Master of Development Practice
Overview
Navigate the complex landscape of development, critically engage with key debates and be part of creating sustainable alternatives for the future.
UQ’s Master of Development Practice program addresses key challenges in the world today, including the rights of Indigenous peoples, inequality, gender, health, violence, alternative economics, climate justice and environmental sustainability.
With a diversity of delivery options – including intensive, online, practice-based learning environments and in-field research – this program is designed to fit in with your interests and availability, whether you're starting, advancing or rethinking your career.
Local communities in Australia and overseas are situated within rich and complex global dynamics. Our program equips you with theoretically informed skills to embrace the challenges of understanding, practising and rethinking development at different scales.
Drawing from anthropology, community development, planning, political science, sociology and related fields, Development Practice offers you a unique, multidisciplinary and practice-based learning experience.
Our graduates work across government, industry and community settings in development, social services, health, planning and elsewhere, to contribute to collaborative social change.
Program highlights
- Benefit from a program taught and supervised by scholars engaged in the field through research and practice.
- Become part of a multicultural study environment and connect to an international cohort who contribute rich and diverse experiences.
- Develop a strong multidisciplinary foundation and complete core courses including community development, planning, sociology, international relations and politics.
- Join a program that welcomes applicants from various academic, professional and cultural backgrounds who are eager to rethink and redefine development practice.
How you'll learn
Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Overseas study
- Research experience
- Seminars
What you'll study
At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study in this program:
- Foundations of Sustainable Development
- The Global Metropolis
- Community Development: Local and International Practices
- Applied Anthropology and Indigenous Territories
Career possibilities
Postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Social justice advocate
- Multicultural liaison officer
- Social inclusion officer
- Indigenous community adviser
- Community planning and policy adviser
- International aid worker
- Outreach services officer
- Sustainability researcher
- Community development manager
Studying Development at UQ allows me to contribute to the creation of positive impact in the global community.
The best part of the MDP program...had to be the opportunity to meet and mingle with students from all over the world. It was so enlightening to study with a cohort that is not only engaged with the curriculum, but cared and supported fellow students.
I am currently studying...the Master of Development Practice with a specialisation in International Political Development. I have learnt more than expected from the diverse range of courses and the multicultural diversity of students that enrich them too.
Development problems are not isolated issues. Rather, the challenges of development are universal and it has drawn the attention and concern of people from different backgrounds, people who are interested and passionate about making contributions to address the problems of development.
I’m currently living in Beijing and work for a small international charity. I manage our development bank programs in low and middle income countries - something I could never have done without the MDP!
Studying Development at UQ allows me to contribute to the creation of positive impact in the global community.
The best part of the MDP program...had to be the opportunity to meet and mingle with students from all over the world. It was so enlightening to study with a cohort that is not only engaged with the curriculum, but cared and supported fellow students.
I am currently studying...the Master of Development Practice with a specialisation in International Political Development. I have learnt more than expected from the diverse range of courses and the multicultural diversity of students that enrich them too.
Development problems are not isolated issues. Rather, the challenges of development are universal and it has drawn the attention and concern of people from different backgrounds, people who are interested and passionate about making contributions to address the problems of development.
I’m currently living in Beijing and work for a small international charity. I manage our development bank programs in low and middle income countries - something I could never have done without the MDP!
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Entry requirements
Entry requirements
It's possible to complete this degree in 2 years or 1.5 years depending on your qualifications and experience.
You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements. You may also be eligible to apply for credit or exemptions to shorten your degree further. You'll graduate with the same qualification no matter how long you take to complete the degree.
2-year degree (32 units of study)
To be eligible to complete the degree in 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent)full-time (only available as full-time study), you'll need:
- a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline.
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 5.0 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.
1.5-year degree (24 units of study)
If you have relevant prior learning or experience, you can reduce the number of courses you need to complete and graduate in less time.
To be eligible to complete the degree in 1.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent)full-time (only available as full-time study), you'll need:
- a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (see below), or
- a graduate certificate* (or equivalent) in development practice, or
- a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline, plus 2 years full-time equivalent, relevant work experience in a paid or substantial volunteer capacity, evidenced through the submission of a portfolio that demonstrates the contribution made to the organisation or relevant community of interest (see below), or
- the UQx Leadership in Global Development MicroMasters® credential program certificate plus 3 years full-time equivalent, relevant work experience (see below)
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 5.0 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.
*Please note if a graduate certificate is used as the basis of entry into the program and you do not have a degree in a relevant discipline, you will not be eligible for credit towards the Masters program.
Relevant disciplines for previous qualifications
Relevant disciplines include anthropology, sociology, social science, development studies, community development, political science, human geography, philosophy, communication, social work, human services, planning, various streams of environmental studies and/or management, urban studies, and international studies.
You must have completed at least a major, field of study, or approximately 30% of program content including a mix of introductory and advanced courses.
Relevant work experience
Relevant work experience includes work:
- in the planning, management and implementation of international or community development initiatives, including work for international aid agencies, non-governmental organisations, government agencies, social movements, and the international business community
- may include research, outreach capacities and service delivery and the portfolio should demonstrate basic computer literacy, research and writing skills, and ability to work collaboratively.
Evidence of relevant work experience should include a letter from your employer (and/or previous employers) stating the following:
- That you work (or worked) for or with the specified organisation
- The length of time that you were there (i.e. 3 years)
- Type of employment (full-time, part-time*, casual* or contract*)
*if part-time, casual or contract, please list the average amount of hours worked per week or length of contract.
Related programs
Depending on your previous qualifications and current goals, you might want to consider
one of these related programs:
English language requirements
IELTS overall 6.5; reading 6; writing 6; speaking 6; listening 6. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ
TOEFL IBT - Overall 87, listening 19, reading 19, writing 21 and speaking 19.
TOEFL PB - Overall 570, listening 54, reading 54, writing 59/5.
Pearsons - Overall Score of 64 and 60 in all sub bands.
BE - A minimum overall grade of 4 plus a minimum grade of C in all macro skills.
CES - Overall 176 and 169 in all sub bands.
OET is not accepted.
There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.
Student visas
International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Master of Development Practice are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).
There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the genuine temporary entrant (GTE) requirement.
Fees and Scholarships
Indicative annual fee
Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your selected courses and study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
$26,700
2023
$26,700
2023
Approximate yearly cost of full-time tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your selected courses and study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
AUD $33,264
2023
AUD $33,264
2023
Government assistance
Financial aid
As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.
FEE-HELP
Domestic students who are accepted into the Master of Development Practice pay tuition fees.
FEE-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their tuition fees.
Centrelink support
The Australian Government offers a number of income-support payments to eligible Australian university students.
Scholarships
You may be eligible for more than 100 scholarships, including:
How to apply
Applying online
All international applications should be submitted to UQ. If you prefer, you can use an approved UQ agent in your country.
The program code for the Master of Development Practice is 5594.
This program is available in multiple durations. You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements.
When you apply, select your preferred duration. If you don't meet the requirements for your first preference, we'll automatically consider you for entry into a longer duration.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Applying online
All domestic applications should be submitted to UQ.
The program code for the Master of Development Practice is 5594.
This program is available in multiple durations. You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements.
When you apply, select your preferred duration. You can also ask us to consider you for a longer duration if you don't meet the entry requirements for your first preference.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in semester 2 - May 31 of the year of commencement.
- To commence study in semester 1 - November 30 of the previous year.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in Semester 1 - January 31 of the year of commencement.
- To commence study in Semester 2 - June 30 of the year of commencement.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants
For support with applying - or if you have any questions about Uni - get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.
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