Trent international development admission requirements: now Global Development Studies, with a 70% minimum and 80% for co-op

If you search Trent for International Development Studies, you will find Global Development Studies (GDST). It is run by the Department of Global Justice and Development, whose website still sits at the old IDS address. Trent's program page calls it the longest-standing international development studies program in North America.

The department's history page says the program was formalized in 1976 under the name CDS and took the name International Development Studies in 2001. Apply under Global Development Studies on OUAC.

You need the OSSD with at least six Grade 12 4U or 4M courses. ENG4U must be one of them, with at least 60%. Trent lists no other prerequisite for this program.

Pick courses where you can earn strong marks, since your overall average matters most. Courses such as world issues, economics or a language fit well with the degree but are not required. Plan with our course planner.

Trent asks for a minimum 70% overall final average for the regular program. The co-op stream needs a minimum 80% overall final average.

Trent does not publish an admitted average or an acceptance rate for this program. A 70% minimum is open to many students, but aim higher if you want co-op or scholarships. Check your number with our Top 6 average calculator.

There is no supplementary application, essay or interview for this program. Trent decides on your grades. Prestigious Scholarships do need a separate application, covered below.

Trent says the curriculum draws on 10 academic departments. You learn from anthropologists, political scientists and economists, among others. Themes include poverty, conflict, the environment and gender.

First-year foundation courses are GDST 1001H Human Inequality in Global Perspective and GDST 1002H Issues in Global Human Inequality. You can also take GDST 1030H on globalization and transnational corporations. Later pathways cover political economy, colonialism and area studies, food and climate justice, rights and governance, and migration.

Sample courses on the program page include Gender and International Development, The World Food System, Human Rights, Global Health and Global Social Movements. Upper years add research options such as community-based research and a research practicum.

The department says it is committed to small group teaching. It says professors know most students by name, and upper-year classes are generally small. Several upper-year courses include community-based learning, field courses and research practica.

Outside class, the program page points to the Student Association for International Development. Students run the yearly Community Movements Conference, which builds skills in event planning, communications and community work. Trent's featured career for the program is social policy analyst, working for governments, NGOs or international organizations.

The program page offers Trent in Ghana or Trent in Bolivia, with an option for a 10 to 12 week field placement with a development organization. It also lists a community-based research project with a local organization.

The two Trent pages do not fully match. The Future Students page lists four specializations, including African Studies, and mentions Ghana. The department site lists three specializations and describes a study abroad semester in Bolivia only. Ask the department which options run for students starting in Fall 2027.

Co-op is available at the Peterborough campus. You apply to it directly from high school using OUAC code RIV, and you need an 80% average.

Trent says co-op gives you 12 months of paid work. That is usually three work terms of four months, at 35 hours a week. Students are encouraged to combine two terms back to back for an eight-month placement with one employer. Sample areas include community engagement, policy analysis, civil service, settlement services and international relations.

Honours students can add a specialization. The program page lists African Studies, Global Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Social Change, Global Migration and Refugee Studies, and Latin American Studies.

Latin American Studies includes GDST 3760Y Bolivian Seminar and GDST 3830H Field Course in Andean Community Development, plus Spanish. The Global Innovation specialization needs 65% in each of its courses.

Ontario high school students apply through OUAC. Trent sends offers in rounds: early December, early February, mid-March and early May. If you get no offer in May, Trent reviews your final grades in July.

A $500 tuition deposit is due June 15, 2027 for domestic students. Residence is guaranteed for first-year students who apply by June 3, 2027. For the OUAC equal consideration date, see our Ontario deadlines page.

Trent's Peterborough Fall 2026 and Winter 2027 table for Ontario students puts Global Development Studies under All Other Undergraduate Programs. A new fall 2026 student pays $8,363.07. That is $6,240.85 in tuition plus $2,122.22 in ancillary and levy fees.

Trent says these are estimates pending approval. Housing, meal plans, books and course fees are extra. Fall 2027 fees will be posted by summer 2027.

Trent automatically gives renewable entrance scholarships from an 80% average. An 80% to 84.9% average earns $1,500 a year for four years. 85% to 89.9% earns $2,000 a year. 90% to 94.9% earns $3,000 a year. A 95% or higher average earns full first-year tuition plus $4,000 a year for three years.

You renew by keeping an 80% average in a full course load. Students with 80% or higher can also apply for Prestigious Scholarships by March 21, 2027. Entrance bursaries for students in financial need close July 30, 2027.

At Trent, Political Studies has the same 70% minimum and 80% co-op bar. If you are weighing other schools, compare our uOttawa International Development page and our Guelph International Development page.

Trent lists careers such as human rights officer, diplomat, policy analyst, refugee affairs program officer and humanitarian assistance worker.

The name change can cause confusion on OUAC. Look for Global Development Studies, code RID, or RIV for co-op.

Co-op needs an 80% average at application. Trent's scholarships start at 80% too, so that mark matters twice. Also read our Trent admissions overview.