MSc Human Resource Development (International Development)

Year of entry: 2025

Overview

Degree awarded
Master of Science (MSc)
Duration
1 year
Entry requirements

We require a UK Honours degree with a First or Upper Second (2.1) classification or the overseas equivalent, in any discipline.

When assessing your academic record we take into account the grades you have achieved and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.

Full entry requirements

How to apply
Apply online
Sustainable Development Goals

Find out how this course aligns to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including learning which relates to:

  • Goal 1: No poverty

Course options

Full-time Part-time Full-time distance learning Part-time distance learning
MSc Y N N N

Course overview

  • Join a university ranked second in the UK and 7th in the world for development studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022).
  • Gain an understanding of human resource development strategies and development tools and build organisational and community capabilities. 
  • Understand the role of international organisations such as the World Bank and the United Nations (UN) in supporting education and development initiatives

Open days

The University holds regular open days, where you will have the opportunity to tour the campus and find out more about our facilities and courses.

On this day, you will find out more about the School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED), and meet academic and admissions staff who will be able to answer any questions you have.

For more information, see Open days .

Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2025, the tuition fees are as follows:

  • MSc (full-time)
    UK students (per annum): £14,000
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £29,000

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive for the course tuition, administration and computational costs during your studies.

All fees for entry will be subject to yearly review and incremental rises per annum are also likely over the duration of courses lasting more than a year for UK/EU students (fees are typically fixed for international students, for the course duration at the year of entry). For general fees information please visit postgraduate fees

Self-funded international applicants for this course will be required to pay a deposit of £1,000 towards their tuition fees before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. This deposit will only be refunded if immigration permission is refused. We will notify you about how and when to make this payment.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

We offer several postgraduate taught scholarships and merit awards to outstanding applicants and international students.

For more information on scholarships and bursaries, see our Fees and funding webpages and make sure to check our Manchester Alumni Loyalty Discount , the widening participation access Manchester Master's Bursaries as well as Humanities Postgraduate Scholarships

We also regularly welcome students on the University's Equity and Merit scholarship scheme.

Many of our students have gained British Chevening, British Council or Commonwealth scholarships, as well as country-specific awards.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the world's call to action on the most pressing challenges facing humanity. At The University of Manchester, we address the SDGs through our research and particularly in partnership with our students.

Led by our innovative research, our teaching ensures that all our graduates are empowered, inspired and equipped to address the key socio-political and environmental challenges facing the world.

To illustrate how our teaching will empower you as a change maker, we've highlighted the key SDGs that our courses address.

  • Goal 1: No poverty

    End poverty in all its forms everywhere

Contact details

School/Faculty
School of Environment, Education and Development
Contact name
School of Environment, Education and Development +44 (0) 161 275 2814
Telephone
+44 (0) 161 275 2814
Email
Website
http://www.seed.manchester.ac.uk/
School/Faculty
See: The School .

Courses in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview

We require a UK Honours degree with a First or Upper Second (2.1) classification or the overseas equivalent, in any discipline.

When assessing your academic record we take into account the grades you have achieved and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.

English language

For the latest information on demonstrating your English proficiency for those whose first language is not English, please see our language requirements .

This programme accepts successful completion of the 6- and 10-week pre-sessional English Language course. We accept the following qualifications which must be valid on the start date of the Master's course:

Pre-sessional 6-week course requirement:

IELTS UKVI or Academic 6.5 Overall with 6.5 in Writing and Speaking, and 6.0 in Listening and Reading OR IELTS UKVI or Academic 7.0 Overall with 6.5 in Writing or Speaking and no other sub-skill below 6.0

TOEFL iBT 90 Overall with 22 in Writing and Speaking, and 20 in Listening and Reading OR TOEFL iBT 100 Overall with 22 in Writing or Speaking, and no other sub-skill below 20

Pearson PTE Academic UKVI or Academic 70 Overall with 70 in Writing and Speaking, and 65 in Listening and Reading OR Pearson PTE Academic UKVI or Academic 76 Overall with 70 in Writing or Speaking and no other sub-skill below 65

Pre-sessional 10-week course requirement:

IELTS UKVI or Academic 6.5 Overall with no sub-skill below 6.0

TOEFL iBT 90 Overall with no sub-skill below 20

Pearson PTE Academic UKVI or Academic 70 Overall with no sub-skill below 65

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 Master's course.

Other international entry requirements

We accept a range of qualifications from across the globe. To help international students the university provides specific information for many individual countries. Please see our    country-specific information page    for guidance on the academic qualifications which may be accepted from your country.

Professional entry qualification

If you do not meet our academic entry qualification criterion, your admission may still be approved if satisfactory evidence of postgraduate study, research or substantial relevant professional experience can be provided.

Application and selection

How to apply

Advice to applicants

Please submit the following documents with your completed application form:

  • copies of English Language Certification,e.g.IELTS, TOEFL or Pearson test score report. Applications without an English language qualification may initially be placed on a waiting list;
  • 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 thanEnglishplease provide official translations;
  • your CV.

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

Staged admissions process

As there is a high demand for our courses, we operate a staged admissions process with selection deadlines throughout the year.

Due to the competition for places and high quality of applications that we receive, we give preference to students from high-ranking institutions and with grades above our minimum entry requirements.

Please ensure you submit all supporting documentation with your application before the application deadline to avoid a delay in processing.

•Stage 1: Application received by 07 December 2024 ; Application update by 21 February 2025

•Stage 2: Application received by 02 March 2025 ; Application update by 01 May 2025

•Stage 3: Application received by 04 May 2025 ; Application update by 05 June 2025

•Stage 4: Application received by 01 July 2025 ; Application update by 25 July 2025

While we aim to give you a decision on your application by the deadline date, in some instances due to the competition for places and the volume of applications received, it may be necessary to roll your application forward to the next deadline date.

Applications received after our final selection deadline will be considered at our discretion if places are still available.

Please note, all places are subject to availability and if you apply at one of the later stages, some courses may already be reaching capacity or be closed to further applications. We, therefore, recommend that you apply early in the cycle to avoid disappointment.

How your application is considered

Once your application has been received, our admissions team will contact you. We may ask you to submit additional information, if necessary.

Applications for the MSc Human Resource Development (International Development) are very competitive. Due to the high demand for the programme we may not be able to offer places to all applicants who have the entry qualifications that we require. If we are unable to consider you for an offer you may be placed on a waiting list. Candidates on a waiting list will only be considered for an offer if places become available.

Deferrals

Applications for deferred entry are not accepted for this course. If you receive an offer and wish to be considered for the following year of entry, you will need to place a new application. Please be aware, there is no guarantee of receiving another offer, and offer conditions are subject to change in line with entry requirements.

Re-applications

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry. 

In your new application, you should demonstrate how your application has improved. We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.

Course details

Course description

MSc Human Resource Development (International Development) will enable you to critically understand the role of human resource development (HRD) in supporting economic and social advancement, through the improvement of public services and the education of individuals, organisations and communities. 

It aims to develop your critical appreciation of globalisation processes, policy initiatives and development management plans to support skills development, competitiveness and human capabilities, including development issues associated with eradicating gender inequalities, fostering human wellbeing and maintaining sustainable livelihoods. 

You will gain greater professional understanding of HRD strategies and development tools to support skill and knowledge acquisition and build organisation and community capabilities. 

Our focus on developing human knowledge and skills will enable you to appreciate how education supports skills development. 

You will also acquire knowledge of the role of international organisations (through governments and MNCs) such as the World Bank and the United Nations (UN) in supporting education and development initiatives. 

There is a strong emphasis on acquiring cross-cultural leadership knowledge, relevant for many social change and development projects in the public sector, or in the private sector, MNCs, NGOs or international organisations like the World Bank. 

The course is ideal for individuals of any professional background in international organisations, public administration, transnational organisations and private sector companies who are involved in the HRD, leadership and capacity planning aspects of organisations in low and middle-income countries.

Aims

You will gain:  
  • knowledge and understanding of the linkage between international development and HRD practices and policies; 
  • knowledge of globalisation and cross-cultural actors affecting the application of HRD and education theories and methods in low and middle-income countries; 
  • knowledge of education and HRD interventions and their role in building leadership skills and capacity; 
  • knowledge of how approaches to national human resource development (NHRD) affect organisation and societal performance in developing and transitional economies; 
  • knowledge of how new approaches to HRD strategies including private sector management and development, social capital, knowledge management, gender planning affects the context for competence and performance enhancement in organisations and societies; 
  • understanding of how to analyse and design HRD strategies at societal and organisational level; 
  • understanding of your own learning and leadership skills and how they may be improved.

Special features

  • 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're ranked second in the UK and 7th in the world for development studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022).
  • 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.

Teaching and learning

Important notice: factors affecting fieldwork and placements

The School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED) recognises the value of fieldwork and placements. However, the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remains our priority.

The School will assess on a regular basis the viability of any travel and fieldwork and communicate any significant changes to our students at the earliest possible opportunity.

The role of SEED

  • changes to the rules and guidance on travel and activities implemented and published by the UK and overseas governments;
  • a risk assessment conducted by or on behalf of the University identifying unmanageable risk;
  • changes that enhance the educational value and student experience of the activity;
  • changes to the situation of a placement provider (for example, which cause them to be unable to accept students);
  • the unavailability of appropriate insurance cover;
  • the unavailability of appropriate travel and accommodation and any significant changes to their financial costs;
  • where fieldwork and placements are a compulsory element of the Programme, they will be replaced with something academically similar;
  • where a trip or placement is not a compulsory element of the Programme, it may not be replaced.

We will consult with affected students at the earliest possible opportunity and explore the options available to them.

The duty of students

Preparation, attendance and conduct

Attendance at preparatory classes is a compulsory pre-requisite of the fieldwork and placements to ensure safety and learning outcomes are met.

Students who do not attend the compulsory preparatory classes may be prevented from participating in the fieldwork or placement. It is the duty of students to discuss any attendance issues with the field course or placement convenor.

Students are representatives of the university during their fieldwork or placement. Behaviour deemed by the convenor to be unacceptable may result in students being sent home.

Where a student is unable to attend or complete the fieldwork or placement (e.g. due to mitigating circumstances), is prevented from attending due to absence from compulsory preparatory classes, or returned home due to poor conduct:

  • a suitable alternative assessment will be offered (as appropriate) to ensure that the programme ILOs are met, and that the student is not academically disadvantaged;
  • the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.

Immigration, passport and visa requirements

It is the responsibility of the individual student to ensure they have:

  • a valid passport to enter the destination country (including sufficient months prior to expiry);
  • a valid visa (where required) and comply with its requirements.

The School cannot guarantee that visas required for fieldwork or a placement will be granted by the relevant authority. Please note that countries may change their immigration and visa regulations at short notice.

Where a student is unable to attend fieldwork or a placement because they do not have the required visa or passport:

  • a suitable alternative assessment will be offered to ensure that the programme ILOs are met and that the student is not academically disadvantaged;
  • the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.

Coursework and assessment

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

You must also complete a 12,000 to 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.

Course unit list

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Fundamentals of Human Resource Development MGDI60151 15 Mandatory
Leadership, Development and Change MGDI60162 15 Mandatory
Human Resource Development: Programmes and Policies in Practice MGDI60492 15 Mandatory
Organisation Development MGDI70461 15 Mandatory
HRD and Research in an International Context MGDI73040 15 Mandatory
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in International Education EDUC70322 15 Optional
Contemporary Issues in Education Leadership EDUC70331 15 Optional
Industrial Competitiveness and Global Transformation MGDI60002 15 Optional
International Management MGDI60101 15 Optional
Work and Employment in the Global Economy MGDI60131 15 Optional
Digital Governance MGDI60311 15 Optional
eBusiness: Organisation and Strategy MGDI60352 15 Optional
The Politics and Governance of Development MGDI60391 15 Optional
Gender & Development MGDI70802 15 Optional
Organisational Change Strategies MGDI70882 15 Optional
Innovation and Digital Transformation in Organizational Contexts MGDI71112 15 Optional
Learning, Training and Development MGDI71441 15 Optional
Development Practice: International Contexts and Worlds of Action MGDI71981 15 Optional
Displaying 10 of 18 course units

Additional fee information

What our students say

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service.

For more information, email  dass@manchester.ac.uk

Careers

Career opportunities

This course is unique as it demonstrates understanding of institutional human resource development (HRD) practices within the context of globalisation, social change and economic development.

Graduates acquire relevant development, HRD, leadership and education knowledge for directing culture and social change.

Teaching and research at the Global Development Institute covers a wide variety of topics and as a result our students can be found in a range of jobs and careers.

Our teaching aims to support students from all backgrounds to acquire valuable knowledge, skills and attributes to achieve their educational and professional goals.

It includes regular contributions from researchers and practitioners with a view to equip our students to make a positive difference in their chosen sphere. 

NGOs and third-sector organisations  

Our teaching and research aims are suited to work in non-government and civil society organisations where you take on a range of roles from policy advisors, project managers, HR and communications staff.

Our alumni can be found at large international NGOs like Oxfam as well as in many smaller organisations. 

Government and policy 

Graduates can be found in national governments, multilateral organisations and policy influencing positions around the world, in organisations including DFID, the World Bank, African Union, United Nations and as civil servants around the world. 

Private sector  

Our focus on how businesses and the private sector can play a role in development enables you to gain employment in multinational organisations, private sector firms or to start your own organisations addressing some of the biggest global challenges. 

Research and teaching  

Our master's courses provide you with a strong theoretical foundation for further study. 

Alumni find employment in research and teaching positions at universities and research institutes around the world. Top employers include: 

  • African Union; 
  • Oxfam; 
  • Inter-American Development Bank; 
  • Care; 
  • Mercy Corps; 
  • The British Council; 
  • the World Bank; 
  • the Department for International Development; 
  • United Nations; 
  • USAID.

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

Careers support 

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. 

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 .