Course details

Summary

Help solve the world’s development problems

Broaden your knowledge of the world’s key development issues to shape a positive future for those in need.

What is it Like?

The Master of International Development is a 180-credit course that can follow on immediately from your bachelor’s degree.

Deepen your understanding to effect change

You will gain an advanced understanding of how global economic, social, political and environmental forces affect people and shape different parts of the world. These insights will allow you to recognise where inequalities lie and identify strategies to help overcome poverty and enhance human wellbeing.

Learn from experts in the field

Massey University was, in 1989, the first university in New Zealand to offer postgraduate qualifications in development studies. We’ve built on that reputation by developing world-class courses in international development.

Our professors and lecturers are scholars and active researchers, but are also people with experience in development policy and practice in diverse contexts including the Pacific, Asia and Africa.

Get great career skills

Graduates of the Master of International Development will be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge and skills that can be applied in developing policy and strategies, and in managing and evaluating international development programmes
• critically and rigorously evaluate contemporary international development theories, policies and approaches
• conduct independent research and analysis of international development issues, collect relevant data, and be able to write persuasively about this
• demonstrate mastery of social science research approaches and techniques and be able to undertake independent research in a well-planned and ethical manner
• interpret research findings and draw out relevant implications for development theory, policy and practice.

Careers

Enjoy a rewarding and fulfilling career

A career in international development means providing others with the tools they need to enhance their quality of life, bringing happiness to communities in poverty.

Graduates work all over the world for organisations like Red Cross, World Vision and Caritas to provide humanitarian assistance, sustainable development, and peacekeeping. You could work as a development officer, foreign diplomat, development policy analyst, advisor in tourism, health, education, or agriculture, community affairs officer, monitoring and evaluation officer, human rights advisor or advocacy officer.

Postgraduate education will give you the skills you need for a satisfying and rewarding career.

Master of International Development structure

You will successfully complete 180 credits (Coursework pathway) or 240 credits (Research pathway) by undertaking one of the following pathways.

Progression from Part One (120 credits) to the Coursework pathway requires a minimum B average across the first 120 credits completed in Part One.

Progression from Part One (120 credits) to the Research pathway requires a minimum B+ average across the first 120 credits completed in Part One.

Students who are not eligible to progress to either the Coursework or Research pathway may be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate in International Development, as appropriate.

Entry criteria

Admission to the Master of International Development requires you to have a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Development Studies, or equivalent, with a minimum B average across the 200 and 300 level courses.

You may also apply if you have a Bachelor’s degree with a B average across the 200 and 300 level courses along with relevant field or industry experience of an appropriate kind and duration. You will need to provide your curriculum vitae outlining your experience.

If you have a Postgraduate Diploma in International Development, or equivalent, with a B average, you can complete the Master of International Development with 120 credits.

English language requirements:

• IELTS score of 6.5 (no band less than 6.0)
• TOEFL iBT score of 90 overall (min 20 in Writing)
• PTE Academic score of 58 Overall (min 50 in communicative skills)
• Cambridge English score of 180