International Development (Online Learning) MSc

Recognising the need for flexibility, our online programmes are an excellent way for those with professional or family commitments to gain a further qualification with minimum interruption, or to introduce students to a virtual learning environment.

Our award-winning online learning technology is fully interactive, enabling you to communicate with our highly qualified teaching staff from the comfort of your own home or workplace.

You will learn through a mix of online methods, including:

• video lectures
• study guides
• self-directed and guided reading
• a range of interactive online reflection and discussion activities

Our online students not only have access to Edinburgh’s excellent resources, but also become part of a vibrant and supportive online community, bringing together students and tutors from around the world.

Studying online at Edinburgh

Find out more about the benefits and practicalities of studying for an online degree:

• Postgraduate online learning

The MSc International Development is a part-time online learning programme which can be completed over two or three years.

All courses are taught through a combination of:

• independent study
• online group activities

These teaching methods will allow you to continue your life and career uninterrupted while completing university study.

Core courses

There are four core courses:

• Politics and Theories of International Development
• Analysing Development
• Global Development Challenges
• Researching International Development

The first three core courses will equip you with a solid grasp of the key theories, issues, and actors of International Development, providing an optimum balance between policy and academic approaches.

Optional courses

You will then further your interests in specific areas of international development. Optional courses may depend on availability, but can be chosen from across the University, drawing on the expertise of a wide range of faculty members in other Schools.

Courses may focus on issues such as:

• migration and displacement
• global health
• monitoring and project design
• the environment
• key tools and methods for applied development
• dynamics of development in Africa

Research training

Research training is provided via the core course: Researching International Development

This course introduces you to essential research skills while preparing you for your dissertation, whether it's research-focused or an applied project.

Dissertation

In your final year, you will complete a standard research dissertation or a placement-based project. This will be under the supervision of an academic member of staff.

Placement-based dissertation

The placement-based dissertation option aims to offer you the opportunity to work on your dissertation within the context of a workplace of your choosing, subject to Programme Director and Placement Adviser approval.

The placement will generally consist of eight weeks of research with a host organisation in the UK or overseas, from our network of contacts which includes:

• NGOs and charities
• social enterprises
• think-tanks
• government bodies

Your placement can be completed either in-person, remotely, or in a hybrid format. You will have the option to arrange your own placement, subject to university approval.

Please note that a placement-based dissertation is not guaranteed as part of this programme and will be assigned based on competitive applications during Semester 1.

Find out more about the placement-based dissertation option:

• SPS placement-based dissertation

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

With a solid background in international development study and practice, our graduates pursue current and future careers in a range of institutions including:

• United Nations agencies
• charities
• non-governmental organisations
• government ministries
• private sector
• research institutions (including further study)
• journalism

Whether you plan to work or continue working with communities, charities, businesses, policy-makers, or researchers, the MSc in International Development is your stepping stone to a critically engaged and research-informed career.

Past students of our online programmes have gone on to secure competitive jobs all over the world in areas such as:

• government and diplomacy
• top international organisations and NGOs
• policy-making
• research (including PhD programmes)
• the private sector

The programme combines a strong core curriculum with the flexibility to develop your individual interests towards specialist expertise. With its combination of practitioners’ and researchers’ courses, including a research dissertation, it is perfectly suited to both policy/practice- and research-oriented students.

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent.

Entrance to this programme is strongly competitive. You can increase your chances of a successful application by exceeding the minimum programme requirements. Please review the important points to note on the programme website:

• [Important points to note when applying for this programme] (https://www.sps.ed.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught-programmes/international-development-online-learning)

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

• borrowing money
  • taking out a loan
  • family support
• personal savings
• income from work
• employer sponsorship
• scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Featured funding

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program scholarships Scholarships are available for the MSc Africa and International Development programme. The postgraduate study scholarships for the 2025/26 academic year will accept applications from 1st October 2024 at 10:00 AM until 8th November 2024 at 5:00 PM (UK Time). Applicants must be residents and citizens or hold refugee status in a Sub-Saharan African country.

Visit the Mastercard Foundation website to find out more information and to how to apply:

• Mastercard Foundation website

If the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is the only scholarship you are interested in applying for at the University of Edinburgh, please apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program scholarship only. If you receive a scholarship offer from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, you can then apply for the academic programme.

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your residency status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding