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.
Development studies PhDs are typically a minimum of 3 years in length, but depending on the university and the student, can sometimes take up to twice as long. The program typically involves submitting several peer reviewed journal articles and a major thesis of around 50,000 words.
Many development studies lecturers and postdoctoral students will be involved in several ongoing projects in developing countries, and will focus their research around those projects.
A doctor of development studies is for students who are primarily interested in ongoing research or teaching within an academic setting. The degree will open up doors with development agencies too, but it is over and above the the minimum requirements for most jobs. That being said, many positions at places like the United Nations and World Bank are highly competitive, and a doctoral degree can be the edge needed to secure an interview.
Most PhD courses in Australia come with a basic level of funding if they are taken full time. Scholarships and bursaries for doctoral degrees in development studies can be found in our scholarships section here.
A master’s degree in development studies is almost always a requirement for going on to complete research at PhD level.