MSc Global Development

The University holds regular events throughout the year, including webinars and the annual on-campus Master’s Expo, all of which offer the opportunity to find out more about our facilities and courses from our academic and admissions staff.

We also attend a number of education fairs both in the UK and overseas throughout the year.

For more details on how you can meet us, visit out events page: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/masters/meet-us/

Please submit the following documents with your completed application form:

• copies of official degree certificatesand 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;
• copies of English Language Certification, eg 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.

Throughout the programme, you will examine some of the defining questions of our time. Why do some countries industrialise while others remain dependent on commodity exports? How has rapid economic growth in China impacted development worldwide? How are global trade, finance and investment reshaping development opportunities? How can governments promote inclusive growth while responding to climate change? What roles do cities, international organisations, businesses and civil society play in shaping development outcomes?

The MSc Global Development gives you the breadth to explore these questions from different perspectives, along with the freedom to develop expertise in the areas of development that matter most to you.

Build your own pathway

One of the defining features of this MSc is the breadth of choice it offers.

You will explore development through multiple disciplines, drawing on insights from political economy, sociology, economics, environmental studies and public policy. You'll examine how development is understood and measured, how policies and interventions are designed and implemented, and how their impacts can differ between countries, communities and groups.

Alongside the core programme, you can develop specialist expertise in areas including:

• Global trade and industry  – examining how trade, finance, production and geopolitical change shape patterns of development.
• Politics, governance and management  – understanding how institutions, organisations and public policy influence development outcomes.
• Poverty and inequality  – analysing the structural causes of deprivation, exclusion and unequal development.
• Environment and climate change  – exploring the relationships between sustainability, climate change and social and economic transformation.

Learn with a leading development institute

Teaching is closely informed by the internationally recognised research of the Global Development Institute (GDI), one of the world’s leading centres for development studies. You will engage with contemporary academic debates while building practical research skills through policy analysis, independent research and collaborative learning.

The programme is designed for recent graduates seeking advanced training in development, as well as professionals working in government, international organisations, NGOs and the private sector who wish to deepen their understanding of global development.

Whether you plan to pursue a career in the development sector, public policy, research, consultancy or further academic study, the MSc Global Development provides the intellectual foundations and practical skills to understand — and help shape — the future of global development.

• The MSc Global Development aims to provide students with an advanced, interdisciplinary understanding of the political, economic, social and environmental processes shaping development in an increasingly interconnected and contested world.
• The programme enables students to critically evaluate competing theories and approaches to development, drawing on perspectives from across the social sciences to analyse contemporary global challenges, including inequality, climate change, urbanisation, migration, technological change and geopolitical contestation.
• Students develop advanced analytical, methodological and communication skills that are highly valued across the public, private and voluntary sectors. They learn to evaluate evidence, construct rigorous arguments, analyse complex policy challenges, and communicate findings effectively to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• The programme also provides opportunities for students to develop specialist expertise through optional pathways and advanced option units, enabling them to engage deeply with particular themes and policy debates in the field of global development.
• Finally, the programme equips students with advanced research, communication and problem-solving skills through independent and collaborative learning. It culminates in a substantial dissertation that demonstrates their ability to undertake original research on a topic of their choice.

• Europe's largest dedicated development research and teaching institute.
• Ranked first for research environment and second overall in the UK in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).
• Proud to tackle global inequalities and rank first in the world for our impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (THE Impact Rankings 2026).
• 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.

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 taught elements of the course, carrying 120 credits overall, is continuously assessed by a variety of methods involving largely individual submissions, but also elements of group work.

Assessment is designed to develop a broad range of academic and professional skills and varies across modules.

You must also complete a 12,000-word dissertation on a topic of your choice approved by the Programme Directors. You are encouraged to base your dissertation on a topic of direct professional concern.

The Global Development Institute is based in the Arthur Lewis Building at the heart of our Oxford Road campus. Here, you'll be part of a large and diverse postgraduate community focused on understanding and addressing global development challenges.

Your studies are also supported by The University of Manchester Library, one of only five National Research Libraries in the UK, with extensive academic collections and individual and collaborative study spaces.

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.

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.

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.

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.

• 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 .