StudyQA — Master: Development Studies — Victoria University of Wellington

Description Contents Requirements Funding

Development Studies seeks to explain the enormous differences in peoples’ living standards across the world and to do something about them. The programme examines the theories and practices associated with inequalities in world development, using multi-disciplinary approaches. It is concerned with the processes and relationships between people and institutions at different scales – from local, small-scale communities, through to national government agencies and international organisations.

Particular attention is paid to the relationships between 'developed' and 'developing' societies, the roles played by various institutions within them and their effects on processes of social, political, economic and environmental transformation.

Development Studies concerns issues of contemporary relevance to the world today including:

Poverty
Inequality
Globalisation
Gender equity
Environmental change
Participation and democracy
Human rights
International aid

Our programme is accessible to graduates from a wide range of disciplines and occupations. People with work experience in community and international development are strongly encouraged to apply, especially those with a background in the Asia Pacific region.

Students are encouraged to spend some time overseas in a developing country as part of their postgraduate study and Masters students usually complete a research thesis based on work in a developing country. Students have undertaken research in places as diverse as Ethiopia, East Timor, Brazil, Chile, Bhutan, South Korea, Malaysia, Samoa and Rapanui.

The MDevStud degree seeks to enhance the ability of graduate students to contribute as professionals to development practice worldwide.

All students should plan their course of study with the Programme Director before enrolment. Part time study is possible.

Part 1

A total of 120 points, made up from:

DEVE 511 – 514
60 points from approved elective courses

To progress to Masters Part 2, students must achieve a B+ average in all Part 1 courses.

Part 2

DEVE 592 - thesis

The thesis is worth 120 points and will be approximately 40,000 words (120-150 pages). It must be completed by February 28 in two years following the year of enrolment.

Students begin their thesis following submission and acceptance of a full research proposal as part of DEVE 514 - Development Research, taken in the second trimester.

All students should plan their course of study with the Programme Director before enrolment. Applications must be received by 10th of December in the year prior to the commencement of study. Part time study is possible.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in same subject area
You may be required to supply your academic transcript to the relevant faculty before you apply. A certified copy of your official academic transcript must also be submitted to the Enrolment Office in order to complete your enrolment application.
IELTS: minimum overall score of 6.5 with no sub-score below 6.0
TOEFL: minimum score of 90 for the internet-based test with a minimum of 20 in writing
Pearson Test of English: minimum score of 65 (with a ‘Communicative’ score of not less than 58)
EPP: minimum final scores of 4,4,5,5