MSc Global Development (Politics, Governance and Development Policy)
Year of entry: 2024
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Overview
- Degree awarded
- Master of Science
- Duration
- 1 Year
- Entry requirements
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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, your academic references and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.
- How to apply
- Apply online
Course options
Full-time | Part-time | Full-time distance learning | Part-time distance learning | |
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MSc | Y | Y | N | N |
Course overview
- Join a university ranked second in the UK and seventh in the world for development studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022).
- Discover the many ways that politics is critical to the success of development.
- Explore a topic taking centre stage on the international development agenda.
- Examine the 'lived' or 'real' politics in the global South and the dynamics underpinning change.
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 2024, the tuition fees are as follows:
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MSc (full-time)
UK students (per annum): £13,500
International, including EU, students (per annum): £28,000
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
There are many internal and external funding opportunities for postgraduate study.
We offer several postgraduate taught scholarships and merit awards to outstanding applicants and international students.
We also regularly welcome students on the University's Equity and Merit scholarship scheme.
In addition, the Manchester Alumni Scholarship Scheme offers a £3,000 reduction in tuition fees to University of Manchester alumni who achieved a first-class bachelor's degree and are progressing to a postgraduate taught master's course.
Many of our students have gained British Chevening, British Council or Commonwealth scholarships, as well as country-specific awards.
For more information, see our fees and funding webpages or search the University's postgraduate funding database.
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
- gdi.admissions@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- http://www.seed.manchester.ac.uk/
- School/Faculty
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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, your academic references 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 .
Please note, this course does not accept Pre-sessional course completion as proof of English language proficiency.
English language test validity
Other international entry requirements
Professional entry qualification
Application and selection
How to apply
Advice to applicants
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;
- your CV;
- copies of English Language Certification, eg IELTS, TOEFL or Pearson test score report.
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 MSc Global Development with Politics, Governance and Development Policy 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 you meet our entry requirements but we are unable to make you an offer you may be placed on a waiting list. Candidates on a waiting list will receive an offer only if places become available.
Please note, the course may reach capacity before the official closing date of 31st of August, so all students are advised to apply as soon as possible.
Deferrals
Deferral of entry will be accepted for the next consecutive academic year of entry.
Should applicants request a second deferral of entry, they will be required to submit a new application.
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 Global Development with Politics, Governance and Development Policy examines the obstacles to, and pathways towards, more legitimate, democratic and pro-poor forms of governance at global, national and local levels - a topic that is currently centre-stage on the international development agenda.
The course interrogates the discursive paradigms and material interventions in the area of politics and governance, which has moved to the centre of the international development agenda since the late 1980s.
It is therefore ideal if you're interested in the many ways that politics is critical to the success of development and would like to examine the 'lived' or 'real' politics in the global South and the dynamics underpinning change.
Aims
- Provide critical insights into different theoretical and disciplinary perspectives on the politics and governance of development.
- Develop your analytical skills in critically evaluating and employing different theories of politics, governance and policy analysis.
- Provide you with an opportunity to deepen your understanding of the how politics, governance and the formulation and implementation development policy interact in the global South.
- Provide critical insights into the key strategies, policies and practices currently employed to promote `good governance' and improved policy processes in the global South.
- Develop professionally oriented skills related to formulating, investigating and implementing different approaches to promoting good governance.
- Provide a wide range of options for advanced training in areas of specialist expertise relevant to politics, governance and development policy.
- 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 the field of politics, governance and development policy, and applying their understanding and skills through supervised individual research culminating in a dissertation.
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 are ranked second in the UK and seventh 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
The School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED) recognises the value of fieldwork. 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 ability of fieldwork and travel to proceed, and whether any changes to proposed fieldwork and travel might be necessary, will remain subject to factors such as the:
- rules and guidance on travel and activities implemented and published by the UK and overseas governments;
- outcome of any risk assessments conducted by the University;
- educational value and student experience of the fieldwork, if significant changes to the proposed fieldwork would be necessary;
- availability of appropriate insurance cover;
- availability of appropriate travel and accommodation and any significant changes to their financial costs.
All fieldwork and travel will be subject to a rigorous risk assessment process and the implementation of any protective measures identified by the risk assessment to ensure the health and safety of all our students and staff.
In some circumstances, it may become necessary to make changes to fieldwork or programme related travel. The University will notify you of those changes at the earliest opportunity. If any fieldwork does not go ahead as planned, then the School's focus will be on seeking to offer a suitable alternative and ensure that the Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) of the programme are met.
Please note that countries may change their immigration and visa regulations at short notice. The School cannot guarantee that where visas are required for fieldwork, they will be granted but we will take steps so that if a visa is refused, affected students are not academically disadvantaged.
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 12,000-15,000-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.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
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The Politics and Governance of Development | MGDI60391 | 15 | Mandatory |
Development Fundamentals | MGDI60411 | 15 | Mandatory |
Development Fieldwork | MGDI60502 | 15 | Mandatory |
Political Analysis of Development Policy | MGDI60522 | 15 | Mandatory |
Global Development Challenges | MGDI60601 | 15 | Mandatory |
Development Research | MGDI70982 | 15 | Mandatory |
Global Political Economy | MGDI60072 | 15 | Optional |
Public Sector Reform and Management | MGDI60081 | 15 | Optional |
Poverty and Development | MGDI60141 | 15 | Optional |
Gender Inequality: Theory and Evidence | MGDI60202 | 15 | Optional |
Displaying 10 of 25 course units | |||
Display all course units |
Scholarships and bursaries
There are many internal and external funding opportunities for postgraduate study.
We offer several postgraduate taught scholarships to outstanding applicants. We also regularly welcome students on the University's Equity and Merit scholarship scheme.
The Manchester Alumni Scholarship Scheme offers a £3,000 reduction in tuition fees to University of Manchester alumni who achieved a first-class Bachelor's degree and are progressing to a postgraduate taught master's course.
Many of our students have gained British Chevening, British Council or Commonwealth scholarships, as well as country-specific awards.
For more information, see fees and funding or search the University's postgraduate funding database .
What our students say
Disability support
Careers
Career opportunities
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 globally.
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.
- 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.
View the alumni networks already operating across the globe: Meet alumni near you .