Development Administration and Planning

The MSc in Development Administration and Planning at University College London offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to understanding and addressing the complex challenges faced in developing countries and urban environments worldwide. This program is designed for students who aspire to pursue careers in local and national government, international development agencies, non-governmental organizations, urban planning consultancies, and research institutions. The curriculum integrates theoretical foundations with practical skills, equipping students with a nuanced understanding of development policies, governance structures, and planning practices.

Throughout the course, students explore key issues such as urbanization, infrastructure development, poverty alleviation, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion. The program emphasizes critical analysis of development theories and policies, combined with practical planning skills applicable across various contexts. It encourages active engagement with real-world case studies and fieldwork activities, fostering a deep understanding of the socio-economic and political dynamics that influence development processes.

The program features a balanced mix of lectures, seminars, workshops, and project work, including opportunities for international field trips and collaborations with development practitioners. Students gain proficiency in qualitative and quantitative research methods, strategic planning, project management, and policy analysis. The coursework is supported by access to UCL’s extensive academic resources and its global network of development professionals, providing invaluable opportunities for networking and career development.

Graduates from this program are well-equipped to design, implement, and evaluate development initiatives with an emphasis on sustainable and equitable outcomes. They are prepared to work in diverse settings, contributing to policy formulation, project management, and capacity building in the context of development administration and planning. By combining academic rigor with practical experience, the MSc in Development Administration and Planning empowers students to become effective leaders and change-makers committed to improving lives through sustainable development practices.

Students develop the ability to analyse the development process and to formulate appropriate policies for meeting development goals. The field trip, conducted in a developing country, provides the opportunity to study the problems encountered in development, and the cultural, administrative and institutional context in which decisions are made.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of four core modules (90 credits), optional modules (30 credits) and dissertation (60).

A Postgraduate Diploma, four core modules (90 credits), optional modules (30 credits), full-time nine months, is offered.

A Postgraduate Certificate, four optional modules (60 credits), full-time 15 weeks or flexible study over a period of up to two years, is offered.

Core modules

Four core modules 

• Contemporary Approaches to Development Management
• Development in Practice
• Critical Ideas of Development Conceptions and Realities
• Society and Market: Private Agency for Development

Recommended optional modules include:

• Adapting Cities to Climate Change in the Global South
• Cost Benefit Analysis: Theory and Practice
• Critical Urbanism Studio I - Learning from Informality: Case Studies and Alternatives
• Critical Urbanism Studio II - Investigative Design Strategies for Contested Spaces
• Disaster Risk Reduction in Cities
• Food and the City
• Gender in Policy and Planning
• Housing as urbanism: housing policy and the search for scale
• Housing policies: practical dimensions and alternative options
• Industrialisation and Infrastructure
• Land, Food and Agriculture
• Neo-Structuralism and the Developmental State
• Social Diversity, Inequality and Poverty
• Social Policy and Citizenship
• The City and Its Relations: Context, Institutions and Actors in Urban Development Planning
• The Political Ecology of Environmental Change
• Transport Equity and Urban Mobility
• Transforming Local Areas: Urban Design for Development
• Urbanisation and Development
• Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture: Knowledge Systems in the Global South

Or any other open MSc module in The Bartlett School of Planning.

Please note: not all optional modules listed above may be available.

Dissertation/report

All MSc students submit a 10,000-word paper on a topic related to the main themes of the programme. The topic is chosen by the student in dialogue with the Programme Director.

Teaching and learning

The programme consists of reading, essay writing and individual and group project work, in the context of lectures, seminars, workshops, case study analysis, and a field trip abroad. In recent years field trip destinations have included Uganda and Ethiopia. Student performance is assessed through coursework, unseen examinations and a final dissertation report.

Fieldwork

The overseas fieldwork trip is a practical research-based residential that helps draw the various elements of the degree together.

The DPU will cover the following costs of the field trip: return flights, visas, travel insurance, accommodation and fees, and costs of local experts and inputs. However, food, local travel and incidental expenses of a personal nature will not be covered by the DPU.

The normal minimum qualifications are an upper second-class UK Bachelor's degree or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard, or a lower second-class UK Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent overseas qualification, in a subject appropriate to the programme, plus relevant work experience. 
In rare cases, applicants with degrees below this standard will be considered if they have significant relevant professional experience.
In all cases, successful applicants are expected to provide good references and a strong personal statement, which adequately demonstrate the applicant’s interest in the topics addressed by this programme.

The Development Administration and Planning program at University College London offers a comprehensive overview of financing in the context of development projects and urban planning initiatives. The program emphasizes understanding diverse funding mechanisms, including government budgets, international donor agencies, and public-private partnerships. Students are introduced to financial analysis techniques essential for evaluating the feasibility of development projects, assessing cost-benefit ratios, and ensuring sustainable economic planning. The curriculum includes modules on project finance, budgeting processes, and financial management tailored for development contexts. Additionally, the program explores innovative financing strategies such as impact investing, social bonds, and blended finance approaches aimed at mobilizing resources for urban and rural development. Students gain practical skills in preparing and managing financial proposals, securing funding, and monitoring financial progress throughout project lifecycles. The program also covers policy frameworks and institutional arrangements that influence funding flows, allowing students to analyze the role of various stakeholders in the financial landscape of development projects. Financial considerations are integrated into broader planning processes, ensuring that future development practitioners are equipped to design financially sustainable interventions. The program encourages critical analysis of funding challenges and strategies to overcome financial barriers in developing regions. Through case studies and real-world applications, students learn to develop funding models that align with social, economic, and environmental objectives. Overall, the program aims to produce graduates who are proficient in managing the financial aspects of development initiatives and capable of contributing to effective resource mobilization and allocation for sustainable development.

The Development Administration and Planning programme at University College London is designed to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices involved in the effective administration and planning of development projects worldwide. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics including urban planning, sustainable development, policy analysis, governance, project management, and the social, economic, and environmental factors influencing development processes. Students engage with theoretical frameworks and practical applications, preparing them to address complex development challenges in diverse contexts. The program emphasizes critical thinking, analytical skills, and strategic planning, enabling graduates to work in governmental agencies, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. It offers a blend of coursework, case studies, and fieldwork, providing practical experience alongside academic learning. The faculty comprises experts in urban development, policy studies, and planning, ensuring a rich learning environment grounded in current research and industry trends. Students have access to UCL’s extensive resources, including libraries, labs, and networking events, which facilitate professional growth and collaboration. The duration of the programme typically spans one year for full-time study, with options for part-time attendance. Graduates of the Development Administration and Planning programme are well-equipped to lead and manage development initiatives, implement sustainable policies, and contribute to positive societal change on a local, national, and international level.