Master in International Development

University College Dublin (UCD) is Ireland’s largest and most globally engaged university, founded in 1854 and situated on a spacious campus south of Dublin. Renowned for its research-intensive culture, UCD hosts more than 35,000 students from over 150 countries and offers a broad spectrum of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across arts, sciences, business, engineering, medicine and more. Its scale and international outlook make it an appealing destination for students seeking a research-led education in an energetic European capital region.

UCD’s academic strengths span traditional disciplines and cutting-edge fields, with robust research funding and industry partnerships that support innovation and practical learning. Students benefit from state-of-the-art laboratories, comprehensive libraries, student support services and a wide network of international exchanges. The university also emphasizes employability through career services, internships and active alumni engagement that help graduates transition into global careers.

Campus life at UCD balances academic intensity with extracurricular engagement, including sports, cultural societies and community involvement. Accommodation, transport and welfare services are geared to support international students arriving to Dublin. Prospective applicants should review program-specific entry requirements and available scholarships, consider English language criteria, and use the university’s international office resources to plan applications and arrival logistics.

The Master in International Development at University College Dublin is a 1-year program that provides an interdisciplinary understanding of the process of development. This Master's degree is suitable for students who want to work in areas like public administration, journalism, or civil society organizations.

The curriculum includes core modules such as Governance, Politics, and Development, as well as option modules like Gender, Harm, and Justice, and International Political Economy. Students will also have the opportunity to submit a thesis or pursue an internship.

Graduates of this program can pursue careers in public administration, journalism, media, or civil society organizations. They can also work with agencies of the European Union and the United Nations, or in academic institutions.