Program Overview
Skip to content Accessibility statement Home Study at York Postgraduate taught Courses 2026/27 Global Development Politics (MA) MA Global Development Politics Create and evaluate novel solutions to the fundamental challenges facing the world. Year of entry: 2026 (September) Overview Course content Fees and funding Teaching and assessment Careers Entry requirements Start date September 2026 View semester dates Length 1 year full-time School/department Department of Politics and International Relations Apply for this course Sign up for event invites Sign up for our postgraduate emails to get event invites straight to your inbox. Find out more Explore the transformations that shape our world. Challenge orthodoxy and help innovate solutions to global problems. Why choose Global Development Politics at York? Develop your understanding of global development politics.
Key Program Features
Why choose Global Development Politics at York?
Develop your understanding of global development politics. Learn to view development as a complex of practices, policies and possibilities. One which encompasses worldwide socio-economic and environmental transformation. In doing so, you'll be better placed to help create a world that promotes dignity, equality and fairness.
Take an interdisciplinary people-focused approach. Create and analyse innovative solutions to the fundamental challenges facing our world. These solutions will often involve correcting imbalances of power at local, national and global levels. You'll address these challenges through research, critical thinking and transformative practice.
Build a flexible skill set with practical opportunities. Our modules offer a mix of academic and practical learning. You'll also have the opportunity to develop further practical experience through international opportunities. This includes our Global Classroom, summer school and fieldwork placements in the UK and oversea.
Personalise your study. Our option modules cover a wide range of topics. From global governance to local government and sustainable development to social welfare. This means you can tailor your degree to focus on the areas of global development that interest you most.
Career Opportunities
Careers and skills
A York Politics degree is recognised by employers worldwide. Our students go on to careers in international organisations, the media, law, the civil service, politics, journalism and business.
Graduates of previous Interdisciplinary Global Development Centre programmes have found work in a range of sectors - from central and local government to law firms and media companies.
Career opportunities
- Multilateral institutions
- Bilateral development offices
- Donor agencies
- International NGOs
- Local government
- Non-governmental organisations
- Community and voluntary organisations
- Social enterprise
- Higher education
- Accountancy and banking organisations
- Law firms
- Media companies
- International organisations
- Thinktanks
Transferable skills
- Logical thinking
- Analysis of complex ideas, arguments and theories
- Problem-solving
- The ability to present succinct reports
- Intellectual independence
- Communication skills
Program Curriculum
Course content
You'll study 180 credits in total. The course consists of:
- One 20-credit core modules
- Five 20-credit option modules
- A 60-credit independent research dissertation
Modules Dissertation Modules Core modules Global Development Politics Option modules You will study five option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course. Comparative Institutions and Public Policy Theories and Issues in International Political Economy Africa and International Politics Causes & Conduct of Conflict Politics of Peacebuilding Themes & Theories in International Relations Challenges to Policy-making in Democratising Countries Global Governance Governing for the Environment Politics of Migration International Business Management & Emerging Markets Ethics & Sustainability Reporting Social Policy in a Global Context The Political Economy of Global China Ecosystem Services, Conservation and Protection Intercultural Communication in Education Conflict & Development Transitional Justice and Human Rights Project Placement The Practice of Fieldwork Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course. Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning. Dissertation During the second semester and vacation you will consolidate your interests in a dissertation on a topic of your choice. You'll have a dissertation supervisor who will provide regular guidance and will be able to comment on your dissertation. Dissertations could cover topics such as: Closing the gap: Discourses of Aboriginal Integration in Australia Native Human Security: The Importance of Indigenous Rights in the context of Latin American Development Why is Nigeria still a developing country regardless of its abundant natural resources?
Admission Requirements
Entry requirements
| Qualification | Typical offer |
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
English language
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Qualification | Minimum requirement |
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, minimum of 6 in each component |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 136, minimum 126 in each component |
| Duolingo | 120, minimum 105 in all other components |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 478-509, with 444-477 in all other components |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, minimum 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87, minimum 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all requirements |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements .
If you haven't met our English language requirements You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses . These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer. The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements. After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York .
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
GBP 16,290/year (international)
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees for 2026/27
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
| Full-time (1 year) | £12,000 | £26,900 |
| Part-time (2 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. | £6,000 | £13,450 |
Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
For courses which are longer than one year , the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study. UK (home) fees may increase in subsequent years (up to a maximum of 2%). International fees may increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).
Fees information
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status .
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
- Postgraduate taught fees and expenses
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees for 2026/27
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
| Full-time (1 year) | £12,000 | £26,900 |
| Part-time (2 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. | £6,000 | £13,450 |
Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
For courses which are longer than one year , the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study. UK (home) fees may increase in subsequent years (up to a maximum of 2%). International fees may increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).
Fees information
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status .
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
- Postgraduate taught fees and expenses
About University of York
University of York
Heslington, United Kingdom
University of York is a distinguished institution of higher education committed to academic excellence, innovative research, and preparing students for leadership in their chosen fields. The...
University Profile- Application Deadline 2018-06-15
- Start Date 2018-09-24
- Language English
- Duration 12 months
- Credits 60 ECTS / 180 credits (1-year programme)