Overview

This programme is designed for anyone involved in conceptualising or administering policies related to the Global Development Challenges. It is especially suitable if you are already involved in planning development strategies, currently working for a non-governmental or governmental organisation in the development field, or planning for a career in development.

The programme combines an intellectual and academic approach with policy-oriented and empirical studies of development. It addresses three separate, but related, facets of the development process:

  • Analysing what development means.
  • Studying the processes of planning (external aid, regional disparities, environmental factors, poverty and industrialisation).
  • Examining how development policies may be delivered and administered, analysing the importance of effective political and bureaucratic structures, and evaluating the contributions of NGOs and other external bodies.

 

Programme structure

You will take a combination of mandatory and optional taught units within the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies. Each unit is delivered and assessed by an essay (or equivalent form of written submission). The taught section of the programme is followed in the summer term by a dissertation.

Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MSc in International Development.

Entry requirements

You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in any discipline.

If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date.

We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. Specific module requirements would still apply.

We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement.

If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications:

  • evidence of significant, relevant work experience in one of the following sectors: NGOs, Government Departments, Think Tanks (minimum of six months in a paid role);
  • a postgraduate qualification in any discipline.

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.

Go to admissions statement

If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level C.

Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

Fees and funding

Home: full-time
£17,800 per year
Home: part-time (two years)
£8,900 per year
Overseas: full-time
£29,300 per year

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Alumni discount

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Funding and scholarships

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career prospects

Bristol graduates are in high demand and have an excellent record of employment following graduation. Students of our MSc programmes go on to pursue varied and interesting careers.

Many sectors - such as the civil service, NGOs and charities - require an MSc and some volunteering or internship experience. Graduates from our programmes have gone on to work for Refugee UK, Shelter, Barnardo's, Amnesty International, government departments and the European Parliament, among others.