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Global Development at UEA
Find out more about studying Global Development at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreMA Agriculture and Rural Development
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2026
Other Start Dates
Other Start Dates
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Why you should choose us
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UEA is ranked 1st overall for research quality in Development Studies
Times Higher Education REF 2021Course Overview
Gain first-class training in how agriculture can contribute to poverty alleviation, food security, and rural development in low-income countries.
Our unique MA in Agriculture and Rural Development blends theory, practical skills, real-world case studies, and empirical insights to give you a solid foundation in global issues surrounding agriculture, rural livelihoods, and rural policies and politics.
You’ll explore the policies and practices of major international institutions like the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, UN Development Programme, World Bank, and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research. You’ll also study civil society organisations and advocacy groups such as La Via Campesina and Brazil’s Landless Workers Movement, both of which campaign for land reform, workers’ rights, and social justice in rural areas.
At UEA, you’ll be taught by world-class researchers with extensive hands-on experience in agriculture and rural development across low-income countries. Drawing on direct field engagement, they’ll offer unique and relevant insights. You’ll gain a critical understanding of key debates, including rural development strategies, the future of small farms, the food sovereignty movement and more.
As agriculture and rural development is now back at the top of the international development agenda, you’ll graduate ready to take on a fulfilling career or further study in this dynamic and rewarding area.
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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...
Study and Modules
Structure
You'll explore how global forces—such as trends in farming and trade, environmental change, policy shifts, and social movements—shape food and agriculture. You’ll examine competing definitions of food security and the international debates surrounding it. Topics also include environmental change, evolving diets (including increased meat and processed food consumption), post-production challenges, and fluctuations in global food prices
You’ll also study themes such as rural livelihoods and agrarian change, exploring key developmental challenges like poverty, farming livelihoods, migration, and gender equity.
You’ll examine different approaches to understanding rural livelihoods and develop the tools and frameworks to critically assess various livelihood-building strategies and their impacts on poverty and inequality, including issues of class and gender.
You’ll explore rural policies and politics, recognising that around three-quarters of the world’s poor live in rural areas, and that the gap between rural poor and better-off urban residents continues to widen in many developing countries. The lives of rural communities are deeply affected by policies relating to agriculture, land, social protection, natural resources, health, education, and trade. You’ll study these key policies and issues, learning to critically analyse policy choices within specific contexts.
You’ll also choose from a range of optional modules, allowing you to focus on areas that interest you most.
A variety of optional seminars and workshops are offered to help strengthen your skills. Sessions supporting learning—especially essay and dissertation writing—take place throughout the year.
International Development Research Groups
You can also benefit from world-class research at UEA. The School of Global Development addresses contemporary challenges in developing and transitioning economies through disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches. Regular seminars featuring cutting-edge research are open to you within the school.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 40)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 40)Optional C Modules
(Credits: 20)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
Teaching methods primarily include lectures and seminars. Our lectures go beyond the traditional ‘chalk-and-talk’ style, incorporating a variety of interactive tasks and activities. Technology plays a key role, for example through the visual representation of empirical evidence in international development using statistical software. You’ll also engage with online reading materials and lecture screencasts.
Through seminar group work and presentations, you’ll develop transferable skills such as articulating arguments clearly and confidently, both orally and in writing, and presenting academic information in a coherent and persuasive way.
Independent study
You’ll read suggested academic articles and books, submitting assignments as specified for each module. Your independent study will give you the chance to prepare for in-class sessions and assignments, and to concentrate on the areas that interest you the most.
Assessment
The main form of assessment is written coursework assignments which enable you to demonstrate your learning in depth. In most cases there is considerable scope for you to focus on areas that you’re particularly interested in. Depending on the modules you choose, part of your assessment may also be based on other tasks such as exams and presentations.
You’ll undertake either an academic dissertation or an assessed work placement. The dissertation enables you to build research and information management skills as you use primary and secondary data to address a specific question. Critical analysis, application of theory to real world problems and extended report writing skills are developed in both the dissertation and the assessed work placement or internship. The latter also provides an opportunity to gain career-enhancing work experience.
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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, WaterAid and PhD studies in related fields.
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 an academic career both in the UK and overseas.
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- International organisations
- Governmental and non-governmental organisations
- Local governments
- 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 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 September 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 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 partner 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.
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 £1,136 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.