MSc Global Development (Globalisation, Trade & Industry)

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 our 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 certificates and 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,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 skills, insights and ideas needed to explore how globalisation, trade and industrial development shape economies and societies.

MSc Global Development (Globalisation, Trade and Industry) examines the changing relationships between countries through cross-border trade, finance, labour and production.

You will consider how industrial development strategies and international trade policies influence development processes, economic transformation and global inequality.

The course brings together perspectives from political economy, geography, sociology, political science, and international business to help you understand the development consequences of globalisation.

You will explore contemporary issues relating to global value chains, multinational corporations, trade policy, industrialisation and the role of global financial systems in shaping development outcomes.

You will engage with applied learning through research-led teaching, interaction with policy actors and practitioners, and opportunities such as factory visits.

Key themes include:

• industrial development strategies in emerging and developing economies;
• international trade policies and their implications for development;
• global value chains and the distribution of production across borders;
• the role of multinational corporations and global financial systems;
• the relationship between globalisation, inequality, poverty reduction and sustainability.

Studying at Manchester places you within 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 learn alongside a diverse community of students and researchers focused on global development challenges.

The programme is suitable for students interested in careers in government, international organisations, NGOs, civil society organisations, the private sector, research, policy and development practice, particularly where these roles focus on trade, industry, economic development and globalisation.

You will:

• gain critical insights into different theoretical and inter-disciplinary perspectives on the political economy of globalisation, trade policy dynamics, and industrial development within the wider context of global development strategies;
• develop your analytical skills in critically evaluating and engaging with distinct and cutting-edge theoretical frameworks that help shape understanding of global value chains and global production networks and their implications for trade dynamics, industrial and trade policies, firm strategies and labour, social and environmental outcomes;
• gain an understanding of the relationship of globalisation to economic, political and social asymmetries of development at global, regional, national and local scales;
• gain an appreciation of the policy issues associated with globalisation, trade and industry and their impacts including insights into the key strategies, policies and practices currently employed by leading public and private policy actors in the global South, prominent international agencies as well as private sector and civil society actors.

• 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 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.

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.

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 analytical, research and communication skills that are valued across global development, trade, industry, policy, research and international development roles. You will also build transferable skills in evidence-gathering, critical analysis, teamwork and independent research.

Potential career paths include:

• government and public policy roles;
• international organisations and multilateral agencies;
• NGOs, civil society and third-sector organisations;
• private sector firms and multinational organisations;
• development, trade or economic policy consultancy;
• research, policy analysis and advocacy;
• project or programme roles in global development;
• doctoral study or further research.

The programme is particularly relevant for students interested in how globalisation, trade policies, industrial development and global value chains shape development outcomes. It provides a strong foundation for careers focused on economic development, international trade, industry, policy and development practice, as well as for further academic research.

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

Careers support

This course supports students interested in careers across global development, trade, industry, policy, research, consultancy, government, NGOs, international organisations and the private sector.

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 .