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Interdisciplinary Study of Global Challenges

Interdisciplinary Study of Global Challenges

As the world becomes more globalised, more and more institutions are teaching truly interdisciplinary degrees focused on global challenges that require an interdisciplinary approach to solve, rather than studying one subject area.

There isn't a standard name for degrees in this field, but good key search terms are "Global", "Challenge", "Sustainability", "Development". In the USA, "Self-Designed" or "Student-designed" majors can allow you to create your own version.

Good to Know

There aren't any helpful overview sites for this field, because there is too much variety. So, we've put the links to the most innovative and interdisciplinary degrees we know of and that St. Clare's Students apply to, in the links section.

Skills

Common Degree/Major Names

BSc
Climate Science
BA/BSc
Development Economics
BSc
Earth, Climate and Environmental Change
BA/BSc
European Studies
BA/BSc
Global Affairs
BASc
Global Challenges
BA/BSc
Global Challenges
BA
Global Development
BSc
Global Sustainability Science
BASc
Global Sustainable Development
BA/BSc
Globalisation
BA/BSc
Government
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Useful Skills

Aiming High
Analytical
Attention to Detail
Creativity
Data Manipulation
Design Mindset
Empathy
ICT
Idea Visualisation
Leadership
Listening
Mathematical
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DEEPER SUBJECT EXPLORATION 

Access resources for you to "Read" around your subject from books, to blogs, taster lectures and events.

This is a great way to help you decide whether this subject area is really something you would want to study at the depth of a degree.

FIND UNIVERSITIES

Explore universities from our search engine that offer degrees within this field to get you started.

You can also use the degree names listed above when searching for courses on other sites

further resources
Universities

Universities Offering Degrees within Accounting and Finance

Institution
Country
Campus Type
Size
Education Model
Selectivity
Curtin University
Australia
Suburban Campus
Very Large Institution >30,000
We are a global university recognised for innovation in learning and teaching, with our curriculum, learning experiences and delivery methods highly responsive to the changing needs of industry and careers. Our diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses provide you with the right skills, knowledge and experience to enable you to follow your passion and put it to work at Curtin.
Somewhat Selective (50-75% admitted) - Some programs (like our quota health programs) have a high selective rate due to minimal places available. Other courses like arts and commerce are easier to achieve in admission in if the minimum score has been achieved.
UNSW Sydney
Australia
City Island Campus, Suburban Campus
Very Large Institution > 30,000
UNSW’s strategic priorities actively address the challenges we face today - from climate change and renewable energies to lifesaving medical treatments and breakthrough technologies. We aim to make an impact on people’s lives around the world. In 2020, UNSW evolved its motto to “Scientia corde mente et manu” - Knowledge by Heart, Mind and Hand. This is more than just a slogan of renewed values and aspirations. It captures the fact that we serve higher purpose, and are committed to serving society through knowledge sharing and new discovery.
Selective (25-50% admitted)
Charles University, Faculty of Social Sciences
Czech Republic
City Campus
Small Institution <5000
Single Subject Focus and several interdisciplinary programs.
Number of accepted students varies slightly every year depending on the cohort.
Lafayette College
USA
City Island Campus
Small Institution <5000
Lafayette blends liberal arts and engineering, with a keen focus on interdisciplinary studies.
Selective (25-50% admitted) ~30% acceptance rate
Durham University
UK
City Campus, City Island Campus, Suburban Campus
Large Institution 15,000-30,000 A high volume of applications means a number of programmes can be more selective than others
Single Subject Focus (Joint degrees available), Liberal Arts and Science (Major/minor Model), Integrated or Thematic degrees, Researched Focused Institution, Vocationally Focused Institution (multiple integrated internships)
Extremely Selective (<10% admitted)
Carleton University
Canada
City Island Campus
Large Institution 15,000-30,000
Over 26 degrees & over 200 programs with an emphasis on hands-on learning
Open Admission (almost all admitted) - For most programs, if a student meets the requirements, they will be admitted.
Carleton College
USA
Rural Campus
Small Institution <5000
Liberal Arts and Science (Major/minor Model)
Highly Selective (10-25% admitted)
Leiden University College
The Netherlands
City Campus
Small Institution <5000
Leiden University College is part of Leiden University, which is a Research University.
Selective (25-50% admitted) Leiden University College accepts 200 students each year out of approx 800 applications.
Queens University
Canada
City Island Campus
Large Institution 15,000-30,000
Medical-Doctoral Research University
Highly Selective (10-25% admitted)
York University
Canada
City Campus
Very Large Institution >30,000
Single Subject Focus (Joint degrees available), Liberal Arts and Science (Major/minor Model), Integrated or Thematic degrees, Single Focus Institution (e.g. Business School, Researched Focused Institution
Somewhat Selective (50-75% admitted) Admission requirements vary by programs.
The Hong Kong University of Science and Techonology
Hong Kong, China
City Island Campus, Suburban Campus
Large Institution 15,000-30,000
Single Subject Focus (Joint degrees available), Liberal Arts and Science (Major/minor Model), Integrated or Thematic degrees, Single Focus Institution (e.g. Business School, Researched Focused Institution, Teaching Focused Institution, Vocationally Focused Institution (multiple integrated internships)
The London Interdisciplinary School
UK
City Campus
Small Institution <5000
Liberal Arts and Science (Major/minor Model), Teaching Focused Institution
Highly Selective (10-25% admitted)
Sciences Po
France
City Campus
Medium Institution 5000-15,000
Liberal Arts and Science (Major/minor Model)
Highly Selective (10-25% admitted)
Duke Kunshan University (DKU)
China with a semester in the United States
City Island Campus
Small Institution <5000
Unique, new mutli-disciplinary model that results in both a Duke (US) degree and DKU (China) degree.
Highly Selective (10-25% admitted)
Bard College Berlin
Germany
City Campus
Small Institution <5000
Liberal Arts and Science (Major/minor Model)
Selective (25-50% admitted)
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