Broaden your knowledge of the world’s key development issues to shape a positive future for those in need.
Development studies at Massey is ranked in the top 100 in the world in the QS World University Rankings.
The Master of International Development is a 180-credit course that can follow on immediately from your bachelor’s degree.
You will gain an advanced understanding of how global economic, social, political and environmental forces affect people and shape different parts of the world. These insights will allow you to recognise where inequalities lie and identify strategies to help overcome poverty and enhance human wellbeing.
Massey University was, in 1989, the first university in New Zealand to offer postgraduate qualifications in development studies. We’ve built on that reputation by developing world-class courses in international development.
Our professors and lecturers are scholars and active researchers, but are also people with experience in development policy and practice in diverse contexts including the Pacific, Asia and Africa.
Graduates of the Master of International Development will be able to:
“The best things about Massey, other than the flexibility, are the inspiring tutors…”
I’m currently working for the International Committee of the Red Cross, looking after the health and wellbeing of ICRC delegates deployed in the field. I have a BA in Nursing through Massey University, and I have also dabbled in postgraduate public health, nursing, and a few other subjects such as anthropology and psychology. At the moment I am completing a Master of International Development by distance.
I have been a nurse for 20 years, and an extramural student on and off for the last 10. My jump into international development was about doing something that complemented the humanitarian work I did day-to-day. I chose Massey because the distance learning curriculum offers flexibility with study during the year if I am moving around, and I liked the subjects on offer. Development studies has been particularly interesting, and has given me a depth of understanding that continues to serve me well in the humanitarian field.
The best things about Massey, other than the flexibility, are the inspiring tutors in development studies. They have all worked in the development sector and the personal experiences they bring to the classroom add a great deal of interest. Also I love the contact courses with my fellow students as people are out there working in some amazing places in development and humanitarian work, and it constantly blows me away what people are doing.
A career in international development means providing others with the tools they need to enhance their quality of life, bringing happiness to communities in poverty.
Graduates work all over the world for organisations like Red Cross, World Vision and Caritas to provide humanitarian assistance, sustainable development, and peacekeeping. You could work as a development officer, foreign diplomat, development policy analyst, advisor in tourism, health, education, or agriculture, community affairs officer, monitoring and evaluation officer, human rights advisor or advocacy officer.
Postgraduate education will give you the skills you need for a satisfying and rewarding career.
A Ministry of Education report found that:
Somehow I’ve landed my dream job: teaching a wonderful mix of Kiwi and international students who are all passionate about making the world a better place. It is a privilege and a pleasure to work with our postgraduate students. They come to us with interesting and diverse backgrounds - from building renewable energy systems on a remote Pacific island to improving education delivery in Cambodia or being a midwife in outback Australia there is so much of value that we can springboard off in class discussions. This creates a rich and stimulating learning environment.
We understand that many of our students are, by nature of their work, based overseas and we provide for them with excellent online learning materials that are available 24/7 - so it doesn’t matter which timezone they are in!
Graduates of the Master of International Development will be able to:
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