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Universities Ireland Maynooth University Courses MA International Development

MA International Development
at Maynooth University

Maynooth, Ireland

Tuition Fee € 15,000
Country Rank-
Duration12 Months
Score IELTS: 6.5 TOEFL: 90

Program Overview

The full time MA Degree in International Development is a 1-year taught masters level programme 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 critical reflection, 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.

Learners can specialise within the programme by choosing from a number of elective areas that are most suited to their area of interest.

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, creates a unique learning enviroment that builds on both the diverse array of experiences of participants and on the knowledge and experiecne of facilitators and instructors.

Course Content
90 ECTS credits are required to complete the MA in International Development. Learners must complete five compulsory taught modules (40 credits in total) – Political Economy of Development, Gender and Development, Introduction to Development Theory and Practice, Adult Learning, and Research Methods, as well as choose from a number of elective modules to make up the remaining 20 credits. In addition, MA learners complete 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.
Entry Requirement
Bachelor Degree (4 years):
Minimum of 60% overall for a 2H2 award.
Minimum of 65% overall for a 2H1 award.
Minimum of 75% overall for a 1H award.

Special Consideration for 3-year bachelor degrees:

Will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants must have completed research, a capstone project, a thesis, or an equivalent.

Special Consideration for Applicants from specific universities (Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Calcutta):

May be considered with a minimum of 55% overall for a 2H2 award.
May be considered with a minimum of 60% overall for a 2H1 award.
May be considered with a minimum of 70% overall for a 1H award.

Fees & Scholarships

International Tuition Fees:

£15000 per year

Career Prospect

Graduates of this programme are well placed to pursue a career in development and humanitarian related field either overseas or in Ireland, including both ‘hands on’ management/field positions overseas, support roles in head offices and/or working in the development education sphere domestically. The course is appropriate for those already working in the sector but looking to ‘upskill’, those recently returned from overseas work or volunteer experiences or those contemplating a career in the sector.

Cost Of Studying At Maynooth University

Interest rates as low as 8.9% ^*

250K+

Students Assisted

800Cr+

Loan Amount Disbursed

5000+

Loans Sanctioned

Check Loan Eligibility

MA International Development at Maynooth University