Help solve the world’s development problems. 

Massey’s postgraduate students come from a wide range of academic, cultural, and professional backgrounds, and the university program is enriched by this diversity.

In the Master of International Development, you’ll learn how global economic, social, political, and environmental forces affect people and shape different parts of the world. 

These insights will allow you to recognize where inequalities lie. 

You’ll identify strategies to help overcome poverty and enhance human well-being.

When you graduate with the Master of International Development you will be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge and skills that can be applied in developing policy and strategies, and in managing and evaluating international development programs
• critically and rigorously evaluate contemporary international development theories, policies, and approaches
• conduct independent research and analysis of international development issues, collect relevant data, and be able to write persuasively about this
• demonstrate mastery of social science research approaches and techniques and be able to undertake independent research in a well-planned and ethical manner
• interpret research findings and draw out relevant implications for development theory, policy and practice.

Learn from experts in the field

Massey University, in 1989, was the first in New Zealand to offer courses leading to recognized qualifications in Development Studies. 

In 2019 the university celebrated its 30th anniversary! The university has built on that reputation by developing world-class courses in international development.

The university professors and lecturers are scholars and active researchers. They also have experience in development policy and practice in diverse contexts.

• Officially verified copies of Birth certificate/ Current passport, including any residency visa/ Citizenship certificate
• Proof of the name change
• High School graduation certificate
• Academic transcripts
• English Language proficiency
• A statement of any disability or health condition (If Applicable)
• Evidence of any scholarships (If Applicable)
• Curriculum Vitae (If required)

To enter the Master of International Development you will have been awarded or qualified for:

• a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Development Studies, or equivalent, with a minimum B (70%-74.99%) average across the 200 and 300-level major courses, or
• a bachelor’s degree with a B (70%-74.99%) average across the relevant 200 and 300-level courses and relevant field or industry experience of an appropriate kind and duration, or
• a Postgraduate Diploma in International Development, or equivalent, with a B (70%-74.99%) average.

If you have a Postgraduate Diploma in International Development as outlined above, you may apply for credit towards Part One of the qualification in accordance with the limits specified in the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations

Field experience includes:

• voluntary work (eg refugee resettlement with Red Cross, or supporting a disadvantaged community group in New Zealand)
• other relevant work or experience (eg a social worker, nurse, or teacher in New Zealand or overseas)
• specific development experience (eg an engineer who worked in Nepal).

In this instance, you will need to provide your curriculum vitae outlining this experience.

If you take the Research Pathway, you must submit a research proposal for your thesis when applying.