Griffith University

Master of Global Development

  • Delivery: Face to Face
  • Study Level: Postgraduate
  • Duration: 24 months
  • Course Type: Master's

Enhance your understanding of policy, politics, people and power across various development contexts.

Course overview

The Master of Global Development will provide you with a deep understanding of policy, politics, people and power in a range of development contexts. If you are looking to develop your thought leadership skills and identify new, creative solutions that will help to improve the world around you, then the Master of Global Development is the right fit for you.

This degree was developed to fundamentally align with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, which were created to address the world's most pressing challenges, including ending poverty, achieving economic prosperity, promoting social inclusion, ensuring environmental sustainability and fostering peace and good governance. During your study, you will examine the dynamics of global issues and have the opportunity to take credentialed Majors tailored to the varying backgrounds and career goals of current and future professionals. Majors include:

  • Climate Change and Disaster Management
  • Development Economics
  • Global Health
  • Human Rights
  • Politics and Planning
  • Sustainable Development

As part of your degree, you will work with experts from across the university, including in our research centres and you will be connected with the international development community. This means you can feel confident you will graduate with the critical perspective, strategic knowledge and contacts necessary to work towards agile solutions to these significant issues - and make a positive difference.

Key facts

Delivery
Face to Face
Course Type
Master's
Duration
More Information
Can be studied part time
24 months (Full time)
Price Per Unit
From $3,875
More Information
The estimated per-unit fee is calculated using the annual average first-year fee. It is based on a full-time study load of 40 credit points (four units) per semester or 80 credit points (eight units) per year.
Campus
Nathan
Intake
2nd March, 2026
13th July, 2026
Units
16
Fees
More Information
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
FEE-HELP

What you will study

There are three pathways of study available. Your eligibility for a particular pathway depends on your previous qualifications and relevant work experience. Each pathway requires a different amount of credit points for you to earn.

  • Pathway 1 (80 credit points) - One year (related degree and work experience).
  • Pathway 2 (120 credit points) - One and a half years (related degree or any degree and work experience).
  • Pathway 3 (160 credit points) - Two years (any degree).

Each course is valued at 10 credit points, unless otherwise indicated.

Pathway 1

Core module

Complete the following:

  • Policymaking, Public Participation and Human Rights
  • Climate Change and Public Health
  • Key Issues in Global Development
  • Ethics in International Relations OR Research Design
  • Major courses (40 credit points)
Pathway 2
Pathway 3
Majors and electives
Dissertation

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

To be eligible for admission to the Master of Global Development, a student must have one of the following:

  • Any bachelor's degree (or higher) from a recognised university (or another tertiary institution of equivalent standing) with a minimum GPA of 4.0 (using a 7.0 scale).
  • A related bachelor's degree or graduate certificate (or higher) from a recognised university (or another tertiary institution of equivalent standing) - students will be eligible for 40 credit points of advanced standing.
  • A related bachelor's honours or graduate diploma (or higher) from a recognised university (or another tertiary institution of equivalent standing) - students will be eligible for 80 credit pointsof advanced standing.
  • A combination of alternative admission criteria, such as formal, informal and non-formal learning, is deemed to be equivalent to one of the above.

From 2025:

Pathway 1: 1-year program (80 credit points)

  • A recognised bachelor's degree (or higher) in a related discipline with a minimum GPA of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale; and a minimum of two years of full-time (or equivalent) relevant professional experience.

Pathway 2: 1.5-year program (120 credit points)

You must have one of the following:

  • A recognised bachelor's degree (or higher) in a related discipline with a minimum GPA of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale.
  • A recognised bachelor's degree (or higher) in any discipline with a minimum GPA of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale; and a minimum of two years of full-time (or equivalent) relevant professional experience.

Pathway 3: 2-year program (160 credit points)

You must have one of the following:

  • A recognised bachelor's degree (or higher) in any discipline with a minimum GPA of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale.
  • A combination of alternative admission criteria, such as formal, informal and non-formal learning, is deemed to be equivalent to either of the above.

English language requirements

English language requirements apply to international applicants and those whose previous studies were undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

  • A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0.
  • A minimum score of 575 on TOEFL.
  • An internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19).
  • No score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only).
  • A minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English).
  • An overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.

English test results must be no older than two years.

If you do not meet the university's specified English language requirements, you may contact the Griffith English Language Institute to increase your eligibility for entering a Griffith University program. This institute offers a range of English language and other courses at both its Brisbane and Gold Coast branches.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Griffith University grants credit and recognition of prior learning which may relate to prior formal learning or prior informal and non-formal learning. The university's Credit Precedent Database allows you to find out what credit decisions have been made in the past. These precedents will give you an idea of what you can expect. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

Graduates from this degree may find career opportunities within non-government organisations and aid organisations, international development, government policy, consultancy and research. Potential organisations include Oxfam, Amnesty International, United Nations, World Bank, AusAid, and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Fees and FEE-HELP

Estimated first-year tuition fee in 2026: $31,000 (domestic full-fee paying place).

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 80 credit points (normally eight units) per year.

A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:

  • The number of units studied per term.
  • The choice of major or specialisation.
  • Choice of units.
  • Credit from previous study or work experience.
  • Eligibility for government-funded loans.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.