International Development with Education

Entry requirements

You should have a bachelor’s honours degree or international equivalent, typically a 2:1 or above.

To apply for this course you should have an undergraduate degree in an appropriate subject such as politics, economics, anthropology, international relations, sociology, government studies, African, Latin American or South East Asian Studies or environmental studies.

We will also consider graduates with an undergraduate degree in other subjects, especially where you have relevant professional experience in international development.

In your application, you will need to provide a maximum 500 word personal statement which should:

(a) outline why your background to date makes you a suitable applicant for the course, and

(b) demonstrate a clear motivation to study on the pathway you have applied for, and how the course may fit into your future plans.

We may make an offer based on a lower grade if you can provide evidence of your suitability for the degree.

If your first language is not English but within the last 2 years you completed your degree in the UK you may be exempt from our English Language requirements.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Deepen your understanding of global development issues to address key education, poverty, inequality, and social justice problems in the Global South.

During this course, you'll develop your understanding of the major factors, decisions and policies that influence the quality of education globally.

You’ll critically assess the barriers that exist, paying special attention to countries in the Global South. This will build your knowledge and expertise of how effective interventions can positively impact people’s access to learning.

By exploring the roles of key actors in the field of global education - including donor agencies, governments and civil society - you'll develop a rounded view of the global education landscape. You’ll then use this, alongside key theory, to consider solutions that could aid the evolution of education in these regions.

The course is closely aligned to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 4 - “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”.

This degree benefits from a mixture of teaching from Bath's Department of Social & Policy Sciences and Department of Education. This will allow you to assess contemporary international development challenges holistically, taking into consideration how social and educational factors influence them.

Different course pathways to specialise your skills

You have the choice of taking this interdisciplinary MSc International Development course, or one of four specialist pathways:

• MSc International Development
• MSc International Development Management
• MSc International Development with Conflict and Humanitarian Action
• MSc International Development with Economics
• MSc International Development, Social Justice and Sustainability

The selection of a specialist pathway allows you the flexibility to pursue areas that interest you and are relevant to your career aspirations. Each pathway is available as full-time or part-time study.

Switching pathways

Full-time students: If you choose one of the specialist pathways, you can switch to the general MSc International Development pathway after Year 1 Semester 1. If you choose the general MSc International Development pathway, you can switch to a specialist pathway in Year 1 Semester 2 if you choose that pathway’s core Semester 1 unit. You can not switch between specialist pathways.

Part-time students: You can choose to switch between specialist pathways, or either way between a specialist pathway and the general MSc International Development pathway, at the end of Year 1.

Learn from experts in their field

You’ll learn from experts in international development and educational studies; as well as staff in the wider Department of Social & Policy Sciences and Department of Education communities. Their passion, knowledge, experience, and research shape their teaching to enhance your learning experience.

Gain important career skills

Upon successful completion of this course, you'll leave with:

• a critical understanding of the concepts and approaches used in international development with focus on education
• the interdisciplinary research and interpersonal skills needed to navigate the changing landscape of development practice where new actors are emerging and traditional approaches to education need adapting
• practical skills in research, analysis and communication and an understanding of how these can be applied when working in social, economic and environmental justice in both the ‘Global North and South’
• the ability to analyse the complex interaction of social, economic, political or environmental factors in shaping problems and proposed solutions
• a rich experience of working with people from a wide range of disciplines, cultures and professional backgrounds

Graduate prospects

This course provides an excellent background for those wishing to pursue careers in fields that aim to improve people’s lives. These include the international development, sustainability, humanitarian and peacebuilding sectors.

You will be qualified to work in a wide variety of roles, including social research, public policy, public information and campaigning.

Graduates from our suite of International Development master's courses have gone on to secure the following roles:

• Senior Program Officer, Hashoo Foundation
• Relief Support Worker, United Response
• Analyst, Start Fund Bangladesh
• Programme Assistant, The Advocacy Team
• Fundraising Assistant, Refugee Cafe
• Director of Programmes for North West Syria, Mercy Corps
• Programme Specialist, African World Heritage Fund
• Operations and Finance Officer, The Washing Machine Project
• Local Ambassador to the World Trade Organisation

Other graduates have chosen to work for themselves and set up their own charities, while others have gone on to complete doctoral studies.

Fees and funding

See our website for further information on funding for this course.