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Development Studies Courses

Find the best Development Studies Courses

Graduate Diploma

Camperdown/Darlington
In response to COVID-19, the University of Sydney has reviewed the availability of courses to be delivered remotely. This course will be available for students to study remotely during 2022 if they are unable to undertake face-to-face study.
Entry Requirements

Admission to candidature for the Graduate Diploma in Cultural Studies requires:

  • a bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney with a minimum 60% average calculated over the whole degree, including a major in a relevant subject area in the humanities or social sciences, or an equivalent qualification; or
  • completion of the requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Cultural Studies with a minimum credit (65%) average, or an equivalent qualification.
Duration
12 months full-time
Study Mode
In person
Graduate Satisfaction
83.50%

Masters (Coursework)

Parkville
The Master of Urban and Cultural Heritage is a unique cross-disciplinary and industry-oriented program for students who are passionate about the social and cultural dimensions of the built environment in the 21st century.
Intake Months
Mar, Jul
Duration
42 months full-time, 84 months part-time
Study Mode
In person
Graduate Satisfaction
76.60%

Masters (Coursework)

Camperdown/Darlington
Explore complex, interconnected issues such as causes and consequences of war; ethnic, religious and ideological conflict; and threats from climate change, disease and nuclear proliferation. We will draw on economics, political science, law, business, public health and more.
Entry Requirements

 

Admission to candidature for the Master of International Security (2 year full time) requires:

  • A bachelor's degree with a minimum credit (65 percent) average calculated over the whole degree, from the University of Sydney, or an equivalent qualification

If you do not meet the requirements listed above for direct entry to the Master's degree, you may be able to enter via a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in the same subject area and upgrade to the Master's after successful completion of the shorter course.

Intake Months
Feb, Aug
Duration
2 years full-time
Study Mode
In person
Domestic Tuition Fees
$30,000 total
Graduate Satisfaction
83.50%

Graduate Certificate

Camperdown/Darlington
The only Cultural Studies degree on offer in Australia, this program covers diverse topics of popular culture, media, gender, sexuality, globalisation and consumer culture. Using real-world examples, you will learn to analyse cultural forms and debate their significance in context.
Entry Requirements

 

Admission to candidature for the Graduate Certificate in Cultural Studies requires:

  • a bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney, with a major in a relevant subject area in the humanities or social sciences, or an equivalent qualification.
Intake Months
Feb, Aug
Duration
6 months full-time
Study Mode
In person
Domestic Tuition Fees
$15,000 total
Graduate Satisfaction
83.50%

Graduate Certificate

Camperdown/Darlington
Gain a contextual understanding of core historical and theoretical developments in museum and heritage studies. You will learn the frameworks for managing collections and sites and develop a practical understanding of the modes of interpretation used in the museum and heritage sector.
Entry Requirements

 

Admission to the course requires:

  • a bachelor's degree or higher award from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification.
Intake Months
Feb, Aug
Duration
6 months full-time
Study Mode
In person
Domestic Tuition Fees
$15,000 total
Graduate Satisfaction
83.50%

Masters (Coursework)

Camperdown/Darlington
From justice and reconciliation after mass violence to the role of the United Nations in peacekeeping and peace building, we will explore the intellectual and practical challenges of attaining peace with justice in a program that you can tailor to suit your personal interests and career...
Entry Requirements

 

Admission to candidature for the Master of Social Justice (Peace and Conflict Studies) requires:

  • a bachelor's degree with a minimum credit (65 percent) average calculated over the whole degree, from the University of Sydney, with a major in the humanities or social sciences, or or an equivalent level of performance in an equivalent qualification; or
  • completion of the requirements for the embedded Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Social Justice with a minimum credit (65 percent) average, or an equivalent qualification.
Intake Months
Feb, Aug
Duration
1.5 years full-time
Study Mode
In person
Domestic Tuition Fees
$30,000 total
Graduate Satisfaction
83.50%

Graduate Diploma

Camperdown/Darlington
Explore complex, interconnected issues such as causes and consequences of war; ethnic, religious and ideological conflict; and threats from climate change, disease and nuclear proliferation. We will draw on economics, political science, law, business, public health and more.
Entry Requirements

 

Admission to candidature for the Graduate Diploma in International Security requires:

  • a bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney with a minimum 60% average calculated over the whole degree with a major in the social sciences, or an equivalent qualification; or
  • completion of the Graduate Certificate in International Security with a minimum credit (65%) average, or an equivalent qualification.
Intake Months
Feb, Aug
Duration
1 year full-time
Study Mode
In person
Domestic Tuition Fees
$30,000 total
Graduate Satisfaction
83.50%

Bachelor

Camperdown/Darlington
Our internationally recognised four-year program allows you to qualify as a professional social worker while also taking two years of tertiary studies in other areas of interest such as sociology, diversity studies or gender studies.
Entry Requirements

 

Secondary or tertiary qualification

A secondary education qualification such as the NSW Higher School Certificate (including national and international equivalents), OR approved higher education study, including approved preparation courses.

See recognised qualifications

 

Intake Months
Feb
Duration
4 years full-time
Study Mode
In person
Domestic Tuition Fees
$11,401 total
ATAR
80
Graduate Satisfaction
83.10%

Graduate Diploma

Camperdown/Darlington
Gain a contextual understanding of core historical and theoretical developments in museum and heritage studies. Learn the frameworks for managing collections and sites and develop a practical understanding of the modes of interpretation used in the museum and heritage sector.
Entry Requirements

 

Admission to candidature for the Graduate Diploma in Museum and Heritage Studies requires:

  • a bachelor's degree with a major in one of Anthropology, Archaeology, Art History, Cultural Geography, Cultural Studies, Education, English, Gender Studies, History, Indigenous Studies or another major with an equivalent skills and knowledge base; and a minimum 60% average calculated over the whole degree, from the University of Sydney, or an equivalent qualification; or
  • completion of the Graduate Certificate in Museum and Heritage Studies with a minimum credit (65%) average, or an equivalent qualification.
Intake Months
Feb, Aug
Duration
1 year full-time
Study Mode
In person
Domestic Tuition Fees
$30,000 total
Graduate Satisfaction
83.50%

Masters (Coursework)

Camperdown/Darlington
This program covers diverse topics of popular culture, media, gender, sexuality, globalisation and consumer culture. Using real-world examples, you will learn to analyse cultural forms and debate their significance in context.
Entry Requirements

 

Entry in the 1 year or 1.5 year degree program is determined by the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) criteria below:

Admission to candidature for the Master of Cultural Studies (1.5 years full-time) requires:

  • a bachelor's degree with a minimum credit (65%) average calculated over the whole degree, from the University of Sydney including a major in a relevant subject area in the humanities or social sciences, or an equivalent qualification.

Admission to candidature for the Master of Cultural Studies (1 year full-time) requires:

  • completion of the embedded Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Cultural Studies with a minimum credit (65%) average, or an equivalent qualification; or
  • an Honours degree in a relevant discipline; or
  • relevant professional work experience and a bachelor's degree with a minimum credit (65%) average or an equivalent qualification.

If you do not meet the requirements listed above for direct entry to the Master's degree, you may be able to enter via a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in the same subject area and upgrade to the Master's after successful completion of the shorter course.

Intake Months
Feb, Aug
Duration
1.5 years full-time
Study Mode
In person
Domestic Tuition Fees
$30,000 total
Graduate Satisfaction
83.50%

Development Studies Courses overview

Development Studies (International Development or Global development) is a broad discipline which deals with the consequences of social, political, and economic change for people living in low income countries. It looks at the theory and practice of how ‘poor countries’ can transition to ‘rich countries’ while preserving culture and upholding human rights.

The field of development studies emerged after the second world war when the international community became increasingly concerned with the economic and social wellbeing of people living recently decolonised countries, which became known as “the third world”. During this period, several major international development agencies were formed, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), The World Bank, and USAID.

The field of development studies has evolved significantly over its brief history. It is also the subject of competing ideologies, such as neoliberalism versus social democracy, and needs versus rights based approaches.

In the year 2000, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were published, which for the first time in history, set out the common development goals of all signatory nations over the next 15 years. In 2015, the MDGs were replaced by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which took an increasingly rights based view of development.

Is development studies for me?

Development studies is for students who are passionate about making a difference for the world’s most vulnerable citizens, and want to learn the theory behind the practice. Postgraduate study is a prerequisite for most jobs in the sector.

Study pathway

Development Studies is most commonly offered as a postgraduate degree, but it can be studied at undergraduate level too. Graduate certificates, graduate diplomas, masters degrees, and doctorates are all offered by some universities.

Graduate certificates and diplomas in development studies are generally half a year to one year in length and provide good foundation knowledge in the field. They will often be a pathway to a related master’s degree or research program.

A Master’s degree in Development Studies is the key to a job in the international aid and development sector. Courses are typically 1-2 years in length and are offered by a number of Australian universities, both on-campus and online.

A doctoral degree (PhD) in development studies is for students who want to delve deeper into a particular specialty and add their own research to the existing literature. Research will often require international travel to low income countries, and may be partnered with an ongoing development project.

Employment options

A postgraduate degree in development studies will open the door to a number of employment opportunities. A master's level degree is a prerequisite for many jobs in the sector. Employment opportunities for development studies graduates can be summarised as follows:

Non-governmental aid & development organisations

You can work in ‘the field’ or ‘in-country’ for an NGO delivering projects, or work in a donor country running campaigns, lobbying, raising money, or doing research. You might find yourself working for an organisation like OxfamAmnesty International, or Care International.

Intergovernmental development organisations

The World BankAsian Development Bank, and UNDP are all examples of multilateral development organisations which employ graduates of development studies. You can make a large impact by working at one of these organisations, but they are also notorious for being overly bureaucratic.

Government agencies

Most western country governments have a department for international aid & development. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) handles the policy, distribution and monitoring of Australia’s aid budget. The agency recruits a number of graduates every year, but is commonly regarded as the most competitive government graduate program in Australia.

Private development companies

Governments and large donors often engage private companies to design or deliver development projects on their behalf. Coffee International, for example, often implement development contracts on behalf of DFAT. Dalberg and Acumen consult to other organisation on development policy and projects.

Specialisations

Development studies is a broad field comprising many sub specialisations. Development studies coursework degrees commonly touch on many of these areas at some level, with further specialisation occurring at research level.

Advice for Development Studies Courses


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