Top 9 Development Studies Masters in Australia

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Australia has some of the best universities offering master’s degrees in development studies. For those interested in a career in international development or humanitarian aid, studying a masters degree in Australia is a strong option. The degrees listed here cover core international development areas such as development practice, development economics and community development. Australia should definitely be a top destination for those wanting to do a master’s in development studies.

Master of Global Development – James Cook University

James Cook University in North Queensland, Australia, has a master’s degree in global development. The two-year, full-time, post-graduate degree equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to manage development projects in-line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.  The masters course has a particular focus on poverty alleviation, sustainable planning and global health. Students on Australia’s James Cook University’s masters in Global Development undertake individual research projects as well has have access to a wide range of internship opportunities.

The master’s degree in Global Development at James Cook University is one the leading development studies masters in Australia. Taught by some of Australia’s leading international development professionals, the course aims for students to obtain the methods, tools and practices needed for a career in global development.  Students on the James Cook University, Australia, masters in Global Development can take modules including Development in Practice, Critical Issues in Global Development and Politics and Foreign Relations. The master’s also has modules on Research Methods for Global Development, Environmental and Regional Planning and Community Development.

As well as being taken two-years full-time on campus, students outside Australia can take the James Cook University masters in Global Development online part-time. Applicants to the masters require a AQF level 7 bachelor’s degree or international equivalent. Language requirements for non-native speakers can be obtained from the university.  Fees for the masters are around 31,200 AUD for both Australian and international students. James Cook University has a wide range of scholarships for Australian and non-Australian students, including the JCU International Excellence Scholarship, the CONICYT scholarship and the PRONABEC scholarship.

Master of Development Practice – University of Queensland

The University of Queensland, based in Brisbane, Australia, has master’s degree in Development Practice. On the course students explore the practical tools needed in international development whilst also learning the theoretical underpinning of development work. The master’s encourages rigorous debate and expects students to challenge development norms. The master’s degree in Development Practice as the University of Queensland in Australia also has a specific focus on sustainable development.

The Development Practice masters at the University of Queensland is one of leading masters of its kind in Australia. The master’s covers the main issues affecting developing countries, including gender, health, armed violence, climate change and indigenous rights. The master’s is led by some of Australia’s top development practitioners. The master’s degree also includes elements on sociology, anthropology, project planning, community development and political science.

The University of Queensland’s masters in Development Practice can be completed over 1.5 years full-time or longer part-time. Applicants to the masters need a relevant bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 5, or a non-related undergraduate with two or more years relevant work experience. Fees for the Development Practice master’s degree at the University of Queensland in Australia are around 31,744 AUD. The university has a range of scholarships for Australian and international students – information on these can be found on the university’s website.

Master of Development Studies – University of Melbourne

The University of Melbourne offers a master’s degree in Development Studies. Taken in either 2-years full-time or 4 years part-time, the master’s is taught on the Parksville campus in Melbourne, Australia. The Development Studies masters at Melbourne University aims to provide training on the key fields of international development such as development economics, the role of urbanization, health policy and development and the environment. Students on the master’s degree can also focus more specifically on the role of gender in development practice.

The Development Studies masters at the University of Melbourne is one of the top degrees of its kind in Australia. The Development studies masters’ degree at the University of Melbourne in Australia allows students to take modules including Gender Issues in Development, Political Economy of Development and Anthropology of Development. Modules can also be taken on Poverty, Microfinance and Development, Social Impact Assessment and Evaluation and Development Project Management and Design. Students on the master’s degree are taught by some of the leading development studies professional’s in Australia.

Students can begin the Development Studies masters at the university of Melbourne, Australia, in either March or July. Entry requirements for the masters include the completion of an undergraduate degree with a ‘weighted average mark of at least H2B (70%)’ or equivalent. English language requirement can be obtained from the university. Total course fees for the University of Melbourne, Australia’s, masters in Development Studies are around 77,211 AUD. The university offers the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences International scholarship programme to students from India, Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand.

International Development Online Courses

If you are looking to do a masters in international development, taking an online short course can be a great way to boost your application. We highly recommend the course Management of International Development: Towards Agenda 2030. It looks at the current international development model as well as the trends that will be key to global development in the near future. Follow the link to the course’s page for more information.

We also think the online course Sustainable Development in the 21st Century by Yonsei University to be one of the best for those interested in international development. Delivered by former UN Secretary General Ban-ki Moon, the online course would be a great addition to the application of anyone looking to do a masters in international development. The link is to the course’s page.

If you are interested in the practical methods used on international development projects, we recommend the online course How To Design & Fund International Development NGO Projects. The course teaches students the tools needed to establish and run impactful development projects. Click the link to visit the course’s page for more information.

Master of Development Studies – University of Sydney

The University of Sydney, Australia, has one of the top master’s degree in development studies. The post-graduate degree introduces students to the key issues in sustainable development covering a local, national and global perspective. Students on the master’s degree explore both the theoretical theories that underpin development practice as well as learning the methodologies and tools needed to ensure development programs are successful. The masters in Development Studies at the university of Sydney is taught by some of Australia’s leading development professionals.

Graduates from the Development Studies masters at the University of Sydney have gone to work for some of the leading international development organisations within Australia and worldwide. Alongside extensive study of global development, students on the master’s degree can take modules including on Dimensions of Inequality, Research in Political Economy and Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences. A further advantage of the Development Studies masters at the University of Sydney in Australia is that students can undertake an internship programme at leading development institutes within Australia or abroad.

The master’s degree in Development Studies at the university of Sydney in Australia can be taken over 1 year or 1 and a half years. Admission requirements for the masters includes an undergraduate degree with at least an average of 65%, including a major in a related subject. Relevant professional work experience is also considered. English language admission requirements should be sought from the university. Tuition fees for the Development Studies masters at the University of Sydney, Australia, are around 29,000 AUD. The University of Sydney has a range of scholarships for domestic and non-Australian students.

Master of Development Studies – University of New South Wales

The University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, has a masters of development studies course. The post-graduate degree combines the study of global development at a community, national and international level, allowing students to explore a wide range of development theories and outcomes. Aimed as an interactive course, students on the master’s degree gain a deep understanding of human rights, social justice and community development. The master’s is taught by professionals with frontline development experience from Australia and abroad.

The master’s degree in Development Studies at the University of New South Wales is one of Australia’s top masters in the subject. Students on the master’s degree explore core development topics such as refugee and migration, peace and security, gender-based violence and global health. The masters course also covers social and community policy. The Development Studies masters at the University of New South Wales, in Australia, aims to equip students with the skills, experience and techniques needed to have successful careers in international development and humanitarian aid.

The Development Studies masters at the University of New South Wales, in Australia, can be taken over different lengths. Entry requirements for the master’s degree include the completion of a relevant undergraduate degree with an average score about 65%. Without a bachelors in a relevant subject, applicants require one year of related professional experience. English language requirements for international students should be got from the university. Fees for Australian students are around 54,000 AUD and 75,440 AUD for non-Australian students.

Master of Development Studies – Murdoch University

Murdoch University is based in Perth, Australia. They offer one of the top master’s degrees in development studies. The master’s course is aimed at students from both developed and developing countries as well as those already working in the sectors of international development and humanitarian aid. The master’s degree in Development Studies at Murdoch University, in Australia, introduces students to key development theories as well as exploring the links between development, politics, social and environmental factors, alongside the environment and climate change.

The Murdoch University in Australia offers one of the leading master’s degrees in development studies. The master’s course takes a broad approach to development studies whilst also incorporating studies of key development areas such as food security, global health, international aid, nation building and conflict resolution. Students on the master’s degree in Development Studies at Murdoch University, in Australia, also explore important development topics such as gender and gender-based violence, development economics and development practice.

Entry requirements for the Development Studies masters at Murdoch University, in Australia, include the completion of a bachelor’s degree. Non-native English speakers need either previous university level study in English or to provide evidence of English language ability. Fees for the Development Studies masters at Murdoch University are around 26,640 AUD for Australian students and 34,860 for non-Australian students. Information on the scholarships on offer can be obtained from the university.

Master of International Development – University of Western Australia

The University of Western Australia, based in Perth, offers a master’s degree in international development. The master’s allows students to explore the current challenges facing developing nations and question the root causes on unequal global development. The masters course also encourages students to address the challenges of poverty and inequality whilst exploring development practice, the economics of development and the politics of development. The master’s degree in international development at the University of Western Australia is taught by some of the leading Australian development practitioners.

Students on the International Development masters at the University of Western Australia learn the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a career in aid and development. The masters course explores a wide range of development contexts, alongside having students investigate how development is affected by geography, politics and resource economics. The University of Western Australia’s master’s degree in International Development encourages students to critique ongoing development policy and challenge the current orthodoxies driving international development.

Entry requirements for the master’s degree in International Development at the University of Western Australia include the completion of an undergraduate degree with an average mark of 50%. Non-native English speakers can find the master’s requirements on the University of Western Australia’s website. Tuition fees for the master’s degree range from between 4,000 AUD and 14,500 AUD. The University of Western Australia has a database of scholarships available, including scholarships for academic excellence, inclusion and diversity, global experience and leadership and talent.

Master of International and Development Economics – Australian National University

Australian National University offers one of the leading master’s degree in international development and economics. The master’s degree instructs students to on the creation of development and economic policies with the aim of reducing economic inequality. Students on the masters learn how to practically apply key economic theories and analyse frameworks of economic development. The role of trade, finance, development and environmental outcomes are all covered on the master’s degree.

The International and Development Economics master’s course at the Australian National University in Sydney introduces students to five main areas of development economics. 1) Students cover development policy, developing a critical understanding its principle and policies. 2) The masters have a focus on the economics of Asia and the Pacific. 3) There are units on international trade and finance, including how developing countries and utilise these to improve development. 4) Macroeconomic policy and its impact on development. 5) Microeconomic policy and how this can be harnessed by poorer nations.

The masters in International and Development Economics at Australian National University can be taken in 1 or 2 years. Entry requirements include the completion of a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 5/7. International applicants require the equivalent. Fees at the Australian National University depend on varying factors and can be calculated on the university’s website. Australian National University has a range of scholarships available for both Australian and international students.

Master of International and Community Development – Deakin University

Deakin University is based in Victoria, Australia. They offer a 1-year full-time or multiple year part-time master’s degree in international and community development. The course aims to train students to lead development projects with a focus on promoting social justice, reducing poverty and increasing sustainability. The master’s degree encourages students to develop new thinking on the challenges facing global and community development, as well as develop creative and innovative solution to development issues. The master’s degree in International and Community Development at Deakin University is taught by some of Australia’s leading development and community development practitioners.

The master’s degree in International and Community Development at Australia’s Deakin University aims for graduates to have the skills and experience needed to enter the global development sector. The course aims for students to develop a deep passion for social development and human rights, as well as providing them with the practical tools and methodologies needed in the international development and humanitarian industries. The masters in International and Community Development at Deakin University, in Australia, offers students the choice of study streams in international development, community development or a combined study stream.

Admission requirements for the master’s degree in International and Community Development at Deakin University, in Australia, include the completion of a bachelors in a relevant subject. For applicants with non-related bachelors, at least two years of related professional experience are required. Fees for the masters in International and Community Development at Deakin University, in Australia, are around 22,200 AUD. The university has a range of scholarships on offer including the Deakin Scholarship for Excellence and the Deakin Support Scholarship.

Duncan

Duncan is the founder of Humanitarian Careers. With over ten years experience in the aid industry across fifteen countries, Duncan set-up Humanitarian Careers to help people launch their own career in international aid.