Maynooth University

The MA Degree in International Development is designed to prepare participants for work in international development in a community, local government, youth/ adult education, or NGO setting. It offers learners an opportunity to explore contemporary theories of social change and development and to analyse development policies and practices. It builds skills, especially in relation to research, leadership and working with groups and in the planning, management and evaluation of development projects.


It is aimed at advanced level participants who hold a primary degree or equivalent qualifications and who have experience of working in a development context in Ireland or in other countries in the Global North or South. Particularly welcome are leaders, facilitators and managers of community development projects, government and development agency staff, people involved in pastoral ministry, researchers, development educators, volunteers and activists. This course is also relevant to academics in the countries of the Global South engaged in teaching and research in development. Places are also retained for recent graduates who wish to study further before embarking on a career in development work.


90 ECTS credits are required to complete the MA in International Development.Learners must complete five compulsory taught modules (30 credits in total) in addition to 6 optional modules (30 credits), and a 30 credit research based thesis. Taught modules commence in mid September and end by early May of the following year. Learners then have approximately 5 months to complete and submit a final research thesis at the end of September.


Full-time learners take most taught modules in a classroom setting (on-campus delivery), while certain modules are available either by distance only, or can be taken either by distance or through on-campus delivery. On-campus delivery of each 5 credit module involves 25 hours of class-contact. Reflecting the diverse needs of our student population, a flexible approach to such delivery is taken with some courses offered through 2.5 hour taught classes over 10 weeks with others offered through more concentrated one or two week blocks of time depending on timetable requirements and arrangements. Distance learning is structured to allow learners to study at their own pace over a semester.


The MA in International Development applies a learner centred, participative approach to learning. This, combined with the diverse groups of full and part time learners, including a significant number of students from the Global South, creates a unique learning environment that builds on both the diverse array of experiences of participants and on the knowledge and experience of facilitators and instructors.