MA Global Development with a Placement Year
Key details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 2 years
- Course Start Date
- January 2027
Course options
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Gain a competitive edge with a placement year
This course is also available with an integrated placement year, giving you the opportunity to gain valuable UK industry experience alongside your master's degree
Course Overview
Why MA Global Development with a Placement Year at UEA?
On this vibrant course, you'll delve into global development and explore contemporary changes affecting the globe. You’ll explore various social, economic, historical, political, and environmental perspectives.
Why Choose UEA?
- Global perspectives: Explore humanity’s greatest challenges and solutions in a department dedicated to this purpose for over 50 years
- Real-world impact: Develop in-demand skills with our interdisciplinary, research-active lecturers to create real-world impact
- Leading development studies: Graduate with a degree from the UK’s top-ranked Development Studies department (THE REF Analysis 2021)
What is MA Global Development with a Placement Year?
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 examine the impact of intellectual frameworks like the basic needs, human development, and capability approaches, while studying 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.
On this MA Global Development course, 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.
Placement Year
Stand out in the graduate job market by combining your Master's degree with valuable professional experience through UEA's Placement Year.
An integral part of the placement route, the Placement Year gives you the opportunity to apply your academic knowledge in a professional setting while developing the skills, confidence and industry experience employers value. Before beginning your placement, you'll take part in a dedicated period of employability support focused on securing a role that matches your interests and career goals.
Placements typically last between eight and ten months and are undertaken with organisations across the UK. Throughout the process, you'll receive personalised support from UEA's award-winning placement partner, including careers coaching, employer connections, application advice and interview preparation to help you secure a paid placement.
Although you'll benefit from extensive guidance and support, securing a suitable placement is your responsibility. Making the most of the employability programme and engaging proactively with opportunities will give you the best chance of success.
If you don't secure a placement, or don't meet the academic requirements to undertake one, you'll complete three structured industry projects with different UK organisations through one of UEA's placement partners. Available in a range of flexible formats, these projects allow you to tackle real business challenges, gain experience across multiple organisations and continue building the practical skills employers are looking for.
Whichever route you take, you'll graduate with meaningful professional experience alongside your Master's degree, enhancing your CV, expanding your professional network and giving you a competitive edge in today's global job market.
Find out more about the Postgraduate Placement Year(opens in a new window).
Careers
Career Pathways
With an MA in Global Development with a Placement Year, you could launch a career in:
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Local, national and international non-governmental organisations: working for development charities and humanitarian emergency relief organisations that support communities affected by conflict and disasters, such as the Red Cross
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Private sector companies: innovative enterprises which play a major role in global development in areas like infrastructure, healthcare, ethical investment, and energy transitions
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Bilateral and multi-lateral agencies: working in organisations like the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), WHO (World Health Organisation), WFP (World Food Programme) or the World Bank
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Government or public sector: working in local national government agencies including the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) or civil service fast-stream positions addressing global development
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Think-tanks or research institutes: working on policy analysis, data-driven research, and advocacy, these varied roles often focus on particular areas such as gender, conflict, social justice and climate change
Career Support
Our course offers exceptional careers support, including events tailored to the School of Global Development, guidance on volunteering and internships to strengthen your CV. The School of Global Development also offers a dedicated extracurricular professional skills programme, designed to enhance your employability on graduation. Responsive to the ever-changing demands of the development sector, the programme evolves continuously to ensure you graduate with the most relevant and sought-after skills.
In addition to our school, UEA’s Career Central(opens in a new window) will support you through your studies and after your graduation.
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.
Depending on your degree outcome, you'll also be well qualified to enter a PhD programme with a view to continuing an academic career both in the UK and overseas.
Study and Modules
Structure
Over the course of this Master’s degree, 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.
Throughout your first year, you'll build the skills and confidence needed to secure and succeed in a professional placement. UEA's structured employability programme is designed to prepare you for every stage of the recruitment process, helping you stand out in a competitive graduate market.
You'll take part in practical workshops covering CV writing, interview techniques, LinkedIn and job search strategies, while benefiting from personalised one-to-one careers guidance to help you develop an effective application plan. Mock interviews and tailored feedback will help you refine your approach, with a blend of online and on-campus sessions providing flexible access to support.
Successful engagement with the employability programme is required to progress to the Placement Year.
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.
Structure
Your second year focuses on turning your preparation into professional experience. You'll receive dedicated support while applying for placements, including careers coaching, employer engagement opportunities and workshops that help you strengthen your applications, prepare for interviews and reflect on your progress.
If you secure a placement, you'll spend eight to ten months working with a UK organisation in a role related to your area of study, gaining valuable industry experience while developing the professional skills employers are looking for.
If you're unable to secure a placement, you'll instead complete three structured industry projects with different UK organisations through one of UEA's placement partners. These projects provide the opportunity to work on real business challenges, broaden your experience across multiple organisations and continue developing your professional portfolio.
Throughout the Placement Year, you'll reflect on your experiences, documenting your professional development, the skills you've gained and your growing understanding of your chosen sector. By the time you graduate, you'll have strengthened your CV, expanded your professional network and developed the confidence and experience to take the next step in your career.
Compulsory Modules
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, and Assessment
Teaching and Learning
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 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.
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 January each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Social Sciences
- 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 January each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Social Sciences
- 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 (minimum 5.5 in each component).
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies(opens in a new window) 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, our UEA International Study Centre offers a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
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- UEA International Study Centre
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 UEA International Study Centre. 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.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2026/27 are:
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UK Students: £11,400
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International Students: £23,850
We estimate living expenses at £1,171 per month.
If you choose to take this course with a placement year, your tuition fees for the first year will be as shown above. An additional fee of £3,500 will apply for the placement year (see our FAQs page for further details).
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here(opens in a new window).
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships(opens in a new window); please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees(opens in a new window) for details of 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(opens in a new window).
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(opens in a new window)
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students(opens in a new window) section of our website.