BA International Development Studies at University of California, Los Angeles

Programme overview

The curriculum introduces students to key theoretical debates around development and to detailed case studies of successful and failed interventions; and provides methodological training. Core and elective courses illuminate the extent to which realities that affect people often arise owing to economic class, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, migrant status and other identities, and investigate the impact of policy solutions and forms of citizen engagement on communities and the environment.

Faculty: College of Letters and Science | Department: International Development Studies | Study mode: full-time | Intake: Fall | Location: Los Angeles, CA, United States

What you will study

Preparation for the Major: Complete six courses and demonstrate proficiency in one modern foreign language equivalent to level 6 at UCLA. (Economics, Geography, Public Affairs; Methods; Social Sciences/Area Studies; Foreign Language). The Major: Complete 11 courses as follows: three core courses, one capstone seminar, one research methodology course, three social and critical theory courses, two regional courses, and one disciplinary elective.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applies to students entering the major (college-level admission to UCLA is separate): Transfer Students: Transfer applicants to the International Development Studies pre-major with 90 or more units must complete the following introductory courses prior to admission to UCLA: two introductory macroeconomics, microeconomics, and/or economic geography courses; one statistics course; three courses, each from a separate category, selected from sociocultural anthropology, cultural or economic geography, cultural area studies, world history, comparative politics, and introductory sociology; and demonstrated proficiency equivalent to level 3 at UCLA in one modern foreign language. Transfer students must petition to enter the major no later than spring of their junior year.

Fall quarter only; UCLA does not offer early action or early decision.

Transfer students are admitted for fall quarter only.

Most graduate departments and schools have deadlines in November and early December for the following fall term.

Fall 2027 first-year and transfer: UC application opens August 1, accepts submissions October 1-November 30 (deadline November 30) via the UC application. First-year decisions late March; transfer decisions late April. UCLA is test-free and does not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission or scholarships. Application fees can be waived for up to four campuses for eligible students.

Transfer applicants must submit the Transfer Academic Update by the January 31 priority deadline; Statement of Intent to Register due June 1. First-year Statement of Intent to Register due May 1.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.ucla.edu/apply

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