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MA International Development

MA (NFQ Level 9)
Internships Opportunity
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 Arts
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 Arts
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 MA 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.

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.
A wide range of specialisations are available to enable you to select areas where you wish to develop your expertise.

The MA programme allows students to choose to complete a dissertation or apply for an internship.

  • 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.
  • Th School of Politics & International Relations is ranked in the top 100 QS World Rankings 2024
  • Oldest and largest school of its kind in Ireland with over 150 years of experience in political studies
  • World-renowned staff drawn from many countries.

About This Course

  • acquaint students with cutting edge development issues
  • allow students to comment critically on development interventions
  • 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.

Instead of writing a thesis, students may opt to complete an internship in a role directly relevant to their field of study. The internship requires a minimum of 480 hours and may be undertaken anytime after the end of the teaching term until the third week of August. Students are responsible for securing their own internship placements. The School provides a list of potential host organisations. UCD Careers offers support with application writing and related resources. 


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 Politics of Development Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 POL42330 Research Design Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 DEV40020 Gender and Development Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)30CR:
Students must pick either POL42300 SPIRe Internship or POL42310 Thesis as a core module
 POL42300 SPIRe Internship Summer  30
Stage 1 Options - A)30CR:
Students must pick either POL42300 SPIRe Internship or POL42310 Thesis as a core module
 POL42310 Thesis Summer  30
Stage 1 Options - B)3 of:
Select 3 modules.
 GEOG41050 Globalization, Empire and Race: Economic Geography Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)3 of:
Select 3 modules.
 LAW40760 NGOs: Law, Governance and Social Change Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)3 of:
Select 3 modules.
 POL30820 Political Risk and Foreign Direct Investment Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)3 of:
Select 3 modules.
 POL40130 Poverty, Development and Global Justice Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)3 of:
Select 3 modules.
 POL40140 Theories of Global Justice Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)3 of:
Select 3 modules.
 POL40950 Introduction to Statistics Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)3 of:
Select 3 modules.
 POL41020 Politics of Human Rights Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)3 of:
Select 3 modules.
 POL41510 Politics and Change in the Middle East and North Africa Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)3 of:
Select 3 modules.
 POL41980 Peace & Conflict Studies Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)3 of:
Select 3 modules.
 POL42040 Gender & the Political System Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B)3 of:
Select 3 modules.
 HACT40010 Evidence-based Community Resilience: Applied Research Design Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)3 of:
Select 3 modules.
 HACT40020 Linking Localisation with Humanitarian Management Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)3 of:
Select 3 modules.
 POL40160 Comparative Public Policy Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)3 of:
Select 3 modules.
 POL40370 International Political Economy Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)3 of:
Select 3 modules.
 POL41030 Theory of Human Rights Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)3 of:
Select 3 modules.
 POL41640 Qualitative Research Methods for Political Science Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)3 of:
Select 3 modules.
 POL41720 Gender, Peace, and Security Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)3 of:
Select 3 modules.
 POL42050 Quantitative Text Analysis Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)3 of:
Select 3 modules.
 POL42340 Programming for Soc Scientists Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)3 of:
Select 3 modules.
 POL42500 Politics of Authoritarianism Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B)3 of:
Select 3 modules.
 POL42580 Arab Perceptions of Conflict 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 SDG5 SDG8 SDG10 SDG 13 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.

 

MA International Development (W301) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 10555
nonEU    fee per year - € 22600

MA International Development (W302) 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 MA International Development:

ROWCLASS Apply to
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W301
MA International Development
Master of Arts

Full-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
Apply
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W302
MA International Development
Master of Arts

Part-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
Not available to International applicantsApply
* you can change options at the top of the page
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