科克大学学院

Are you interested in human rights, health, education and environment in the context of development? Or the UN's sustainable goals and the fight against global hunger and poverty? If so, this programme will be of interest to you.

The BSc International Development and Food Policy is the first undergraduate programme in Ireland to have a primary focus on international development, particularly on the countries of the global south. It will help you understand key issues of development and deliver skills such as languages, research techniques and project management.

In Year 3, you will have the opportunity to undertake a five-month work placement, typically with a development agency based in a developing country in Africa or Asia.

The course addresses key challenges in global development:

• Poverty and hunger
• Agricultural and rural development
• Food policy and food systems
• Human rights, governance and gender
• Health and development
• Climate change
• Role of international development agencies and non-governmental organisations
• Migration and Refugees

It aims to:

• Develop your understanding of the multidimensional nature of international development
• Develop your understanding of cross-disciplinary methods for analysis of key development challenges
• Equip you with practical skills to address global challenges
• Ensure you can work effectively as individuals and in team settings

Skills and Careers Information

Students on this course develop skills to work effectively in the areas of international development and food policy. These include project management, research methods, data analysis, programme evaluation and policy analysis. Students also develop a strong understanding of key global issues such as global poverty and hunger, migration, sustainable development, human rights, race, gender, conflict and food systems. Students acquire general transferrable skills in areas such as IT, economic literacy, capacity for cross disciplinary understanding, team work, communications and report writing. French, Chinese and Spanish language options are also available.

Graduates work in a wide range of organisations, e.g., within the UN system on refugee issues (UNHCR) and on gender equality (UN Women). Graduates also work in some of Ireland’s largest NGOs, including Concern and Trócaire, in areas such as agricultural development, human rights, poverty alleviation and food programmes. Employers value the diverse skills of our graduates who are well-prepared for work in a wide variety of public and private sector organisations.