Become a world changer.
The Master of International Development at USC offers an exciting, practice-focused qualification for working in the international aid sector. After studying your compulsory courses, you have the chance to individually tailor your second year to an area of application and practice that interests you. Graduates from this program are equipped to obtain employment in development with international organisations including the United Nations, UNESCO, the FAO, the World Bank, non-government organisations (NGO's), development and consultancy corporations, and donor agencies.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
The Master of International Development at USC offers an exciting, practice-focused qualification for working in the international aid sector. After studying your compulsory courses, you have the chance to individually tailor your second year to an area of application and practice that interests you. Graduates from this program are equipped to obtain employment in development with international organisations including the United Nations, UNESCO, the FAO, the World Bank, non-government organisations (NGO's), development and consultancy corporations, and donor agencies.
The Master of International Development aims to prepare students in key issues and practices regarding poverty alleviation and development within their disciplines, making them experts and globally ready for the international development sector.
The program will introduce development theories and ideologies, including colonisation and de-colonisation, industrialisation, globalisation, dependency, rural development, food security, poverty alleviation, urbanisation, (transnational) migration, gender and culture, cultural diversity, health, education for development, culture and social change, economic development and sustainable livelihoods, children and poverty, community development, global justice and human rights, planning issues in developing countries, the post-2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDG) development agenda process, peace and conflict studies, indigenous peoples, society and sustainability, and, environment and the impact of climate change in developing countries.
The program will introduce students to key skills and approaches in development practice, including traditional and emerging donors, the role of non-government organisations and managing contractors, research design, project development, participatory methods, project analysis, contract management and monitoring and evaluation.
A key component of the program will be the opportunity for work-integrated learning (WIL) with in-country experience in the Pacific, Africa and Indonesia through existing industry-project and food security courses and IPG programs.
Admission requirements
Completion of a Bachelor degree (AQF Level 7) or equivalent. Applicants who do not possess an undergraduate degree but have relevant full-time equivalent work or other relevant experience equivalent to a bachelor degree may be admitted in exceptional circumstances only, and will be assessed on a case by case basis.
Program structure
Program Structure
Required courses (10) 144 units
DEV700 International Development and Aid
DEV701 Development Practice and Evaluation
DEV702 International Human Rights, Peace and Conflict, and Environmental Justice
DEV703 International Development Project A(24 units)
DEV704 International Development Project B(24 units)
DEV705 Governance, Engagement & Capacity Building
DEV706 Economic Development & Sustainable Livelihoods
EDU775 Education for International Development
SCS725 Advanced Social Research
SCS730 Theories for Practice: Power, Oppression and the "Good Society"
Elective courses (4) 48 units
Select 4 courses (48 units) from:
BUS705 Innovation Management
BUS707 Managing Across Global Cultures
GEO700 Indigenous Peoples and Sustainability
MGT701 Leading and Managing Organisations
MGT702 Understanding and Managing Organisational Behaviour
MGT711 Entrepreneurship and Venture Planning
MGT730 Innovation by Design
PRM701 Project Management Principles
SWK702 Collective Critical Practice: Developmental Approaches
SWK708 Engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 192
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate students must:
- Successfully complete 192 units as outlined in the Program Structure
Program Notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.