Program Overview
The Africa & International Development at The University of Edinburgh is a MSc programme in Humanities over 12 months, delivered On-campus. This programme equips graduates with advanced knowledge and practical skills for professional and academic careers in the field.
Students gain a rigorous grounding in both the theoretical foundations and applied dimensions of humanities. The programme combines coursework, research components, and practical projects that develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and specialist expertise relevant to industry and research needs.
Graduates of the Africa & International Development programme are well-prepared for careers in academia, industry, government, and the private sector across United Kingdom and internationally. The programme provides an internationally recognised qualification within the Bologna higher education framework.
Key Program Features
- Duration: 12 months
- Language of instruction: English
- Study mode: On-campus
- English requirement: IELTS 7
- Location: Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Africa & International Development programme are prepared for diverse careers in humanities:
- Researcher / Academic
- Cultural Programme Manager
- Editor / Writer
- Translator / Interpreter
- Museum Curator
- Communications Specialist
Program Curriculum
International Development as presented on the programme is concerned with the pursuit of 'good change' – but who gets to decide what that 'good change' is, and how it should happen? We explore these issues while deepening your regional expertise on Africa, in all its socio-cultural, political and economic diversity. Through the dissertation you will have the opportunity to then focus in depth on a topic of your choosing.
This MSc encourages you to critically explore current issues in the context of Africa, including:
- development
- social change
- governance
- inclusive growth
- natural resources
There is flexibility in course options, allowing you to pursue the knowledge and skills most relevant to you.
Dissertation
You will build specialist research and analytical skills through a dissertation-length research project. You will investigate a topic of your choice in depth under the supervision of an academic member of staff.
You can complete your dissertation either through:
- independent study (including the option to work on a faculty-based project), using the rich resources offered by the University library
or
- a placement-based dissertation
Placement-based dissertation
The placement-based dissertation option aims to offer you the opportunity to work on your dissertation within the context of a workplace of your choosing, subject to Programme Director and Placement Adviser approval.
The placement will generally consist of eight weeks of research with a host organisation in the UK or overseas from our network of contacts, which includes:
- NGOs and charities
- social enterprises
- think-tanks
- government bodies
Your placement can be completed either in-person, remotely, or in a hybrid format. You will have the option to arrange your own placement, subject to university approval.
Please note that a placement-based dissertation is not guaranteed as part of this programme and will be assigned based on competitive applications.
Find out more about the placement-based dissertation option:
Compulsory courses
Our three carefully designed core courses ensure that you acquire the knowledge foundations and professional skills required to work professionally in the field of international development:
- Politics and Theories of International Development
- International Development: Research Design and Practice
- Governance, Poverty and Development in Africa
Option courses
You will choose from a range of option courses, allowing you to develop a specialised profile as a development professional. Among other courses, available option courses may include:
- Key Skills in Development Practice
- Resource, Politics and Development
- Displacement and Development
- Conflict, Security and Development
- Gender and Development
- Business and International Development
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Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
A UK 2:1 undergraduate degree or its international equivalent.
If English is not your first language, you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your spoken and written English:- IELTS: total 7.0 (at least 6.0 in each module)
- TOEFL-iBT: total 100 (at least 20 in each module)
- PTE(A): total 67 (at least 56 in each of the "Communicative Skills" sections)
- CAE and CPE: total 185 (at least 169 in each module)
- If you completed a CAE or CPE before January 2015 please contact the Admissions Office for the accepted grades.
English Proficiency: IELTS 7 or equivalent.
Tuition & Financial Information
Detailed tuition information is not available. Please contact the university for the most current tuition and fee information.
Application Deadline
2018-07-18
About The University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
University of Edinburgh (Universitas Academica Edinburgensis) is a historic and globally respected public research university in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, founded in 1583, making it one of the...
University Profile- Application Deadline 2018-07-18
- Start Date 2018-09-01
- Language English
- Duration 12 months