Course details

Summary

Engage in advanced scholarship and contribute your own research to the existing knowledge in your field.

In a research masters you can contribute to the existing knowledge in your field by defining and managing a research project alongside some of New Zealand’s leading scholars.

In a taught masters you can deepen your knowledge in small classes with these leading scholars and complete a smaller research project such as a dissertation.

Development Studies

Development Studies engages you in the critical issues of social change which are transforming global society. Our postgraduate programme in Development Studies provides a supportive environment for open, critical debate of leading development issues both in New Zealand and abroad. You can take both critical and applied approaches and design your own cross-disciplinary course of study.

Approaches to Development Studies

Development Studies encompasses two scholarly traditions: theoretical and applied. The theoretical approach seeks to understand why and how societies, regions and communities change to improve quality of life. The more applied focus is on how governments, NGOs, international donors and other development agents can facilitate such change. Social analysis helps us to understand development policy and practice.

Development Studies also considers the distinction between those who see development as an outcome of complex social and political processes, and those who understand development as planned social change.

Postgraduate careers

A qualification in Development Studies can prepare you for employment in local, national and international organisations involved in development.

Required course of study

120-point (one-year) MA

The 120-point MA requires one year of full-time study, with admission from a BA(Hons) or PGDipArts. It is available as either a research or taught masters.

240-point (two-year) MA

The 240-point MA requires two consecutive years of full-time study, with admission from a BA or approved equivalent qualification. It is available as either a research or taught masters.

Further study options

Doctor of Philosophy

Master of Arts Other Subjects:, Ancient History, Anthropology, Applied Linguistics, Art History, Asian Studies, Chinese, Criminology, Drama, Economics, Education, Employment Relations and Organization Studies, English, French, Gender Studies, Geography, German, Greek, History, Italian, Japanese, Languages and Literature, Latin, Linguistics, Logic and Computation, 毛利 Studies, Mathematics, Media, Film and Television, Museums and Cultural Heritage, Music, 毛利 Studies, Pacific Studies, Philosophy, Politics and International Relations, Psychology, Screen Production, Sociology, Spanish, Statistics, Translation Studies.

Entry criteria

Admission for 120-point (1 year) programme: applicants must have completed a BA(Hons) or PGDipArts in Development Studies or in one of Anthropology, Asian Studies, Economics, Education, Geography, History, Maori Studies, Pacific Studies, Political Studies, Sociology with an average grade of B or higher, or approval of the Director of Development Studies. Admission for 240-point (2 years) programme: applicants must have completed a BA with a major in one of the subjects available for the BA(Hons) in Development Studies or approval of the Director of Development Studies. They must have an average grade of B or higher in at least 45 points above Stage II in the major.

English language requirements: