Postgraduate study in Development Studies

Development Studies is suspended in the BA (Hons) and Master of Arts programmes, effective 2024. This suspension applies to sub-doctoral programmes only.

Some Development Studies courses are still available under other specialisations,such as Global Studies.

Students interested in pursuing Doctoral study in Development Studies can click here for more information on what is available.

What can you study in Development Studies?

You can take advanced courses in:

  • Theories of international development
  • Development praxis
  • Development policy and institutions
  • Development research
  • Ethics and governance in international development
  • Gender and development
  • Humanitarian interventions
  • Global health and development

You can develop your own research in such areas as:

  • Community-driven development
  • Gender, health and education
  • Migration and displacement
  • Land policies and land grabbing
  • Climate adaptation and mitigation
  • Post-disaster response and recovery
  • Tourism and development

The Asia-Pacific region features strongly in our research and teaching but we also cover other parts of the world, such as Latin America, Central Asia and Africa.

Recent graduate research has been conducted in Samoa, Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Maldives, Taiwan, Nepal and Peru. Staff research and practice has included work in Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Vietnam, Yemen, Niger, Benin, Tanzania and Cuba.

Entry requirements

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Development Studies

A major in one of the subjects available for the BA (Hons) in Development Studies (Anthropology, Economics, Education, Environmental Management, Geography, Māori Studies, Pacific Studies, Politics and International Relations or Sociology) or approval of the Academic Head or nominee.

The following subjects may also be considered for entry: Asian Studies, Geography, Global Studies, History, Indigenous Studies, International Business, International Relations, Law, Political Science/Political Studies, Psychology, Social Work.

Master of Arts in Development Studies

120-point (one-year) MA

A BA(Hons) or PGDipArts in Development Studies or in one of Anthropology, Asian Studies, Economics, Education, Geography, History, Māori Studies, Pacific Studies, Political Studies, Sociology with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher, or approval of the Director of Development Studies. The research masters has higher requirements.

The following subjects may also be considered for entry: Asian Studies, Geography, Global Studies, History, Indigenous Studies, International Business, International Relations, Law, Political Science/Political Studies, Psychology, Social Work.

180-point (18-month) MA

A BA or approved equivalent with a major in Anthropology, Asian Studies, Development Studies, Economics, Education, Geography, Global Studies, History, Māori Studies, Pacific Studies, Politics and International Relations or Sociology.

You must have a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in 75 points above Stage II including at least 45 points in the major.

The following subjects may also be considered for entry: Indigenous Studies, International Business, International Relations, Law, Political Science/Political Studies, Psychology, Social Work.

Structuring your specialisation in Development Studies

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Development Studies

Consult the BA(Hons) schedule for how to structure your study and for the courses you may take.

2024 BA(Hons) schedule for Development Studies

Master of Arts in Development Studies

Consult the MA schedule for how to structure your study and for the courses you may take.

2024 MA schedule for Development Studies

Sample programme structures

BA(Hons) in Development Studies

Semester 1

  • Core courses: DEVELOP 709 and DEVELOP 712
  • Elective course: DEVELOP 702 or DEVELOP 717
  • Dissertation: DEVELOP 780A (15pt)

Semester 2

  • Core courses: DEVELOP 701 and DEVELOP 710
  • Elective course: DEVELOP 713 or DEVELOP 716
  • Dissertation: DEVELOP 780B (15pt)

MA in Development Studies (taught 120-point) 

Semester 1

  • Core courses: DEVELOP 709 and DEVELOP 712
  • Elective course: DEVELOP 702, DEVELOP 717, DEVELOP 713 or DEVELOP 716
  • Dissertation: DEVELOP 792A (22.5pt)

Semester 2

  • Core courses: DEVELOP 701 and DEVELOP 710
  • Dissertation: DEVELOP 792B (22.5pt)

MA in Development Studies (research 240-point)

Semester 1 (First year)

  • Core courses: DEVELOP 709 and DEVELOP 712
  • Elective courses: DEVELOP 702, DEVELOP 717 or other elective courses from the schedule

Semester 2 (First year)

  • Core courses: DEVELOP 701 and DEVELOP 710
  • Elective courses: DEVELOP 713, DEVELOP 716 or other elective courses from the schedule

Semester 1 (Second year)

  • Thesis: DEVELOP 796A

Semester 2 (Second year)

  • Thesis: DEVELOP 796B

Courses

Explore the courses you can take as part of a specialisation in Development Studies:

Postgraduate courses

Scholarships and awards

Major postgraduate scholarships

Help and advice

Our friendly staff will provide you with advice on planning your degree and enrolling in your courses at Student Hubs.

If you would like to find out more about studying Development Studies, you can contact a Postgraduate Adviser.

Postgraduate programmes