Subject guides / International Development

International Development

Also appears in programme titles as: Development Studies · Global Development

94 programmes mapped across 24 countriesScholarship compatibility checkedVerified Jul 2026 against official sources

What an international development degree actually is

Aid programmes, refugee response, governance reform, climate adaptation in poor countries — international development is the interdisciplinary field that studies how deliberate efforts to improve lives in the Global South actually work, and why they so often don't. Unlike development economics, it draws as much on politics, sociology and anthropology as on economics, and its graduates run programmes rather than regressions.

The field's top address is not where rankings suggest: the Institute of Development Studies at Sussex has held the world #1 spot for development studies for years while Sussex sits far down every general league table — the clearest case in our guides of a specialist institution beating the prestige hierarchy. Oxford's MPhil and LSE's MSc round out the classic trio.

What you study — and the quantitative bar

Cores typically cover development theory and history, political economy, and research methods, with electives spanning gender, conflict, migration, humanitarianism and environment. Dissertations are often field-based; the practice-oriented programmes (IDS especially) draw on live research projects with partner institutions in the Global South.

The quantitative bar is the gentlest of the fields we cover — statistics literacy helps but qualitative methods carry equal weight. That accessibility cuts both ways: cohorts are large and competition for the classic exits is real, which makes work experience the differentiator admissions and employers actually read.

Where it leads

Programme and policy roles across UN agencies, bilateral donors, INGOs (Oxfam, IRC, MSF's non-medical roles), development consultancies, and government development ministries. The monitoring-and-evaluation specialisation is the strongest single employment ticket — every funded programme needs one, and the skill set is chronically scarce. Expect careers built on rotations and field postings rather than a single ladder.

Education Development SpecialistHumanitarian Programme ManagerMonitoring & Evaluation SpecialistUN Programme Officer

Who it suits — and who it does not

A good fit if you are…

  • NGO, government or humanitarian professionals with 2+ years in the field formalising their practice
  • Career switchers with transferable skills (communications, logistics, law) entering the development sector
  • Scholarship applicants whose story is about strengthening institutions at home — the archetypal Chevening and Commonwealth profile

Probably not the right degree if…

  • Applicants who want the economics toolkit — see Development Economics; this field will not teach you econometrics in depth
  • Fresh graduates with no development-adjacent experience: the degree amplifies experience rather than substituting for it
  • Anyone expecting a defined career ladder — the sector runs on short contracts and mobility

Where to study it: the programme map

The map includes the field's quiet anomaly: the world's top-ranked development studies institution (IDS Sussex) belongs to a university most league tables place far lower. Official links and verification dates on every row.

UniversityOfficial programme titleLengthTuition (intl)Experience
Australian National UniversityAustraliaMaster of Environmental Management and Development24 moAUD 56,120/yr—
Columbia UniversityUnited StatesMPA in Development Practice24 moUSD 71,368/yr—
Columbia UniversityUnited StatesMaster of International Affairs (MIA)24 moUSD 71,368/yr—
Cornell UniversityUnited StatesMPS in Global Development12 moUSD 46,658/yr—
Corvinus University of BudapestHungaryMSc in Global Development Policy12 moEUR 10,800/yr—
Duke UniversityUnited StatesMaster of International Development Policy—USD 57,708/yr—
Fudan UniversityChinaInternational Master of Public Administration (IMPA)24 moCNY 120,000/yrAt least 3 years of work experience (in principle)
Fudan UniversityChinaMaster in Global Public Policy (MGPP)24 moCNY 100,000/yr—
Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID)SwitzerlandMaster in International and Development Studies (MINT)24 moCHF 8,000/yr—
George Washington UniversityUnited StatesMA in International Economic Policy18 moUSD 68,400—
Georgetown UniversityUnited StatesMaster of International Development Policy (MIDP)24 moUSD 132,384—
Georgetown UniversityUnited StatesMaster of Global Human Development (MGHD)24 moUSD 132,384—
Harvard UniversityUnited StatesMaster in Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID)24 moUSD 64,340/yr—
Hertie SchoolGermanyMaster of International Affairs (MIA)24 moEUR 19,250/yr—
ISCTE University Institute of LisbonPortugalMaster Degree in Development Studies24 moEUR 5,100—
Jagiellonian UniversityPolandInternational Security and Development (ISAD)24 moEUR 4,500/yr—
Johns Hopkins UniversityUnited StatesMaster of Arts in International Relations (MAIR)24 moUSD 66,995/yr—
King's College LondonUnited KingdomConflict, Security and Development MA12 moGBP 38,300/yr—
Korea UniversitySouth KoreaMA in International Studies – International Development & Cooperation24 moKRW 14,366,000/yr—
London School of Economics and Political ScienceUnited KingdomMSc International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies12 moGBP 30,400—
London School of Economics and Political ScienceUnited KingdomMSc Development Studies12 moGBP 30,400—
London School of Economics and Political ScienceUnited KingdomMSc Environment and Development12 moGBP 34,700—
London School of Economics and Political ScienceUnited KingdomMSc International Social and Public Policy (Development)12 moGBP 30,750—
London School of Economics and Political ScienceUnited KingdomMSc Gender, Development and Globalisation12 moGBP 30,400—
London School of Economics and Political ScienceUnited KingdomMSc Economic Policy for International Development12 moGBP 30,400—
Massey UniversityNew ZealandMaster of Sustainable Development Goals18 moNZD 38,840–51,180/yr—
Massey UniversityNew ZealandMaster of International Development18 moNZD 38,840/yr—
Maynooth UniversityIrelandMA International Development12 mo——
Monash UniversityAustraliaMaster of International Development Practice—AUD 46,000/yr—
NOVA University Lisbon (Nova SBE)PortugalMaster's in International Development & Public Policy18 moEUR 13,249—
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)JapanTwo-year Master's Program of Public Policy (MP2)24 moJPY 642,960/yr—
National University of SingaporeSingaporeMaster in International Affairs (MIA)24 moSGD 109,312—
New York UniversityUnited StatesMS in Global Affairs24 moUSD 116,970—
Norwegian University of Life SciencesNorwayMSc in Global Development Studies24 moNOK 80,000/yr—
Peking UniversityChinaInternational Master of Public Administration (Comparative Public Policy and International Cooperation)24 moCNY 190,000/yr3+ years work experience after bachelor's (or 2+ after a master's/doctorate)
Sciences PoFranceMaster in International Development24 moEUR 20,640/yr—
Seoul National UniversitySouth KoreaGlobal Master of Public Administration (GMPA)16 mo——
Seoul National UniversitySouth KoreaMaster of International Studies – International Development24 moUSD 6,500/yr—
Stockholm UniversitySwedenMaster's Programme in Globalization, Environment and Social Change24 moSEK 90,000/yr—
Syracuse UniversityUnited StatesMaster of Arts in International Relations18 moUSD 80,600—
Tsinghua UniversityChinaMaster of Global Affairs (Schwarzman Scholars)12 mo——
Tsinghua UniversityChinaMaster of Public Administration in International Development (MID)24 moCNY 120,000Development-field work experience preferable but not required
Tsinghua UniversityChinaInternational Master of Public Administration (IMPA)12 moCNY 30,000At least 5 years of full-time work experience after the bachelor's degree
Tsinghua UniversityChinaMaster of Public Administration in International Development and Governance (MIDG)—CNY 30,000/yrRelevant work experience required; government-recommended candidates
UCLouvainBelgiumAdvanced Master in International and Development Economics12 mo——
UNSW SydneyAustraliaMaster of Development Studies24 moAUD 47,000/yr—
University College DublinIrelandMSc Sustainable Development12 mo——
University College LondonUnited KingdomEducation and International Development MA12 moGBP 32,000—
University of AntwerpBelgiumAdvanced Master of Governance and Development12 moEUR 7,800Relevant professional experience valued in selection (no minimum specified)
University of AucklandNew ZealandMaster of Global Studies18 moNZD 55,484/yr—
University of BaselSwitzerlandMaster of Arts in European Global Studies24 moCHF 3,400—
University of BaselSwitzerlandMaster of Arts in African Studies—CHF 1,700/yr—
University of BaselSwitzerlandMaster of Science in Sustainable Development—CHF 1,700/yr—
University of BergenNorwayMaster's in Global Development Theory and Practice24 moNOK 197,000/yr—
University of BernSwitzerlandMaster in Sustainability Transformations24 moCHF 5,100/yr—
University of California, BerkeleyUnited StatesMaster of Development Practice (MDP)21 moUSD 63,064/yr—
University of California, San DiegoUnited StatesMaster of International Affairs24 moUSD 45,523—
University of CopenhagenDenmarkMSc in Environment and Development24 moDKK 130,000/yr—
University of CopenhagenDenmarkMSc in Global Development24 moDKK 100,000/yr—
University of East LondonUnited KingdomMSc NGO and Development Management———
University of GalwayIrelandMA International Development12 moEUR 19,900/yr—
University of GenevaSwitzerlandMaster in African Studies—CHF 1,000/yr—
University of GenevaSwitzerlandMaster of Science in Global Studies24 moCHF 1,000/yr—
University of GothenburgSwedenMaster's Programme in Global Studies24 moSEK 192,000—
University of GothenburgSwedenMaster's Programme in International Administration and Global Governance24 moSEK 192,000—
University of GrazAustriaGlobal Studies - Specialisation Economics and Environment, Master's Programme24 moEUR 1,453/yr—
University of Hong KongHong KongMaster of China Development Studies (MChDS)12 moHKD 47,000—
University of InnsbruckAustriaMaster's Programme Peace and Conflict Studies24 moEUR 1,453/yr—
University of JyvaskylaFinlandMaster's Degree Programme in Development, Education and International Cooperation24 moEUR 10,000—
University of LimerickIrelandMA Peace and Development Studies12 moEUR 18,600/yr—
University of MelbourneAustraliaMaster of Development Studies—AUD 48,992/yr—
University of OsakaJapanMaster of International Public Policy (OSIPP)24 moJPY 535,800/yr—
University of OsakaJapanGraduate School of Human Sciences, English Program (Global Studies / International Development and Cooperation)24 moJPY 535,800/yr—
University of OtagoNew ZealandMaster of International Development and Planning12 moNZD 70,180/yr—
University of OttawaCanadaMaster of Arts in International Development and Globalization12 mo——
University of OxfordUnited KingdomMPhil in Development Studies24 moGBP 37,100/yr—
University of PaduaItalyLocal Development24 mo——
University of ReadingUnited KingdomMSc Food Security and Development12 moGBP 26,450—
University of SussexUnited KingdomDevelopment Studies MA (Institute of Development Studies)12 moGBP 23,500/yr—
University of SussexUnited KingdomMA Governance, Development and Public Policy (IDS)12 moGBP 22,575/yr—
University of SussexUnited KingdomMigration and Global Development MA12 moGBP 23,500/yr—
University of SussexUnited KingdomGender and Development MA (Institute of Development Studies)12 moGBP 23,500/yr—
University of SydneyAustraliaMaster of Social Justice (Development Studies)—AUD 51,300/yr—
University of TokyoJapanMaster of Public Policy, International Program (MPP/IP)24 moJPY 535,800/yr—
University of TorontoCanadaMaster of Global Affairs24 moCAD 51,420/yr—
University of WaterlooCanadaMaster of Development Practice (MDP)16 moCAD 43,062—
University of Western AustraliaAustraliaMaster of International Development18 moAUD 46,900/yr—
University of ZurichSwitzerlandMaster Global Futures: Development, Sustainability, Social Justice24 moCHF 1,640/yr—
Université PSLFranceMaster in International Affairs and Development (Dauphine-PSL)24 moEUR 3,950/yr—
Victoria University of WellingtonNew ZealandMaster of Development Studies—NZD 38,302/yr—
Waseda UniversityJapanGraduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies (GSAPS), Master of Arts24 mo——
Yale UniversityUnited StatesMaster of Public Policy in Global Affairs24 moUSD 62,900/yr—
Yonsei UniversitySouth KoreaMaster of Global Affairs & Policy – International Cooperation24 moKRW 14,952,000/yr—
Zhejiang UniversityChinaMA in International Affairs and Global Governance36 moCNY 36,800/yr—

Every row verified against the official programme page; oldest verification 15 Jul 2026. Nothing here is a paid placement.

Application strategy and funding routes

The classic trio splits by format: IDS Sussex (12 months, practice-first, world #1 in the subject), LSE (12 months, theory-strong, London network), Oxford (24-month MPhil, research-oriented). Pick by what you want on the other side — practice, network, or a PhD path.

Funding follows the length rule again: the 12-month Sussex and LSE degrees fit Chevening; Oxford's two-year MPhil does not — a fact that surprises applicants every cycle. Commonwealth Master's covers the same UK options for eligible countries, and Australia Awards / Manaaki fund the equivalent degrees in their regions. IDS's subject-#1 status also makes it a strong answer to the "why this university" essay every scholarship asks.

Which scholarship funds which programme

Computed from each scheme's published rules (destination, level, course length) — not a guarantee; list-based schemes still require checking the official list.

Australia Awards ScholarshipNames this field a priority
  • Australian National University
  • Columbia University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Columbia University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Cornell University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Corvinus University of Budapest — study destination outside the scheme
  • Duke University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Fudan University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Fudan University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID) — study destination outside the scheme
  • George Washington University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Georgetown University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Georgetown University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Harvard University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Hertie School — study destination outside the scheme
  • ISCTE University Institute of Lisbon — study destination outside the scheme
  • Jagiellonian University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Johns Hopkins University — study destination outside the scheme
  • King's College London — study destination outside the scheme
  • Korea University — study destination outside the scheme
  • London School of Economics and Political Science — study destination outside the scheme
  • London School of Economics and Political Science — study destination outside the scheme
  • London School of Economics and Political Science — study destination outside the scheme
  • London School of Economics and Political Science — study destination outside the scheme
  • London School of Economics and Political Science — study destination outside the scheme
  • London School of Economics and Political Science — study destination outside the scheme
  • Massey University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Massey University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Maynooth University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Monash University
  • NOVA University Lisbon (Nova SBE) — study destination outside the scheme
  • National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) — study destination outside the scheme
  • National University of Singapore — study destination outside the scheme
  • New York University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Norwegian University of Life Sciences — study destination outside the scheme
  • Peking University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Sciences Po — study destination outside the scheme
  • Seoul National University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Seoul National University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Stockholm University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Syracuse University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Tsinghua University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Tsinghua University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Tsinghua University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Tsinghua University — study destination outside the scheme
  • UCLouvain — study destination outside the scheme
  • UNSW Sydney
  • University College Dublin — study destination outside the scheme
  • University College London — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Antwerp — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Auckland — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Basel — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Basel — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Basel — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Bergen — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Bern — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of California, Berkeley — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of California, San Diego — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Copenhagen — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Copenhagen — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of East London — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Galway — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Geneva — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Geneva — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Gothenburg — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Gothenburg — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Graz — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Hong Kong — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Innsbruck — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Jyvaskyla — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Limerick — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Melbourne
  • University of Osaka — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Osaka — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Otago — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Ottawa — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Oxford — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Padua — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Reading — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Sussex — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Sussex — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Sussex — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Sussex — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Sydney
  • University of Tokyo — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Toronto — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Waterloo — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Western Australia
  • University of Zurich — study destination outside the scheme
  • Université PSL — study destination outside the scheme
  • Victoria University of Wellington — study destination outside the scheme
  • Waseda University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Yale University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Yonsei University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Zhejiang University — study destination outside the scheme
Deadlines
Chevening ScholarshipCommonly chosen by applicants
  • Australian National University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Columbia University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Columbia University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Cornell University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Corvinus University of Budapest — study destination outside the scheme
  • Duke University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Fudan University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Fudan University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID) — study destination outside the scheme
  • George Washington University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Georgetown University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Georgetown University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Harvard University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Hertie School — study destination outside the scheme
  • ISCTE University Institute of Lisbon — study destination outside the scheme
  • Jagiellonian University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Johns Hopkins University — study destination outside the scheme
  • King's College London
  • Korea University — study destination outside the scheme
  • London School of Economics and Political Science
  • London School of Economics and Political Science
  • London School of Economics and Political Science
  • London School of Economics and Political Science
  • London School of Economics and Political Science
  • London School of Economics and Political Science
  • Massey University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Massey University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Maynooth University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Monash University — study destination outside the scheme
  • NOVA University Lisbon (Nova SBE) — study destination outside the scheme
  • National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) — study destination outside the scheme
  • National University of Singapore — study destination outside the scheme
  • New York University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Norwegian University of Life Sciences — study destination outside the scheme
  • Peking University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Sciences Po — study destination outside the scheme
  • Seoul National University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Seoul National University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Stockholm University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Syracuse University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Tsinghua University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Tsinghua University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Tsinghua University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Tsinghua University — study destination outside the scheme
  • UCLouvain — study destination outside the scheme
  • UNSW Sydney — study destination outside the scheme
  • University College Dublin — study destination outside the scheme
  • University College London
  • University of Antwerp — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Auckland — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Basel — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Basel — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Basel — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Bergen — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Bern — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of California, Berkeley — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of California, San Diego — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Copenhagen — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Copenhagen — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of East London — course length not on file
  • University of Galway — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Geneva — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Geneva — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Gothenburg — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Gothenburg — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Graz — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Hong Kong — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Innsbruck — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Jyvaskyla — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Limerick — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Melbourne — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Osaka — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Osaka — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Otago — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Ottawa — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Oxford — 24-month course exceeds the 12-month limit
  • University of Padua — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Reading
  • University of Sussex
  • University of Sussex
  • University of Sussex
  • University of Sussex
  • University of Sydney — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Tokyo — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Toronto — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Waterloo — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Western Australia — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Zurich — study destination outside the scheme
  • Université PSL — study destination outside the scheme
  • Victoria University of Wellington — study destination outside the scheme
  • Waseda University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Yale University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Yonsei University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Zhejiang University — study destination outside the scheme
See if you qualifyDeadlines
Commonwealth Master's ScholarshipCommonly chosen by applicants
  • Australian National University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Columbia University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Columbia University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Cornell University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Corvinus University of Budapest — study destination outside the scheme
  • Duke University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Fudan University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Fudan University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID) — study destination outside the scheme
  • George Washington University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Georgetown University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Georgetown University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Harvard University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Hertie School — study destination outside the scheme
  • ISCTE University Institute of Lisbon — study destination outside the scheme
  • Jagiellonian University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Johns Hopkins University — study destination outside the scheme
  • King's College London
  • Korea University — study destination outside the scheme
  • London School of Economics and Political Science
  • London School of Economics and Political Science
  • London School of Economics and Political Science
  • London School of Economics and Political Science
  • London School of Economics and Political Science
  • London School of Economics and Political Science
  • Massey University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Massey University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Maynooth University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Monash University — study destination outside the scheme
  • NOVA University Lisbon (Nova SBE) — study destination outside the scheme
  • National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) — study destination outside the scheme
  • National University of Singapore — study destination outside the scheme
  • New York University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Norwegian University of Life Sciences — study destination outside the scheme
  • Peking University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Sciences Po — study destination outside the scheme
  • Seoul National University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Seoul National University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Stockholm University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Syracuse University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Tsinghua University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Tsinghua University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Tsinghua University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Tsinghua University — study destination outside the scheme
  • UCLouvain — study destination outside the scheme
  • UNSW Sydney — study destination outside the scheme
  • University College Dublin — study destination outside the scheme
  • University College London
  • University of Antwerp — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Auckland — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Basel — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Basel — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Basel — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Bergen — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Bern — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of California, Berkeley — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of California, San Diego — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Copenhagen — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Copenhagen — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of East London
  • University of Galway — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Geneva — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Geneva — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Gothenburg — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Gothenburg — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Graz — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Hong Kong — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Innsbruck — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Jyvaskyla — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Limerick — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Melbourne — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Osaka — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Osaka — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Otago — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Ottawa — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Oxford
  • University of Padua — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Reading
  • University of Sussex
  • University of Sussex
  • University of Sussex
  • University of Sussex
  • University of Sydney — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Tokyo — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Toronto — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Waterloo — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Western Australia — study destination outside the scheme
  • University of Zurich — study destination outside the scheme
  • Université PSL — study destination outside the scheme
  • Victoria University of Wellington — study destination outside the scheme
  • Waseda University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Yale University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Yonsei University — study destination outside the scheme
  • Zhejiang University — study destination outside the scheme
Deadlines

Frequently asked questions

Is a development studies degree employable?

Yes, with a caveat: employers hire the combination of the degree plus field experience. Graduates with prior NGO or public-sector work move into programme roles quickly; those without often route through internships or M&E assistant roles first. The degree alone is not the ticket — it is the multiplier.

Why does everyone recommend IDS Sussex when Sussex ranks so low overall?

Because subject authority and university prestige are different things. IDS is a semi-autonomous institute that has topped the QS development-studies subject ranking for years; general league tables measure the whole university. For this field specifically, IDS is the strongest name on a CV inside the sector.

Does Chevening fund development studies?

It is one of Chevening's most common fields — but only for courses of 9–12 months. Sussex's and LSE's one-year degrees qualify; Oxford's two-year MPhil does not. Check length before anchoring your application on a school.

International development vs public policy — which fits me?

Public policy trains you to run any government's decision process; international development specialises in poverty, aid and Global South institutions. If your career is at home in a ministry, MPP; if it is in the aid and development ecosystem, this field. The overlap is real and many careers cross between them.

Related fields

AI and Public PolicyAnti-Corruption and GovernanceCultural Heritage ManagementEducation PolicyGender and DevelopmentGlobal GovernanceHigher Education ManagementMigration StudiesPeace and Conflict StudiesPublic Financial ManagementPublic PolicyScience and Technology PolicySocial PolicySpace PolicyTax Policy and AdministrationUrban Governance

Sources

Official programme pages (linked per row above) · official scholarship rules and participating-programme lists · university admission regulations. Every data row records its source URL and verification date; stale rows are re-checked or removed.

Global Study Prep is independent and not affiliated with any university or scholarship programme. Programme details change — always confirm on the official page before applying.

International Development Masters: Programmes, Careers & Scholarships | Global Study Prep