International Development - MSc

This programme is designed for anyone involved in conceptualising or administering policies for a sustainable and substantial level of development in the world's poorer countries. It is especially suitable if you are already involved in planning development strategies, currently working for non-governmental organisations in the development field or planning for a career in development.

The programme combines an intellectual and academic approach with policy-oriented and empirical studies of development. It addresses three separate, but related, facets of the development process:

• analysing what development means;
• studying the processes of planning (external aid, regional disparities, environmental factors, poverty and industrialisation);
• examining how development policies may be delivered and administered, analysing the importance of effective political and bureaucratic structures, and evaluating the contributions of NGOs and other external bodies.

Programme structure

Students on this programme will take a combination of mandatory and optional taught units within the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies. Each is delivered within one of two 12-week teaching blocks and assessed by an essay (or equivalent form of written submission). This is followed in the summer term by a dissertation.

Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MSc in International Development.

Careers

Bristol graduates are in high demand and have an excellent record of employment following graduation. Students of the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies' MSc programmes go on to pursue varied and interesting careers.

Many sectors - such as the civil service, NGOs and charities - require an MSc and some volunteer/internship experience. Graduates from our programmes have gone on to work for Refugee UK, Shelter, Barnardos, Amnesty International, government departments and the European Parliament, among others. Find out more from the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies web pages.

Visit the International Development - MSc page on the University of Bristol website for more details!