Master of Development Studies (097AB)

Overview

Entry requirements

1. 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.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• prior academic performance; and
• relevance of previous studies.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.

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 covering letter that explains how the experience is relevant to the program and prepares them for it.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Description, Course Objectives and Generic Skills of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Course structure

200 Point Program

Duration: 2 years full-time / up to 4 years part-time

• two compulsory subjects (25 points)
• five core subjects (62.5 points)

Coursework Only Option

• elective subjects (112.5 points)

or

Minor Thesis Option

• DEVT90041 Research Methods for Development (12.5 points)
• minor thesis parts 1 and 2 (total 50 points)
• elective subjects (50 points)

150 point program

Duration: 1.5 years full-time / up to 3 years part-time

• two compulsory subjects (25 points)
• three core subjects (37.5 points)

Coursework Only Option

• elective subjects (87.5 points)

or

Minor Thesis Option

• DEVT90041 Research Methods for Development (12.5 points)
• minor thesis parts 1 and 2 (total 50 points)
• elective subjects (25 points)

100 point program

Duration: 1 year full-time / up to 2 years part-time

• two compulsory subjects (25 points)

Coursework Only Option

• elective subjects (75 points)

or

Minor Thesis Option

• DEVT90041 Research Methods for Development (12.5 points)
• minor thesis parts 1 and 2 (total 50 points)
• Elective subject (12.5 points)

Capstone Requirement:

All students are required to complete the Capstone Requirement for the program (25 points). Students must complete one capstone option:

Capstone Stream 1: DEVT90060 Internship in Development (25 points) or DEVT90008 International Internship in Development (25 points)

Purpose: An opportunity to acquire practical skills in development practice and apply this knowledge to solve problems that arise in a professional context and develop an integrated understanding of knowledge and practice.

Capstone Stream 2: DEVT90054 Development Studies Thesis Part 1 and DEVT90055 Development Studies Thesis Part 2 (total 50 points)
Purpose: An opportunity to integrate knowledge and research skills to address a specific development research question.

Capstone Stream 3: DEVT90001 Project Management & Design (12.5 points) and DEVT90035 Monitoring and Evaluation in Development (12.5 point)
Purpose: An opportunity to acquire practical skills in project management and monitoring and evaluation and apply this knowledge to solve problems that arise in a professional context and develop an integrated understanding of knowledge and practice.

For policies that govern this degree, see Academic Services Policy in the University Melbourne Policy Framework.

Majors, minors & specialisations

Further study

Students who complete the thesis option may be eligible for entry into the PhD.

Last updated: 3 March 2025