Development Studies

The Development Studies program aims to equip students with an extensive array of conceptual and methodological tools essential for a profound understanding of the current issues and challenges pertaining to sustainable human development in a globalizing world. Students will engage in real-world experiences through various international internships and volunteer opportunities, complemented by the program's mandated fieldwork component.

This program represents an additional opportunity to pursue graduate-level international development studies at York University, aligning with the university's commitment to the values of social justice, equality, democracy, and sustainability.

The curriculum integrates critical theoretical exploration and practical application, incorporating contemporary discourses on development to adequately reflect the evolving realities of globalization and recent advancements in the field. Graduates will emerge with a solid foundation in the practices, processes, and issues of international development.

The program is tailored for individuals currently engaged in or aspiring to work within the field. It serves as an exceptional foundation for those intending to progress to a specialized doctoral program in development studies. Students have the option to complete either a Master's thesis or a major research paper (MRP) along with one additional elective course.

Degrees Offered

• MA

Program Length (Full-time)

• 5 terms

Program Component(s)

• Major research paper
• OR Thesis

Minimum Required GPA

• B

Fall Entry

• Full-time

Admission Requirements

English Proficiency Requirements

Additional Admission Requirements

• Required Forms
  • Completion of the Supplementary Information Form (PDF), to be uploaded with all other documentation.
• Number of Recommendations
  • 3 recommendations
• Other Requirements
  • Statement of interest
  • Resumé or CV
  • Sample of written work

York University is a top international teaching and research university located in Toronto, Canada, and a driving force for positive change. Founded in 1959, York is empowered by a welcoming and diverse community with a uniquely global perspective, committed to preparing students for long-term career and personal success while making things right for communities, the planet and the future. With more than 53,100 students enrolled in over 200 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, York is one of Canada's largest universities and a leading institution by international rankings across teaching excellence, research impact, diversity, sustainability and social purpose.

York's motto, Tentanda Via — The way must be tried — reflects its founding spirit of open inquiry, innovation and civic responsibility, maintained consistently across more than six decades of growth.

Mission

The mission of York University is the pursuit, preservation and dissemination of knowledge. York promises excellence in research and teaching in pure, applied and professional fields. It tests the boundaries and structures of knowledge and cultivates the critical intellect.

York University is part of Toronto: dynamic, metropolitan and multi-cultural. York University is part of Canada: it encourages bilingual study and values diversity. York University is open to the world: it explores global concerns. A community of faculty, students, staff, alumni and volunteers committed to academic freedom, social justice, accessible education and collegial self-governance. York University makes innovation its tradition.

Vision

York's vision is to provide a broad sociodemographic of students with access to a high quality education at a research-intensive university that is committed to enhancing the well-being of the communities it serves.

Core values

• Excellence: striving for excellence in fulfilling all aspects of the university's mission
• Progressive: encouraging open-minded inquiry, innovative approaches and forward-looking solutions
• Sustainability: upholding environmental, social and fiscal sustainability as a vital compass for decisions and initiatives
• Social Justice and Equity: advancing social justice through critical insight, creative problem solving and socially responsible action
• Diversity and Inclusivity: embracing differing perspectives, peoples and ways of knowing, and fostering global fluencies and cross-cultural knowledges

York at a glance

• Students: 53,100+ enrolled in 200+ undergraduate and graduate degree programs
• International students: 8,700+ from 160+ countries
• Alumni: 375,000+ worldwide
• Experiential learning: 36,000+ opportunities each year
• Scholarships and bursaries: $125 million awarded in 2024–25
• Employer satisfaction: 90% (based on a 2022 survey of Greater Toronto Area employers who hired York graduates)
• Phone: (416) 736-2100

Rankings and recognition

• Top 40 in the world: ranked among the world's leading universities in the 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings
• Top 5 in Canada in the 2025 Maclean's University Rankings (comprehensive category)
• Top 100 globally in English Language and Literature (QS Rankings 2025)
• Top 10 in Canada for 15 subject areas including Sociology, Psychology and Performing Arts (QS Rankings 2025)
• 1st in Canada: Schulich School of Business ranked first by both the Financial Times and QS Global MBA rankings
• 1st among Canada's comprehensive universities for advancing understanding of artificial intelligence in AI publications
• Top ranked for global collaborative research publications in Ontario (SciVal 2020–2024)
• Top 100 Best Diversity Employers and Canada's Greenest Employers

Campuses

York University operates a network of campuses in the Greater Toronto Area and internationally:

• Keele Campus: the main campus, located in north Toronto, home to most of York's faculties, research institutes, athletics facilities and student life
• Glendon Campus: York's bilingual (English and French) campus, offering a distinctly intimate liberal arts experience in a park-like setting
• Markham Campus: York's newest campus, supporting partnerships with industry and offering programs tailored to the technology and innovation sectors
• Hyderabad, India: York's international campus in partnership with Shoolini University, bringing York's academic programs to South Asia
• EcoCampus, Costa Rica: a unique field campus dedicated to environmental education and sustainability research in one of the world's most biodiverse regions

Faculties and academic structure

York is known for cross-disciplinary programming, innovative course design and experiential education opportunities across its multiple faculties. The Schulich School of Business is ranked first in Canada for its MBA program by both the Financial Times and QS. The Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change, the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, Osgoode Hall Law School, the Faculty of Health, the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Fine Arts, and the Faculty of Education are among the faculties that together make York one of Canada's most comprehensive research universities. York's Lassonde School of Engineering focuses on the intersection of engineering and the liberal arts.

Research

York is a research-intensive university ranked top in Ontario for global collaborative research publications (SciVal 2020–2024) and first among Canada's comprehensive universities for AI research publications. Research at York spans the full disciplinary spectrum, from the pure and applied sciences to law, health, the humanities, social sciences and fine arts. York actively partners with industry, government and community organisations to ensure its research serves public and societal purposes, in alignment with its University Academic Plan 2020–2025 and its commitment to building a better future.

Experiential education

York provides more than 36,000 experiential learning opportunities each year, embedding real-world experience into degree programs through internships, co-operative education, community service learning, research placements, international exchanges and creative projects. This commitment to applied, practice-based learning is central to York's academic identity and directly contributes to its 90% employer satisfaction rate among GTA employers who hire York graduates.

International community

With 8,700+ international students from more than 160 countries and a global alumni network of 375,000+, York is one of Canada's most internationally diverse universities. York International supports international students from arrival through to graduation and beyond, with dedicated programming, advising, exchange opportunities and community building. York's partnerships extend globally, with campuses in India and Costa Rica and academic relationships across every continent.

University Academic Plan 2020–2025

York's University Academic Plan (UAP) 2020–2025, Building a Better Future, is the institution's strategic academic roadmap. It commits York to coming together to make positive change for students, campuses and local and global communities, with priorities spanning teaching and learning excellence, research impact, community engagement, equity and inclusion, and environmental sustainability.

Why York University

1. Founded in 1959, York is one of Canada's largest research-intensive universities, with 53,100+ students in 200+ programs and a global alumni community of 375,000+
2. Top 40 worldwide in the 2025 THE Impact Rankings and top 5 in Canada (Maclean's 2025), with top 10 rankings in 15 subject areas by QS
3. The Schulich School of Business is ranked first in Canada for MBA by both the Financial Times and QS Global MBA rankings
4. 36,000+ experiential learning opportunities annually, with a 90% employer satisfaction rate among GTA employers who hire York graduates
5. A genuinely global campus network spanning Toronto (Keele, Glendon, Markham), Hyderabad (India) and Costa Rica (EcoCampus)
6. $125 million in scholarships and bursaries awarded in 2024–25, with a strong commitment to accessible, equitable education
7. A diverse, inclusive and socially just community located in Canada's most dynamic city, open to the world and committed to making a positive difference