Politics, International Studies and Global Sustainable Development BASc (UCAS L2L8)

UCAS code

L2L8

Start date

28 September 2026

Duration

3 years full-time, 4 years full-time with intercalated year

Qualification

Bachelor of Arts and Sciences (BASc)

Led by

Global Sustainable Development

Location

University of Warwick

Explore our Politics, International Studies and Global Sustainable Development degree at Warwick

Studying BASc Politics, International Studies (PAIS) and Global Sustainable Development (GSD) enables you to take part in the critical analysis of political ideas in an international context. This degree will equip you with the theoretical foundations upon which you can build analysis of issue-based problems.

Course overview

Global sustainable development requires a global political dialogue.

Understanding key political concepts, ideologies, and practices of national and international governments is essential for providing solutions for sustainable development. This course considers testing questions such as:

Why do states marginalise human rights in place of geopolitical aims?
Why has water and food security become a critical foreign policy concern for governments?
Why does political gridlock frequently emerge in discussions on climate change?

You will seek to answer these questions, combining theoretical and analytical approaches from Politics with the transdisciplinary approach of GSD.

By studying GSD, you will confront issues from a diverse array of perspectives. You will need to be ready to think creatively and embrace new opinions from your peers from across the world. We will challenge you to become an active participant in your own learning.

You can enhance your skills and studies through optional work placements, study abroad, and certificates.

Our Global Sustainable Development courses are fully accredited with the Institute for Environmental Management and Assessment.

This means that upon graduation from the courses, our students receive a professionally recognised level of knowledge, skills and tools for working in sustainability practice.

Study abroad

Although it is not compulsory, we encourage you to study abroad during your degree.

Option 1: Part of your second year abroad

Spend part of your second year at Monash University, home to the Monash Sustainable Development Institute. You will learn to appreciate different concerns and priorities for sustainable development, including different approaches to tackling global issues.

Your academic achievements abroad will count towards your degree awarded by Warwick.

Find out more about studying abroad for part of your second year.

https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/schoolforcross-facultystudies/gsd/prospectivestudents/undergraduate/studyabroad

Option 2: Year abroad

You may choose to apply for an intercalated year spent either studying abroad or on a work placement (subject to you meeting departmental academic requirements). This will mean extending your course to four years.

Warwick has partnerships with universities across the world. You will spend your first and second years at Warwick, studying abroad in your third year before returning for final year.

Your year abroad will not count towards your overall final mark, giving you the freedom to choose modules outside of your comfort zone.

Learn more about spending a year abroad.

https://warwick.ac.uk/study/studyabroad

Core modules

Teaching on this course is equally split between the GSD Department and the PAIS Department.

In the first year, you will study core GSD modules designed to provide a critical understanding of the 'three pillars of sustainable development':

Economic Principles of Global Sustainable Development
Environmental Principles of Global Sustainable Development
Social Principles of Global Sustainable Development

You will also study the core Global Sustainable Development Project module, giving you the chance to see how the principles of GSD apply to a real case affecting a local community. For the PAIS half of the workload, you will study two core modules, Introduction to Politics and World Politics. These modules will introduce you to a toolkit of ideologies, concepts, and political theories.

In the second year, in GSD you will have the opportunity to engage with a key issue in sustainability, studying one optional core module from the following:

Health and Sustainable Development
Security, Sovereignty and Sustainability in the Global Food System
Inequalities and Sustainable Development: Inclusion and Dignity for All

You will also choose optional modules with a GSD focus from within GSD or from other departments across the University. For the PAIS half of the workload, you will take two core modules: Foundations of Political Theory and Topics in Political Theory. You will also choose optional modules offered by the PAIS Department.

You may choose to study abroad for part of your second year at Monash University. In Term One at Warwick, you will study an optional core GSD module, an optional module with a GSD focus, a core PAIS module, and optional module(s) offered by the PAIS Department. The remaining study will consist of pre-approved modules at Monash University.

In the final year, you will take the core GSD Dissertation module. You will also study optional modules with a GSD focus from within or outside of the School for Cross-faculty Studies. For the PAIS half of the workload, you will choose optional modules offered by the PAIS Department.

Year OneGSD

Module title (select the arrow to see more)

Credits

Economic Principles of Global Sustainable Development (GD104-15)

15

Why and how can economics address issues of global sustainable development? In this module, you will learn about the relationship between economic activity, social inclusion and environmental sustainability, and critically analyse the economic theories that underpin sustainable development policy interventions and how those theories impact upon policy design.

Information correct as of 2025-26 academic year.

Environmental Principles of Global Sustainable Development (GD105-15)

15

This module focuses on the natural science of the world’s most pressing environmental issues. We will cover well-known topics like climate change and biodiversity loss and less prominent problems like biogeochemical flows. You will receive training in scientific methods and will investigate environmental systems first hand through experimental approaches. You will evaluate existing governance and management efforts and develop innovative responses of your own. You will learn how to write a policy briefing and create a policy briefing paper and policy pitch, aimed at a specific decision-making audience.

Information correct as of 2025-26 academic year.

Social Principles of Global Sustainable Development (GD106-15)

15

This module examines concepts that enable you to analyse and interpret social and political issues related to global sustainable development. You will learn to understand and evaluate pressing social and political dimensions of sustainability at national and international levels.

Information correct as of 2025-26 academic year.

Global Sustainable Development (GSD) Project (GD107-15)

15

This is an exciting, innovative, and practical module. It is designed to give you research and analysis skills and to enable you to apply the theories from your other first-year core modules. You will learn how to research sustainability by designing and developing a group project on the topic of sustainable transport, under the guidance of an academic supervisor. Staff from across the GSD Department with expertise in transport policy as well as research methods teach this module.

Information correct as of 2025-26 academic year.

PAIS

Module title (select the arrow to see more)

Credits

Introduction to Politics (PO107-30)

30

Introduction to Politics gives you a broad overview of the main issues and theoretical perspectives within Politics. You'll learn first to understand and then apply the core concepts of comparative political science and theory to processes, institutions, ideologies and practical policy-making. You'll conduct a comparative study of different political systems and political change, both in writing and in open debate.

Information correct as of 2025-26 academic year.

World Politics (PO131-30)

30

In this module, you'll be introduced to world politics and the role that international relations play in the interactions between nations. You'll gain a solid understanding of the historical underpinnings of the structure and systems of states and become familiar with major theories of international relations post-1945. You'll analyse contemporary writings on world politics and engage critically, both orally and in writing, with key concepts and theoretical debates on the nature of international political systems.

Information correct as of 2025-26 academic year.

Year TwoGSD

You will study one optional core module from the following:

Module title (select the arrow to see more)

Credits

Health and Sustainable Development (GD204-30)

30

Viable and equitable solutions in health and sustainable development require interdisciplinary and critical thinking. The first part of the module will introduce you to fundamental concepts of global health governance and health systems, whilst acquainting you with key global health priorities like drug resistance and mental health from the perspective of global sustainable development. The second part of the module will focus on cross-cutting issues that shape and impact on global health.

Information correct as of 2025-26 academic year.

Security, Sovereignty and Sustainability in the Global Food System (GD205-30)

30

Goal 2 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development aims to end hunger, end all forms of malnutrition, and ensure sustainable food production systems. However, the world population will likely increase to nearly 10 billion people by 2050. After decades of positive change, the incidence of malnourishment is again on the rise, global stocks of key food are contracting, and it is currently more expensive to buy food than for most of our planet’s modern history.

This module addresses these significant challenges by encouraging students to adopt a 'food systems approach' in responding to the imperative agendas of food security, sovereignty and sustainability. The module is taught in collaboration with researchers from across various disciplines at Warwick.

Information correct as of 2025-26 academic year.

Inequalities and Sustainable Development: Inclusion and Dignity for All (GD206-30)

30

This module focuses on how inequalities shape our societies, economies, environments and politics. Starting with the question ‘Does inequality matter?’, you will critically reflect on the United Nations' decision to integrate inequalities into the Sustainable Development Agenda. You will then explore six different dimensions of inequalities (work, politics, environmental justice, societal discrimination, automation and globalisation, empowerment) and gain an understanding of the complexities of these problems. Finally, you will appreciate the challenges faced by today’s policy makers who aim to address issues of inequalities while taking into consideration all three pillars of sustainable development.

Information correct as of 2025-26 academic year.

PAIS

Module title (select the arrow to see more)

Credits

Foundations of Political Theory (PO2E3-15)

15

The aim of this module is to introduce you to some of the foundational arguments and debates in modern (mainly) European political theory, as well as some of the discipline’s most important primary texts. To this end, you will critically examine claims about freedom, equality, democracy, revolution and crisis made by some of the most important political thinkers from 1640 onwards.

Information correct as of 2025-26 academic year.

Topics in Political Theory (PO2E2-15)

15

Politics considers how the political world operates, and how it ought to operate. In this module, we consider the “oughts” of politics. Building on Foundations of Political Theory, the module examines key thinkers and topics in contemporary normative political theory. The module is divided into two parts: key thinkers in contemporary normative political theory, including John Rawls, Robert Nozick, and Susan Moller Okin; and key topics in contemporary normative political theory, including issues such as immigration, education, representation, microaggressions, and climate change.

Information correct as of 2025-26 academic year.

Final YearGSD

Module title (select the arrow to see more)

Credits

Dissertation/Independent Study (GD307-30)

30

In this module you will bring together all your learning and experiences on the course – the theoretical concepts and principles and your practical know-how – to address a specific sustainable development problem of your own choosing. This will be a problem that concerns you most and which you would like to tackle.

You will be supported by an academic supervisor to devise a suitable project and to undertake research to explore the issue, taking a transdisciplinary approach to your investigation in order to produce an original research output. This may be a concept paper, a practical project, a film production, a long essay, an advocacy campaign...use your creativity!

You will design a strategy for disseminating your findings (for example at a conference presentation, via online publication or an article in a journal, or at a public meeting that you have arranged). This provides you with an opportunity to have your voice heard in a forum where it matters and could have lasting impact.

Information correct as of 2025-26 academic year.

Optional modules

Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules include:

GSD

Module title (select the arrow to see more)

Credits

Managing Natural Resources (GD317-15)

15

The Energy Trilemma (GD311-15)

15

Human Rights and Social Justice in Latin America and the Caribbean (GD313-15)

15

Challenges of Climate Change (Term 1) (GD305-15)

15

Multilingualism and Sustainable Development (GD315-15)

15

Surviving the Apocalypse (GD302-15)

15

Read more about our optional modules

https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/schoolforcross-facultystudies/gsd/currentstudents/modules/

PAIS

Module title (select the arrow to see more)

Credits

Public Policy for 21st Century Challenges (PO2D0-30)

30

States and Markets: An Introduction to International Political Economy (PO230-30)

30

Justice, Democracy and Citizenship (PO134-15)

15

Capitalism and Its Alternatives (PO240-15)

15

Gender and Development (PO353-30)

30

United States Foreign Policy (PO379-30)

30

Co-curricular Certificates

We offer a range of unique certificates outside of the curriculum as a way of continuing your professional development.

In the first year, you can complete certificates in Climate Literacy and Professional Communication.

Explore our range of certificates.

https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/schoolforcross-facultystudies/certificates/

General entry requirements

A levels

A level typical offer

AAA.

A level additional information

You will also need grade 4/C in GCSE Mathematics and grade 4/C in GCSE English Language or equivalent.

A level contextual offer

We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. The typical contextual offer is AAB. See if you're eligible.

https://warwick.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/contextual-offers/eligibilitycheck

IB

IB typical offer

36

IB additional information

You will also need grade 4/C in GCSE Mathematics and grade 4/C in GCSE English Language or equivalent.

IB contextual offer

We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. The typical contextual offer is 34. See if you're eligible.

https://warwick.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/contextual-offers/eligibilitycheck

Other UK qualifications

BTEC

We welcome applications from students taking BTECs alongside one or two A levels.

Scotland Advanced Highers

AA in two Advanced Highers and AAB in three additional Highers subjects.

Welsh Baccalaureate

AAB in three subjects at A level plus grade C in the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales.

Access to Higher Education Diplomas

We will consider applicants returning to study who are presenting a QAA-recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma on a case-by-case basis.

Typically, we require 45 Credits at Level 3, including Distinction in 33 Level 3 credits and Merit in 12 Level 3 Credits. We may also require subject specific credits or an A level to be studied alongside the Access to Higher Education Diploma to fulfil essential subject requirements.

Additional information

You will also need grade 4/C in GCSE Mathematics and grade 4/C in GCSE English Language or equivalent.

English Language requirements

All applicants have to meet our English Language requirementsLink opens in a new window. If you cannot demonstrate that you meet these, you may be invited to take part in our Pre-sessional English course at WarwickLink opens in a new window.

This course requires: Band B

Learn more about our English Language requirements

https://warwick.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/language

Tuition fees

Tuition fees cover the majority of the costs of your study, including teaching and assessment. Fees are charged at the start of each academic year. If you pay your fees directly to the University, you can choose to pay in instalments.

Home students

Undergraduate fees

On 4 November the UK government announced an increase in the tuition fee cap for Home students for academic year 2025/26. The University of Warwick’s Executive Board has consequently confirmed a change in fees from the previously advertised rate to £9,535.

Alongside the tuition fee increase, maintenance loans will also rise by 3.1%.

The University expects to increase fees for future years in line with any inflationary uplift as determined by the UK government.

How are fees set?

The UK Government sets tuition fee rates.

To learn more about how the UK student fees and maintenance loans are set, please visit the UK Government websiteLink opens in a new window and UCASLink opens in a new window.

Undergraduate fees

If you are an overseas student enrolling in 2025-26, your annual tuition fees will be as follows:

Band 1 – £26,290 per year (classroom-based courses, including Humanities and most Social Science courses)
Band 2 – £33,520 per year (laboratory-based courses, plus Maths, Statistics, Theatre and Performance Studies, Economics, and courses provided by Warwick Business School, with exceptions)

Tuition fees for 2026 entry have not been set. We will publish updated information here as soon as it becomes available, so please check back for updates about 2026 fee rates before you apply.

Fee status guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status.

https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student-advice/fees/know-the-basics-for-he-england/

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on this web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module CatalogueLink opens in a new window (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2024/25 year of study). Information about module specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

Core text books
Printer credits
Dissertation binding
Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Further information

Find out more about tuition fees from our Student Finance team and available funding from our Student Funding Support.

Scholarships and bursaries

Learn about scholarships and bursaries available to undergraduate students.

 Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a number of undergraduate scholarships and bursaries to full-time undergraduate students. These include sporting and musical bursaries, and scholarships offered by commercial organisations.

Find out more about funding opportunities for full-time students.

https://warwick.ac.uk/study/scholarships-and-bursaries/