Global Development MA
Year of entry 2026
- Start date
- September 2026
- Delivery type
- On campus
- Duration
- 12 Months (Full time)
- Entry requirements
- A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in a social science, humanities or other related subject.
Full entry requirements - English language requirements
- IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component
- UK fees
- £12,750 (Total)
- International fees
- £28,250 (Total)
- Contact
- pgpolis@leeds.ac.uk
Course overview
This course examines political, economic, and socio-cultural transformations globally and interrogates the dynamics, challenges and opportunities confronting its societies.
You'll learn about the inter-relationships between global, national and local actors in contested strategies for development.
There are opportunities to review strategies, programmes and policies in development, including organisations and donors promoting development, and assess the progress made towards key international development goals.
This course will enable you to gain advanced insights into debates and controversies at the centre of global development.
Research expertise
This course features research-led teaching in the dynamic field of global development. It is directly informed by the innovative research that occurs in the cross-disciplinary Centre for Global Development, as well as the Leeds University Centre for African Studies, a university-wide network.
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Course details and modules
This MA in Global Development programme offers critical engagement with key issues shaping development processes and outcomes across diverse contexts, in both high-income and low- to middle-income regions. Compulsory modules examine pressing global challenges, including inequality, health, education, gender, conflict, human rights, political transformation, and the role of (global) markets. You will also engage with the practical dimensions of development work, including the analytical and theoretical foundations of Project Cycle Management and development practice more broadly.
You'll develop advanced research and analytical skills throughout the programme, culminating in an independent dissertation project on a topic of your choice. This provides an opportunity to explore an area of personal or professional interest in depth.
Through a focus on histories, institutions, and power relations that shape global development, the programme equips you to critically examine the structures, actors, and policies that influence social, political and economic change. You will explore the challenges and strategies people employ to contest injustice, claim rights, and shape their futures across different contexts, particularly in regions historically marginalised by global political and economic systems. The emphasis is on recognising the agency of individuals and communities, while situating development within global and local dynamics.
Optional modules allow you to tailor the programme to your interests, with topics such as natural resource governance, global health, gender and globalisation, education policy, international political economy, and regional perspectives including Africa and China.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
Year 1 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Global Development and Public Governance | 30 |
| Research & Project Skills- Experiential Learning | 30 |
| Dissertation | 60 |
Learning and teaching
We use a variety of teaching and learning methods to help you make the most of your studies. These will include lectures, seminars, online learning and workshops.
Tutors also provide you with individual advice on written work, and you should begin to develop expertise in improving your work through face-to-face discussion with your tutors, formative assessment and through detailed feedback. You’ll be expected to carry out a good deal of independent, detailed and considered study.
On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
Each module is assessed separately through assessments that range from long essays to projects and assignments. This offers you the opportunity to work in your particular field of interest within each topic area. You'll also carry out a dissertation in a research area of your choice.
Applying
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) or a non-UK equivalent in a social science, humanities, or another related discipline (that includes a minimum of five social science and humanities modules).
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Politics and Society (6 weeks) and Language for Social Sciences and Arts: Politics and Society (10 weeks).
We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional and our 10 week online pre-sessional.
You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.
How to apply
Application deadlines
International – Friday 26 June 2026
UK – Friday 14 August 2026
If you intend to apply for funding, you should submit an application for a place on your chosen course at least one month before any specific scholarship deadline.
The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page will take you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Documents and information you will need include:
- original or certified copies of your transcripts
- original or certified copies of your degree certificate
- original or certified copy of your IELTS/TOEFL results (if English is not your first language).
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2026
This course is taught by
School of Politics and International Studies
Contact us
School of Politics and International Studies
Email: pgpolis@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:
Fees
UK: £12,750 (Total)
International: £28,250 (Total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.
Scholarships are also available to help fund your Masters. Find out more and check your eligibility below:
- Scholarships for International students
- Scholarships and funding for UK students
- Your subject area may also offer scholarships
The School usually offers a number of scholarships each year. Find out more about our scholarship opportunities.
Career opportunities
You’ll gain a wide range of professional skills on top of your subject knowledge, and have an understanding of project design and management in a development context. You'll also be able to analyse quantitative and qualitative data.
You’ll be able to construct clear arguments, critically assess different options for action, analyse policy documents, write research reports and give presentations. You’ll also be trained to make decisions in complex and unpredictable situations.
Our programme equips you for various career paths. Compatible careers include working in international development agencies, international organisations, governments, politics, NGOs, research organisations, policy-making, companies, media, and academia.
Recent graduates have gone on to work in the UK and overseas in various organisations, such as Greenpeace, Wateraid, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Italian Embassy and beyond. Many also pursue further study by commencing PhD research.
Throughout your time with us we will encourage you to seek practical work experience in the international development field, and we'll advise you on how to go about doing so.
Careers support
The School of Politics and International Studies has a dedicated Careers Consultant who is on hand throughout the year to support and advise you in regards to your career. The School also arranges a number of guest speaker events where you are able to engage with prospective employers, and hear from leading figures in the field.
Find out more about how we support your career development
In addition to the School-specific careers support, you will also have access to the University’s award-winning Careers Service. The Careers Service offers one-to-one appointments, advice on starting your own business, careers events, mentoring schemes and support with your CV, applications and interviews.