Masters (Coursework)
Determined to pursue a career in international development and make a difference? This course will prepare you for a range of experiences and roles in the sector, in Australia and internationally.
You'll examine the connections between politics, governance and development, social and environmental sustainability, food and health security, gender and empowerment, and state building and conflict, as well as evaluating different approaches to policy and practice.
You can choose from professional-based electives, including financial administration, leading and managing not-for-profit organisations, effective leadership, strategic health care management and project management.
You can also choose policy-based electives to specialise in global public health, public sector economics, security and conflict, environmental policy and more, or add up to two language units in either Indonesian or Japanese.
3 reasons to study a Master of Development Studies at Murdoch
What you'll learn
Build essential skills and knowledge to meet your career or study goals. Topics you'll cover include:
Your future career
You'll graduate with the skills and knowledge you need to pursue a career in international development in a broad range of settings, such as regional and international organisations, government agencies, consultancy firms, and non-government organisations (NGOs) involved in development. Careers could include:
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Select which option best describes your path to university :
Higher Education
You have completed university study in Australia, including a bridging or enabling course.Recent Secondary Education
You are finishing high school this year or have done so in the last two years.Vocational Education & Training
You have completed an apprenticeship or a VET course at TAFE or another private training provider.Work & Life Experience
You have completed an aptitude test or spent time away from study for work.| Means of admission | Minimum academic requirement | Minimum English requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Murdoch Institute of Technology (MIT) courses | Successful completion of one of the following:Murdoch University Preparation Course with a minimum of 50% in every subjectMUPC (1 Trimester)Foundation Studies Course with a minimum of 50% in every subject. | Successful completion of one of the following:Murdoch University Preparation CourseIntroduction to Academic Communication unitFoundation Studies Course with a minimum of 50% in every subject. |
| University study | Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA). | Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA). |
| Enabling courses (after Year 12) | Successful completion of one of the following:
|
Successful completion of the course. |
| Murdoch Institute of Technology (MIT) courses |
|---|
| Minimum academic requirement Successful completion of one of the following:Murdoch University Preparation Course with a minimum of 50% in every subjectMUPC (1 Trimester)Foundation Studies Course with a minimum of 50% in every subject. |
| Minimum English requirement Successful completion of one of the following:Murdoch University Preparation CourseIntroduction to Academic Communication unitFoundation Studies Course with a minimum of 50% in every subject. |
| University study |
|---|
| Minimum academic requirement Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA). |
| Minimum English requirement Successful completion of 2 units at an Australian University or Open Universities Australia (OUA). |
| Enabling courses (after Year 12) |
|---|
|
Minimum academic requirement
Successful completion of one of the following:
|
|
Minimum English requirement
Successful completion of the course.
|
| Means of admission | Minimum academic requirement | Minimum English requirement |
|---|---|---|
| International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma | Total score of 24 or higher. | Higher level (HL): 3 or better. Standard Level (SL): 4 or better. Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). |
| GCE A Levels | Aggregate of 6 points from:
At least two A-level subjects are included in the calculation AS-level subject attempted at A-level is not eligible to be
included A-level grades (A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1) AS-level grades (A=2.5, B=2, C=1.5, D=1, E=0.5) |
A Levels: D in one of the following:English LanguageEnglish LiteratureKnowledge and Inquiry. AS Level: C in one of the following:English LanguageEnglish Literature Knowledge and Inquiry. |
| Western Australian Universities Foundation Program (WAUFP) | CPS 54 or higher. | 50% in English Language and Australian Cultural Studies (ELACS). |
| VET course studied at school | Successful completion of a Certificate IV or higher. | Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following:English ATARLiterature ATAREnglish as an Additional Dialect (EALD) ATAR or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher. |
| Extenuating circumstances | We'll consider applications from prospective students whose education has been compromised due to genuine hardship, resulting in them falling short of entry requirements for an undergraduate course.Find out more. | Case-by-case assessment. |
| Overseas Year 12 | Please refer to the information under the country of study. | Please refer to the information under the country of study. |
| Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) | Overall Position (OP) of 13 or lower. | Sound Achievement (4) or better in a Queensland Studies Authority approved subject of one of the following:EnglishEnglish Extension (Literature)English for ESL Learners. Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). |
| Minimum Selection Rank (WA/ACT/NSW/NT/SA/TAS/VIC) | 70 | Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following (or interstate equivalent):English ATARLiterature ATAREnglish as an Additional Dialect (EALD) ATAR Or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher. Or evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic applicants only). |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma |
|---|
| Minimum academic requirement Total score of 24 or higher. |
| Minimum English requirement Higher level (HL): 3 or better. Standard Level (SL): 4 or better. Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). |
| GCE A Levels |
|---|
|
Minimum academic requirement
Aggregate of 6 points from:
At least two A-level subjects are included in the calculation AS-level subject attempted at A-level is not eligible to be
included A-level grades (A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1) AS-level grades (A=2.5, B=2, C=1.5, D=1, E=0.5) |
| Minimum English requirement A Levels: D in one of the following:English LanguageEnglish LiteratureKnowledge and Inquiry. AS Level: C in one of the following:English LanguageEnglish Literature Knowledge and Inquiry. |
| Western Australian Universities Foundation Program (WAUFP) |
|---|
| Minimum academic requirement CPS 54 or higher. |
| Minimum English requirement 50% in English Language and Australian Cultural Studies (ELACS). |
| VET course studied at school |
|---|
| Minimum academic requirement Successful completion of a Certificate IV or higher. |
| Minimum English requirement Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following:English ATARLiterature ATAREnglish as an Additional Dialect (EALD) ATAR or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher. |
| Extenuating circumstances |
|---|
| Minimum academic requirement We'll consider applications from prospective students whose education has been compromised due to genuine hardship, resulting in them falling short of entry requirements for an undergraduate course.Find out more. |
| Minimum English requirement Case-by-case assessment. |
| Overseas Year 12 |
|---|
| Minimum academic requirement Please refer to the information under the country of study. |
| Minimum English requirement Please refer to the information under the country of study. |
| Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) |
|---|
| Minimum academic requirement Overall Position (OP) of 13 or lower. |
| Minimum English requirement Sound Achievement (4) or better in a Queensland Studies Authority approved subject of one of the following:EnglishEnglish Extension (Literature)English for ESL Learners. Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). |
| Minimum Selection Rank (WA/ACT/NSW/NT/SA/TAS/VIC) |
|---|
| Minimum academic requirement 70 |
| Minimum English requirement Scaled mark of 50 or higher in one of the following (or interstate equivalent):English ATARLiterature ATAREnglish as an Additional Dialect (EALD) ATAR Or a STAT Written English score of 140 or higher. Or evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic applicants only). |
| Means of admission | Minimum academic requirement | Minimum English requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma or Advanced Diploma AQF level 5-6 | Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma. | Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma. |
| Certificate IV AQF level 4 | Successful completion of a Certificate IV. | Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only) , OR
Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only) , OR STAT Written English score of 140 or higher (145 if prior to May 2010). |
| Diploma or Advanced Diploma AQF level 5-6 |
|---|
| Minimum academic requirement Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma. |
| Minimum English requirement Successful completion of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma. |
| Certificate IV AQF level 4 |
|---|
Minimum academic requirementSuccessful completion of a Certificate IV. |
Minimum English requirementEvidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only), OR
Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only), OR
STAT Written English score of 140 or higher (145 if prior to May 2010). |
| Means of admission | Minimum academic requirement | Minimum English requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Mature Age Pathway (MAP) | MAP involves an interview and a portfolio submission to be assessed by the Academic Chair of the course. Admission is based on relevant work and life experience. Applicants must also meet the English Language Competency requirements for the course. Email us for more information. | Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only). Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Must be met according to the respective courses standard ELC requirements, STAT Written English 140, etc. |
| Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) | Multiple Choice score of 135 (145 if taken prior to May 2010). | Evidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only). Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Written English Score of 140 (145 if taken prior to May 2010). |
| Mature Age Pathway (MAP) |
|---|
Minimum academic requirementMAP involves an interview and a portfolio submission to be assessed by the Academic Chair of the course. Admission is based on relevant work and life experience. Applicants must also meet the English Language Competency requirements for the course. Email us for more information. |
Minimum English requirementEvidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only). Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Must be met according to the respective courses standard ELC requirements, STAT Written English 140, etc. |
| Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) |
|---|
Minimum academic requirementMultiple Choice score of 135 (145 if taken prior to May 2010). |
Minimum English requirementEvidence of completing year 11 and 12 in Australia at any Level (Domestic Applicants Only). Evidence of completing a minimum of 2 years of studies at TAFE or an RTO (Domestic Applicants Only). Written English Score of 140 (145 if taken prior to May 2010). |
You must meet a minimum standard in English to study at Murdoch, which for most courses can be demonstrated by providing evidence that you have completed Year 11 and 12 in Australia at any level if you are a domestic student, or through either English proficiency tests, university preparation courses, English language courses, previous tertiary study or vocational education.
Everyone has a different path to university so if you've already completed formal or informal learning, you could receive advanced standing. Also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing can reduce the amount of study needed to complete your degree by giving you credit for certain units.
Formal learning can include previous study in higher education vocational education or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning, various kinds of work and life experience.
This information applies to courses offered at our Australian campuses only. Courses offered at our Dubai and Singapore campuses or delivered by Open Universities Australia may have different requirements.
Everyone has a different path to university so if you've already completed formal or informal learning, you could receive advanced standing. Also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing can reduce the amount of study needed to complete your degree by giving you credit for certain units.
Formal learning can include previous study in higher education vocational education or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning, various kinds of work and life experience.
This information applies to courses offered at our Australian campuses only. Courses offered at our Dubai and Singapore campuses or delivered by Open Universities Australia may have different requirements.
Please indicate above whether you're a domestic or international student intending to study at a Western Australian campus.
Your document checklist
Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have all the following documentation ready for a quick application.
Compulsory documents
Evidence that you meet Academic entry and English language requirements such as:
Recommended documents (if applicable)
Your document checklist
Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have all the following documentation ready for a quick application.
Compulsory documents
Recommended documents