Program Overview

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Program Overview

The International Development MSc program at the University of Sheffield is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to shape development research and practice across public, private, and third sectors. The program is rooted in interdisciplinary learning and decolonizing knowledge, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of global development challenges and solutions.

Course Description

The program explores the challenges of international development, including social and environmental justice, inequality, and rural and urban development. Students will gain applied knowledge and skills, connecting theory with policy and practice, and develop highly transferable career-enhancing skills.

Modules

The program consists of a range of modules, including:

• Ideas and Practice in International Development
• Understanding difference
• Environment, Society and Development
• Urban Development in the Global South
• Development in Practice
• Optional modules, such as Urban Informality, The Urban Climate Emergency, Climate Change: Science and Impacts, Managing Climate Change, and Theory and Debates in Food Security and Food Justice

Research Foundations

Students can choose from two options:

• Research Foundations (with Placement): This module provides students with the opportunity to undertake experience of working with a development-related organization and combine this with the development of an independent research project.
• Research Foundations: This module provides students with the opportunity to undertake a supervised research project.

Field Class Experience

The International Development Fieldclass module provides students with the opportunity to explore and engage with development issues through practical fieldwork experiences. Previous destinations have included Nepal, Tanzania, and Ecuador.

Placement Experience

The dissertation with placement gives students valuable practical experience of working in a development organization and engaging with development issues. Students will spend four to six weeks in June or July based in a host organization, where they will carry out a research project identified by the organization and approved by the University.

Career Prospects

Graduates from the program have gone on to have successful and diverse careers in the public and private sectors, as well as continued their academic studies through PhD studies. Some of the organizations where graduates work include Transport for London, Save the Children, and the World Health Organisation.

School

The program is offered by the School of Geography and Planning, which is internationally recognized for its expertise in tackling global challenges of climate and environmental change, urbanization, sustainability, and social justice.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement is a 2:1 undergraduate honors degree in a relevant subject. The program also accepts degrees in Arts and Humanities, Social Science, Medicine, and Public Health.

Fees and Funding

The tuition fees for the program are:

• Home (2026 annual fee): £11,905
• Overseas (2026 annual fee): £29,190 There are also additional costs for optional field classes and placements.

Funding Opportunities

The University of Sheffield offers a range of funding opportunities, including scholarships and discounts for international students. Students can also apply for one of the University's masters scholarships to support their fieldwork or if they are from a developing country.

Duration and Attendance

The program is offered on a full-time basis and lasts for one year.

Teaching and Assessment

The program uses a variety of teaching and learning methods, including lectures, seminars, workshops, and practical sessions. Assessment methods include coursework, essays, oral presentations, policy briefs, and a dissertation.

Student Profiles

The program attracts students from a range of backgrounds and disciplines. Students have praised the program for its interdisciplinary approach, fieldwork opportunities, and career-enhancing skills.

Additional Information

For more information about the program, please visit the University of Sheffield's website or contact the School of Geography and Planning directly.

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