International Development MSc
1 Year Full-Time | September Start
Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
International
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Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
International Development MSc will equip you with a critical and up-to-date understanding of the field of international development. It is hosted by Northumbria's Centre for Global Development, which brings together students, academics and practitioners to address global poverty, inequality and injustice issues. The Centre places collaborative and participatory approaches to global challenges at the forefront of its work.
You will engage with contemporary global challenges, including poverty, inequality, the climate crisis and the wider Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We explore critical concerns such as decolonising development, activism, volunteering and solidarity for development, conflict and displacement, the influence of technology and innovation, and the impacts of environmental injustices.
The programme integrates the theoretical, methodological and practical skills you need to work in international development. We do this through participatory and interactive teaching styles, and a variety of assessment methods, such as group presentations, podcasts, policy briefs and reflective diaries. Your dissertation will provide you with an opportunity to develop specialist in-depth understanding on a topic of your choice, and apply the skills you’ve learnt during the programme, including undertaking your own independent research.
As part of the programme, you can choose to participate in an international study visit, gaining real-world experience of the challenges of tackling global inequalities and the ways that NGOs and other development actors address key global challenges.
Delivered by our specialist teaching team of internationally recognised academics from the Centre for Global Development, our staff draw on their extensive networks and experience to ensure that you graduate with knowledge at the forefront of the sector. The course attracts students from a wide variety of professional and disciplinary backgrounds, including those from government, the private sector and NGOs. It is also popular with students who have studied Geography, Politics, Social Sciences, Law and Business at undergraduate level.
When studying the MSc International Development course, you will be part of the Centre for Global Development. The centre is a vibrant, multidisciplinary research hub, providing an engaging and supportive research-rich learning environment.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss the programme further, please get in touch with Dr. Sarah Peck (Programme Lead) on sarah.peck@northumbria.ac.uk.
Level of Study
Postgraduate
Mode of Study
1 year Full Time
3 other options available
Department
Geography and Environmental Sciences
Location
City Campus, Northumbria University
City
Newcastle
Start
September 2025
Fees
Fee Information
Modules
Module Information
Discover more about the department and International Development MSc
Globally recognised for impactful and co-produced research
Centre for Global Development (CGD)
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On graduation you will be able to understand and critically engage with key development theories, tools and techniques, including participatory methodologies, rights-based approaches and monitoring and evaluation strategies.
This course is delivered via interactive workshops, involving a mixture of small group discussion, lectures, and seminar activities, which are further supported by networking, an international field trip, and career development opportunities.
The assessment methods utilised on this course have been specifically developed to prepare you for employment, and incorporate the writing of funding bids, policy briefs, and academic poster presentations. Traditional essays and a dissertation also form part of the assessment process.
Technology is embedded throughout all areas of this course. Learning materials such as module handbooks, assessment information, lecture presentation slides and reading lists are available via our e-learning platform, Blackboard. You can also access student support and other key University systems through your personal account. During the course you will also learn how to create relevant content including podcasts and posters.
Hear from our academics talk about research into teaching.
WATCH NOW: PROFESSOR STEVE TAYLOR
Professor Steve Taylor talks about research into teaching
WATCH NOW: PROFESSOR KATY JENKINS
Professor Katy Jenkins talks about research into teaching
WATCH NOW: PROFESSOR MATT BAILLIE SMITH
Professor Matt Baillie Smith talks about research into teaching
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Research Peak of Excellence: Volunteering, Humanitarian Crises and Development
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Our staff research specialisms and diverse range of national and international practitioner links will further enhance your learning experience.
In addition to the teaching delivered by our team, you will have the opportunity to attend guest lectures and seminars with experts who are currently working within the sector, and who will share their first-hand experience of what it’s like to work in the field of international development.
The MSc International Development is embedded in the Centre for Global Development, which provides additional opportunities for real-world engagement with key organisations and individuals.
Dr Sarah Peck
Programme Leader
Professor Katy Jenkins
Professor Matt Baillie Smith
Dr Inge Boudewijn
Dr Joanna Allan
Dr Oliver Hensengerth
Dr Ana Zavala Guillen
Take a look at what Northumbria has to offer and discover what studying with us can do for you.
The Centre brings together academics, practitioners and students to promote research, consultancy, teaching, training and public engagement on issues of global poverty and inequality, the communities and individuals who experience this, and the policies, practices and approaches that seek to address it. Through the Centre for Global Development, you will have the opportunity to engage with guest speakers and visiting practitioners, as well as connecting with the Centre’s extensive network of partners and organisations.
The Centre for Global Development is also home to our Research Peak of Excellence ‘Volunteering, Humanitarian Crises and Development’, bringing together world-leading research in this area, which our academics also bring into the classroom throughout the MSc programme.
Hear from our academics talk about their Research Peak of Excellence, Volunteering, Humanitarian Crises and Development
WATCH NOW: PROFESSOR STEVE TAYLOR
Discover more about our Research Peak of Excellence
WATCH NOW: PROFESSOR KATY JENKINS
Discover more about our Research Peak of Excellence
WATCH NOW: PROFESSOR MATT BAILLIE SMITH
Discover more about our Research Peak of Excellence
WATCH NOW: PEAK OVERVIEW
Research Peak of Excellence: Volunteering, Humanitarian Crises and Development
Take a look at what Northumbria has to offer and discover what studying with us can do for you.
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH SUITE
This is a dedicated space for staff and students to undertake qualitative research including interviews, focus groups and small group workshops. The Suite is equipped with audio and visual recording capabilities, specialist transcription and analysis software, a large screen television and is soundproofed for privacy. The space can also be used to analyse sensitive information not suitable for use in open access study areas.
Throughout your time at Northumbria, you will also have access to use study spaces such as:
THE ZONE
The Zone is a 24/7 light and airy open plan area popular with students undertaking group work or individual study. Computer work stations with large screens help students tackle group assignments comfortably.
THE HUB
The Hub is a working space with computer stations and large round tables to facilitate individual working and group work. Based on the second floor of Ellison Building B-block, it is ideally located for breaks in lectures and seminars.
Discover more about some of the facilities you will have access to during your studies
Centre for Global Development (CGD)
Globally recognised for impactful and co-produced research
NU WORLD
Discover the Geography and Environmental Sciences Facilities virtually
Take a look at what Northumbria has to offer and discover what studying with us can do for you.
Research is integrated into all aspects of teaching and each member of our team boasts their own individual specialisms, in subjects such as environmental governance; natural resource conflicts and debates around extractivism and development, including volunteering and humanitarian crises; climate change adaptation and mitigation; public engagement and development education; gendered inequalities; decolonial approaches to development; transnationalism, migrant mobilities and their impacts on development. Staff research expertise spans Africa, Asia and Latin America, and involves collaborations with NGOs, academics and policy makers across the global South. Visit the Centre for Global Development to find out more about the research projects our teaching team are currently leading.
All members of the MSc International Development teaching team are internationally recognised academics whose research is contributing to addressing the most pressing global challenges. They are regularly invited to speak at international events and undertake research and consultancy in partnership with leading global development organisations. Their research is published in high impact international journals and is funded by prestigious funders such as the ESRC, the British Academy, the Leverhulme Trust and the Newton Fund.
You will also have the opportunity to undertake your own research project to further aid your learning and will have the opportunity to engage with development organisations in the UK and internationally, including development NGOs working in India and Latin America. The optional field trip to Kerala, India, provides a further opportunity to gain first-hand understanding of the role in research in development practice, engaging with practitioners and academics, and learning about the development challenges that they are tackling.
Globally recognised for impactful and co-produced research, bringing together academics, practitioners and students.
Centre for Global Development
Newsletters
Click here to read the latest Centre for Global Development newsletters
Hear from our academics talk about research into teaching
WATCH NOW: PROFESSOR STEVE TAYLOR
Professor Steve Taylor talks about research into teaching
WATCH NOW: PROFESSOR KATY JENKINS
Professor Katy Jenkins talks about research into teaching
WATCH NOW: PROFESSOR MATT BAILLIE SMITH
Professor Matt Baillie Smith talks about research into teaching
WATCH NOW: PEAK OVERVIEW
Research Peak of Excellence: Volunteering, Humanitarian Crises and Development
Take a look at what Northumbria has to offer and discover what studying with us can do for you.
Throughout your studies you will engage in real-world research and problem-solving, developing the practical skills and analytical required for a successful career in this sector. You’ll have the option to base your dissertation on independent field work, providing you with industry contacts and valuable experience of international development in a real-world environment.
Our graduates work in a broad range of organisations such as charities and third sector organisations, UK and international government agencies, NGOs and international organisations. Many of them also choose to pursue careers in research, consultancy or to launch their own NGO. Continuing on to doctoral study and a career in academia is also an option.
Former graduates have gone on to work for government agencies, national and international organisations, and NGOs and charities including Barnardo’s, Leprosy Mission, The Refugee Council, International Rescue Committee, International Service, UTSAAH Initiative, the Barzani Charity Foundation, or they have set up their own consultancies or NGOs, while others have progressed to PhDs and careers in academia.
Take a look at what Northumbria has to offer and discover what studying with us can do for you.
If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.
* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here
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