Why Study/Key Benefits

The Postgraduate Diploma in International Development is designed to develop advanced knowledge and practical skills for analysing international development issues, collecting relevant data and communicating development issues persuasively. Massey notes that it was the first university in New Zealand to offer postgraduate qualifications in development studies, beginning in 1989. Its academics are active researchers and have experience in development policy and practice across regions including the Pacific, Asia and Africa.

Key benefits include:

• Advanced study of international development theory and practice.
• Development of research, analytical and data-collection skills.
• Training in development programme planning, implementation and evaluation.
• Opportunities to study gender, sustainability, globalisation, migration, conflict and development.
• A practical Development Practicum option involving professional work in an approved development agency.
• Exposure to development issues from economic, social, environmental, cultural and Indigenous perspectives.
• A pathway toward advanced master's-level study and research.
• Distance and online study, making the programme accessible to international students who remain outside New Zealand.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The programme consists of 120 credits:

• 60 credits from the compulsory-course options.
• 60 credits from the subject/elective schedule.

Core courses – choose 60 credits

131701 Rethinking Development – 30 credits

This course critically examines the development of development thought and contemporary international development processes. Topics include:

• Origins and meaning of development.
• Major paradigmatic approaches to development.
• Contemporary approaches to development practice.

131702 Development Management – 30 credits

This is an applied course covering:

• Planning development programmes and projects.
• Programme and project implementation.
• Evaluation.
• Development management.
• Analytical tools linking policy frameworks with operational practice.

Students choose 60 credits from these two core-course options.

Subject courses – choose 60 credits

131703 Gender and Development – 30 credits

Topics include:

• Gender and development planning.
• Social change.
• Empowerment.
• Human rights.
• Masculinities.
• Household and work.
• Education.
• Health.

131704 Sustainable Development – 30 credits

This course examines sustainable development from:

• Economic perspectives.
• Social perspectives.
• Environmental perspectives.
• The 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
• Indigenous understandings of sustainability.
• Sustainable livelihoods.

131706 Globalisation and Development – 30 credits

The course examines globalisation and development through themes including:

• Conflict and post-conflict situations.
• Migration.
• Tourism.

131708 Development Practicum – 30 credits

This is the programme's principal practical-development option. It involves 260 hours of professional work in an approved development agency. Students connect their professional experience with current development theory and practice through reflective study.

Prerequisite/approval: 131701 Rethinking Development or 131702 Development Management, or appraisal required.

230707 Social Science Research Design and Practice – 30 credits

This course covers:

• Social-science research methodology.
• Epistemology.
• Data generation.
• Data analysis.
• Research ethics.
• Critical social-science inquiry in and beyond Aotearoa New Zealand.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The PGDipIntDev does not currently have formally named specialisations or endorsements.

Instead, students develop their focus through the selection of subject courses.

Possible areas of academic focus include:

• Development theory.
• Development management.
• Gender and development.
• Sustainable development.
• Globalisation and development.
• Migration.
• Conflict and post-conflict development.
• Tourism and development.
• Development practice.
• Social-science research.

Programme Highlights

• NZQF Level 8 postgraduate qualification.
• 120 credits.
• One year full-time.
• Part-time study available.
• Available at Manawat? campus and through distance/online study.
• International students can study on campus in New Zealand or online from outside New Zealand.
• Development studies teaching and research at Massey dates back to 1989.
• Academic staff have development policy and practice experience in the Pacific, Asia and Africa.
• Includes both theoretical and applied development study.
• Development Practicum provides 260 hours of professional work in an approved development agency.
• Research-methods study can prepare students for master's-level research.
• Massey states that it is ranked number 1 in New Zealand and among the top 100 globally for Development Studies in the QS World University Rankings.

Career Outcomes

Massey states that graduates can pursue careers across:

• Government organisations.
• Non-government organisations.
• Multilateral organisations.
• Private-sector organisations.
• International development agencies.

Massey gives examples of organisations and sectors including:

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

Potential graduate roles listed by Massey include:

• Adviser in tourism, health, education or agriculture.
• Advocacy officer.
• Community affairs officer.
• Development officer.
• Diplomat.
• Human rights adviser.
• Policy analyst.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

The current programme information confirms:

• The qualification is Level 8 and 120 credits.
• International students can study at Manawat? or online from outside New Zealand.
• The relevant bachelor's-degree route requires a B- average across 300-level courses.
• An alternative route is a bachelor's degree with a B- average plus appropriate relevant field/industry experience.
• A CV is required when relevant experience is being used for admission.
• Official transcripts are required for non-Massey university study.
• Students planning to progress to the Master of International Development should include 230707 Social Science Research Design and Practice.
• The Development Practicum requires 260 hours of professional work in an approved development agency.
• Students may be eligible to graduate with Merit or Distinction if they satisfy the relevant University requirements and complete the qualification to the required standard.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student physically studying at Massey in New Zealand, the relevant visa is generally the New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa.

Current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or an acceptable scholarship.
• Sufficient money for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Meeting health and character requirements.
• A genuine reason for coming to New Zealand.
• Evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.