MA International Development Management: The University of Manchester

MA International Development - Development Management

Course description

This programme focuses on the analysis of management, planning and policy-making aspects of the development process. It is designed for social science graduates or for those working in a variety of institutions including central and local government, parastatal organisations, non-governmental organisations and multilateral or bilateral aid agencies involved in the management of development activities in developing countries. It aims to blend theory and practice and seeks to explain policy behaviour through an integrated approach, drawing on a range of disciplinary perspectives.

Module details

Programme core course units typically include:

• Perspectives on Development
• Development Research
• Planning and Managing Development
• Public Sector Reform and Management

Optional course units may include:

• Social Development: Analysis and Policy
• Comparative Social Policy
• ICTs and Socio-Economic Development
• Micro Finance
• Human Resource Practice 1
• Human Resource Practice 2
• Civil Society and Public Action
• Critical Issues in Urban Inequality
• Conservation and Development
• Organisational Development
• Politics and Development
• Poverty and Development: Concepts, Analysis and the International Poverty Agenda
• Poverty, Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction in Context
• Climate Change, Disasters and Urban Poverty
• Water and Sanitation Planning and Policy in Developing Countries
• Urban Development Planning in Cities of the South
• Best Practice Case Studies in Urban Development *
• Critical Issues in Urban Inequality

Although this is a stand-alone course, students are advised that they should take Urban Development Planning in Cities of the South or Critical Issues in Urban Inequality in Semester 1 before choosing this module.

Career opportunities

This programme is intended for graduates in any of the social sciences and with a strong interest in understanding processes of change, transition and social and economic development; or mid-career professionals working in the voluntary, private, or public sectors. The programme is well suited to those involved in policy formulation and implementation, advocacy, and management of development projects and programmes. Career prospects are wide-ranging, including research, teaching and administration in civil society organisations, NGOs, government, and the private sector.

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:

In addition to this, 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

Applicants whose language of academic instruction and assessment for at least 1 year has been English, may be exempted from this requirement, at the discretion of the Institute.