Applied International Development

Entry requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall with no element less than 5.5 (or equivalent)

Normally a good undergraduate honours degree (ideally 2:2 or above), or equivalent from a university outside the UK. Applicants who have relevant career experience are also encouraged to apply.

Evidence of prior experience in the sector may also be taken into consideration for all international development degrees.

Students may join immediately after their undergraduate degree, or after some years of employment to enhance their career prospects by acquiring further skills.

For a list of requirements by country, please visit our Country-Specific Information page.

Your personal statement

In your personal statement, you will need to demonstrate why you are interested in international development. You may reflect on paid or unpaid experience in the field to help support your personal statement.

The personal statement needs to demonstrate that you understand what the course is about, your motivation for studying, and what you would like to get out of your studies.

Language requirements

Applicants may need to provide evidence of their ability to study in English (if required by UK Visa and Immigration). Our online list of English language tests and qualifications is routinely updated, so please check to see if you already have an acceptable qualification or test, and for the most recent changes to language requirements.

If you have any questions about your evidence of English language proficiency, please email pgadmissions@reading.ac.uk.

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score, you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

• Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Months of entry

September

Course content

Study the theory and practice of international and community development with our MSc Applied International Development master’s degree.

This programme will develop your understanding of the theoretical frameworks needed for analysis of social change brought about by planned development interventions.

Choose MSc Applied International Development at the University of Reading

You will:

• join the highest ranking UK university, and one of the top 20 universities in the world, for Agriculture and Forestry (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2023). We are the only UK university ranked in the top 50.
• develop an interdisciplinary understanding of the complex factors that influence effective planned interventions for positive development outcomes – a requirement for working within the international development sector.
• explore development issues at international and community levels.
• apply the analysis of development through policy and practise.

Joining this programme means you’ll also be joining The Graduate Institute of International Development, Agriculture and Economics, based in the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, where we are committed to empowering change through our teaching and research. Our academics tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues across their respective fields of expertise, and our mission is to make a difference in the context of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

MSc Applied International Development pathways

This degree is suitable for graduates from any discipline and allows you to design your own programme based on your personal and professional interests.

Study pathways include:

• Agricultural and Social Development
• Social Policy and Sustainable Livelihoods
• Development Policy and Planning
• Social and Economic Development
• Law and Development

Fees and funding