About International Development and Food Policy, BSc (Hons) - at University College Cork (UCC)

Overview

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 Policyis 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.

Course Details

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 keydevelopment challenges
• Equip you with practical skills to address global challenges
• Ensure you can work effectively as individuals and in team settings

Year 1
Core modules:

• Development studies
• Food and agricultural economics
• Rural development
• Poverty and development
• Data and development
• Communications skills

You can also pursue optional courses in languages, health, nutrition or government.

Year 2
Core modules:

• Food policy
• Globalisation and development
• Sustainable livelihoods
• Supply chain management
• Human rights law
• Race and ethnicity
• Small enterprise development

You can also pursue optional coursesin languages, health, nutrition or government.

Year 3
Core modules:

• Programme planning and management
• Research methods
• Agricultural systems in the developing world
• Gender and development
• Microfinance or food marketing

A key undertaking in Year 3 is the 24-week work placement: in most cases the placement is overseas in a developing country working with a development organisation.

Year 4
You will write a dissertation on a topic relevant to international development. You will also study modules in:

• Advanced programme planning
• Global food policy
• Macro-economics
• Humanitarian action
• Contemporary issues in development.

In addition, you can take optional courses in rural development, co-operatives, markets and social policy, languages, health and government.

See the College Calendar for more detailed information on the programme and the Book of Modulesfor a more detailed description of programme modules.

Fact File

Course Code: CK506

Course Title: International Development and Food Policy

College: Science, Engineering and Food Science

Duration: 4 Years

Teaching Mode: Full-time

Qualifications: BSc (Hons)

NFQ Level: Level 8

Costs: Full-time EU/EEA/Swiss State undergraduate students may be exempt from paying tuition fees. The State will pay the tuition fees for students who satisfy the Free Fees Criteria. In 2016/17 the Student Contribution Charge will be EUR 3,000 and the Capitation Fee will be EUR 165.

2017 Entry Requirements: H5 in two subjects, and O6/H7 in four other subjects in the Leaving Certificate from Irish, English, Mathematics and three other subjects recognised for entry purposes.

Entry Points: 2016: 375

Course Practicalities

Direct contact hours through lectures normally comprise 12 hours per week. In first year, additional tutorials may be scheduled. There is a significant amount of continuous assessment in the course, including through assignments, group projects, in-class presentations. Students are expected to devote sufficient time to reading, preparation of assignments etc, as required in a full-time course.

Overseas placement in 3rd year will cost approximately EUR 3,000 - EUR 4,000 (partial bursaries may be available).

Assessment

Written exams will take place before Christmas and in May. Not all modules will have formal examinations. Many modules use other types of assessment including written assignments, group projects, in-class presentations, and some in-class tests.

The work placement in Year 3 is assessed on a pass/fail basis.

Application Procedure

EU Applicants: Application to Year 1 of the degree programme is made directly through the Central Applications Office (CAO). Applicants should apply online at www.cao.ie. The normal closing date for receipt of completed applications is 1st February of the year of entry.

Non-EU Applicants

Mature Applicants: Application is made through theCAO (www.cao.ie) and the closing date for receipt of completed applications is 1st February of the year of proposed entry.

Further Contact Information

Dr Edward Lahiff

Academic Director

T: +353 (0)21 4903478

E:e.lahiff@ucc.ie

Nora Hennessy

Administrative Co-ordinator

T: +353 (0)21 4902114

E:NHennessy@ucc.ie

Brid Drake/Marie Hourigan

Department Executive Assistants

T: +353 (0)21 4902570

E:b.drake@ucc.ie/m.hourigan@ucc.ie

www.facebook.com/uccinternationaldevelopment/

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Entry requirements for this course

Contact University College Cork (UCC) to find course entry requirements.

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Related information

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