MSc Global Development (Development 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 thanEnglishplease provide official translations;
• copies of English Language Certification,e.g.IELTS iBT, TOEFL 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 analytical, planning and project management skills needed to respond to complex global development challenges.

MSc Global Development (Development Management) focuses on how development programmes and interventions are planned, managed, implemented and evaluated. You will explore the management and policymaking dimensions of development, and examine how organisations respond to complex economic, social and political challenges in different global contexts.

The course is designed for students who want to understand how development strategies are shaped and put into practice. You will consider the challenges faced by institutions, organisations and communities in developing countries, and develop the practical and analytical skills needed to assess how development interventions work in real-world settings.

You will build professional skills that help you understand how to formulate, investigate and implement development projects and understand different perspectives of development management. The course supports you to engage critically with areas such as poverty, social justice, climate adaptation, sustainable development and global inequality, while considering how development decisions are made across diverse cultural, political and economic contexts.

When studying at Manchester you will be in the Global Development Institute, one of the largest development-focused research and teaching institutes in Europe. You will be part of a university ranked in the world’s top five for Development Studies, with opportunities to engage with a diverse community of students and researchers focused on global development challenges.

The programme is suitable for students seeking careers in government, international organisations, NGOs, civil society organisations, the private sector, research, policy and development practice.

• Provide an opportunity for you to deepen your understanding of management, planning and policymaking in economic, social and political spheres of development. 
• Provide you with a thorough conceptual framework and the skills necessary to analyse effectively the relationships between development management and development processes. 
• Develop professionally oriented skills related to formulating, investigating and implementing different forms of development management. 
• Provide a wide range of options for advanced training in areas of specialist expertise relevant to development and management. 
• Develop advanced competencies in transferable areas, including developing reasoned arguments, gathering, organising and using evidence and information from a wide variety of sources, undertaking both team-based and independent work to deadlines, and both written and verbal forms of communication. 
• Assist you in developing your specialist area of expertise within development management and applying your understanding and skills through supervised individual research culminating in a dissertation.

• 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).
• 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.

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 (eg 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.

Graduates develop a wide analytical skillset relating to management, planning, and policymaking that are valued across international development, government, NGOs, civil society, research and consultancy. You will also build transferable skills in evidence-gathering, critical analysis, communication, teamwork and independent research.

Potential career paths include:

• Development programme manager
• Project or programme officer
• Government and public policy roles
• International organisations and multilateral agencies
• Development consultancy
• Monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) roles
• NGOs and civil society organisations
• Community development and social development roles
• Research and policy analysis
• Doctoral study (PhD)

The programme is particularly relevant for students interested in how development policies, programmes and interventions are designed, managed, implemented and evaluated. It provides a strong foundation for careers focused on improving development practice and addressing global challenges, as well as for further academic research.

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 .