MSc International Development

Program Overview

The MSc in International Development at UCD provides students with an interdisciplinary education in development, integrating perspectives from politics, economics, and other fields. The program focuses on critical thinking, research methods, and hands-on skills, preparing students for careers in academia, the public sector, and international organizations. It boasts world-renowned faculty and offers both full-time and part-time options.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The MSc in International Development is designed to provide students with an interdisciplinary understanding of the development process. It combines expertise in various fields, including politics, economics, agriculture, political economy, and others.

Key Features:

• Interdisciplinary Approach: The program integrates knowledge from multiple disciplines to offer a comprehensive understanding of development.
• Experienced Faculty: The program boasts world-renowned staff drawn from diverse countries, bringing a wealth of experience and perspectives.
• Research Focus: The program includes research components, such as a dissertation, making it suitable for those interested in research or academia.
• Practical Skills Development: The program aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to work in international development, both as practitioners and as academic/policy specialists.
• Critical Thinking: The program encourages a critical and constructive approach to interdisciplinary development issues, including economic, political, and other aspects.

Program Outcomes:

• Acquaint students with cutting-edge development issues.
• Enable students to critically analyze development interventions.
• Develop methodological research expertise.
• Enhance oral presentation skills.
• Improve group work skills.
• Enhance students' ability to assess development practice on the ground.
• Equip students with the skills to work in the field of international development.

Outline:

Program Structure:

• Full-Time: The program is completed in one year.
Students take three 10-credit modules in the autumn trimester and submit a 30-credit thesis during the summer term.
• Part-Time: The program is completed in two years.
Students typically take 1-2 modules per semester. The final 30-credit module is completed in the second year.
• Daytime Program: Part-time programs are offered during the day and are not scheduled in the evenings or on weekends.

Modules:

Core Modules:

• POL40950 Introduction to Statistics (Autumn): This module provides an introduction to statistical methods relevant to development studies.
• POL40100 Politics of Development (Spring): This module examines the political dimensions of development, including power relations, governance, and state-society interactions.
• POL41640 Qualitative Research Methods for Political Science (Spring): This module focuses on qualitative research methods, including data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
• POL41860 Governance, Politics and Development (Spring): This module explores the role of governance in development, including institutions, policies, and actors.

Option Modules:

• Autumn:
• GS40100 Gender, Conflict-related Harm & Transitional Justice
• LAW40760 NGOs: Law, Governance and Social Change
• POL30820 Political Risk and Foreign Direct Investment
• POL40050 Theories of International Relations
• POL40140 Theories of Global Justice
• POL40160 Comparative Public Policy
• POL40540 Comparative European Politics
• POL41020 Politics of Human Rights
• POL41510 Politics and Change in the Middle East and North Africa
• POL41980 Peace & Conflict Studies
• POL42040 Gender & the Political System
• POL42070 Politics of (mis-)information
• Spring:
• DEV40020 Gender and Development
• POL40370 International Political Economy
• POL40970 Politics European Governance
• POL41030 Theory of Human Rights
• POL41720 Gender Peace and Security
• POL41910 Political Violence (NEW)
• POL42050 Quantitative Text Analysis
• POL42060 International Security
• POL42340 Programming for Social Scientists
• POL42350 Connected_Politics
• Summer Trimester Core Module:
• POL42310 Thesis (30 credits): This module involves the development and completion of a research dissertation.

Assessment:

Assessment Methods:

• Exams: Some modules may include exams as part of the assessment.
• Assignments: Students will complete various assignments, such as essays, research papers, and presentations.
• Thesis: The program culminates in a 30-credit thesis, which requires in-depth research and writing.

Assessment Criteria:

• Academic Rigor: Assessments will evaluate students' understanding of course concepts, critical thinking skills, and research abilities.
• Communication Skills: Students will be assessed on their ability to communicate their ideas effectively in written and oral formats.
• Research Methodology: The thesis will be assessed based on the quality of research design, data analysis, and interpretation.
• Seminars: Seminars offer opportunities for interactive discussions, critical analysis, and peer learning.
• Workshops: Workshops provide practical skills training, such as research methods, data analysis, and presentation skills.
• Guest Speakers: The program may feature guest speakers from the field of international development, providing insights into real-world applications.

Faculty:

• The program is taught by a team of experienced and internationally recognized faculty members.
• Faculty members bring diverse expertise and perspectives to the program.

Careers:

Career Paths:

• Official Irish Aid Programme: Graduates have found employment with the official Irish aid program.
• International Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Graduates have worked with NGOs such as Trocaire, Goal, Action Aid, and Oxfam.
• European Union and United Nations Agencies: Graduates have secured positions with agencies of the European Union and the United Nations.
• Journalism: Graduates have pursued careers in journalism, covering development issues.
• Education: Graduates have worked in education, teaching development-related subjects.
• Local Community Development: Graduates have contributed to local community development initiatives.
• Public Administration: Graduates have found roles in public administration, working on development policies and programs.
• Media: Graduates have worked in media, producing content related to development.
• Civil Society Organizations: Graduates have worked with civil society organizations, advocating for social change.
• Voluntary Sector: Graduates have contributed to the voluntary sector, working on development projects.
• Academic Institutions: Graduates have pursued careers in academia, conducting research and teaching development studies.

Other:

• SPIRe Part-Time Programs: SPIRe part-time programs run for two years and are offered during the day.
• English Language Requirements: Applicants whose first language is not English must meet specific English language proficiency requirements.
• Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master's Pathway Programs: Students who meet the academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements may be eligible to enter the program after completing UCD's Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master's Pathway programs.

Fees, Funding and Scholarships

MSc International Development (W303) Full Time EU fee per year - € 10100 nonEU fee per year - € 22600 MSc International Development (W304) Part Time EU fee per year - € 6420 Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. SPIRe operates a Graduate Scholarship programme, which opens on May 1st. To access details, see SPIRe Graduate Scholarship Scheme.