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Masters degree (coursework) · university

Master of Development Studies

A Master of Development Studies looks at poverty, inequality and how communities, governments and aid organisations try to improve people's lives, mostly in low and middle income countries.

Compare 5 providers
Illustration of a person working as community Development Officer
How long it takes
1.5 to 2.5 years
full time
Level
Masters degree (coursework)
University
Leads on to
Community Development Officer
$95,900 median pay
Taught by
5 providers
NSW, VIC, WA

Is this course right for you?

What the Master of Development Studies asks of you, and what you might want to check first.

Before you start

Each provider sets its own entry requirements, so check the ones you are considering.

Where this course can take you

The study that can follow this course.

Jobs you can do with it

  • Community Development Officer

    Community development officers work with local groups, councils and services to find out what a community needs and help build the programs that meet it.

    A step towards this job. What else you need

    Median pay$95,900

  • Policy Officer

    Policy officers research an issue, weigh up the options and write the advice that governments and agencies use to decide what a policy should do.

    A step towards this job. What else you need

    Median pay$113,000

Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list.

Where you can study this course

There are 5 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.

What you’ll learn

The main topics covered in the Master of Development Studies.

  • Development theory and practice
  • Program design and evaluation
  • Global health and inequality
  • Gender and human rights
  • Environment and sustainability

Questions to ask before you enrol

Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.

  1. When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
  2. What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
  3. Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
  4. Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?

The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS), published by the Australian Government Department of Education. Google reviews. Pay and shortage status from Jobs and Skills Australia.