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MSc International Development

MSc (NFQ Level 9)

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

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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 the programme have found employment with the official Irish aid programme, in Irish and international non-governmental organisations such as Trocaire, Goal, Action Aid and Oxfam, and with agencies of the European Union and the United Nations as well as in journalism, education, local community development, and many other areas such as:

  • Public administration
  • Journalism
  • Media
  • Civil society organisations
  • Voluntary sector
  • Academic institutions

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
 DEV40020 Gender and Development Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 POL40950 Introduction to Statistics Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 POL40100 Politics of Development 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)2 of:
Option modules
 LAW40760 NGOs: Law, Governance and Social Change Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Option modules
 POL40050 Theories of International Relations Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Option modules
 POL40970 Politics of European Governance Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Option modules
 POL41020 Politics of Human Rights Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Option modules
 POL41510 Politics and Change in the Middle East and North Africa Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Option modules
 POL41980 Peace & Conflict Studies Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Option modules
 POL42040 Gender & the Political System Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Option modules
 DEV40030 Developing Economies: Tackling the Big Questions Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Option modules
 LAW42290 Gender, Conflict-related Harm & Transitional Justice Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Option modules
 POL30820 Political Risk and Foreign Direct Investment Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Option modules
 POL40140 Theories of Global Justice Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Option modules
 POL40160 Comparative Public Policy Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Option modules
 POL40370 International Political Economy Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Option modules
 POL40540 Comparative European Politics Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Option modules
 POL41030 Theory of Human Rights Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Option modules
 POL41720 Gender, Peace, and Security Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Option modules
 POL41910 Political Violence Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Option modules
 POL42050 Quantitative Text Analysis Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Option modules
 POL42060 International Security Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Option modules
 POL42340 Programming for Soc Scientists Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Option modules
 POL42350 Connected_Politics 2 Spring  10

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 - € 10350
nonEU    fee per year - € 22600

MSc International Development (W304) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 6580
nonEU    fee per year - € 11300

***Fees are subject to change

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.

SPIRe operates a Graduate Scholarship programme, which normally opens in late Spring. To access details, see SPIRe Graduate Scholarship Scheme. Please note that not all programmes are eligible for this Scholarship.

  • 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.

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


Each application is considered on its individual merits. The applicants should have earned an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject  such as political science, international relations, social science, sociology, history, geography, economics, global studies, public policy, development studies, EU studies, law/international law etc.
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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to MSc International Development:

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt W303
MSc International Development
Master of Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2024
 Graduate Taught Closed
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt W304
MSc International Development
Master of Science
Part-Time
Commencing September 2024
 Graduate Taught Not available to International applicantsClosed
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt W303
MSc International Development
Master of Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
 Graduate Taught Apply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt W304
MSc International Development
Master of Science
Part-Time
Commencing September 2025
 Graduate Taught Not available to International applicantsApply
* you can change options at the top of the page
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