International Development Management

Explore and assess how international development programmes, projects and policies are managed and organised across the government, private, and NGO sectors.

Throughout this course, you’ll analyse the ways in which organisations navigate the rapidly changing landscape of international development, with a focus on how and why certain development interventions are made.

You’ll explore key debates in the theory and practice of development management to improve your understanding of the practical challenges faced by institutions and professionals when designing and implementing change. This will give you the foundation to critically analyse these challenges and design improved interventions.

You’ll also learn about the management of development projects and programmes.

This degree benefits from a mixture of teaching from Bath's Department of Social & Policy Sciences and School of Management. This will allow you to assess contemporary international development challenges holistically, taking into consideration the social and business factors that influence policy making.

Placement

As an alternative to writing a dissertation, you can gain real-world experience and complement your studies with a placement.

If you choose to do a placement, you’ll undertake an eight-week work-based project with an organisation involved in international development. You'll use the experiences you'll gain to write an academic report reflecting on a particular area of professional practice as part of your assessment.

Some previous students have worked with:

- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

- The Centre for Development Studies

- MicroSave Consulting

- EdUKaid

- The Washing Machine Project

Finding a placement is your own responsibility. We can’t guarantee specific placements, but you will receive tailored support from our specialist team to help you find suitable opportunities.

Some placements are paid, others cover expenses, and some are unpaid.

Gain important career skills

Upon successful completion of this course, you'll leave with:

- a critical understanding of the concepts and approaches used in international development management

- the interdisciplinary research and interpersonal skills needed to navigate the changing landscape of development practice, where new actors are emerging and traditional approaches to management need adapting

- practical skills in research, analysis and communication; and an understanding of how these can be applied when working in both the ‘Global North and South’

- the ability to analyse the complex interaction of social, economic, political or environmental factors in shaping problems and proposed solutions

- a rich experience of working with people from a wide range of disciplines, cultures and professional backgrounds

Graduate prospects

This course provides an excellent background for those wishing to pursue careers in fields that aim to improve people’s lives. These include the international development, sustainability, humanitarian and peacebuilding sectors.

You will be qualified to work in a wide variety of roles, including social research, public policy, public information and campaigning.

Graduates from our suite of International Development master's courses have gone on to secure the following roles:

- Senior Program Officer, Hashoo Foundation

- Relief Support Worker, United Response

- Analyst, Start Fund Bangladesh

- Programme Assistant, The Advocacy Team

- Fundraising Assistant, Refugee Cafe

- Director of Programmes for North West Syria, Mercy Corps

- Programme Specialist, African World Heritage Fund

- Operations and Finance Officer, The Washing Machine Project

- Local Ambassador to the World Trade Organisation

Other graduates have chosen to work for themselves and set up their own charities, while others have gone on to complete doctoral studies.