MSc Human Resource Development (International Development)

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 .

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.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

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 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.

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. 

• 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 .