International Development, Social Justice and Sustainability

Further your understanding of the political, economic and social forces that promote or prevent social and environmental justice around the world.

During this specialist master’s, you’ll enhance your knowledge and understanding of international development, social justice, wellbeing, and environmental sustainability.

You’ll critically examine the many political, economic and social factors that lead to inequality across the planet. These include people’s struggles for wellbeing and sustainability, and the visions that inspire them; and the roles of state, society and market factors.

Throughout the course, you will look beyond the geographical binaries of ‘Global North and South’. This will allow you to examine similarities and differences across regions, and compare the factors that influence their development.

Whether you are a graduate aiming to make a difference in the world, or a professional wishing to deepen your knowledge and critical thinking, this course is for you.

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:

- an in-depth and interdisciplinary understanding of the theories and concepts that underpin contemporary humanitarian action and conflict response

- a critical understanding of humanitarian, peacebuilding and development policy and practice

- practical skills in research, analysis and communication and an understanding of how these can be applied to the fields of humanitarianism, conflict and development

- a rich experience of working with people from a wide range of disciplinary, professional and national 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.