International Development

Overview

On this MA International Development degree from the University of East Anglia  you will cover the key issues in international development within the context of contemporary global change.

You’ll address your subject from social, economic, historical, political and environmental standpoints. You’ll learn to ask, and propose answers to, questions about the origins and persistence of poverty, inequality, illiteracy, gender discrimination, oppression, environmental change, and much more.

You’ll address how international development has been shaped by discussions such as the state vs. market debate, by processes such as neoliberalism, globalisation and urbanisation, by intellectual frameworks such as the basic needs, human development and the capability approach, and by moral dilemmas such as cosmopolitan justice and the existence of obligations towards poor citizens in poor countries.

You’ll consider the long-term processes which have shaped and hindered progress in many regions of the world. You’ll also discover the main theoretical and pragmatic approaches to international development that have been proposed and adopted since the post-World War II period.

You’ll learn to critically analyse different development patterns and pathways, as well as exploring the causes and effects of recent trends in major development areas.

In addition, you’ll become familiar with concrete case studies of problems affecting developing areas and evaluate possible policies and strategies at both national and international levels to overcome these problems.

Most importantly, you’ll develop the ability to think critically about development issues. This will be enhanced by insider perspectives on our lecturers’ own research findings within a wide range of areas.

Careers

You will graduate with a range of transferable skills, ready to pursue a variety of exciting careers both in and beyond international development. 

A career in international development can take you in all kinds of directions such as international organisations, governmental and non-governmental organisations, local governments and the private sector. 

You’ll also be well qualified to enter a PhD programme with a view to continuing to an academic career both in the UK and overseas.