International Development

The MSc in International Development is designed to provide you with an interdisciplinary understanding of the process of development by bringing together expertise in politics, economics, agriculture, political economy and other areas.



This programme aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to work in international development - either as a practictioner or as an academic/policy specialiist. Learning is designed to be participatory and a critical, but constructive, approach to interdisciplinary development issues (ecconomic, politival and other) is encouraged.



Students will examine challenges such as the reduction of inequality and exclusion, the expansion of economic and social choices, the progressive realisation of human rights, and the argument for sustainable development.



Students will acquire a range of skills to enable them to work effectively in the development field.



The MSc track includes additional research components including a dissertation and is particularly suitable for graduates who want a career in research or academia.

Stage 1 Core Modules



POL40100 Politics of Development Autumn 10

POL40950 Introduction to Statistics Autumn 10

DEV40020 Gender and Development Spring 10

POL41640 Qualitative Research Methods for Political Science Spring 10

POL42310 Thesis Summer 30



Stage 1 Options - A)20CR:



Students should select two modules here.



GEOG41050 Globalization, Empire and Race: Economic Geography Autumn 10

LAW40760 NGOs: Law, Governance and Social Change Autumn 10

POL30820 Political Risk and Foreign Direct Investment Autumn 10

POL40130 Poverty, Development and Global Justice Autumn 10

POL40140 Theories of Global Justice Autumn 10

POL41020 Politics of Human Rights Autumn 10

POL41510 Politics and Change in the Middle East and North Africa Autumn 10

POL41980 Peace & Conflict Studies Autumn 10

POL42040 Gender & the Political System Autumn 10

HACT40010 Evidence-based Community Resilience: Applied Research Design Spring 10

HACT40020 Linking Localisation with Humanitarian Management Spring 10

POL40160 Comparative Public Policy Spring 10

POL40370 International Political Economy Spring 10

POL41030 Theory of Human Rights Spring 10

POL41720 Gender, Peace, and Security Spring 10

POL42050 Quantitative Text Analysis Spring 10

POL42340 Programming for Soc Scientists Spring 10

POL42500 Politics of Authoritarianism Spring 10

POL42580 Arab Perceptions of Conflict Spring 10

A primary degree with at least Second Class Honours Grade 1 (2H1). 2H1 is equivalent to 60 per cent, B minus or 3.08 GPA - in American system: B or 3.00 GPA.



Your application will be considered on its individual merits and relevant professional experience will also be taken into account.



English language requirements: applicants whose first language is not English should have met TOEFL, IELTs, or computer-based TOEFL requirements (600, 6.5, or 250 respectively), or the Cambridge English Test (Certificate in Advanced English at a minimum of Grade B, or Certificate of Proficiency in English at Grade C). Applicants who obtained a previous degree from an English-speaking university may be exempted from this requirement. Click here for further info.



Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD’s Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/



These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage. https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/

Application Deadlines



Deadline for EU applicants: Monday, 7 September 2026 (The first day of the term)



Deadline for non-EU applicants: The end of August, 2026



Deadline for non-EU applicants who require an entry visa in advance:



In some countries, it takes a few months to process visa applications. We strongly advise that you apply well in advance, ideally as early as March. Please contact the Irish Embassy in your country or the UCD Global Regional offices for further information.



Non-EU citizens who have been living in Ireland or the EU must go through the EU Fee Assessment process before their applications can be assessed. This process takes a few weeks.



Apply online.



Who Should Apply?

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EU) applicants: Yes



Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EEA) applicants: No

90

1/2 years, FT/PT, On Campus.

MSc International Development (W303) Full Time

EU fee per year - € 8525

nonEU fee per year - € 19900


MSc International Development (W304) Part Time

EU fee per year - € 5600

nonEU fee per year - € 9950


***Fees are subject to change


Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. 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. For further information please see International Scholarships.


SPIRe operates a Graduate Scholarship programme. To access details, see SPIRe Graduate Scholarship Scheme.

W303 MSc International Development Master of Science Full-Time Commencing September 2026 Graduate Taught



W304 MSc International Development Master of Science Part-Time Commencing September 2026 Graduate Taught

Graduates of the programme have found employment with the official Irish aid programme, in Irish and international non-governmental organisations such as Trocaire, Goal, Action Aid and Oxfam, and with agencies of the European Union and the United Nations as well as in journalism, education, local community development, and many other areas such as:



Public administration

Journalism

Media

Civil society organisations

Voluntary sector

Academic institutions