University of New South Wales

Master of Development Studies

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

Turn critical insight into meaningful action by examining the drivers of global inequality and learning to shape equitable, community-centred responses to complex development challenges.

Course overview

Addressing global inequality requires an understanding of how political, economic, social, cultural and environmental forces affect communities. The Master of Development Studies at UNSW is designed for individuals seeking to contribute to international development, community programs, policy, advocacy or humanitarian initiatives.

You will examine development through the interconnected perspectives of human rights, gender and intersectionality, racial and Indigenous justice, environmental governance and community participation. This interdisciplinary approach develops capabilities in critical analysis, policy formulation, advocacy, research and meaningful consultation with communities and institutions.

Study pathways reflect different levels of previous education and professional experience, allowing eligible students to complete the degree in one, 1.7 or two years of full-time study. Flexible electives explore areas such as forced migration, global health, development management, human rights and climate change. Students meeting the academic requirements may also apply to undertake a professional practice research project.

Delivered at UNSW’s Kensington campus through face-to-face and blended learning, the degree may support careers across government, international development agencies, community organisations, policy institutes and civil society. An eligible combined program also enables students to graduate with two complementary master’s degrees.

CSP Subsidised Fees Available

This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.

Key facts

Delivery
Face to Face
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Includes blended learning
Course Type
Master's
Duration
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Can be studied part time
24 months (Full time)
Price Per Unit
From $4,218.75
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The estimated fee is determined by individual units of study and the year the course was commenced.

From $2,156.25 (CSP)
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You may be eligible for CSP where the government pays part of your fees. Fees are determined by individual units of study and the year the course was commenced.
Campus
Kensington
Intake
7th September, 2026
8th February, 2027
6th September, 2027
Units
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You may be required to complete 0 credit point units throughout your course. The university will confirm this as part of your enrolment.

The unit total reflects the number of units required for course completion, not the total credit point weight. Some units may be double- or triple-weighted, so the number of units you complete may be lower.
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Fees
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FEE-HELP loans and HECS loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university program.
FEE-HELP, HECS, CSP

What you will study

To earn the Master of Development Studies, you must successfully complete units totalling 48, 72 or 96 credit points, as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 6 credit points.

Stream A - 48 credit points specialisation

  • Research Core units
  • Disciplinary Core units (12 credit points)
  • Prescribed Disciplinary Elective
  • Prescribed Electives units (24 credit points)

Stream B - 72 credit points specialisation

  • Research Core units (12 credit points)
  • Disciplinary Core units (12 credit points)
  • Prescribed Disciplinary Elective units (12 credit points)
  • Prescribed Elective units (36 credit points)

Stream C - 96 credit points specialisation

  • Research Core units (12 credit points)
  • Disciplinary Core units (30 credit points)
  • Prescribed Elective units (54 credit points)

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

There are three different streams of the Master of Development Studies. The stream you apply for will depend on the depth of your prior academic and/or professional experience, and how closely it relates to development studies.

For all three streams, you will need to meet the following admission requirements to be considered for entry into the program:

For the 1-year stream (A)

Fulfil one of the following criteria:

  • Honours degree or graduate diploma* (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65 per cent.
  • Bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65 per cent, plus one year of relevant professional experience.

For the 1.7-year stream (B)

Fulfil one of the following criteria:

  • Bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65 per cent.
  • Bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65 per cent, plus one year of relevant professional experience.
  • Honours degree or graduate diploma* (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65 per cent.

For the 2-year stream (C)

  • Bachelor 's degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65 per cent.

*It is expected that a graduate diploma will have been completed after an undergraduate degree.

Relevant disciplines include: Social sciences, humanities, business, economics, law, public health, communications, social work, psychology/psychological science.

English language requirements

You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations.

If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.

If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • English language tests and university English courses.
  • Prior study in the medium of English.
  • Other qualifications.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applicants entering Stream A or Stream B may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning. Where prior study is recognised, credit points can be counted towards the degree, reducing the number of subjects required to complete the program. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate critical interdisciplinary knowledge of the interfaces between the socio-economic, political, environmental, gendered, racial and cultural dimensions of sustainable development at local, national and global levels.
  • Recognise and respect cultural and social diversity in varying contexts, including in work with Indigenous Peoples and other key stakeholders and institutions.
  • Demonstrate the self-awareness, skills and humility to be reflective, adaptive, socially responsible, ethical and professional practitioners.
  • Engage advanced critical thinking to understand, constructively analyse and address development challenges and interventions drawing on contemporary theories, practices and approaches, knowledges and different forms of evidence.
  • Select, interpret and apply appropriate social science research methodologies to address key issues in Development Studies.
  • Communicate complex ideas to a diverse range of audiences.

Career outcomes

You’ll be qualified to work in a wide range of fields, from local community development to international aid work, advocacy, and human rights. Potential career fields include:

  • Practice-based roles to research and policy within academia, government and civil society.
  • Local and international development agencies.
  • The United Nations.
  • Policy and advocacy think tanks.
  • Community-based organisations and government bodies locally and internationally.

Fees and CSP

Indicative annual fee in 2026: $17,000 (Commonwealth Supported Place).

Indicative annual fee in 2026: $33,000 (Full-fee paying place)

Indicative annual fees are based on your first year of study.

A student’s annual fee may vary by:

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

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

Commonwealth Supported Places

The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.

If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.

Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.

Your student contribution amount is:

  • Calculated per the course you're enrolled in.
  • Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
  • Reviewed and adjusted each year.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.

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