Master of Global Development

What you will study

There are three pathways of study available. Your eligibility for a particular pathway depends on your previous qualifications and relevant work experience. Each pathway requires a different amount of credit points (CP) for you to earn.

• Pathway 1 (80 CP) - One year (related degree and work experience)
• Pathway 2 (120 CP) - One and a half years (related degree or any degree and work experience)
• Pathway 3 (160 CP) - Two years (any degree)

Each course is valued at 10 CP, unless otherwise indicated.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

To be eligible for admission to the Master of Global Development, a student must have one of the following:

• Any bachelor's degree (or higher) from a recognised university (or another tertiary institution of equivalent standing) with a minimum GPA of 4.0 (using a 7.0 scale).
• A related bachelor's degree or graduate certificate (or higher) from a recognised university (or another tertiary institution of equivalent standing) - students will be eligible for 40 CP of advanced standing.
• A related bachelor honours or graduate diploma (or higher) from a recognised university (or another tertiary institution of equivalent standing) - students will be eligible for 80 CP of advanced standing.
• A combination of alternative admission criteria such as formal, informal and non-formal learning deemed to be equivalent to one of the above.

From 2025:

Pathway 1: 1-year program (80 CP)

• A recognised bachelor's degree (or higher) in a related discipline with a minimum GPA of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale; and a minimum of two years of full-time (or equivalent) relevant professional experience.

Pathway 2: 1.5-year program (120 CP)

You must have one of the following:

• A recognised bachelor's degree (or higher) in a related discipline with a minimum GPA of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale.
• A recognised bachelor's degree (or higher) in any discipline with a minimum GPA of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale; and a minimum of two years of full-time (or equivalent) relevant professional experience.

Pathway 3: 2-year program (160 CP)

You must have one of the following:

• A recognised bachelor's degree (or higher) in any discipline with a minimum GPA of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale.
• A combination of alternative admission criteria such as formal, informal and non-formal learning deemed to be equivalent to either of the above.

English language requirements

English language requirements apply to international applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0.
• A minimum score of 575 on TOEFL.
• An internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19).
• No score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only).
• A minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English).
• An overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.

English test results must be no more than two years old.

If you do not meet the university's specified English language requirements, you may wish to contact the Griffith English Language Institute to increase your eligibility for entering a Griffith University program. This institute offers a number of English language and other courses at both its Brisbane and Gold Coast branches.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Griffith University grants credit and recognition of prior learning which may relate to prior formal learning or prior informal and non-formal learning. The university's Credit Precedent Database allows you to find out what credit decisions have been made in the past. These precedents will give you an idea of what you can expect. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

Graduates from this degree may find career opportunities within non-government organisations and aid organisations, international development, government policy, consultancy and research. Potential organisations include Oxfam, Amnesty International, United Nations, World Bank, AusAid, and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Fees and FEE-HELP

Indicative annual fee in 2025: $30,000 (domestic full-fee paying place)

The indicative annual tuition fee is calculated based on a standard full-time study load which is usually 80 CP.

The indicative annual tuition fee is based on current conditions and available data and should only be used as a guide. These fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:

• The number of units studied per term.
• The choice of major or specialisation.
• Choice of units.
• Credit from previous study or work experience.
• Eligibility for government-funded loans.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.