Master of Development Studies

The Master of Development Studies offers three streams based on your prior academic and/or professional experience: Stream A (1 year) is for applicants with an Honours degree or Graduate Diploma in a relevant discipline, or a Bachelor degree in a relevant discipline plus one year of relevant professional experience; Stream B (1.7 years) is for applicants with a Bachelor degree in a relevant or any discipline (with or without one year of professional experience), or an Honours degree/Graduate Diploma in any discipline; Stream C (2 years) is for applicants with a Bachelor degree in any discipline. The stream you apply for depends on the depth of your prior academic and/or professional experience and how closely it relates to development studies.

Yes. If you apply for Stream A or Stream B, you may be eligible to have your study recognised via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If your prior study is recognised, credit points can be counted towards the degree, and you would then be able to complete the coursework undertaking fewer subjects.

The program covers critical development studies theories and methods that emphasise human rights, gender and intersectionality, and social, racial, indigenous and environmental justice. Key topics include forced migration, gender-based violence, human rights abuses, global health, disaster justice, food security and insecurity, environmental governance, climate change, and community development.

For 2026, the indicative Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) first year fee is $17,000 and the indicative CSP fee to complete the degree is $34,500. For full-fee domestic students, the indicative first year full fee is $33,000 and the indicative full fee to complete the degree is $67,500. For international students, the indicative first year fee is $47,000 and the indicative fee to complete the degree is $99,500. Note that fees are subject to annual review and may vary accordingly.

Yes. Students who maintain a distinction average in their first term of study can apply to undertake a Professional Practice Research Project worth 12 units of credit. This involves completing an empirical or conceptual research project with a topic directly related to professional practice in the field of International Development or Refugees and Displacement. Entry to research project courses is at the discretion of the program convenor.