Master of Development Studies

Understand the challenges of sustainable human development on a local, national and global scale.

This program provides theoretical foundations and opportunities for practice-based understanding of development policy, programs and outcomes.

You can intern at local or overseas organisations, undertake a field school, and complete a research-based supervised dissertation.Address issues in development policy and debate with experts in anthropology, international relations, political economy, human rights, peace and conflict studies, linguistics, public health, human geography, economics and sociology.Benefit from workshops, seminars and conferences in a research-driven environment, and from our strong commitment to building industry relationships in a global city.Commonwealth Supported PlacesCommonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available for postgraduate study for eligible domestic students.

This means that your course fees are subsidised by the Australian Government and you pay a student contribution amount (SCA).

CSPs are limited in number and are allocated based on academic merit.

• Social Research (Specialisation)

Admission requirement

Entry in the 1 year or 1.5 year degree program is determined by the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) criteria below:

Admission to candidature for the Master of Development Studies (1.5 years full-time) requires:

• a bachelor's degree with a minimum credit (65%) average calculated over the whole degree, including a major in a relevant subject area in Humanities and Social Sciences from the University of Sydney, or an equivalent qualification.

Admission to candidature for the Master of Development Studies (1 year full-time) requires:

• completion of the embedded Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Development Studies with a minimum credit (65%) average, or an equivalent qualification; or
• an Honours degree in a relevant discipline; or
• relevant professional work experience and a bachelor's degree with a minimum credit (65%) average or an equivalent qualification.

If you do not meet the requirements listed above for direct entry to the Master’s degree, you may be able to enter via a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in the same subject area and upgrade to the Master’s after successful completion of the shorter course.

What you'll study