MA Global Development
Course options
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- January 2025
Course Overview
On this MA Global Development course, you’ll benefit from a multidisciplinary approach to international development, drawing from areas such as politics, economics, anthropology, philosophy, sociology, geography, and environmental science.
You’ll discover the importance of historical context when trying to make sense of current development challenges. You’ll also discover how to fully get to grips with international development issues by viewing them as a complex interrelation between society, economics, politics and the environment.
You’ll be able to tailor your studies to your interests and ambitions, choosing from a large range of modules within and beyond the School of Global Development. You’ll also choose whether to write a dissertation or do a summer placement – so there are plenty of opportunities to shine.
Not only will you gain comprehensive knowledge of your subject, but you’ll also build the necessary skills for a successful and effective career in the field, and/or PhD study.
Please note we have changed our name to the School of Global Development from 1 August 2023, as we mark our 50th Anniversary.
On this course, you'll cover the key issues in international development within the context of contemporary global change.
You’ll address your subject from social, economic, historical, political and environmental standpoints. You’ll learn to ask, and propose answers to, questions about the origins and persistence of poverty, inequality, illiteracy, gender discrimination, oppression, environmental change, and much more.
You’ll address how international development has been shaped by discussions such as the state vs. market debate, by processes such as neoliberalism, globalisation and urbanisation, by intellectual frameworks such as the basic needs, human development and the capability approach, and by moral dilemmas such as cosmopolitan justice and the existence of obligations towards poor citizens in poor countries.
You’ll consider the long-term processes which have shaped and hindered progress in many regions of the world. You’ll also discover the main theoretical and pragmatic approaches to international development that have been proposed and adopted since the post-World War II period.
You’ll learn to critically analyse different development patterns and pathways, as well as exploring the causes and effects of recent trends in major development areas.
In addition, you’ll become familiar with concrete case studies of problems affecting developing areas and evaluate possible policies and strategies at both national and international levels to overcome these problems.
Most importantly, you’ll develop the ability to think critically about development issues. This will be enhanced by insider perspectives on our lecturers’ own research findings within a wide range of areas.
You’ll have the option of doing a work placement instead of writing a standard MA dissertation during the summer, of the duration of around 8 weeks (exact duration may vary). In this case you'll carry out a more practical activity and write a reflective report on this experience (considerably shorter than the average dissertation). You'll be supported by us in finding a placement, which can take place in a range of organisations (from large international organisations to research centres, government agencies or NGOs, to name a few).
Study and Modules
Structure
Over the duration of this Master’s programme you’ll take highly complementary modules – ranging from theoretical to more policy focused and empirical perspectives. You’ll look back over the past 70 years, starting with the late 1940s when the ‘era’ of development is considered to have started. You’ll consider the main ideas and theories about development which have emerged in this period, how these have been challenged, how some ideas have fallen by the wayside, while others have remained remarkably resilient and have impacted upon the most recent approaches. In the process, you’ll discover how ideas are influenced by key world events – like the oil crisis of the 1970s, and the collapse of communism in the 1990s. You’ll also see how ideas in development are deeply contested and discuss what conclusions we can draw for development in practice.
You’ll examine key debates around development objectives, processes and agencies. While issues discussed here are of contemporary significance, references will be made to the historical contexts in which these debates arose. You’ll review concerns central to development policymaking through theoretically grounded critical perspectives.
You’ll also have the opportunity to choose from a large variety of optional modules offered in the School of Global Development. These cover a number of areas including education theory and policy, gender, globalisation, environmental issues, climate change, water security, rural livelihoods, agrarian change, rural policies, political ecology, conflict, humanitarian assistance, democracy, food, micro-economics, macro-economics, impact evaluation, health, and a host of others.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 40)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 60)Optional C Modules
(Credits: 40)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Teaching
You'll learn through lectures and seminars. Your lectures will go beyond the customary “chalk-and-talk” approach and will include a range of interactive tasks and activities. The use of technology is also widespread, for example through visual representation of empirical evidence in international development (e.g. through statistical programs). Other examples include the use of online reading materials and lecture screencasts.
Through seminar group work and presentations, you’ll be able to develop essential transferable skills such as articulating an argument both orally and in writing and presenting academic information in a lucid and cogent manner.
Independent study
You’ll read suggested academic articles and books, submitting assignments as specified for each module. Your independent study gives you the chance to prepare for in-class sessions and assignments, and to concentrate on the areas that interest you the most.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed using a variety of methods, including presentations, essays, exams and an optional dissertation. Further assessment methods will differ depending on the optional modules you choose.
You’ll also receive oral feedback on your arguments and ideas during seminars, which helps you develop skills in articulating an argument orally.
You’ll be encouraged to prepare essay plans or outlines in advance of essay deadlines, and to discuss these with the relevant lecturer during their office hours or via email. In addition, you’ll typically receive oral and/or written feedback on an initial coursework assignment well in advance of your deadline for the main coursework assignment. This helps you identify areas for improvement, and areas of strength.
Finally, your dissertation will enable you to develop specific research skills such as conducting research using primary and secondary data, researching specific topics and questions, thinking critically, and linking theoretical concepts to practical issues.
Entry Requirements
- Degree Classification
- 2.2 or equivalent
- Degree Subject
- Social Sciences
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall with minimum 6.0 in Writing & Speaking and 5.5 in Listening & Reading
Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
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- Intakes
This course is open to UK and International applicants. The intake for this course is January 2025.
Additional Information or Requirements
Applicants should normally have a good undergraduate degree from a recognised higher education institution. The University will also take into account the employment experience of applicants where relevant.
INTO University of East Anglia
If you do not meet the academic requirements for this course, you may be able to study the International Pre-Masters programme offered by our partner INTO UEA. This programme guarantees progression to selected Master's degrees if students achieve the appropriate grade. For more details, please click here:
International Pre-Masters in Business, Economics and Social Sciences
Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2024/25 are:
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UK Students: £10,150 (full time)
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International Students: £21,200 (full time)
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
We estimate living expenses at £1,023 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of additional course-related costs.
How to Apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.
Employability
After the Course
You’ll graduate with a range of transferable skills, ready to pursue a variety of exciting careers both in and beyond international development.
A career in international development can take you in all kinds of directions such as international organisations, governmental and non-governmental organisations, local governments and the private sector.
You’ll also be well qualified to enter a PhD programme with a view to continuing to an academic career both in the UK and overseas.
Careers
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Example of careers that you could enter include:
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International organisations
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Governmental and non-governmental organisations
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Local governments
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Private sector
Previous graduates have gone on to work for the British High Commission in Ghana, UNITAR in Japan, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, and PhD studies in related fields.
Discover more on our Careers webpages.