International Development and Planning

Entry requirements

• Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Humanities).
• Every applicant must normally have at least a bachelor’s degree requiring three years of full-time study. Normally an average minimum grade of B+ is required for entry to the programme.
• In exceptional circumstances an applicant who is not a graduate may be considered on the basis of alternative qualifications or satisfactory training and experience. Such preparation must be equivalent to a degree, and the applicant must provide evidence of ability to undertake advanced-level academic study. The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) may require such an applicant to pass one or more prescribed papers either before admission to or concurrently with the programme.
• In considering an applicant’s qualifications, regard will be given to the detail of the course of study followed to gain the qualifications, as well as the applicant’s performance in the programmes.

Months of entry

February, July

Course content

The Master of International Development and Planning is a 12 month (full time) course work Master’s degree, that includes a research dissertation. The degree combines an enhanced understanding of development issues and needs, with the professional skills and competencies that professional planning education provides.

Understanding environmental issues and how people are affected by these in a developmental context is another key objective of the programme. We place a strong emphasis on people-environment relationships in such areas as urban development, water availability and quality, health, food security, hazards and pollution.

The School of Geography has regional strengths and expertise in Africa, the Pacific, Australasia, China, South and Southeast Asia. The School also has specialist expertise on the physical environment, including coastal hazards, sea level rise, climate change, groundwater, water quality and provision, thus enabling students to benefit from integrating expertise related to both the social and physical environment, together with a professional approach to development and planning. Employment opportunities abound in the development and planning arena and this degree is a pathway to these opportunities around the globe.

Information for international students

Otago offers students an unrivalled campus experience and a vibrant, social student culture. The majority of Otago’s 21,000 students live, work and play in Dunedin - New Zealand’s only true university city. Otago is home to over 3,000 students, from over 100 countries.

Fees and funding

New Zealand is a relatively affordable country to live in. Dunedin, being a student-focused city, has living and entertainment options for all budgets.

Students are eligible for the Otago International Excellence Scholarship.