Master of Development Studies

What you will study

The Master of Development Studies includes three different streams to choose from including:

Stream A - 48 units of credit (UOC) specialisation

• Research Core Course (6 UOC)
• Disciplinary Core Courses (12 UOC)
• Prescribed Disciplinary Elective (6 UOC)
• Prescribed Electives (24 UOC)

Stream B - 72 UOC specialisation

• Research Core Courses (12 UOC)
• Disciplinary Core Courses (12 UOC)
• Prescribed Disciplinary Elective (12 UOC)
• Prescribed Electives (36 UOC)

Stream C - 96 UOC specialisation

• Research Core Courses (12 UOC)
• Disciplinary Core Courses (30 UOC)
• Prescribed Electives (54 UOC)

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

There are three different streams of the Master of Development Studies. The stream you apply for will depend on the depth of your prior academic and/or professional experience, and how closely it relates to development studies.

For all three streams, you will need to meet the following admission requirements to be considered for entry into the program:

For the 1-year stream (A)

Fulfil one of the following criteria:

• Honours degree or graduate diploma* (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65 per cent.
• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65 per cent, plus one year of relevant professional experience.

For the 1.7-year stream (B)

Fulfil one of the following criteria:

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65 per cent.
• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65 per cent, plus one year of relevant professional experience.
• Honours degree or graduate diploma* (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65 per cent.

For the 2-year stream (C)

• Bachelor 's degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65 per cent.

*It is expected that a graduate diploma will have been completed after an undergraduate degree.

Relevant disciplines include: Social sciences, humanities, business, economics, law, public health, communications, social work, psychology/psychological science.

English language requirements

You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations.

If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.

If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

• English language tests and university English courses.
• Prior study in the medium of English.
• Other qualifications.

Recognition of Prior Learning

If you apply for Stream A or Stream B, you may be eligible to have your study recognised via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If your prior study is recognised, credit points can be counted towards the degree, and you would then be able to complete the coursework undertaking fewer subjects. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

You’ll be qualified to work in a wide range of fields from local community development to international aid work, advocacy, and human rights. Potential career fields include:

• Practice-based roles to research and policy within academia, government and civil society.
• Local and international development agencies.
• The United Nations.
• Policy and advocacy think tanks.
• Community-based organisations and government bodies locally and internationally.

Learning outcomes

• Demonstrate critical interdisciplinary knowledge of the interfaces between the socio-economic, political, environmental, gendered, racial and cultural dimensions of sustainable development at local, national and global levels.
• Recognise and respect cultural and social diversity in varying contexts, including in work with Indigenous Peoples and other key stakeholders and institutions.
• Demonstrate the self-awareness, skills and humility to be reflective, adaptive, socially responsible, ethical and professional practitioners.
• Engage advanced critical thinking to understand, constructively analyse and address development challenges and interventions drawing on contemporary theories, practices and approaches, knowledges and different forms of evidence.
• Select, interpret and apply appropriate social science research methodologies to address key issues in Development Studies.
• Communicate complex ideas to a diverse range of audiences.

Fees and CSP

Indicative full fee in 2025: $34,000 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

Indicative first-year fee in 2025: $17,000(Commonwealth Supported Place)

Indicative fees are a guide only and have been calculated based on the typical enrolment patterns of students undertaking the program. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year of enrolment, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than one Equivalent Full Time Student Load (48 UOC per year).

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.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

Commonwealth Supported Places

The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.

If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.

Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.

Your student contribution amount is:

• Calculated per unit you're enrolled in.
• Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
• Reviewed and adjusted each year.

HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.

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