MA Global Development
Course
options
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
Why you should choose us
Course Overview
On this vibrant course, you'll delve into global development, and explore contemporary changes affecting the globe, from various social, economic, historical, political and environmental standpoints.
You'll learn to ask and propose answers to questions about the origins and persistence of poverty, inequality, illiteracy, gender and racial discrimination, oppression, environmental change, and unequal economic growth. You’ll address how global development has been shaped by discussions such as the state vs. market debate, and by processes such as neoliberalism, globalisation and urbanisation. You’ll also explore the impact of intellectual frameworks such as the basic needs, human development and the capability approaches, and you’ll study moral dilemmas such as cosmopolitan and intertemporal justice.
As part of this varied Master’s programme, you’ll consider the long-term processes which have affected progress across the world. You’ll explore the main theoretical and pragmatic approaches that have shaped international development since World War II. You’ll learn to critically analyse development patterns and discover recent trends in major development areas. You’ll become familiar with concrete case studies and evaluate possible policies and strategies at both national and international levels to address real-world situations. Most importantly, you’ll develop the ability to think critically about development issues.
Here at UEA, you’ll be taught by world-class academics and your studies will be enhanced by their cutting-edge research perspectives.
On this programme, you’ll also have the option of doing a work placement instead of a standard dissertation during the summer, lasting around eight weeks. In this practical activity, you'll write a reflective report on your experience. We’ll support you to find an appropriate placement which could be in a variety of organisations ranging from large international bodies to research centres, government agencies, or NGOs.
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Study and Modules
Structure
Over the course of this Master’s you’ll take highly complementary modules– ranging from theoretical to more policy focused and empirical perspectives.
You’ll look back over the past 70 years, starting with the late 1940s when the ‘era’ of development is considered to have started. You’ll consider the main ideas and theories about development which have emerged in this period, how these have been challenged, how some ideas have fallen by the wayside, while others have remained remarkably resilient and have impacted upon the most recent approaches. In the process, you’ll discover how ideas are influenced by key world events – like the oil crisis of the 1970s, and the collapse of socialism in the 1990s. You’ll also see how ideas in development are deeply contested and discuss what conclusions we can draw for development in practice.
You’ll examine key debates around development objectives, processes and agencies. While issues discussed here are of contemporary significance, references will be made to the historical contexts in which these debates arose. You’ll review concerns central to development policymaking through theoretically grounded critical perspectives.
You’ll also have the opportunity to choose from a large variety of optional modules offered in the School of Global Development. These cover a number of areas including education theory and policy, gender, globalisation, environmental issues, climate change, water security, rural livelihoods, agrarian change, rural policies, political ecology, conflict, humanitarian assistance, media, democracy, food, micro-economics, macro-economics, impact evaluation, health, and a host of others.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 40)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 40)Optional C Modules
(Credits: 40)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Teaching
You'll learn through lectures and seminars. Your lectures will go beyond the customary “chalk-and-talk” approach and will include a range of interactive tasks and activities. The use of technology is also widespread, for example through visual representation of empirical evidence in international development (e.g. through statistical programs). Other examples include the use of online reading materials and lecture screencasts.
Through seminar group work and presentations, you’ll be able to develop essential transferable skills such as articulating an argument both orally and in writing and presenting academic information in a lucid and cogent manner.
Independent study
You’ll read suggested academic articles and books, submitting assignments as specified for each module. Your independent study gives you the chance to prepare for in-class sessions and assignments, and to concentrate on the areas that interest you the most.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed using a variety of methods, including presentations, essays, exams and an optional dissertation. Further assessment methods will differ depending on the optional modules you choose.
You’ll also receive oral feedback on your arguments and ideas during seminars, which helps you develop skills in articulating an argument orally.
You’ll be encouraged to prepare essay plans or outlines in advance of essay deadlines, and to discuss these with the relevant lecturer during their office hours or via email. In addition, you’ll typically receive oral and/or written feedback on an initial coursework assignment well in advance of your deadline for the main coursework assignment. This helps you identify areas for improvement, and areas of strength.
Finally, your dissertation will enable you to develop specific research skills such as conducting research using primary and secondary data, researching specific topics and questions, thinking critically, and linking theoretical concepts to practical issues.
Employability
After the Course
Previous graduates from the School of Global Development have gone on to work for the British High Commission in Ghana, British Civil Service, CARE International, European Union, Overseas Development Institute, Oxfam, Save the Children International, UNITAR in Japan, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF and WaterAid.
Upon completing your MA, you can pursue a variety of potential careers both in and beyond global development.
Depending on your degree outcome, you'll also be well qualified to enter a PhD programme with a view to continuing to an academic career both in the UK and overseas.
Careers
Example of careers that you could enter include:
- International organisations and UN agencies,
- Governmental and non-governmental organisations
- Local government
- Charities
- Private sector
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Social Science preferred
- Additional Entry Requirements
Applicants should normally have a good undergraduate degree from a recognised higher education institution. The University will also take into account the employment experience of applicants where relevant.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Social Science preferred
- Additional Entry Requirements
Applicants should normally have a good undergraduate degree from a recognised higher education institution. The University will also take into account the employment experience of applicants where relevant.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall (with minimum 6.0 in Writing & Speaking and 5.5 in Listening & Reading)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
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- INTO UEA
If you do not meet the academic requirements for this course, you may be able to study the International Pre-Masters programme offered by our partner INTO UEA. This programme guarantees progression to selected Master's degrees if students achieve the appropriate grade. For more details, please click here:
International Pre-Masters in Business, Economics and Social Sciences
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2025/26 are:
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UK Students: £10,850
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International Students: £22,700
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
We estimate living expenses at £1,136 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of additional course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.