MSc International Development: Poverty, Inequality & Development

Course overview

• You are interested in the different conceptualisations and characteristics of poverty and inequality
• You would like to benefit from leading academics in each of the fields
• You want to learn through a mix of lectures, class exercises, tutorials and essay questions

Open days

Postgraduate open days provide a great opportunity to take a look at the University and find out what Manchester has to offer you. For further information, please see: http://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/open-days/

Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2019, the tuition fees are as follows:

• MSc (full-time)
• UK/EU students (per annum): £11,500 
• International students (per annum): £20,000
• MSc (part-time)
• UK/EU students (per annum): £5,750 
• International students (per annum): £10,000

Scholarships/sponsorships

The School of Environment, Education and Development is offering a number of scholarships for 2018 entry. For further information please click here .

The Manchester Alumni Scholarship Scheme offers a £3,000 reduction in tuition fees to University of Manchester alumni who achieved a 1st and are progressing to a postgraduate taught masters course for September 2018 entry (terms and conditions apply - please contact us for further information).  

See also the University's postgraduate funding database for more funding opportunities.

Entry requirements

_{Academic entry qualification overview}

Applicants should have a Bachelors degree with a minimum of classification of Second Class Honours Upper Division (2:1) or its international equivalent. Admission of candidates who do not meet this criterion may be approved if satisfactory evidence of postgraduate study, research or professional experience can be provided. Please contact the School's admissions office for further guidance.

Please submit the following documents with your application:

• Copies of official degree certificates and transcripts of your previous study, showing the subjects taken and grades obtained. If these documents are in languages other than English please provide official translations.
• Two written references, signed by the referee and on official headed paper.
• A personal statement detailing why you wish to study the course, your experiences, what you can bring to the course and any other information that you see as relevant to your application
• Your CV
• Copies of English Language Certification, e.g. IELTS, TOEFL or Pearson test score report.

_{English language}

We do not consider Pre-sessional courses as a method of satisfying the English language requirement for this programme

Applicants whose first language is not English should meet the following language requirements:    

• IELTS overall score of 6.5 with a minimum writing score of 6.5 and 6 in the other subsections
• TOEFL iBT overall score of 90 with a score of 22 in the written section and 20 in the other subsections  
• Pearson PTE overall score of 59 with a minimum score of 59 in the written section and 51 in all other subsections
• Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) overall score of 176 or above, with 176 in writing and no sub-section below 169 -OR- Grade C if taken before January 2015

_{English language test validity}

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Application and selection

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Apply online

The deadline for applications is the 31st August 2019; later applications are considered at our discretion. Please note that we receive a very high number of applications so the course may be closed to new applications before the final deadline given.

Teaching and learning

Part-time students complete the full-time programme over 27 months. There are NO evening or weekend course units available on the part-time programme, therefore if you are considering taking a programme on a part-time basis, you should discuss the requirements with the Programme Director and seek approval from your employer to have the relevant time off. Timetabling information is normally available from late August from the Programme Administrator and you will have the opportunity to discuss course unit choices during induction week with the Programme Director.

Coursework and assessment

The taught elements of the programme, carrying 120 credits overall is continuously assessed by a variety of methods (project based reports, essays), involving largely individual submissions, but also elements of group work.

Participants must also complete a 12,000-15,000 word dissertation on a topic of their choice approved by the Programme Directors. Students are encouraged to base their dissertations on topics of direct professional concern to themselves.

Career opportunities

This course will prepare you for employment in a range of development-related fields, including research, policy and practice. A wide range of transferable skills will be developed, including analytical and professional skills. Many of our alumni have gone onto careers in public service, the NGO/charitable and private sectors at national and international levels, as policy officers, managers, consultants or development practitioners - while others have pursued further academic study leading to a PhD and academic careers. Since its foundation, GDI has trained over 7000 individuals from 170 different countries.

Visit the MSc International Development: Poverty, Inequality & Development page on the University of Manchester website for more details!