Masters (Coursework)
The Master of Development Studies at UNSW Sydney is a full-time interactive degree designed for individuals seeking to understand and address the challenges of global development.
The Master of Development Studies at UNSW Sydney is a full-time interactive degree designed for individuals seeking to understand and address the challenges of global development. The degree focuses on equipping you with the knowledge and skills necessary to tackle some of the most pressing contemporary issues faced by communities worldwide.
You will learn critical development studies theories and methods that emphasise human rights, gender and intersectionality, and social, racial, indigenous and environmental justice to develop frameworks that explain the causes and drivers of both global and local inequalities. All while considering the diverse contexts in which global and local development occurs.
Guiding you through your studies is an academic team with significant practical experience and expertise both in Australia and globally.
As a development studies student, you will gain a critical understanding of some of the most complex issues found in the world today:
Forced migration
Gender-based violence
Human rights abuses
Global health
Disaster justice
Food security and insecurity
Environmental governance
Climate change
Community development
Be a leader in driving change: You will be able to lead in driving positive change through your education on relevant issues, setting clear goals, developing the necessary skills and collaborating with others to help you create the changes you aspire to see in the world.
Enhance your development skills: Throughout this postgraduate degree, you will develop transferable skills in critical analysis, policy formulation, advocacy and effective consultation across institutional levels. By gaining these skills, you will contribute to creating a more equitable, sustainable and prosperous world.
Address global challenges: You will learn to navigate and address major global challenges by working collaboratively with affected communities to drive solutions at local, national and international levels. You will also gain access to networks and key stakeholders within the development sector.
There are three different streams of the Master of Development Studies. The stream you apply for will depend on the depth of your prior academic and/or professional experience, and how closely it relates to development studies.
If you apply for Stream A or Stream B, you may be eligible to have your study recognised via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If your prior study is recognised, credit points can be counted towards the degree, and you would then be able to complete the coursework undertaking fewer subjects.
For all three streams, you will need to meet the following admission requirements to be considered for entry into the program:
For the 1 year stream (A)
For the 1.7 year stream (B)
For the 2 year stream (C)
*It is expected that a Graduate Diploma will have been completed after an undergraduate degree.
Relevant disciplines include: Social Sciences; Humanities; Business; Economics; Law; Public Health; Communications; Social Work; Psychology/Psychological Science.
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you're completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College's Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
There are three different streams of the Master of Development Studies. The stream you apply for will depend on the depth of your prior academic and/or professional experience, and how closely it relates to development studies.
If you apply for Stream A or Stream B, you may be eligible to have your study recognised via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If your prior study is recognised, credit points can be counted towards the degree, and you would then be able to complete the coursework undertaking fewer subjects.
For all three streams, you will need to meet the following admission requirements to be considered for entry into the program:
For the 1 year stream (A)
For the 1.7 year stream (B)
For the 2 year stream (C)
*It is expected that a Graduate Diploma will have been completed after an undergraduate degree.
^Students from a non-211 university in China are now required to have a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW distinction average (75%).
Relevant disciplines include: Social Sciences; Humanities; Business; Economics; Law; Public Health; Communications; Social Work; Psychology/Psychological Science.
Applicants with a degree in a discipline not listed here but who wish to make a case for its academic relevance to these programs should enquire here: studyarts@unsw.edu.au.
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you'll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College's Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
Our graduates work with organisations that solve global challenges such as human rights violations, forced migration and global health.
You'll be qualified to work in a wide range of fields from local community development to international aid work, advocacy, and human rights. When you graduate from the Master of Development Studies you'll have the skills and expertise to promote a fairer and more equitable future for individuals and communities across the world.
Undertaking a research project
Students who maintain a distinction average in their first term of study can apply to undertake a Professional Practice Research Project* worth 12 units of credit.
This involves completing an empirical or conceptual research project with a topic directly related to professional practice in the field of International Development or Refugees and Displacement.
*Entry to research project courses is at the discretion of the program convenor.