Undergraduate
Global Development Studies
-
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
-
- Peterborough
-
- Paid Co-op Available
-
- Fall & Winter & Summer
- Humanities & Social Sciences (Arts)
At a glance:
- Degree Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
- Campus Peterborough
- Work Experience Paid Co-op Available
- Program is Offered Fall & Winter & Summer
- Study Options Part time/Full time
- OUAC Codes RID - Peterborough RIV - Peterborough co-op
- Apply Now Stay in Touch
The Trent Advantage
Study in North America’s longest-standing international development studies program, combining multidisciplinary learning with hands-on community experience in Canada and around the world.
Explore the forces shaping societies around the world through Trent’s multidisciplinary Global Development Studies program. Examining perspectives alongside experts across 10 academic departments, you’ll study issues including poverty, conflict, the environment, and gender while building career-boosting critical thinking and analytical skills.
- Connect theory with practical learning through paid co-op opportunities and community-based research.
- Take your learning global through unique study abroad and field study opportunities in Ghana and Bolivia.
- Join the Student Association for International Development and contribute to the student-run Community Movements Conference, developing skills in event planning, management, communications, and community engagement.
- Learn from leading anthropologists, political scientists, and economists.
Program Possibilites
Specialize your studies in Global Development Studies with a focus on a specific field within your degree
-
African Studies
Examine the historical and contemporary global significance of Africa. Study African societies, cultures, and developments in the classroom and abroad, with an opportunity to live, study, and work on the West coast of Africa as part of the Trent-in-Ghana program.
-
Global Innovation, Entrepreneurship, & Social Change
This specialization teaches students the skills to be socially conscious and create meaningful global change in any organizational structure. Take classes spanning business, international development, politics, and sociology to learn new ways of challenging global inequities. Through this specialization, you can also complete summer fieldwork abroad to get first-hand experience with innovation in different contexts.
-
Global Migration & Refugee Studies
Study alongside global experts, examining the nature and dynamics of cross-border population movements from social, political, economic, and environmental angles. Students in this specialization address real-world social challenges through study abroad opportunities and work with community organizations, government agencies, and NGOs.
-
International Law & Policy
The specialization provides a foundation in international legal frameworks, political institutions, and policy processes that shape economic and social systems. Through an interdisciplinary approach, students will gain deeper insights into the political and policy dynamics that influence human rights and global governance. Students will explore the role of law and human rights institutions in shaping international relations and justice. Experiential learning opportunities, including policy-focused courses and placements, enable students to apply legal and political analysis to pressing international and global challenges, preparing them for careers in law, diplomacy, public policy, and international organizations.
-
Latin American Studies
Study alongside experts in Latin American Studies in this unique specialization to learn more about the historical, political, and culture significance of South America. You can participate in the Trent-in-Bolivia semester abroad, which features a hands-on community development project, which can be applied as credit towards your degree.
Add an Option to your Global Development Studies degree to explore an additional area of interest
-
Global Power & Politics
The most urgent political problems of our time pose fundamental moral problems that require not only goodwill and commitment, but a deep understanding of the mechanisms of global power and politics. This option is designed to enable you to develop a critical understanding of the formal, informal, visible and hidden structures of power in the global age and the mechanisms that propel global power and politics.
-
Leadership
What does it mean to be a leader? How does one learn to lead? In this option you will learn all about the importance of building relationships and directing people to work together to achieve common goals and objectives. With opportunities to learn from Trent University’s Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership, and take courses from across disciplines, you will develop comprehensive perspectives on leadership and earn a formal designation that signals your leadership capacity to future employers.
-
Circumpolar Studies
One of only a few programs of its kind in the world, the Circumpolar Studies option offers you a unique opportunity to broaden your knowledge and understanding of the lands, peoples, and critical issues of the Arctic. The Circumpolar Studies Option is open to all undergraduate students at Trent.
Career experience while you learn
Every Global Development Studies student has a guaranteed route to paid, credited experience before they graduate.
Paid Co-op Available
- Graduate with paid work experience completing three 12–16-week work terms in the summer of years two and three, and the fall of year four, all as part of your four-year degree.
- Work with local or international organizations in community relations, policy analysis, public service, settlement services, or international relations.
Research Opportunities
- Contribute to ongoing faculty research under the direct supervision of a Global Development Studies faculty member, gaining hands-on experience within their research program.
- Work with community-based organizations to explore real-world questions and challenges, applying your learning through collaborative research projects that contribute to meaningful outcomes in the community.
Field Schools and Hands-On Courses
- Gain hands-on experience with a development organization through an extended 10- to 12-week field placement.
- Take your learning into the field through Trent-in-Bolivia, combining development theory with hands-on community experience through field courses and an extensive community-based development experience.
Study Abroad
- Spend a semester or full academic year with Trent-in-Ghana, learning from Ghanaian academics and development professionals. Full-year students also complete a 12-week community placement with a local organization.
- Study international development and language for a semester in Sucre with Trent-in-Bolivia, in partnership with Universidad San Francisco Xavier de Chuquisaca. Gain hands-on experience with the option of a 10- to 12-week extended field placement with a development organization.
Placements
- International field placements through Trent-in-Ghana or Trent-in-Bolivia, connecting students with local development organizations.
Internships
- Gain professional workplace experience within a business or organization on a paid internship, building career-ready skills, making industry connections, and exploring potential career paths.
- Opportunities are available through the Ontario Internship Program, International Youth Internship Program, Foreign Affairs Canada exchange programs, and the International Institute for Sustainable Development.
Career Paths
- Human Rights Officer
- Community Education Coordinator
- Lawyer
- Diplomat
- United Nations Official
Admissions
Whether you're graduating from an Ontario high school, looking to study in Canada, or training for a second career, Trent has clear pathways for students to apply and be admitted to study at either of our campuses.
Requirements
If you are coming straight from high school in Ontario or are a recent grad, the general admission requirements are:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
- A minimum of six Grade 12 4U or 4M courses, including program-specific prerequisites
- ENG4U with a minimum of 60%
| Admission Requirements | Recommended Admission Requirements | Estimated Admission Average | Co-op Admission Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENG4U | 70-75% | 80-85% |
Requirements
Students from across Canada can use their grades from their home province to apply to Trent.
Requirements
International students from outside Canada can apply based on the curriculum of their home country.
Requirements
Mature students can apply to Trent based on previous education and professional or volunteer experience.
Requirements
With many transfer agreements and flexible pathway options, Trent University makes it easy for students to make the most of the credits you have already earned.
Tuition Estimate
Estimate your tuition, ancillary fees, and potential entrance scholarships based on your program, residency status, and academic average.
Tuition
Base Tuition Fee
$6,240.85
Ancillary Fees
Ancillary Fees (non-tuition costs supporting student services, such as athletics, campus safety, college fees, etc.)
$2,122.22
Total:
$ 8,363.07
* The tuition details and scholarships listed are for domestic students only. International applicants should contact the financial aid office directly for equivalent guidance.
Scholarships
If you’re a top scholar with an average of 80% or higher, you qualify to automatically receive an entrance scholarship to Trent. Scholars with 95% or higher? You earn free first-year tuition – no application required.
| Entrance Average | Maximum Scholarship Potential | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 95%+ | $18,241 | $6,241 first year Full Tuition + $4,000 x 3 years |
| 90-94.9% | $12,000 | $3,000 x 4 years |
| 85-89.9% | $8,000 | $2,000 x 4 years |
| 80-84.9% | $6,000 | $1,500 x 4 years |
* Available to Domestic students only. Based on 2026/27 tuition for a general arts and science program
Explore additional funding for domestic and international students
- IDS First-Year Prize
- David Morrison Fund for Global Studies
- David Morrison Prize
- Karanja Njoroge Community Service Prize
- Rita Chiu Study Abroad Bursaries
- Naomi Harder Memorial Bursary
- International Development Studies Bursary for IDS Year Abroad Programs
- Jack Matthews Study & Research Abroad Bursaries
- Bill and Dorothy Slavin Bursary
- Setsu Suzuki Bursary
- Visa Student Bursary
- Bridget Butt Trent-in-Ghana Award
- Shawn T. Callaghan Memorial Prize
- Edward Tremain Award for Study Abroad
- Aaron Coholan Gift – Ghana & Ecuador Travel Fund
- IDS Fundraising Trust
- John Hillman Prize