Program Overview
The Development Studies MA at the University of Sussex equips students with analytical and practical skills to address global challenges like inequality and sustainability. The program provides flexibility with a wide range of options, allowing students to tailor their studies to their interests. Graduates have pursued successful careers in various sectors, including development organizations, academia, and international organizations.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Development Studies MA is a one-year full-time or two-year part-time program offered by the University of Sussex. It is designed to equip students with the analytical and practical skills needed to address global challenges such as inequality, sustainability, and security. The program is based at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), a renowned research institute focused on development issues. The program aims to:
- Develop students' understanding of the main debates in development.
- Engage students in informed and critical ways with professionals from diverse backgrounds.
- Provide students with the flexibility to choose modules that align with their interests.
- Foster creativity, confidence, and collaborative skills in addressing development problems.
Outline:
The Development Studies MA program is structured as follows:
Full-time Study:
- Core Modules:
- Autumn Teaching: Ideas in Development and Policy, Evidence and Practice
- Spring and Summer Teaching: Research Design
- Summer Teaching: Dissertation Development Studies
- Options: Students can choose from a wide range of options to tailor their studies to their interests. Options are subject to change based on student feedback, research, and staff expertise.
- Autumn Teaching: Economic Perspectives on Development, Gender, Identity and Inclusion, Political Economy Perspectives on Development, Power and Social Perspectives on Development
Careers:
Graduates of the Development Studies MA program have pursued careers in various sectors, including:
- National governments
- Development organizations
- Civil service
- Civil society organizations
- Academia They have applied their expertise in research and policy work for organizations such as:
- The Women’s Research Institute
- Educational Trust Malawi
- The British Institute of Human Rights
- Korea International Cooperation Agency
- Greenpeace
- United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization
Other:
- The program is ranked 1st in the world for Development Studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024).
- Students have the option to undertake fieldwork, but it is not mandatory.
- Fieldwork costs will vary depending on the scope and scale of the activities.
- Most students conduct desk-based research and do not incur fieldwork costs.
- The university offers a range of scholarships to support students financially.
- The Careers and Employability Centre can assist students in finding part-time work while studying.
Home students: £10,500 per year for full-time students Channel Islands and Isle of Man students: £10,500 per year for full-time students International students: £21,500 per year for full-time students
Entry Requirements:
- Degree requirements: Normally, an upper second-class (2.1) undergraduate honours degree or above is required.
- Subject-specific requirements: The qualification should be in the social sciences or a related subject area. Applicants with other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing may also be considered.
- International requirements: Specific requirements vary by country.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
- IELTS (Academic): Advanced level (7.0 overall, including at least 6.5 in each component). Scores are valid for two years from the test date.
- Alternative English language qualifications: The text lists several alternative qualifications, including Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (CAE), Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE), LanguageCert International ESOL SELT, Pearson (PTE Academic), TOEFL (iBT), and various other qualifications. Specific score requirements are provided for each qualification.
- Country exceptions: Nationals of certain countries, including Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the USA, are generally exempt from providing evidence of English proficiency if they have recently completed a qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree or higher in one of these countries.
- English language support: Pre-sessional courses are available for students who do not meet the English language requirements.
