The Master of Development Studies at the University of Melbourne provides specialist training in the fields of development and environment, development and gender, development and urbanisation, and health policy and development. 

Refine your transferable skills in critical analysis, communication, cross-cultural understanding, research methods, project design, project management and teamwork.

At professional practice seminars, research workshops, careers events, and alumni get-togethers, you can rub shoulders with top-notch policymakers and experts in the international development sector. 

While in your studies, you can engage with debt and poverty, microfinance, culture and human rights, migration and transnationalism, food and environmental security, civil society organisations, and gender relations.

Ranked 21st in the world for Development Studies (QS World University Rankings 2021)

Think about and implement creative solutions to the challenging and evolving development field by understanding the needs of all walks of life – from an inner-city office to an isolated village.

You can specialise in the optional Gender and Development stream, which guides you through gender and development theory while tackling the practical concerns of planning for gender in development projects within government and non-government organisations.

Undertake an exchange or study abroad with one of the esteemed global partners under the Melbourne Global Mobility program, or take an internship placement with a domestic or international development agency.

• Academic/Official Transcripts
• Proof of English Language Proficiency (If Applicable)
• Passport or Visa Documents
• CV
• Two Professional Referees

In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

• An undergraduate degree with a weighted average mark of at least H2B (70%) or equivalent

Meeting this requirement does not guarantee selection.

In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• Prior academic performance; and
• Relevance of previous studies

Applicants with the following may be awarded up to 50 points of credit:

• An undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline, with a weighted average mark of at least H2B (70%) or equivalent; or
• An undergraduate degree in any discipline, with a weighted average mark of at least H2B (70%) or equivalent, and at least one year of documented relevant work experience

Applicants with the following may be awarded up to 100 points of credit:

• An honours degree in a cognate discipline, with a weighted average mark of at least H2B (70%) or equivalent; or
• An undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline, with a weighted average mark of at least H2B (70%) or equivalent, and at least two years of documented relevant work experience

Applicants seeking credit for relevant work experience must document their experience with a brief curriculum vitae detailing the experience, contact details of two referees who can confirm the authenticity and nature of the experience claimed, and a cover letter that explains how the experience is relevant to the program and prepares them for it.