International Development-Politics and Governance: The University of Manchester

Course description

It is now widely acknowledged that politics is critical to the success of development, whether in terms of governmental commitment to poverty reduction, increased political voice for marginal people or new patterns of power relations within global institutions.

It is in this context that IDPM is pleased to introduce a new pathway Politics & Governance , within the MA International Development, which examines the obstacles to and pathways towards more legitimate, democratic and pro-poor forms of governance at global, national and local levels. It interrogates the discursive paradigms and material interventions in the area of politics and governance, which have moved to the centre of the international development agenda since the late 1980s.

Teaching is based on a research-led approach by core members of IDPM staff, partly in collaboration with the Department of Politics in the School of Social Sciences and with the School of Law. Students completing the programme will have developed a thorough understanding of the political dynamics that underpin processes of political transformation and social change in non-Western societies. They will also have a critical understanding of the role and practise of politics within international development.

Career opportunities

IDPM has a large and diverse postgraduate population, including a large number of students from outside the UK (85% of their students are drawn from outside the UK, particularly from Africa, Asia and Western Europe, but also reaching out to Latin America, the Middle East, North America and the Pacific).

Many of their alumni have gone on to prestigious careers in the public service or in the NGO/charitable and private sectors, as policy officers, managers, consultants or development practitioners - while others have pursued further academic study leading to a PhD and academic careers. Since its foundation, IDPM has trained over 7000 individuals from 170 different countries.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview: Applicants should have a good first degree (minimum 2:1 or equivalent). Admission of candidates who do not meet this criterion may be approved if satisfactory evidence of postgraduate study, research or professional experience can be provided.

English language: Applicants whose first language is not English should meet the following language requirements:

• an IELTS Test score of 7.0 or more overall with a minimum writing score of 7
• or a TOEFL Test (Paper-based) score of 600 or more with a minimum score in Test of Written English of 5
• or a TOEFL Test (Computer-based) score of 250 or more with a minimum essay rating of 5
• or a TOEFL Test (Internet based) score of 100 or more with a minimum writing score of 25
• an NCUK PMP EAP Grade A