Why Study / Key Benefits

The Master of International Development is designed for advanced study of how global economic, social, political and environmental forces affect people and shape different regions of the world. The programme focuses on understanding inequalities and developing strategies to address poverty and improve human wellbeing.

Key benefits include:

• Advanced knowledge of international development theories, policies and approaches.
• Development of skills for designing, managing and evaluating international development programmes and policies.
• Training in independent research, data collection, analysis and persuasive academic writing.
• Development of social-science research skills and ethical research practice.
• Exposure to contemporary development issues including gender, sustainability, globalisation, migration, conflict and tourism.
• Opportunity to undertake a 30-credit Development Practicum involving 260 hours of professional work in an approved development agency.
• Option to complete either a 60-credit research report or a 120-credit thesis, depending on the pathway.
• Teaching from academics who are active researchers and have experience in development policy and practice in different international contexts.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The MIntDev is a parts-based qualification. Students complete Part One before progressing to Part Two.

Part One – 120 credits

Students complete:

• 90 credits of compulsory courses
• 30 credits selected from the subject-course schedule.

Compulsory courses – 90 credits

131701 Rethinking Development – 30 credits

Topics include:

• Origins and meaning of development
• Development thought
• Paradigmatic approaches to development
• Contemporary international development processes
• Contemporary approaches to development practice.

131702 Development Management – 30 credits

This course focuses on:

• Planning development programmes and projects
• Implementation
• Programme and project evaluation
• Management approaches
• Analytical tools linking policy frameworks with operational practice.

Subject courses – choose 30 credits

131703 Gender and Development – 30 credits

Topics include:

• Gender difference
• Development planning
• Social change
• Empowerment
• Human rights
• Masculinities
• Household
• Work
• Education
• Health.

131704 Sustainable Development – 30 credits

Topics include:

• Economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainability
• The 17 Sustainable Development Goals
• Indigenous understandings of sustainability
• Sustainable livelihoods.

131706 Globalisation and Development – 30 credits

The course examines:

• Conflict and post-conflict contexts
• Migration
• Tourism
• Globalisation and development relationships.

Part Two – Coursework Pathway

131897 Research Report International Development – 60 credits

Students complete a supervised scholarly research report in International Development.

Progression from Part One to Part Two of the coursework pathway requires a minimum B average in Part One.

Part Two – Research Pathway

The research pathway requires a 120-credit thesis:

• 131816 Thesis 120 Credit Part 1 – 60 credits
• 131817 Thesis 120 Credit Part 2 – 60 credits.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The Master of International Development is awarded without a formal specialisation.

Students can nevertheless build an academic focus through their elective choice and research topic, including:

• Gender and development
• Sustainable development
• Globalisation and development
• Development management
• Development policy
• International development research
• Development practice
• Human rights
• Migration
• Conflict and post-conflict development
• Tourism and development
• Sustainable livelihoods.

Programme Highlights

• NZQF Level 9 master's qualification.
• 180-credit coursework pathway.
• 240-credit research pathway.
• Standard full-time duration of approximately 1.5 years for the 180-credit pathway.
• Manawat? campus option in Palmerston North.
• Distance and online option.
• International students can study on campus in New Zealand or online from outside New Zealand.
• Strong focus on international development theory, policy and practice.
• Dedicated development-management study.
• Advanced social-science research training.
• Option for a 260-hour professional Development Practicum.
• Research Report or extended Thesis pathway.
• No formal specialisation.
• Opportunity to study issues such as gender, sustainability, globalisation, migration and conflict.
• Massey reports a QS ranking of number 1 in New Zealand and among the top 100 globally for Development Studies.

Career Outcomes

Massey states that graduates work across government, NGOs, multilateral organisations and the private sector. Examples of organisations associated with graduate career contexts include:

• Red Cross
• World Vision
• New Zealand Aid Programme
• United Nations Development Programme
• Caritas.

Career areas identified by Massey include:

• Development adviser in tourism, health, education or agriculture
• Advocacy officer
• Community affairs officer
• Monitoring and evaluation officer
• Foreign diplomat
• Human rights adviser
• Policy analyst.

The programme can also support careers involving:

• International development programmes
• Humanitarian assistance
• Sustainable development
• Peacebuilding and conflict-related work
• Development policy
• Programme management
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Research and analysis.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current 2026 qualification regulations confirm:

• The MIntDev is awarded without a specialisation.
• The qualification requires at least 180 credits under the standard regulations.
• The research pathway extends to 240 credits.
• Applicants with a relevant Postgraduate Diploma may apply for credit towards Part One.
• Applicants may seek exemption from Development Research Design where they have an appropriate equivalent research-methods qualification or extensive research experience, subject to approval and completion of an alternative 700-level course.

International Student Visa Requirements

The visa requirement depends on whether the international student studies online from outside New Zealand or relocates to New Zealand.

For an international student completing the MIntDev entirely online from outside New Zealand, a New Zealand student visa is generally not required because the student is not entering New Zealand to study.

For a student studying on campus in New Zealand, the relevant visa is generally the Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently requires applicants to:

• Have an offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Have sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or an acceptable scholarship.
• Have sufficient funds for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Meet health requirements.
• Meet character requirements.
• Demonstrate a genuine reason for studying in New Zealand.
• Have acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Demonstrate that they can leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.