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MSc International Development

MSc (NFQ Level 9)
Scholarships Available
Sustainable Development Goals

This course is available through the following application route(s)

Duration:
1 Year
Attendance:
Full Time
Delivery:
On Campus
NFQ Level:
9 (90 credits)
Level:
Graduate Taught
Award:
Master of Science
Next Intake:
September
Country Specific Entry Requirements:
Visit the UCD Global Undergraduate Entry Requirements webpage.
Other School Leaving Requirements:
See www.ucd.ie/admissions
Curricular information is subject to change.

Duration:
2 Years
Attendance:
Part-Time
Delivery:
On Campus
NFQ Level:
9 (90 credits)
Level:
Graduate Taught
Award:
Master of Science
Next Intake:
September
Country Specific Entry Requirements:
Visit the UCD Global Undergraduate Entry Requirements webpage.
Other School Leaving Requirements:
See www.ucd.ie/admissions
Curricular information is subject to change.

Apply Now
Visit our comprehensive FAQ page for immediate answers about the application procedure, required documents, and more.
World Top 100 in the QS Ranking 2026 in Politics | Oldest and Largest School of its Kind in Ireland.

UCD School of Politics & International Relations is the oldest and largest school of its kind in Ireland with over 150 years of experience in political studies and a world-renowned faculty drawn from many countries.

The MSc in International Development is designed to provide you with an interdisciplinary understanding of the process of development by bringing together expertise in politics, economics, agriculture, political economy and other areas.

This programme aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to work in international development - either as a practictioner or as an academic/policy specialiist.  Learning is designed to be participatory and a critical, but constructive, approach to interdisciplinary development issues (ecconomic, politival and other) is encouraged.

Students will examine challenges such as the reduction of inequality and exclusion, the expansion of economic and social choices, the progressive realisation of human rights, and the argument for sustainable development. Students will acquire a range of skills to enable them to work effectively in the development field.
The MSc track includes additional research components including a dissertation and is particularly suitable for graduates who want a career in research or academia. 

  • Oldest and largest school of its kind in Ireland with over 150 years of experience in political studies
  • The School of Politics & International Relations is ranked in the top 100 QS worldwide rankings 2024
  • World-renowned staff drawn from many countries.
  • Includes additional research components including a dissertation and is particularly suitable if you want a career in research or academia. 

About This Course

  • acquaint students with cutting edge development issues
  • allow students to comment critically on development interventions
  • develop methodological research expertise
  • develop oral presentation skills
  • enhance group work skills
  • enhance students' abilities to assess development practice on the ground
  • equip students with the skills to work in the field of international development

Graduates of our Master’s programme in International Development go on to work across a wide range of sectors, from international organisations and humanitarian NGOs to government, consultancy, and academic research.

International organisations and development agencies: A strong cohort of graduates has secured positions within the world’s leading multilateral bodies. Alumni now work at UNICEF, UNDP, the World Food Programme, UNOPS, and the Danish Refugee Council, contributing to humanitarian response, sustainable development, and poverty reduction at the global level.

International development and NGOs: Reflecting the programme’s strong ties to development practice, many graduates have gone on to prominent Irish and international NGOs, including Trócaire, GOAL Global, Plan International, British Red Cross, and CAFOD, working on programmes spanning emergency relief, long-term development, and advocacy.

Government and public bodies: Graduates have taken up roles across a range of Irish government departments and agencies, including the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations, and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.

Consultancy and advisory services: A number of graduates have moved into leading consultancy firms, including Deloitte, EY Parthenon, PwC, and DAI, advising governments, donors, and international organisations on development programming, evaluation, and policy.

PhD programmes: Graduates of the School of Politics and International Relations have continued into doctoral programmes at internationally recognised institutions, including the University of Oxford, Northwestern University, Ghent University, Trinity College Dublin, and University College Dublin.

Roles held by graduates span a broad spectrum, from Development Officer and Humanitarian Programme Manager to Policy Analyst, Researcher, and Project Coordinator. Others have gone on to doctoral programmes in development studies or taken up positions in journalism, education, and local community development.

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
 POL40100 Development and Postcolonial Politics Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 POL41640 Qualitative Research Methods for Political Science Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 POL42310 Thesis Summer  30
Stage 1 Options - A)10CR:
Core Option (Group 1): Students should select POL40950 Intro to Stats unless they have previously completed a similar course. Students wishing to take POL50050 must contact the School to request permission.
 POL40950 Introduction to Statistics Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)10CR:
Core Option (Group 1): Students should select POL40950 Intro to Stats unless they have previously completed a similar course. Students wishing to take POL50050 must contact the School to request permission.
 POL50050 Quantitative Methods II Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 10CR:
Core Option (Group 2): Students must select at least one module from this section. Note: DEV42610 is delivered online.
 DEV40020 Gender and Development Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 10CR:
Core Option (Group 2): Students must select at least one module from this section. Note: DEV42610 is delivered online.
 DEV42610 Economics of Sustainable Dev Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR:
Option modules: Select the remaining modules here to bring your total credits to 90. Note: ECON modules are for those who studied Economics at the undergraduate level. Two ECON modules must be taken together.
 ECON42600 Development Economics Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR:
Option modules: Select the remaining modules here to bring your total credits to 90. Note: ECON modules are for those who studied Economics at the undergraduate level. Two ECON modules must be taken together.
 GEOG41050 Globalization, Empire and Race: Economic Geography Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR:
Option modules: Select the remaining modules here to bring your total credits to 90. Note: ECON modules are for those who studied Economics at the undergraduate level. Two ECON modules must be taken together.
 LAW40760 NGOs: Law, Governance and Social Change Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR:
Option modules: Select the remaining modules here to bring your total credits to 90. Note: ECON modules are for those who studied Economics at the undergraduate level. Two ECON modules must be taken together.
 POL30820 Political Risk and Foreign Direct Investment Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR:
Option modules: Select the remaining modules here to bring your total credits to 90. Note: ECON modules are for those who studied Economics at the undergraduate level. Two ECON modules must be taken together.
 POL40130 Poverty, Development and Global Justice Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR:
Option modules: Select the remaining modules here to bring your total credits to 90. Note: ECON modules are for those who studied Economics at the undergraduate level. Two ECON modules must be taken together.
 POL40140 Theories of Global Justice Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR:
Option modules: Select the remaining modules here to bring your total credits to 90. Note: ECON modules are for those who studied Economics at the undergraduate level. Two ECON modules must be taken together.
 POL40370 International Political Economy Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR:
Option modules: Select the remaining modules here to bring your total credits to 90. Note: ECON modules are for those who studied Economics at the undergraduate level. Two ECON modules must be taken together.
 POL41020 Politics of Human Rights Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR:
Option modules: Select the remaining modules here to bring your total credits to 90. Note: ECON modules are for those who studied Economics at the undergraduate level. Two ECON modules must be taken together.
 POL41510 Politics and Change in the Middle East and North Africa Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR:
Option modules: Select the remaining modules here to bring your total credits to 90. Note: ECON modules are for those who studied Economics at the undergraduate level. Two ECON modules must be taken together.
 POL41860 Political Economy of Aid and Development Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR:
Option modules: Select the remaining modules here to bring your total credits to 90. Note: ECON modules are for those who studied Economics at the undergraduate level. Two ECON modules must be taken together.
 POL41980 Peace & Conflict Studies Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR:
Option modules: Select the remaining modules here to bring your total credits to 90. Note: ECON modules are for those who studied Economics at the undergraduate level. Two ECON modules must be taken together.
 POL42040 Gender & the Political System Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR:
Option modules: Select the remaining modules here to bring your total credits to 90. Note: ECON modules are for those who studied Economics at the undergraduate level. Two ECON modules must be taken together.
 POL42620 Global Governance & International Organizations Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR:
Option modules: Select the remaining modules here to bring your total credits to 90. Note: ECON modules are for those who studied Economics at the undergraduate level. Two ECON modules must be taken together.
 DEV40040 Corruption, Governance & Dev Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR:
Option modules: Select the remaining modules here to bring your total credits to 90. Note: ECON modules are for those who studied Economics at the undergraduate level. Two ECON modules must be taken together.
 DEV42600 Global Affairs & Sust Futures Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR:
Option modules: Select the remaining modules here to bring your total credits to 90. Note: ECON modules are for those who studied Economics at the undergraduate level. Two ECON modules must be taken together.
 ECON42780 Social Protection & Labor in Developing Countries Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR:
Option modules: Select the remaining modules here to bring your total credits to 90. Note: ECON modules are for those who studied Economics at the undergraduate level. Two ECON modules must be taken together.
 LAW42290 Gender, Conflict-related Harm & Transitional Justice Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR:
Option modules: Select the remaining modules here to bring your total credits to 90. Note: ECON modules are for those who studied Economics at the undergraduate level. Two ECON modules must be taken together.
 POL40160 Comparative Public Policy Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR:
Option modules: Select the remaining modules here to bring your total credits to 90. Note: ECON modules are for those who studied Economics at the undergraduate level. Two ECON modules must be taken together.
 POL41030 Theory of Human Rights Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR:
Option modules: Select the remaining modules here to bring your total credits to 90. Note: ECON modules are for those who studied Economics at the undergraduate level. Two ECON modules must be taken together.
 POL41720 Gender, Peace, and Security Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR:
Option modules: Select the remaining modules here to bring your total credits to 90. Note: ECON modules are for those who studied Economics at the undergraduate level. Two ECON modules must be taken together.
 POL41870 Political Economy of Institutions Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR:
Option modules: Select the remaining modules here to bring your total credits to 90. Note: ECON modules are for those who studied Economics at the undergraduate level. Two ECON modules must be taken together.
 POL41930 Psychology of Conflict in the Middle East Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR:
Option modules: Select the remaining modules here to bring your total credits to 90. Note: ECON modules are for those who studied Economics at the undergraduate level. Two ECON modules must be taken together.
 POL42050 Quantitative Text Analysis Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR:
Option modules: Select the remaining modules here to bring your total credits to 90. Note: ECON modules are for those who studied Economics at the undergraduate level. Two ECON modules must be taken together.
 POL42340 Programming for Soc Scientists Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 10CR:
Option modules: Select the remaining modules here to bring your total credits to 90. Note: ECON modules are for those who studied Economics at the undergraduate level. Two ECON modules must be taken together.
 POL42500 Politics of Authoritarianism Spring  10

UCD is strongly committed to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), embedding sustainability in teaching, research, operations, and community engagement. Sustainability principles are integrated into this programme, ensuring students graduate equipped to address global challenges. UCD’s leadership in this area is internationally recognised, ranking 47th globally and 27th in Europe in the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability 2026. UCD also leads impactful research in areas such as climate action, clean energy, and social equity, supported by a comprehensive Sustainability Strategy focused on reducing emissions, enhancing biodiversity, and fostering a sustainable campus culture.

Here are the SDGs which align more visibly with this programme:

 

SDG1 SDG2 SDG3 SDG4 SDG5 SDG7 SDG8 SDG9 SDG10 SDG 11 SDG 12 SDG 13 SDG 15 SDG 16 SDG 17

Méabh Lonergan

My experience in the MA International Development was more fulfilling than I could ever have imagined.  Each module was perfectly designed to maximise our learning, and the wide variety of electives offered allowed us to tailor our experience to the areas that most interested us.  The faculty could not have been more encouraging and dedicated, and the small yet diverse class groups meant that networking and peer-to-peer learning was only natural.  It seemed that every week there was another email with a new opportunity or invitation, and class trips and projects meant that one's learning always feels connected to the real world.  I would highly recommend this course to anyone with an interest in development and politics.

MSc International Development (W303) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 10555
nonEU    fee per year - € 22600

MSc International Development (W304) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 6710
nonEU    fee per year - € 11300

***Fees are subject to change

 

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website.

  • Non-EU citizens are ineligible for part-time study except for those holding a valid non-student residency visa.
  • UCD Global offers several graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students who have received an offer for a UCD graduate degree programme. For further details, please visit the International Scholarships.
  • SPIRe operates the  SPIRe Graduate Scholarship Scheme. 

For further information, please visit our comprehensive FAQ page.

  • A primary degree with at least Second Class Honours Grade 1 (2H1). 2H1 is equivalent to 60 per cent, B minus or 3.08 GPA - in American system: B or 3.00 GPA.
  • Your application will be considered on its individual merits and relevant professional experience will also be taken into account.
  • English language requirements: applicants whose first language is not English should have met TOEFL, IELTs, or computer-based TOEFL requirements (600, 6.5, or 250 respectively), or the Cambridge English Test (Certificate in Advanced English at a minimum of Grade B, or Certificate of Proficiency in English at Grade C). Applicants who obtained a previous degree from an English-speaking university may be exempted from this requirement. Click here for further info.
  •  Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the  English language requirements, may enter the programme upon  successful completion of UCD’s Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/ 
  • These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes
You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: No


Application Deadlines




  • Deadline for EU applicants: Monday, 7 September 2026 (The first day of the term)

  • Deadline for non-EU applicants: The end of August, 2026 

  • Deadline for non-EU applicants who require an entry visa in advance: 

    • In some countries, it takes a few months to process visa applications. We strongly advise that you apply well in advance, ideally as early as March. Please contact the Irish Embassy in your country or the UCD Global Regional offices for further information.

    • Non-EU citizens who have been living in Ireland or the EU must go through the EU Fee Assessment process before their applications can be assessed. This process takes a few weeks. 




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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to MSc International Development:

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W303
MSc International Development
Master of Science

Full-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
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W304
MSc International Development
Master of Science

Part-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
Not available to International applicantsApply
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