Overview
The UNSW Master of Development Studies is designed to equip graduates with theoretical knowledge and practical skills to analyse and address some of the greatest contemporary challenges faced by communities and societies across the globe. The degree builds your skills and knowledge of participatory, rights and community-based responses and approaches … For more content click the Read More button below.
Key features
Play your role as a global citizen: You will build a critical understanding of complex topics including forced migration, gender-based violence, human rights violations, global health, disaster justice, food insecurity, environmental governance, climate change, food security and community development.
Drive positive change: You will develop skills and knowledge to make the changes you wish to see in the world.
Catalyse critical skills in ‘doing’ development: You will gain transferable skills of critical analysis, policy formulation, advocacy, and meaningful consultation across institutional levels. You will explore these issues in-depth throughout this postgraduate degree.
Engage and influence communities: You will learn to understand and negotiate the complexities of our biggest global challenges, and explore how to drive solutions in partnership with affected communities at the local, national and international/global levels, while also accessing development industry players and networks as appropriate.
Learning Outcomes
1.
Demonstrate critical interdisciplinary knowledge of the interfaces between the socio-economic, political, environmental, gendered, racial and cultural dimensions of sustainable development at local, national and global levels.
- Scholars
- Leaders
2.
Recognise and respect cultural and social diversity in varying contexts, including in work with Indigenous Peoples and other key stakeholders and institutions.
- Scholars
- Professionals
3.
Demonstrate the self-awareness, skills and humility to be reflective, adaptive, socially responsible, ethical and professional practitioners.
- Scholars
- Leaders
4.
Engage advanced critical thinking to understand, constructively analyse and address development challenges and interventions drawing on contemporary theories, practices and approaches, knowledges and different forms of evidence.
- Professionals
- Scholars
5.
Select, interpret and apply appropriate social science research methodologies to address key issues in Development Studies
- Global citizens
- Leaders
6.
Communicate complex ideas to a diverse range of audiences
- Global citizens
- Leaders
Program Structure
Students must complete 96 UOC when taken as a standalone program.
48 UOC specialisation (SOCWTS)
- Research Core Course (6 UOC)
- Disciplinary Core Courses (12 UOC)
- Prescribed Disciplinary Elective (6 UOC)
- Prescribed Electives (24 UOC)
72 UOC specialisation (SOCWUS)
- Research Core Courses (12 UOC)
- Disciplinary Core Courses (12 UOC)
- Prescribed Disciplinary Elective (12 UOC)
- Prescribed Electives (36 UOC)
96 UOC specialisation (SOCWWS)
- Research Core Courses (12 UOC)
- Disciplinary Core Courses (30 UOC)
- Prescribed Electives (54 UOC)
Specialisation Requirements
Enrolment Disclaimer
Please note that this Handbook is a comprehensive catalogue of our offerings and includes courses that can be taken to satisfy program requirements irrespective as to their availability for a particular year. Availability of courses is best checked using filters on this site or on the class timetable site.
You are responsible for ensuring that you enrol in courses according to your program requirements and by following the advice of your Program Authority. myUNSW enrolment checks that you have met enrolment requirements such as pre-requisites for individual courses but not that you are enrolling in courses that will count towards your program requirements.
You are responsible for ensuring that you enrol in courses according to your program requirements and by following the advice of your Program Authority. myUNSW enrolment checks that you have met enrolment requirements such as pre-requisites for individual courses but not that you are enrolling in courses that will count towards your program requirements.
Admission Requirements
Entry Requirements
Minimum Entry Requirements
Limitations on Recognition of Prior Learning
Program Requirements
Progression Requirements
Progression rules are in accordance with university policy.
For more information on university policy on progression requirements please visit Academic Progression
Associated Programs
Similar Program
Master of International Relations - MIR8233 - International Relations
Postgraduate Pathway
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD1272 - Social Sciences
Professional Outcomes
Career Opportunities
The program will equip you with practical professional skills which may be applied to a diverse array of career options which relate to development. It will be of value to those who see themselves playing a role in understanding and promoting social and community development, whether from a community, government, United Nations, civil society, donor or other organisational role.
Recognition of Achievement
Award with Excellence
For more information, please visit:
The Award with Excellence is awarded in coursework masters programs, including Masters (Extension) but with the exception of Masters (Extended) such as JD and MD, when a Weighted Average Mean (WAM) of at least 80% has been achieved and at least 50% of the requirements of the award are completed at UNSW. All eligible programs will award 'with Excellence' except in special circumstances where approval of Academic Board has been given for a program to opt out.
Additional Information
Further information
Contact the Nucleus Student Hub for advice.
Program Fees
At UNSW fees are generally charged at course level and therefore dependent upon individual enrolment and other factors such as student's residency status. For generic information on fees and additional expenses of UNSW programs, click on one of the following:
Pre-2019 Handbook Editions
Access past handbook editions (2018 and prior)