International Development Studies (Co-op) at the University of Toronto Scarborough

In our dynamic program, you'll gain the skills and knowledge to address international development issues by exploring a wide range of academic disciplines and cultures. You’ll analyze and engage with development problems such as poverty, inequality, environmental degradation, governance and urbanization. You’ll also learn cutting-edge research skills and explore what interests you most by conducting your own research project and completing an undergraduate thesis. 

Our program is designed for students with a spectrum of interests and a strong sense of social responsibility — you’ll get practical experience applying key development theories, and uncover how they can impact issues of inequality and oppression. Throughout our courses, we focus on the less powerful majority and stress the importance of context and power — our graduates have a strong legacy of becoming positive changemakers, and thrive in fields related to and outside of development and in post-graduate studies. 

Our program is available in two streams, both with co-op: 

  • Honours Bachelor of Arts: Incorporates courses in economics, health studies, political science, geography, anthropology and equity, among many others. 
  • Honours Bachelor of Science: Incorporates courses in biology, chemistry, environmental science, and ecology, among many others. 

In your fourth year of studies, you will have the opportunity to embark on an 8- to 12-month work term with an organization involved in international development. The purpose of the work term is for you to gain experience in the professional world of development while applying knowledge gained in the classroom to real-life experiences. The majority of students secure work terms with Canadian employers such as Canadian development agencies (NGOs), research institutes or private sector consulting firms. 

If you are interested in taking International Development Studies courses as part of a major or minor, please see International Development Studies (non co-op).  

Department
Global Development Studies
Degree offered
Honours Bachelor of Arts, Honours Bachelor of Science
Program options
Specialist
Enriched learning
Sample courses
  • Development and Environment
  • Equity, Ethics and Justice in International Development
  • Feeding Humans - The Cost to the Planet
Admissions
International Development Studies (co-op)
Department
Global Development Studies
Degree offered
Honours Bachelor of Arts, Honours Bachelor of Science
Program Options
Specialist
Combined degree options
Enriched Learning
Sample courses
  • Development and Environment
  • Equity, Ethics and Justice in International Development
  • Feeding Humans - The Cost to the Planet