International Development with Education

University of Bath
Postgraduate MSc Full-time 1 Year Sociology

About this course

Deepen your understanding of global development issues to address key education, poverty, inequality, and social justice problems in the Global South.

During this course, you'll develop your understanding of the major factors, decisions and policies that influence the quality of education globally.

You’ll critically assess the barriers that exist, paying special attention to countries in the Global South. This will build your knowledge and expertise of how effective interventions can positively impact people’s access to learning.

By exploring the roles of key actors in the field of global education - including donor agencies, governments and civil society - you'll develop a rounded view of the global education landscape. You’ll then use this, alongside key theory, to consider solutions that could aid the evolution of education in these regions.

The course is closely aligned to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 4 - “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”.

This degree benefits from a mixture of teaching from Bath's Department of Social & Policy Sciences and Department of Education. This will allow you to assess contemporary international development challenges holistically, taking into consideration how social and educational factors influence them.

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 with focus on education

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

  • practical skills in research, analysis and communication and an understanding of how these can be applied when working in social, economic and environmental justice 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

    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

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

  • Study Options

    This course is available in 2 study options:

    Full-time Shown above

    Duration: 1 Year

    Qualification: MSc

    Location: Bath

    Part-time

    Duration: 2 Years

    Qualification: MSc

    Location: Bath

    Career Prospects

    Graduates from this course typically go into the following occupations:

    3544 Data analysts
    3543 Project support officers
    2435 Professional/Chartered company secretaries
    2434 Business and related research professionals
    4113 Officers of non-governmental organisations
    4111 National government administrative occupations

    Course Details

    Qualification
    MSc
    Study Mode
    Full-time
    Duration
    1 Year
    Start Date
    2025
    Academic Year
    2025
    Campus / Location
    Bath
    Scheme
    Postgraduate
    Subjects
    Sociology