Postgraduate Course

Master of Development Studies

Build your knowledge and skills to effectively address the development challenges of poverty, inequality and environmental sustainability internationally with a Master of Development Studies. 

What type of student are you?

Murdoch code
M1195
Study mode
Full Time or Part Time
Duration
2
Selection rank
CRICOS code
077165J
First year fee (domestic)
$17,280
First year fee (international)
$34,320
Full course fee (domestic)
$34,560
Full course fee (international)
$68,640
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The fees provided are indicative and intended only as a guide. They are based on a typical full-time enrolment for a first year student at Murdoch University of 24 credit points. The indicative fee is based on the applicable Commonwealth Supported Fee.

Overview

Determined to pursue a career in international development and make a difference? This course will prepare you for a range of experiences and roles in the sector, in Australia and internationally.

You’ll examine the connections between politics, governance and development, social and environmental sustainability, food and health security, gender and empowerment, and state building and conflict, as well as evaluating different approaches to policy and practice.

You can choose from professional-based electives, including financial administration, leading and managing not-for-profit organisations, effective leadership, strategic health care management and project management. 

You can also choose policy-based electives to specialise in global public health, public sector economics, security and conflict, environmental policy and more, or add up to two language units in either Indonesian or Japanese.

3 reasons to study a Master of Development Studies at Murdoch

  1. Undertake a case study project, supervised internship or research thesis to put your learning into practice.
  2. Travel to Indonesia as part of the Study Indonesia Australian Consortium for 'In-Country' Indonesian Studies (ACICIS) program to pursue a semester or summer development practicum.
  3. Choose full-time or part-time options to help you fit study into your working and or family life. If you’re an international student, you’ll need to study full-time to meet your visa requirements.

What you'll learn

Build essential skills and knowledge to meet your career or study goals. Topics you’ll cover include:

  • Public policy and international affairs foundations
  • Critical approaches to development
  • Development and sustainability
  • States, social forces and development
  • Policy research and evaluation
  • Security, conflict and violence

Your future career

You’ll graduate with the skills and knowledge you need to pursue a career in international development in a broad range of settings, such as regional and international organisations, government agencies, consultancy firms, and non-government organisations (NGOs) involved in development. Careers could include:

  • Campaign and Advocacy Officer
  • International Programs Officer/Manager
  • Partnerships Officer/Manager
  • Gender Analyst/Consultant
  • Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist
  • Water and Sanitation Advisor
  • Humanitarian Response Coordinator

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Structure

To help plan the structure of your course, search for our suggested course plans.

Total credit points: 48

Unit code Unit name Credit points
Course Core48 credit points
Required Units30 credit points
DEV600Doing Research for Development3
GOV511Critical Approaches to Development6
GOV604Corruption and Anti-corruption6
GOV611Political Economy of Development and Public Policy 6
GOV635Security, Conflict and Violence6
SUS628Development and Sustainability3
Specified Elective Units18 credit points
Option 1 - Supervised Research Thesis18 credit points
Required Units12 credit points
GOV6171Supervised Research Thesis9
ART504Research Proposal and Design3
Specified Elective Units6 credit points
ART505Literature Review3
OR
ART506Advanced Writing for Research and Publication3
OR
ART600Special Project3
OR
BIO688Challenges in Food Security 6
OR
COD5051Community, Industry and Local Government3
OR
GOV600Policy Research: Strategies, Methods and Design 6
OR
GOV6051Public Sector Management6
OR
GOV612Global Governance, Security and Economy6
OR
GOV6131Public Policy Perspectives6
OR
LLM601International Law3
OR
MBS654Industry Placement for Business6
OR
MBS684Managing Strategic Risk and Projects6
OR
MCR603Cybercrime and Digital Forensics6
OR
MCR607Advanced Transnational Crime6
OR
SUS601Contemporary Issues in Development3
OR
SUS6111Resilient Regions: People and Practice3
OR
Option 2 - Applied Research Practicum18 credit points
Required Unit6 credit points
MBS643Industry Project for Business6
Specified Elective Units12 credit points
ART600Special Project3
OR
BIO688Challenges in Food Security 6
OR
COD505Community, Industry and Local Government3
OR
GOV600Policy Research: Strategies, Methods and Design 6
OR
GOV6051Public Sector Management6
OR
GOV6121Global Governance, Security and Economy6
OR
GOV6131Public Policy Perspectives6
OR
GOV6171Supervised Research Thesis9
OR
LLM601International Law3
OR
MBS654Industry Placement for Business6
OR
MBS684Managing Strategic Risk and Projects6
OR
MCR603Cybercrime and Digital Forensics6
OR
MCR607Advanced Transnational Crime6
OR
SUS601Contemporary Issues in Development3
OR
SUS6111Resilient Regions: People and Practice3
OR
Option 3 - Supervised Research Project18 credit points
Required Unit6 credit points
GOV600Policy Research: Strategies, Methods and Design 6
Specified Elective Units12 credit points
ART600Special Project3
OR
BIO688Challenges in Food Security 6
OR
COD505Community, Industry and Local Government3
OR
GOV6051Public Sector Management6
OR
GOV6121Global Governance, Security and Economy6
OR
GOV6131Public Policy Perspectives6
OR
LLM601International Law3
OR
MBS654Industry Placement for Business6
OR
MBS684Managing Strategic Risk and Projects6
OR
MCR603Cybercrime and Digital Forensics6
OR
MCR607Advanced Transnational Crime6
OR
SUS601Contemporary Issues in Development3
OR
SUS6111Resilient Regions: People and Practice3
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Entry requirements

Admission to the Master degree is available to students who have a Bachelor's degree in any area.

English Requirements

You must meet a minimum standard in English to study at Murdoch, which for most courses can be demonstrated by providing evidence that you have completed Year 11 and 12 in Australia at any level if you are a domestic student, or through either English proficiency tests, university preparation courses, English language courses, previous tertiary study or vocational education.

Advanced Standing

Everyone has a different path to university so if you’ve already completed formal or informal learning, you could receive advanced standing. Also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing can reduce the amount of study needed to complete your degree by giving you credit for certain units.

Formal learning can include previous study in higher education vocational education or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning, various kinds of work and life experience.

Find out more

 

This information applies to courses offered at our Australian campuses only. Courses offered at our Dubai  and Singapore campuses or delivered by Open Universities Australia may have different requirements.

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Fees and scholarships

Students in a lecture theatre

Scholarships

Make the most of your university experience by reducing the financial costs with a scholarship.

Whether you’re a high achiever or have experienced hardship, we offer a wide range of scholarships and awards to students from all walks of life. Explore our scholarships to find the ones you could be eligible for as a new Murdoch student as well as what's available throughout your degree.

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How much will it cost?

Instead of paying an overall course fee, you pay for the individual units you enrol in. The total course cost will vary depending on the units you choose.

Following your successful application, you’ll receive a Letter of Offer which will contain specific course and fee information.

If you are applying for an undergraduate course, you may be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place. Postgraduate programs are full fee paying, unless indicated otherwise in your Letter of Offer.

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How to apply

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Your document checklist

Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have all the following documentation ready for a quick application.

Compulsory documents

Evidence that you meet Academic entry and English language requirements such as:

  • Official Academic Transcripts and Certificates of Completion (of your highest academic study)
  • Evidence of meeting the minimum English language requirements

Recommended documents (if applicable)

  1. Change of name documentation
  2. Marriage certificate
  3. Unit outlines if applying for Advanced Standing

Your document checklist

Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have all the following documentation ready for a quick application.

Compulsory documents

  1. Evidence that you meet Academic entry and English language requirements such as:
    • Official Academic Transcripts and Certificates of Completion (of your highest academic study) both original and English translated versions.
    • Evidence of meeting the minimum English language requirements
  2. GTE documents (if applicable) - Check the GTE requirements page for further information
    • GTE Form 2
    • Personal Statement (SOP)
    • Up to date Curriculum Vitae
  3. A copy of your Passport

Recommended documents

  1. A copy of your visa documents (if available)
  2. A copy of any past visa rejection documents (if applicable)
  3. Packaged offer letter (if applicable)
  4. Sponsorship documents if you study will be sponsored
  5. Unit outlines if applying for Advanced Standing
How to apply
how-to-apply

All fees are indicative and are provided as a guide only. The actual fees will depend on the individual units you enrol in. You should refer to your Letter of Offer for specific course and fee related information.

The first-year indicative fee is based on a typical full-time enrolment at Murdoch University of 24 credit points.

For domestic students, including Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens, the indicative fee is based on the applicable Commonwealth Supported fee.

Indicative fees for international students are based on applicable full fee paying rates.

The estimated, indicative fee covers tuition fees only, and certain additional fees and charges may apply, depending on the course and units you choose. It also does not take into account any scholarships or bursaries for which you may be eligible.

The estimated, indicative fee assumes no fee increases or indexation. Over time, fee increases or indexation may occur and will affect the estimate. If you are a full fee paying student, this may occur at the start of your second and each subsequent year of study. In the case of Commonwealth Supported students, this will occur for each new calendar year in line with Government policy.

All fee estimates are provided in Australian dollars.