MSc International Development: Public Policy and Management

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Please submit the following documents with your completed application form:

• 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 thanEnglish,please provide official translations;
• copies of English Language Certification,e.g.IELTS, TOEFL iBT or Pearson test score report, if available at the time of application
• your CV.

Ensure that you enclose all the necessary documents to avoid any delays.

Develop the knowledge and skills needed to understand and influence policy in a changing global environment.

MSc International Development: Public Policy and Management explores how governments, international organisations and other institutions respond to development challenges through policy and management. The course examines the relationship between policy, governance and development, helping you understand how decisions are made, implemented and evaluated in different contexts.

Delivered within the Global Development Institute, the programme combines expertise in development studies, public policy and management. You will examine how public policies are shaped by political, economic and social factors, while exploring the opportunities and challenges involved in delivering effective policy interventions.

The course encourages critical engagement with contemporary development issues, enabling you to understand how policies affect individuals, communities and organisations. You will develop the analytical skills needed to evaluate policy approaches, assess evidence and understand the practical realities of policy implementation.

Studying alongside a diverse international cohort, you will explore policy challenges from a range of global perspectives. This learning environment supports the development of transferable skills in analysis, communication, problem-solving and decision-making that are relevant across a wide range of sectors.

The programme is suitable for students interested in careers in government, international organisations, NGOs, policy analysis, consultancy and development management, as well as those considering further academic research.

• Develop your understanding of the different conceptual and theoretical perspectives applied to public policy and management, and public sector reform. 
• Expand upon your understanding of the principles and practices underlying the implementation of public policy processes and provide knowledge of 'real-world' examples of public policy/sector reform. 
• Learn about the role and importance of institutions for public policy and management. 
• Grow your skills and provide you with a significant cross-disciplinary (development economics, public policy, management and development studies) skill set that will enable you to critically analyse and communicate your analysis effectively. 
• Build your awareness and knowledge of a variety of global public policies and how they are implemented.  
• Develop your command of current theory, policy and practice in relation to some of the following specialist areas: public policy process and methods; public sector economics; development and economic policy; privatisation and public enterprise reform; public sector accounting and organisational change. 
• Build upon your independent research skills through a supervised dissertation research project.

• We're Europe's largest dedicated development research and teaching institute and have been at the forefront of development studies for over 60 years .
• We are ranked first for research environment and second overall in the UK in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), with 85% of our research as world-leading or internationally excellent.
• The programme has also been recognised in the Faculty of Humanities Teaching, Learning and Student Experience awards, winning Outstanding Programme of the Year for exceeding student expectations with an innovative and aspiring teaching team. Programme Director David Lawson was also recognised with the Outstanding Teaching and Employability Award and the Outstanding Academic Advisor Award, to celebrate his outstanding level of advice and guidance.
• We are proud to tackle global inequalities and rank first in the UK for our impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (THE Impact Rankings 2025).
• We bring cutting-edge insights from our research into all our postgraduate teaching. Our courses bring different development perspectives and voices to Manchester, from activists from the Global South to the leaders of multinational companies.
• We are home to the internationally recognised African Cities Research Consortium , Effective States and Inclusive Development and FutureDAMS research centres.
• Students are part of our vibrant research community, including our public lecture series  which brings world experts, former heads of state, and leading development thinkers, to discuss current issues in development.

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

You must also complete a 12,000-15,000-word dissertation on a topic of your choice approved by the Programme Directors.

You are encouraged to base your dissertation on topics of direct professional concern.

Find out how our students feel about studying at The University of Manchester by visiting Student Spotlights .

Graduates develop analytical, policy and management skills that are valued across government, international development and the public sector. The programme is particularly relevant for students interested in understanding how policies are developed and implemented to address social, economic and development challenges.

Potential career paths include:

• Public policy
• Government and civil service roles
• International organisations
• Development management
• Policy analysis
• Public sector management
• NGOs and charities
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Development consultancy
• Doctoral study (PhD)

The course prepares graduates for roles across government agencies, international organisations, development institutions, consultancies and third-sector organisations working to address global challenges.

Find out more about our alumni and some of our notable former students .

Careers support

This course supports students interested in careers across public policy, government, consultancy, management and international development.

The University has its own dedicated Careers Service that you would have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate.

At Manchester you will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability .

Careers support for international students

The Careers Service provides specialist resources, advice and events to help with career planning and making the most of your time while studying in Manchester.

• Working in the UK after study
• Working during study
• Professional and alumni networks for international students

Global networks

The University of Manchester is proud to have the largest global alumni community of any campus-based university in the UK.

After your course, you'll join our 10,000 strong alumni network .

We'll keep you up to date with all the new insights and implications from our research.

International alumni groups are a great way to keep in touch with fellow Manchester graduates in your country.

It is an opportunity to build professional and social networks.

You can view the alumni networks already operating across the globe here .