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Global Development at UEA
Find out more about studying Global Development at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreMSc Climate Change and Global Development
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- January 2027
Other Start Dates
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
Other Start Dates
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1st
UEA is ranked 1st overall for research quality in Development Studies
Times Higher Education REF 2021Course Overview
The effects of climate change are no longer distant—they’re visible, urgent, and reshaping our world. From rising inequality to global poverty and social injustice, the need for climate action is greater than ever. Solving these complex challenges demands bold, innovative thinking and transformational change at unprecedented scale and speed.
Our renowned MSc in Climate Change and Global Development offers you the opportunity to be part of the solution. This exciting programme draws on UEA’s pioneering track record in climate science and global development. From your very first day, you'll be immersed in cutting-edge thinking and real-world application, taught by leading academics from across UEA and the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research.
You’ll begin by mastering the essentials of climate change and its relationship with global development. You’ll then explore more specialised subjects such as food systems, environmental change, sustainable consumption, or energy systems. The course culminates in an exciting independent research project or a rewarding work placement where you can apply your knowledge to real-world challenges. This is your chance to showcase your skills, deepen your expertise, and boost your professional profile. Alongside this, you’ll gain in-demand, career-ready skills through practical classes and dynamic workshops, opening up many career paths and opportunities.
You’ll be based in the School of Global Development, a world-leading centre for research, teaching, and practice, ranked No. 1 for Development Studies in the UK (THE REF Analysis 2021). You’ll join our close-knit academic and student community, where you can get involved in activities such as the Biodiversity and Climate Action Network, explore the vibrant and historic city of Norwich, and wander through UEA’s acres of stunning woodland and nature trails.
Upon graduation, you’ll be ready to launch a meaningful and dynamic career in the climate and development sector. Our graduates have secured roles with prestigious organisations such as the United Nations Environment Programme, the Asian Development Bank, WWF, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and many more.
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What is Global Development?
Learn how global development is understood and its effects on communities, with a focus on Nairobi, Kenya, in this free, online course. Thro...
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Our Research - 1st in the UK for Development Studies
The School of Global Development is globally recognized for research excellence and ranked first in development studies (Times Higher REF An...
Placement Year
You have the option to choose a variant of this course with an integrated placement year. This gives you valuable UK industry experience as part of your Master’s degree.
In year one, you’ll complete your academic studies, including your dissertation, alongside an employability programme preparing you for UK work.
In year two, you’ll secure an industry placement or complete three employer-led industry projects with different UK organisations. This extra year lets you apply your learning professionally, strengthen your CV with UK experience, and boost your global career prospects.
You’ll lead the search for your placement, supported by employability workshops, coaching, and guidance from our specialist placement partner.
If you don’t secure a placement, you’ll complete three employer-led industry projects with organisations across different UK sectors.
For more information, check out our Postgraduate Placement Year page.
Careers
Career Pathways
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- International organisations
- Governmental and non-governmental organisations
- Local governments
- Private sector
- Graduates from this course have gone onto careers with the United Nations Environment Programme, the Asian Development Bank, WWF (World Wildlife Fund), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Norfolk County Council, and many others
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
After the Course
Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges facing humanity today. This prestigious course will equip you with advanced analytical skills and specialist knowledge to support your chosen career path.
After completing the programme, you’ll be well-prepared to pursue a meaningful career in the climate and development sector. Our graduates have gone on to work with renowned organisations such as the United Nations Environment Programme, the Asian Development Bank, WWF, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and many more. You could also secure roles with international organisations, governmental or non-governmental bodies, local authorities, or in the private sector. Alternatively, you may choose to progress to PhD-level study.
Study and Modules
Structure
You’ll begin by learning how development organisations use media and communication to help solve the world's most pressing issues. We’ll introduce you to the fields of communication for development, humanitarian communication, and media development. In the process, you’ll learn how both traditional and digital media can influence government policies, promote human rights, facilitate collective action, deliver public health messages and more.
You’ll also learn how the media is used to support, but also undermine, democracy. You'll explore how journalists report about poverty and conflicts, how activists around the world use social media to challenge governments, and how news coverage influences humanitarian aid. You’ll carry out your own critical analysis of media content to explore how communication helps to determine where power lies in society. Throughout, you’ll be taught to think critically about evidence, methods, theories and your own experiences of the media.
Later, you’ll have the opportunity to gain practical experience by working on a live project that uses media to promote positive social change. You’ll also critically reflect on the issues and processes involved in project design, development, and delivery. Recent project partners have included Action Aid, Amref Africa, Anti-Slavery International, BBC Radio Norfolk, Girl Effect, the Public Media Alliance, Save the Children and WaterAid.
You’ll also be able to choose from a wide range of optional modules in the School of Global Development as well as modules offered elsewhere in the university. This flexibility allows you to tailor your studies to your interests and career aspirations.
You can also choose to do a work-placement to boost your professional experience. In the past, students have done placements with the BBC World Service, BBC Media Action, the British Red Cross, Save the Children, UNESCO and WaterAid. Alternatively, you could enhance your research and critical thinking skills by opting to do a dissertation on a topic of your choice.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 40)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 40)Optional C Modules
(Credits: 40)Important Information
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
The School of Global Development has a critical mass of academics who specialise in media, communication and social change. This means that the core content of this MA in Media, Communication and Global Development will be taught by subject-experts.
Ludek Stavinoha is an Associate Professor in Media and Global Development whose research explores humanitarian communication, grassroots migrant solidarity, and EU border politics. His work combines ethnographic research in refugee camps with investigations into migration governance and transparency, often in collaboration with Lighthouse Reports. Ludek teaches across areas including humanitarian communication, media and democracy, and social movements.
David Girling is an Associate Professor in the School of Global Development and a Chartered Marketer with over 25 years’ experience in public and non-profit sector communications. His research focuses on social media for development, humanitarian communication, and ethical storytelling, with a particular interest in visual representation and charity advertising.
Martin Scott is Professor of Media and Global Development at UEA. His research focuses on media freedom, humanitarian journalism, media influence on aid, and audiences of distant suffering. He is the author of several books including Humanitarian Journalists and Capturing News, Capturing Democracy, and has worked with organisations such as UNESCO, the FCDO, and The New Humanitarian.
However, our teaching staff are not just experts in their fields. They’re also passionate educators who bring innovative teaching practices and real-world insights to the classroom. Teaching methods will include lectures, seminars, workshops, small group discussions, hands-on projects and more. Your lectures will go beyond the customary ‘chalk-and-talk’ approach and include a range of interactive tasks and activities. Through seminar group work and presentations, you’ll not only master core concepts but develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. We also pride ourselves on creating a supportive atmosphere through our engaging course materials and inclusive learning environment so everyone can thrive.
Independent study
Your independent study is a vital part of this course as it enables you to focus on the areas that interest you most and explore those topics in greater depth. It’s also vital for preparing you for assignments and in-class discussions. Although most independent study is self-directed, teaching staff will provide you with help and support including suggested appropriate academic articles, books and other resources.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed using a variety of methods, including presentations, essays, and an optional dissertation. Further assessment methods will depend on the optional modules you choose.
You’ll be encouraged to prepare essay plans or outlines in advance of assessment deadlines, and to discuss these with the relevant lecturer during their office hours. Oral and/or written feedback on this work will help you to improve your coursework before submission.
You’ll receive written feedback on all your coursework assignments to help you understand where you performed well and where you can improve in future.
The dissertation enables 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.
Alternatively, if you choose to do a work placement, you'll be assessed via an analytical report, which gives you the opportunity to critically reflect on your experiences, and develop key skills such as research, analysis, and professional communication.
If you have additional needs due to disabilities such as sensory impairment or learning difficulties such as dyslexia, our Student Support services are here to help.
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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- 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 January each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Social Sciences- 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 (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 for details of additional course-related costs.
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.