International Development (MA) (2022 Entry)
Join experts at Warwick's Politics and International Studies Department and Warwick Interdisciplinary Research Centre for International Development (WICID) and develop your critical thinking and research skills as well as how to translate these into practical solutions.
Develop your analytical and practical skills to understand the most pressing global challenges in our world today, including inequality, sustainability and security.
This programme will introduce you to the intellectual and political foundations of International Development, to the key events and themes which have shaped its evolution, and to the major issues that have been (and not) addressed in the scholarship and practice of international development. You will examine the institutions of International Development put in place through the Bretton Woods System, the various United Nations institutions, governmental and non-governmental policies and practices in the historical context of Empire and of contemporary globalisation.
We believe that theoretical work and empirical work are not separate exercises. Practical problems stimulate theory construction, and theories inform the ways in which we handle substantive issues. Students will learn to write policy papers and develop skills to translate critical thinking into problem solving.
We offer an exciting package of core and optional modules which include both theoretical and applied learning. This classroom-based work is reinforced and deepened by bringing our MA students into contact with the work of the Warwick Interdisciplinary Research Centre for International Development (WICID) which is housed in PAIS. MA students can join WICID events and learn about the work of its academic, policy and practitioner collaborators.
Students can lead and participate in the Warwick Global Development Society and a student-led end of the year Development Conference, which offers additional opportunities to learn valuable professional skills and to apply learning throughout the year in shaping the content of the conference.
2:i undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a related subject.
Visit our PAIS web pages for department-specific advice on applying to ensure your application has the best chance for success.
Postgraduate FAQs (PAIS specific)
English Language requirements header
- Band B
- IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.
International requirements header
Additional requirements header
There are no additional entry requirements for this course.
Theories and Issues in International Development
This module explores both ‘theories’ and ‘issues’ relating to globalisation, governance and development. By examining ‘theories’ we explore the ways that knowledge is constructed - What assumptions do we make? What concepts do we employ? What explanations do we propose? What normative judgements do we make?
By examining ‘issues’, this module considers some of the prominent substantive items on the policy agenda of development institutions and agencies, as well as civil society actors. Whether and how do processes of globalisation transform, undermine or reinforce existing patterns of inequality and injustice? Is the traditional organisation of political life and the work of key development agencies still relevant in a context of globalisation? What new configurations of power have emerged in a globalised society? Are countries of the South able to respond and take advantage of these new configurations?
You will study the major debates on histories of colonialism, nationalism and modernity, and different approaches to postcolonial development as well as issues that impinge on global development – poverty, climate change, trade, gender relations and food security among others.
Optional module header
- Transnational Justice and International Development
- Citizenship, Migration and Cultural Diversity
- East Asian Development Models
The optional module lists are updated regularly.
You may select up to 40 CATS (normally two modules) from a list of specialist modules for this course, and a further 40-80 CATS from our extensive range of optional modules for a total of 120 CATS of taught modules.
Most modules are taught via one 2-hour seminar per week. Every seminar will be based on extensive guided reading you will do each week, but there is no strict pattern to how sessions are run. This may include mini-lectures followed by discussion, Q&A sessions, organised debates, peer presentations, policy briefs, small group work, and other projects.
You can also choose to study part-time with us. Find out more about part-time study on our PAIS web pages.
Class size header
Normally a maximum of 18 per seminar group in PAIS delivered modules.
Contact hours header
6 hours of seminars per week for 9 weeks in Terms One and Two plus advice and feedback hours when requested and Dissertation supervision in Terms Two and Three.
Assessment header
Assessment methods include research essays, a policy brief and other (written) assignments throughout the year, culminating in a 10,000 word dissertation at the end.
Reading lists
Most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library. If you would like to view reading lists for the current cohort of students you can visit our Warwick Library web page.
Your timetable
Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules in a module pre-registration process about which you will receive information at the beginning of September.