| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-04-24 | - |
| 2023-09-19 | - |
| 2024-01-09 | - |
Program Overview
Overview
1st place in the National Student Survey for Combined Studies 2022.
If you’re keen to develop the knowledge and skills to make the world a better place, this newly established degree could help you to make a real difference as it has been developed for innovators – those who are passionate about introducing change for good.
On the Global Innovations pathway, you’ll acquire knowledge about the causes and effects of real-world problems and will learn key skills to develop innovative and sustainable products and solutions that could change lives.
Within the core spine of your Global Challenges degree, you will take an in-depth look at issues such as climate change, sustainable development, migration, terrorism, aging inequality and poverty and how they affect the world we live in, which will be backed up by the focus on generating possible solutions through the Global Innovation pathway.
Well-designed innovations are needed to improve the world we live in, but real-world issues cannot be solved by technology alone. Your degree will cover a combination of sciences, social sciences and the humanities as different disciplines are woven together to give you a comprehensive understanding of how change happens and what factors determine success.
Hands-on learning is a strong focus of this degree, allowing you to develop skills which you can take to your future career. A large part of the course will be learning how to put your ideas through a process of investigations to test their viability in relation to the challenge you want to address. You will also look at the concepts, theories and history behind innovation.
You will learn how to take a product through important development phases by learning the basics in design, solid body mechanics and electronic systems which will allow you to bring your product ideas to life and will give you a portfolio of practical work to add to your CV.
A third year Enterprise Project will help to bring skills in project management, working to a brief and presenting together as you work on a group project with an external company to help solve a specific challenge.
You have the option to apply for an internship at the end of your first year and can take a one-year placement between years two and three, giving you valuable work experience and a step ahead for your career when you graduate.
You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.
Program Outline
Course content
Your Global Challenges course is structured around a core spine of compulsory modules where you will tap into the expertise of several departments from across the university.In addition, you will study a set of modules which are focused on your Global Innovation pathway to build your specialist knowledge.
Core elements of your degree have been developed to work in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). As the lead United Nations agency in tackling some of the most pressing challenges facing our world, this partnership ensures that what you’ll learn is timely, relevant and responsive.
In practice this includes working on real life case studies that bring the skills and experience of industry experts and academics to the student learning experience, to respond to live briefs aimed at supporting the UNDP’s international development priorities.
This connection not only ensures your project work will be specific and focused, but also develop your problem solving and project delivery skills in ways that, beyond supporting your future career, have the potential to bring real world impact through our partners.
This course can be studied 3 years full-time or 4 years full-time with placement, starting in September.
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
This course has a placement option. Find out more about work placements available.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of undergraduate degrees at Brunel.
Careers and your future
Today’s workforce seeks graduates who are not only flexible and determined, but also have the awareness and ability to respond to the challenges faced by different industries across a rapidly-changing world.
Global Challenges is both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science. Having developed skills in scientific, social scientific and humanities fields, our graduates will be able to confidently engage with a range of perspectives, evidence bases and stakeholders.
Ultimately, graduates will be able to actively contribute and lead the necessary change needed to respond to emerging issues. You’ll be able to innovate and improve processes in a dynamic manner, and to actively contribute to improving outcomes for employers, or as an employer yourself.
Graduates from this programme will be equipped for roles in a number of industries including, but certainly not limited to, business, media and communications, systems design and consulting, international development, healthcare, government and diplomatic services.
Assessment and feedback
Course assessments are synoptic in nature as they will draw on the knowledge you acquire across the various disciplines covered. Assessment methods may include presentations, written and audio-visual reports in the form of vlogs and blogs, essays, examinations, laboratory worksheets, coursework, and peer assessment.
Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.
Brunel University London
Overview:
Brunel University London is a public research university located in Uxbridge, west London. It is known for its focus on practical learning and its strong links with industry. The university prides itself on being a "university for a changing world," emphasizing its commitment to innovation and addressing global challenges.
Services Offered:
Brunel University London offers a wide range of services to its students, including:
Study Support:
Library, Computer Centre, Academic Skills Service, Personal Tutors, Academic English support.Student Services:
Advice and Representation Centre (ARC), Disability and Mental Health Support, Faith and Religion support, Medical Centre, Student Support and Welfare.Professional Development Centre:
Job Shop, Careers advice, Placements, Modern languages, Entrepreneur hub, Brunel Buddies.Student Life and Campus Experience:
Brunel University London has a single-site campus, offering a vibrant and diverse student community. Students can expect:
Accommodation:
Guaranteed accommodation for first-year students.Sport:
A wide range of sports facilities and activities.Student Life:
Opportunities to get involved in clubs, societies, and volunteering.Shops, Restaurants, and Bars:
A variety of options for dining and socializing on campus.Key Reasons to Study There:
Practical Learning:
Brunel University London emphasizes practical learning and industry links, providing students with valuable skills for their future careers.World-Class Research:
The university has a strong reputation for research, with students benefiting from learning from leading academics.Vibrant Campus Life:
The single-site campus offers a lively and diverse student community with numerous opportunities for engagement.Excellent Location:
The campus is located in Uxbridge, west London, with good transport links to the rest of the UK.Academic Programs:
Brunel University London offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including:
Business, Arts, and Social Sciences:
Business School, Economics and Finance, Education, English, History, Journalism, Law, Media and Communications, Politics and International Relations, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology.Engineering, Design, and Physical Sciences:
Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Design School, Digital Media, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Games Design, Geography, Mathematics, Mechanical and Automotive Engineering.Health, Medicine, and Life Sciences:
Advanced Clinical Practice, Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Education, Life Sciences, Medicine, Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, Music, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physician Associate, Physiotherapy, Public Health and Health Promotion, Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences, Theatre.Other:
- Brunel University London is a member of the University of London federation.
- The university has a strong commitment to equality and diversity.
- Brunel University London is ranked 38th in the UK in the QS World University Rankings.
- The university has a strong focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility.
- Brunel University London offers a variety of scholarships and bursaries to support students.
- The university has a dedicated team to support international students.
-
Brunel University London has a strong alumni network.
-
Academic Programs:
While the context lists various subjects, it does not provide a detailed outline of the key academic programs and strengths of the institution.
Other:
The context does not include any additional pertinent details about Brunel University London that have not been covered in the above sections.
A minimum of five GCSEs are required, including GCSE Mathematics grade C or grade 4 and GCSE English Language grade C or grade 4 or GCSE English Literature grade B or grade 5.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants as well as our full GCSE requirements and accepted equivalencies in place of GCSEs.
English Language Requirements
All courses at Brunel have an English language requirement. This is listed on your
course page
under 'entry criteria'.If you need an English test, we recommend booking one early
as there can be a long wait in some areas. You can also take our Brunel English Language Test (
BrunELT
).What level of English do I need?
In general, our courses ask for an English level of between IELTS 6.0 and 7.0 or equivalent. Some courses will have higher requirements (and will require you to also reach minimum sub-scores), so please
check your course page
for the exact level.
If you do not meet the required level of English, you can take one of ourpre-sessional courses
.What English qualifications does Brunel accept?
English qualifications we currently accept for degree level study include those listed below. We accept a wide range of other qualifications, so if you are unsure please get in touch with us on
What English qualifications do I need if I wish to study English at Brunel before my degree course?
If you need to study English before starting your degree, you should take one of the following tests at
an approved test centre
in order to apply for a Student visa:
Find out more about exams you can take to obtain a Student visa:
IELTS (Academic) for UKVI,
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT
,Trinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE)
, andPearson PTE Academic
. For further details,contact us
.I don't need to study English before I start my degree. Do I still need to provide proof of English language?
All international students must show evidence that they meet the English requirement for their course of study. This applies even if English is the native language of your home country. If this is the case, a pass at high school level which is equivalent to GCSE Grade C or above is sometimes acceptable. Please see your
country page
for more information.If you don't need to study English before your degree and don't have relevant high school qualifications, we can still accept a non-UKVI-approved IELTS from an official test centre with the required scores. However, should you not achieve the required scores for your degree course, you will not be able to use this IELTS to apply for a Tier 4 visa for a pre-sessional English course in the UK. In some circumstances, if you don't have a UKVI IELTS, you may be able to attend an English course with a Short Term Study visa.
Contact us
for more information.
English language qualifications we accept
(Click to expand and see specific requirements):
IELTS for UKVI (UKVI approved for Student Visa)
|
Pre-sessional English only |
|
|---|---|
|
4.0 to 5.0 |
|
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (PBC) |
5.5 |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (PBC) /Brunel degree programmes |
6.0 |
|
6.5 |
|
|
7.0 |
|
|
(Minimum 4 in all subscores) |
|
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (PBC) |
(Minimum 5.5 in all subscores) |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (PBC) /Brunel degree programmes |
(Minimum 5.5 in all subscores) |
|
(Minimum 5.5 to 6.0 in all subscores, depending on course) |
|
|
(Minimum 5.5 to 7.0 in all subscores, depending on course) |
|
|
Pre-sessional English only |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (PBC) |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (PBC) /Brunel degree programmes |
||
|
4.0 to 5.0 |
5.5 |
6.0 |
6.5 |
7.0 |
|
(Minimum 4 in all subscores) |
(Minimum 5.5 in all subscores) |
(Minimum 5.5 in all subscores) |
(Minimum 5.5 to 6.0 in all subscores, depending on course) |
(Minimum 5.5 to 7.0 in all subscores, depending on course) |
English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course.
View your course page
for more information.Please contact
for more information.
Trinity College London: Secure English Language Tests for UKVI - Integrated Skills in English (ISE) (UKVI approved for Student Visa)
|
|
|
|---|---|
|
IELTS |
|
|
Pre-sessional English only |
4.0+ |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
5.5 |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/Brunel degree programmes |
6.0 |
|
6.5 |
|
|
7.0 |
|
|
Trinity ISE |
|
|
Pre-sessional English only |
ISE I with pass or higher in all parts |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
ISE II with pass in all parts |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/Brunel degree programmes |
ISE III with pass in all parts |
|
ISE III with pass in all parts |
|
|
ISE IV with pass in all parts |
|
|
|
Pre-sessional English only |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/Brunel degree programmes |
||
|
IELTS |
4.0+ |
5.5 |
6.0 |
6.5 |
7.0 |
|
Trinity ISE |
ISE I with pass or higher in all parts |
ISE II with pass in all parts |
ISE III with pass in all parts |
ISE III with pass in all parts |
ISE IV with pass in all parts |
English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course.
View your course page
for more information.Please contact
for more information.
BrunELT (Brunel English Language Test)
|
IELTS |
|
|---|---|
| Pre-sessional English Only |
4.0+ |
| Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
5.5 |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/
Brunel degree programmes |
6.0 |
|
6.5 |
|
|
7.0 |
|
|
7.5 |
|
|
BrunELT |
|
| Pre-sessional English Only |
40%+ (a minimum of 40% in all parts) |
| Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
55% (a minimum of 55% in all parts) |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/
Brunel degree programmes |
58% (a minimum of 55% in all parts) |
|
63% (a minimum of 55% or 58% in all parts, depending on course) |
|
|
68% (a minimum of 58%, 63% or 68% in all parts, depending on course) |
|
|
73% (a minimum of 58%, 63% or 68% in all parts, depending on course) |
|
| Pre-sessional English Only | Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/
Brunel degree programmes |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
IELTS |
4.0+ |
5.5 |
6.0 |
6.5 |
7.0 |
7.5 |
|
BrunELT |
40%+ (a minimum of 40% in all parts) |
55% (a minimum of 55% in all parts) |
58% (a minimum of 55% in all parts) |
63% (a minimum of 55% or 58% in all parts, depending on course) |
68% (a minimum of 58%, 63% or 68% in all parts, depending on course) |
73% (a minimum of 58%, 63% or 68% in all parts, depending on course) |
English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course.
View your course page
for more information.Please contact
for more information.
Pearson Academic (UKVI approved for Student Visa)
|
IELTS |
|
|---|---|
| Pre-sessional English only |
4.0+ |
| Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
5.5 |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/
Brunel degree programmes |
6.0 |
|
6.5 |
|
|
7.0 |
|
|
PTE Academic UKVI |
|
| Pre-sessional English only |
43+ (a minimum of 43 for each part) |
| Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
59 (a minimum of 59 for each part) |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/
Brunel degree programmes |
59 (a minimum of 59 for each part) |
|
59 (a minimum of 59 for each part) |
|
|
64 (a minimum of 59 or 64 for each part, depending on course) |
|
| Pre-sessional English only | Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/
Brunel degree programmes |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
IELTS |
4.0+ |
5.5 |
6.0 |
6.5 |
7.0 |
|
PTE Academic UKVI |
43+ (a minimum of 43 for each part) |
59 (a minimum of 59 for each part) |
59 (a minimum of 59 for each part) |
59 (a minimum of 59 for each part) |
64 (a minimum of 59 or 64 for each part, depending on course) |
English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course.
View your course page
for more information.Please contact
for more information.
Cambridge
|
IELTS |
|
|---|---|
| Pre-sessional English only |
4.0+ |
| Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
5.5 |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
6.0 |
|
6.5 |
|
|
7.0 |
|
|
Cambridge English: Business Certificates (BEC) suite of exams |
|
| Pre-sessional English only |
140-159 (a minimum of 140 for each part) (previously BEC Preliminary pass/pass with merit) |
| Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
160 (minimum of 160 for each part) or BEC Vantage (Grade C) |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
169 (minimum of 160 for each part) or BEC Vantage (Grade B) |
|
180 (minimum of 160 or 169 for each part, depending on course) or BEC Higher (Grade C) or Vantage (Grade A) |
|
|
185 (minimum of 169 or 180 for each part, depending on course) or BEC Higher (Grade B) |
|
|
IGCSE EFL (English as a first language) |
|
| Pre-sessional English only |
D |
| Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
C/4 |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
C/4 |
|
C/4 |
|
|
C/4 |
|
|
IGCSE ESL (English as a second language) |
|
| Pre-sessional English only |
D |
| Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
C/4 |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
C/4 |
|
C/4 |
|
|
C/4 |
|
|
B2 First (formerly FCE) |
|
| Pre-sessional English only |
140-159 (a minimum of 140 for each sub-score) (Pass/Pass for previous BEC Preliminary) |
| Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score) (C old test) |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course) (B old test) |
|
180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course) (A old test) |
|
|
|
|
|
C1 Advanced (formerly CAE) |
|
| Pre-sessional English only |
N/A |
| Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score) (D old test) |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course) |
|
180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course) (C old test) |
|
|
185 (a minimum of 169 or 180 for each sub-score, depending on course) |
|
|
C2 Proficiency (CPE) |
|
| Pre-sessional English only |
N/A |
| Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score) |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course) |
|
180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course) |
|
|
185 (a minimum of 169 or 180 for each sub-score, depending on course) |
|
|
International Legal English Certificate - ILEC/ International Certificate of Financial English - ICFE |
|
| Pre-sessional English only |
N/A |
| Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score) (B2 Pass) |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course)(C1 Pass) |
|
180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course)(C1 Pass) |
|
|
185 (a minimum of 169 or 180 for each sub-score, depending on course) (C1 Pass with Merit) |
|
|
International Education English O'level |
|
| Pre-sessional English only |
D |
| Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
C |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
C |
|
C |
|
|
C |
|
|
Cambridge International Level 1/Level 2 Certificate in First Language English |
|
| Pre-sessional English only |
D |
| Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
C |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
C |
|
C |
|
|
C |
|
| Pre-sessional English only | Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
IELTS |
4.0+ |
5.5 |
6.0 |
6.5 |
7.0 |
|
Cambridge English: Business Certificates (BEC) suite of exams |
140-159 (a minimum of 140 for each part) (previously BEC Preliminary pass/pass with merit) |
160 (minimum of 160 for each part) or BEC Vantage (Grade C) |
169 (minimum of 160 for each part) or BEC Vantage (Grade B) |
180 (minimum of 160 or 169 for each part, depending on course) or BEC Higher (Grade C) or Vantage (Grade A) |
185 (minimum of 169 or 180 for each part, depending on course) or BEC Higher (Grade B) |
|
IGCSE EFL (English as a first language) |
D |
C/4 |
C/4 |
C/4 |
C/4 |
|
IGCSE ESL (English as a second language) |
D |
C/4 |
C/4 |
C/4 |
C/4 |
|
B2 First (formerly FCE) |
140-159 (a minimum of 140 for each sub-score) (Pass/Pass for previous BEC Preliminary) |
160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score) (C old test) |
169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course) (B old test) |
180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course) (A old test) |
|
|
C1 Advanced (formerly CAE) |
N/A |
160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score) (D old test) |
169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course) |
180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course) (C old test) |
185 (a minimum of 169 or 180 for each sub-score, depending on course) |
|
C2 Proficiency (CPE) |
N/A |
160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score) |
169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course) |
180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course) |
185 (a minimum of 169 or 180 for each sub-score, depending on course) |
|
International Legal English Certificate - ILEC/ International Certificate of |
|||||
