Course Highlights

(MSc) International Development Practice is a 1-year full-time Specialization Master level course, and here are the top reasons to opt for this course.

• International Development seeks to enable a global reduction in poverty and improvement in human health and wellbeing.
• Students will explore the theoretical, practical aspects of international development in a versatile manner.
• Experts teach essential skills to the students for utilizing those learnings in multidisciplinary paradigms.
• This course covers key topics in development studies, providing a broad-based overview of the field.
• It comprises an interdisciplinary character that helps students develop a more rounded understanding of international development questions and concepts.
• The ability to work across subject boundaries is a new-age essential skill. 
• Graduate School Master's degree will help you develop a more rounded, interdisciplinary understanding of your subject.
• The Applied components of this course provide a bridge between the theory of development studies and the real-world challenges faced by development practitioners. 
• Students will also learn skills commonly needed in international development work, which would enhance their understanding of the nature of development careers.
• Particular attention is paid to data methods where students analyze quantitative and qualitative data to assess development interventions and become confident in critically assessing the evaluation plan of a development initiative.
• This is an integrated training programme that connects academic learning with the development of personal and professional competencies, enhancing the career graph of the students.
• The MSc International Development Practice welcomes applicants from a range of disciplinary backgrounds, including (but not limited to): anthropology, economics, geography, international relations, management, politics, public health, sustainability.

Course Eligibility

Key Eligibility Requirements: MSc International Development Practice

• Class 12: NA
• Bachelors: Applicants must have a minimum 2:1 honours degree or an approved qualification with a minimum average score of 60% in academics.
• Usually, qualifying students have an average score of 60% to 80%.
• The criteria for selecting the students is the sole discretion of the university as per their guidelines.
• Applicants with relevant work experience and good academic potential are also encouraged to apply for the MSc International Development Practice programme.
• Applications are also welcome from suitably qualified applicants with degrees in applied fields - such as medicine, engineering, or education - who are interested in developing a career in international development.
• Exams: English Language requirements - NA

Note: The University shall advise if proficiency proof is required when an offer is made.

Course Fees

Course Fees: MSc International Development Practice

Note: 

• The above values are approximate and are subject to change.

• The hostel charges may vary depending on the choice of accommodation opted by the student.

• The above mentioned fees and expenses are for 1st Year of the course duration.

Career Prospects

• The University of St Andrews global reputation makes its graduates highly valued by employers. 
• The (MSc)International Development Practice is aimed at students intending to follow a career in international development where one develops skills commonly needed in the international development practice department.
• Students will also develop and demonstrate essential skills alongside broadening their subject knowledge in the respective area of their research.
• Those skills may include critical thinking, problem-solving, decision making, interpersonal communication, teamwork, personal leadership, and project management.
• The 'Professional Skills Curriculum' at the University of St Andrews comprises evening lectures, workshops, and online presentations to help the students develop their personal and professional capabilities alongside gaining skills required to excel in professional life.
• The 'Careers Centre' at the University of St Andrews also offers one-to-one advice to all students and a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills. 
• After the MSc, students can opt for a Research degree as St Andrews offers a vibrant and stimulating research environment that will enable them to access their expertise beyond their formal supervisors along with the ability to conduct interdisciplinary research.

Key Learnings

• The (MSc) International Development Practice programme allows the students to explore the theory of international development work and applied skills commonly needed for international development careers.
• Students will learn how to describe and perform tasks undertaken by development practitioners.
• Hands-on practical classes on budgeting and fundraising are also included in the course curriculum.
• Students learn valuable skills to explain development concepts to different audiences and translate academic thinking on development into recommendations for policymakers and practitioners.
• The MSc also considers different types of international development roles. Students will assess their competencies in these roles and will learn about some of the personal challenges arising from development careers along with the solutions to overcome them with ease.
• The MSc includes an integrated programme of skills workshops that connect academic learning with personal and professional competencies. 
• Workshops bring together students from other Graduate School for Interdisciplinary Studies Masters degrees, helping them make new interdisciplinary connections.

Study Benefits

• The University of St Andrews is the top University in Scotland and 2nd only to Oxford in the UK, according to The Guardian University Guide 2021. (Source: The Guardian University Guide 2021- 1st in Scotland, 2nd in the UK)
• According to the QS University World Rankings 2021, St Andrews is one of the world's top 100 universities. ( Sources – QS University world Ranking 2021)
• The MSc in International Development Practice is distinguished by its interdisciplinary character and an emphasis on applied skills that are valuable for a career in international development.
• The Graduate School for Interdisciplinary Studies was established in 2017 to foster interdisciplinary postgraduate education and scholarship.
• The Graduate School's Masters degrees are distinguished by emphasizing the development and application of practical skills. 
• It's a place where you can make social and intellectual connections across subject boundaries with students from close networks from different Master's degree groups.
• From cutting-edge facilities to flexible assessment methods, the University aims to ensure that all students get from St Andrews education facilities as much as possible.

Core Modules

Three Compulsory Taught Modules

Semester 1

• International Development Studies introduces the students with the different academic disciplines along with international development and critical development interventions from multiple disciplinary perspectives.

• Introductory Data Analysis: Provides training in essential statistical concepts and data analysis methods for academic and professional contexts.

Semester 2

• Working in International Development: Acts as a bridge between the theory of development studies and the real-world challenges development practitioners face.

• Students learn about applied skills commonly needed in international development work and career development .

PROJECT

• The final part of the MSc is the end of the degree project. This takes the form of a period of supervised research where student explore an international development topic in depth.

• Through the project, students show their ability to understand about the sustained critical analysis alongside developing and improvising their research skills which is required for producing an extended piece of written work that demonstrates a high level of understanding about that field of study.

You can choose to present your end of degree project in one of the following ways:

• Policy report that emphasizes your ability to critically assess development policy and make convincing recommendations for policy changes

• Multi-media portfolio that emphasizes your ability to present development concepts in exciting and engaging ways.

Optional Modules

• Optional modules allow the students to explore topics such as environmental change, population change, and gender that shape development needs and responses and further develop the course curriculum's interdisciplinary character.
• In addition, it allows the students to broaden their learning in critical topics relevant to the MSc. The available optional modules will be confirmed before the MSc start date. 
• Optional modules are subject to change each year and are subject to availability.

Scholarships

Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship 

• Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation provides scholarships to young Indians with exceptional talent, studying at a world-class international institution, i.e. the University of St Andrews, for a full-time Masters programme. 
• The Scholarships are awarded for research, training or professional improvement and other support like internships, travel grants or small grants. 
• The Inlaks Foundation has been awarding scholarships to young Indians since 1976 and, to date, has awarded over 440 scholarships.

Chevening Scholarships 

• Chevening Scholarships are the UK government's global scholarship programme funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organizations. 
• The scholarships are awarded to outstanding scholars with leadership potential. 
• This is for a 1-Year Masters's Program, and you must hold an offer from the University of St Andrews to apply for this Scholarship.

Music Centre Scholarships 

•  Music Centre Scholarships are for students who have been accepted at the University and can demonstrate musical merit according to the university guidelines.

Saints Sports Scholarships

• The funding may be available to those students who show exceptional abilities and potential in sports while studying at St Andrews.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme (CSSS) 

• The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are a joint initiative between the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and UK universities to support scholarships for students from least developed and lower-middle-income Commonwealth countries who would not otherwise study in the UK.