Global development
Leading-edge solutions for global challenges
The UNSW School of Social Sciences has a unique interdisciplinary approach to investigating and providing solutions for the dynamic issues facing our world today. Global Development studies is essential for providing answers to the world’s most complicated questions in a time when urbanisation is accelerating, environmental health is declining, disparities are widening and communications and technologies never stand still.
Study opportunities with real-world impact
Our students investigate some of the most critical issues in the world today. These involve development, poverty, inequality and environmental sustainability. You’ll learn the conceptual and analytical tools required to understand and negotiate the complexity of global development so that you can add to the conversation in a meaningful way.
Gain the practical skills that matter
The study of global development offers a convergence of subject areas, which opens the door to a broad scope of career pathways. You can become an advocate, activist or a practitioner of change.
The UNSW School of Social Sciences offers three global development in practice courses where you’ll develop the skills, learn the vocabulary and acquire the dispositions to become an effective and ethical development practitioner. To prepare you for a career dedicated to changing the world for the better, we also provide internship opportunities with key organisations.
Learn from academics at the grassroots
Our team of academics are at the front line of development practice, from local community development to international organisations. We bring real-world experience and expertise to your educational progression.
In addition to the extensive advocacy work undertaken by the Centre for Refugee Research, members of our staff work with community-based organisations, NGOs, think tanks and a range of civil society-based organisations. We also support a range of civil society bodies, including the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) and CARE Australia.
Graduate into a world of diverse opportunities
Graduating in global development at UNSW opens the door to a multitude of career options and equips you with the skillset to perform in a wide variety of roles. Our graduates are in a strong position to pursue career paths with government and non-government organisation such as:
- DFAT
- Australian Council for International Development
- Coffey International Development
- GRM International
- Oxfam
- United Nations
- World Bank
- Amnesty International
- CARE Australia.
Study
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We offer an undergraduate minor and major in global development. You’ll gain an appreciation of development theories, policies and practices, contemporary issues, local innovations and global responses. You'll also learn how to become a critical scholar and a reflective practitioner of development.
Studying global development as a major
Choose global development as your major specialisation and forge a career that's driven by social impact and purpose.
Studying global development as a minor or GenEd program
Choose global development as your minor specialisation or as a general education program to complement the more specific learning undertaken in your chosen field of study. The following courses can be taken as GenEd courses as part of a degree outside UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture, or as a minor within the faculty.
Development in Practice: Concepts and Practices for Inclusive Development (ARTS2755)
Learn strategies to stay up to date with the ever-shifting terrain of development practice, and develop the sensibilities to work effectively with a range of development partners.Development in Practice: Research for Social Change (ARTS275)
Learn how to conduct research for positive change in the often-challenging development terrain by working in interdisciplinary research teams to solve complex problems.Development in Practice: Project Design (ARTS3755)
Experience problem-based learning where you work as a multi-disciplinary team to arrive at innovative solutions to a major development challenge.Indicative courses in development studies include:
Level 1:
Level 2:
- ARTS2751 International Development
- ARTS2752 Local Politics of Development
- ARTS2755 Development in Practice: Humanitarian Action
- ARTS2754 Development in Practice: Research for Social Change
- ARTS2240 Environment, Sustainability and Development
Level 3:
- ARTS3751 Development Studies: Research, Practice and Ethics
- ARTS3750 Development, Community and Environment
- ARTS3755 Development in Practice: Project Design
- ARTS3756: Current Debates in Development Studies
Degree options
We offer the below undergraduate courses with a specialisation in Global development:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce International
- Bachelor of Social Sciences
- Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) / Arts
- Bachelor of Arts / Education (Secondary)
- Bachelor of Arts / Law
- Bachelor of Commerce / Arts
- Bachelor of Economics / Arts
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) / Arts
- Bachelor of Environmental Management / Arts
- Bachelor of Media / Arts
- Bachelor of Media / Social Sciences
- Bachelor of Medical Studies / Doctor of Medicine / Arts
- Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics) (Honours) / Arts
- Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Social Sciences
- Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) / Arts
- Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) / Social Sciences
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In your final year of some of our undergraduate degrees, you’ll be able to deepen your knowledge through a self-directed research project. You’ll graduate with strong research skills developed through the completion of a thesis that will set you apart as you kick-start your career. Honours is part of the following degrees:
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The Master of Development Studies is a flexible and interactive program aiming to provide specialised insights and skills concerning development challenges and processes at the local, national and international level. This UNSW degree is underpinned by an understanding of human rights, social justice, community development, political economy and participatory approaches.
Upon graduation, you’ll be equipped with substantial knowledge and a range of skills related to the politics, policy, planning, delivery and management of programs relevant to the following international, social and community development, humanitarian ‘aid’ work and human rights.
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Development studies is available to students interested in a Masters by Research (MRes) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). We welcome opportunities to work with engaged and critical thinkers.