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University of Bath: International Development Management

Institution	University of Bath View institution profile
Department	Social and Policy Sciences View department profile
Web	https://www.bath.ac.uk/faculties/faculty-of-humanities-social-sciences/
Email	pgtadmissions@bath.ac.uk
Telephone	+44 1225 38 5115
Study type	Taught

Summary

Explore and assess how international development programmes, projects and policies are managed and organised across the government, private, and NGO sectors.

Throughout this course, you’ll analyse the ways in which organisations navigate the rapidly changing landscape of international development, with a focus on how and why certain development interventions are made.

You’ll explore key debates in the theory and practice of development management to improve your understanding of the practical challenges faced by institutions and professionals when designing and implementing change. This will give you the foundation to critically analyse these challenges and design improved interventions.

You’ll also learn about the management of development projects and programmes.

This degree benefits from a mixture of teaching from Bath's Department of Social & Policy Sciences and School of Management. This will allow you to assess contemporary international development challenges holistically, taking into consideration the social and business factors that influence policy-making.

Different course pathways to specialise your skills

You have the choice of taking this specialist MSc in International Development Management course or one of five other course pathways:

MSc International Development
MSc International Development with Conflict and Humanitarian Action
MSc International Development with Economics
MSc International Development with Education
MSc International Development, Social Justice and Sustainability

The selection of a specialist pathway allows you the flexibility to pursue areas that interest you and are relevant to your career aspirations.

Learn from experts in their field

You’ll learn from experts in international development, and business and management studies; as well as staff in the wider Department of Social & Policy Sciences and School of Management communities. Their passion, knowledge, experience, and research shape their teaching to enhance your learning experience.

Gain important career skills

Upon successful completion of this course, you'll leave with:

a critical understanding of the concepts and approaches used in international development management
the interdisciplinary research and interpersonal skills needed to navigate the changing landscape of development practice, where new actors are emerging and traditional approaches to management need adapting
practical skills in research, analysis and communication; and an understanding of how these can be applied when working in both the ‘Global North and South’
the ability to analyse the complex interaction of social, economic, political or environmental factors in shaping problems and proposed solutions
a rich experience of working with people from a wide range of disciplines, cultures and professional backgrounds

Graduate prospects

This course provides an excellent background for those wishing to pursue careers in fields that aim to improve people’s lives. These include the international development, sustainability, humanitarian and peacebuilding sectors.

You will be qualified to work in a wide variety of roles, including social research, public policy, public information and campaigning.

Graduates from our suite of International Development master's courses have gone on to secure the following roles:

Senior Program Officer, Hashoo Foundation
Relief Support Worker, United Response
Analyst, Start Fund Bangladesh
Programme Assistant, The Advocacy Team
Fundraising Assistant, Refugee Cafe
Director of Programmes for North West Syria, Mercy Corps
Programme Specialist, African World Heritage Fund
Operations and Finance Officer, The Washing Machine Project
Local Ambassador to the World Trade Organisation

Other graduates have chosen to work for themselves and set up their own charities, while others have gone on to complete doctoral studies.

MSc

Full-Time, 1 years starts Sep 2026

Level	RQF Level 7
Entry requirements	You should have a bachelor’s honours degree or international equivalent, typically a high 2:2 or above. To apply for this course you should have an undergraduate degree in an appropriate subject such as politics, economics, anthropology, international relations, sociology, government studies, African, Latin American or South East Asian Studies or environmental studies. We will also consider graduates with an undergraduate degree in other subjects, especially where you have relevant professional experience in international development. In your application, you will need to provide a maximum 500 word personal statement which should: (a) outline why your background to date makes you a suitable applicant for the course, and (b) demonstrate a clear motivation to study on the pathway you have applied for, and how the course may fit into your future plans. We may make an offer based on a lower grade if you can provide evidence of your suitability for the degree. If your first language is not English but within the last 2 years you completed your degree in the UK you may be exempt from our English Language requirements.
Location	Main Site Claverton Down Bath BA2 7AY

Level

RQF Level 7

Entry requirements

You should have a bachelor’s honours degree or international equivalent, typically a high 2:2 or above.

To apply for this course you should have an undergraduate degree in an appropriate subject such as politics, economics, anthropology, international relations, sociology, government studies, African, Latin American or South East Asian Studies or environmental studies.

We will also consider graduates with an undergraduate degree in other subjects, especially where you have relevant professional experience in international development.

In your application, you will need to provide a maximum 500 word personal statement which should:

(a) outline why your background to date makes you a suitable applicant for the course, and

(b) demonstrate a clear motivation to study on the pathway you have applied for, and how the course may fit into your future plans.

We may make an offer based on a lower grade if you can provide evidence of your suitability for the degree.

If your first language is not English but within the last 2 years you completed your degree in the UK you may be exempt from our English Language requirements.

Location

Main Site
Claverton Down
Bath
BA2 7AY

The Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences at the University of Bath conducts high-quality research focussed on solving some of the world’s biggest problems and improving the societies we live in. Academics working within the faculty are active researchers, which means that as a student, you will benefit from the real-world experience they bring into their teaching.

The Faculty comprises of six departments:

By studying and researching with us you’ll be welcomed into a multidisciplinary, diverse academic …

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