for those wanting to learn a language relevant the aid industry.

Entry requirements for UK applicants to the University of York bachelors in International Development are A level grades of AAB. Entry requirements for non-UK nationals doing the International Baccalaureate is 35 points. Non-native English speakers need a IELTS result of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 on each part. UK students pay around 9,000 GBP a year to study the International Development bachelors at the University of York. Non-UK nationals pay fees of around 22,000 GBP a year to do the degree.

If you want to learn more about studying to become a humanitarian aid worker, explore our list of the top humanitarian aid online courses here.