If you want to help create a fairer world, studying international development gives you the insight and skills to address global challenges like poverty and climate change
What is international development?
International (or global) development focuses on improving lives, especially in communities facing disadvantage or instability. It's about understanding the root causes of inequality and working with local people, governments, and organisations to create lasting change.
Development work might include:
- helping governments design fairer social protection systems
- improving access to clean water
- supporting vaccination campaigns in low‑income countries
- strengthening girls' education.
Much of this work links directly to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - the global framework for improving health, equality and sustainability.
Modern development also puts a strong focus on partnership - recognising that communities should lead their own development.
Who are global development courses for?
These courses suit students who are curious about the world and motivated to make a social impact. You don't need a fixed career in mind - just cross-cultural and critical thinking, an interest in global issues, and strong communication skills.
Many universities accept a range of qualifications, including BTECs and Access to HE Diplomas, and mature students or career changers often enrol at postgraduate level.
What courses are available?
Most international development roles require at least an undergraduate degree, as employers expect you to have a solid grasp of development concepts, research methods and practical skills.
Bachelors degrees
A BA in international development gives you a strong foundation in global issues, research, and project planning, equipping you with the skills needed for a wide range of careers. Most UK universities ask for BCC to ABB at A-level (around 104 to 128 UCAS points). For example:
- BA Global Development at the University of Leeds requires ABB
- BA International Development at the University of Portsmouth accepts students with BCC or BBC.
Many universities offer opportunities for practical experience through placement years or study abroad programmes:
- The University of York allows students to spend a year abroad or undertake a year in industry
- The University of Portsmouth provides an optional placement year to help you gain real-world experience and strengthen your career prospects.
Many universities also offer joint honours degrees that pair international development with subjects such as economics, politics or a language. For example, the BA Global Development and... at SOAS lets you combine your core studies with areas like:
- Africa and Black Diaspora
- Arabic
- Chinese
- Japanese
- Korean.
These combinations broaden your skillset, boost employability and open up international career opportunities.
Postgraduate degrees
A Masters degree in international development allows you to specialise, deepen your expertise, and access more competitive roles in government, non government organisations (NGOs), and international organisations.
Courses usually last one year full time, or two years part time.
When choosing a postgraduate course, you'll usually find programmes offered as either an MA or an MSc:
- an MA typically takes a social science approach, focusing on areas such as politics, culture, and policy
- an MSc is generally more technical, with greater emphasis on data analysis, economics, and quantitative research.
The right choice depends on whether you prefer a more analytical, data driven pathway or a humanities based approach.
Most universities ask for a 2:1 undergraduate degree, although some will consider a 2:2 if you have relevant work or volunteering experience. For example:
- MA International Development at the University of Warwick requires a 2:1
- MSc International Development at Northumbria University accepts applicants with a 2:2.
Many Masters programmes include a practical element to prepare you for real world development work. LSE's MSc International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies, for instance, features a real world consultancy project, while the University of Manchester's MSc Global Development offers specialist pathways including governance and climate change.
Distance learning options are also available, such as the the MSc International Development at SOAS, which is a two year online programme requiring a 2:2 and costing £12,000 in total.
If you're interested in international development but want to combine it with another specialism, courses like the MA International Development and Education at Newcastle University are a good option. These combined pathways allow you to develop deeper expertise and can help you move into specific development roles.
Some universities also offer short course pathways that lead to formal qualifications, helping you boost your CV and deepen your knowledge without completing a dissertation. These usually take the form of Postgraduate diplomas (PGDip) and certificates (PGCert), such as the PGCert Global Development Management from FutureLearn - a 40 week course focused on the global sustainable development agenda, costing £2,950.
Search for postgraduate international development courses.
Short courses
If you already volunteer or work in the international development sector, continuing professional development (CPD) courses are a great way to build new skills quickly and progress your career.
Universities frequently offer flexible online and part time options designed to fit alongside work or study commitments.
Examples include:
- Why Does Media Matter for Development? (UEA and FutureLearn) - a four week online course exploring how communication can support development goals.
- The International School in Forced Migration (Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford) - an intensive programme delivering Oxford‑level teaching on refugee protection, international law, ethics and humanitarian response.
Professional training
These programmes are designed to complement academic study or support upskilling if you're already working in the sector.
Organisations such as Bond, the UK's NGO network, offer short, practical workshops lasting one to three days, making them particularly useful if you're at an early stage in your career. These focus on areas like:
- advocacy
- fundraising
- monitoring and evaluation
- project management.
The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) at the University of Sussex delivers intensive, theme focused courses aimed at mid career professionals. These programmes often concentrate on applying evidence to shape policy and improve development practice.
For those interested in humanitarian work, RedR UK specialises in training for emergency contexts, including:
- humanitarian essentials
- needs assessments
- security
- WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene).
Courses range from self paced online modules to immersive, simulation based training, helping you prepare for field based roles.
What will I learn?
Alongside subject knowledge, you'll develop skills employers value, such as:
- cross cultural communication
- data collection, research and evaluation
- ethical decision making
- policy analysis and writing concise policy briefs.
You'll also look at big debates in the field - like decolonising development, aid effectiveness and locally led approaches.
By the end of your course, you'll be able to:
- analyse global challenges
- propose evidence‑based solutions
- understand the political, social and economic factors shaping development.
What can I do with an international development qualification?
An international development degree can lead to careers in NGOs, government, research, consultancy and global organisations. Most graduates progress quickly:
- 65% go into full‑time work
- 7% combine work and study
- 82% of those employed secure professional level roles.
Many start out in NGOs as programme assistants, project officers or monitoring and evaluation staff. Others move into roles with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), local government or public sector programmes, while organisations like the United Nations and World Bank offer competitive traineeships and graduate schemes.
Graduates work across a range of sectors, including business and finance, marketing and PR, social care, and management. Common job titles include:
- environment professional
- marketing or PR officer
- management consultant
- policy or research officer
- project manager
- welfare and housing associate professional.
Find out more
- Explore the charity and voluntary work sector.
- Find out how to get a graduate charity job.
- Learn more about the role of an international aid/development worker.