International Development MSc
MSc International Development
Overview
If you're energised by the idea of working with developing countries, our International Development Master's will develop your understanding of international development and enhance your career prospects.
On this course, you'll explore the history, theory and practice of international development. You'll explore colonialism and globalisation, and unpack the tools, strategies and techniques used in the field.
You'll also choose your own specialisation – such as health, education, gender, international relations or criminology – and produce a project based on your research.
When you graduate, you'll have expert knowledge of development issues and strong career prospects in the international development sector – and desirable transferable skills such as communication, and qualitative and quantitative research methods.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Qualifications or experience
- A good honours degree in a relevant subject, or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Qualifications or experience
- A good honours degree in a relevant subject, or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
What you'll experience
On this course you'll:
- Learn about the key topics in the field of International Development, including the theory and practice of development, applied research methods, international and comparative criminal justice, the role of gender, contemporary security in internal relations, education, health, and the economics of development
- Critically engage with a topic of your choice, using your own research to inform your work
- Unpack the tools needed to carry out systematic and methodologically sound research, including literature reviews and empirical research
- Be able to justify any ethical considerations in relation to your research
- Access our virtual learning facilities which include webinars, discussion forums, one-to-one online tutorials with lecturers, and Skype meetings
- Be supported by experts in the field of International Development, including members of CEISR (Centre for European and International Studies Research), who will share their expertise in the field
Careers and opportunities
The International Development degree course is ideal if you are already working, or hope to work in the international development sector.
You'll develop your professional networks and identify career opportunities during the course of your studies, and receive advice and guidance about your career progression from the experts and development practitioners.
You'll graduate with greater knowledge of development issues, strong career prospects in the international development sector, and the option to progress to doctoral study.
Work experience and career planning
We'll help you to identify internships, voluntary roles and opportunities that will complement your studies.
When you finish the course, our Careers and Employability service can help you find a job that puts your skills to work.
After you leave the University, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability service as you advance in your career.
What you'll study on this MSc International Development Master's course
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits. You'll study modules worth a total of 180 credits over 1 year (full time) or 2 years (part time). For example, 4 modules worth 30 credits and 1 module worth 60 credits.
Due to changing circumstances as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we may need to make changes to courses to ensure your safety and to ensure compliance with Government guidelines. We'll provide you with as much notice as possible of any such changes. Your course leader will inform you of these. Changes may include things such as modules being taught in teaching block 2 instead of teaching block 1 and teaching activities occurring in smaller group sizes.
Modules currently being studied
Core modules
- Theory and Practice of Development
- Applied Research Methods for Development
- Dissertation
Options to choose from currently include:
- Contemporary Security in International Relations
- Economics of Development
- Education and Development
- Facing up to the Challenges of Transitional Justice
- Gender for Development Cooperation
- Population and Reproductive Health
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry.
Learning support
As well as support by faculty teaching staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University’s Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
academic writingnote takingtime managementcritical thinkingpresentation skillsreferencing working in groupsrevision , memory and exam techniques
Teaching
Teaching on this course is entirely through distance learning. You'll get all course materials, readings, lectures notes and additional material through our virtual learning environment.
You'll be taught through:
- webinars
- discussion forums
- one-on-one tutorials
- lectures
- skype meetings
Term times
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
It's divided into 2 teaching blocks and 2 assessment periods:
- Teaching block 1 – September to December
- Assessment period 1 – January (and early February for some courses in 2020/21 only)
- Teaching block 2 – January to May (February to May for some courses in 2020/21 only)
- Assessment period 2 – May to June
How you're assessed
You'll be assessed through:
- essays
- discussion forums
- blogs
- portfolios
- policy brief
Course costs
Tuition Fees
February 2021 start
UK/EU/International/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students
- Full time (1 year): £7,300
- Part time (2 years): £3,650 (subject to annual increase)
September 2021 or January 2022 start
UK/International/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students
- Full time (1 year): £7,450
- Part time (2 years): £3,730 (subject to annual increase)
EU students
- Full time: to be confirmed
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Additional costs
Our accommodation section shows your accommodation options and highlights how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 units a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each unit.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
You'll need to cover the cost of travel, accommodation and subsistence if you choose to attend optional campus induction events, workshops and study days. These costs will be around £50 – £500.
You'll need to cover the travel costs for optional internships/placements. These will vary depending on the internship/placement in question, and will normally be around £50 – £1,000.
Apply
Starting in September 2021
- Full-time study (1 year)
- Part-time study (2 years)
Starting in January 2022
- Full-time study (1 year)
- Part-time study (2 years)
International students
If you're from outside of the UK, you can apply directly to us (above) or you can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.
