Global Development MSc
Our Masters in Global Development explores the challenges people, states and corporations face in addressing demands for growth, citizenship and wellbeing in the Global South. You will engage with existing and emerging solutions to meet these demands, and the range of actors and policies striving to deliver better development outcomes. Drawing on the University of Glasgow’s strengths in global development studies, international relations, politics, economic & social history, sociology and social policy, you will understand the deeply embedded challenges of addressing inequalities in Global South settings and what failing to address them means, for everyone.
- Academic contact:
- Teaching start: September
- Glasgow: Gilmorehill campus
- MSc: 12 months full-time; 24 months part‑time
Why this programme
- This programme offers cutting-edge perspectives on development at a time when aid and multilateralism are under strain, and where the work of development is being distributed across a wider range of public, private and third sector organisations.
- You will gain vital skills for working in this new era of development policy. Innovative teaching will show how development operates beyond aid, builds necessary advocacy & diplomacy skills, and explores the uses of AI & Big Data.
- Our courses have been designed around employability and address key skills gaps identified by partners working in the development sector. You will benefit from exposure to a range of current and emerging development challenges and case studies with solutions analysed from diverse perspectives.
- Opportunities to learn outside the classroom are available through our connections with development practitioners in both the UK and overseas, including the global development teams of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office situated in nearby East Kilbride.
- The city of Glasgow is renowned for its focus on sustainable development and the legacy as host of COP26 in 2021. Glasgow has a thriving third sector and a rich history of grassroots movements and community organising.
- You will have opportunities to build an international network in an inclusive learning environment as you work with students and staff across programmes, including at our annual student-led conference.
- International Relations at Glasgow is ranked 5th in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2026.
Programme structure
You will take three core and three optional courses, enabling you to create a Masters programme that is tailored to your personal aims and objectives.
Courses are delivered across two semesters, followed by an independent research project that provides an opportunity for in-depth critical exploration of your chosen development challenge.
Core courses
- Data for Development
- Contemporary Global Challenges
- Paying for Development: Policy and Politics in a Post-Aid World
Optional courses
- Climate, Energy and International Relations
- Corporate Social Responsibility in the Global Economy
- Globalisation: Challenges from the South
- Development and the Global South: African Experiences since 1945
- Development Policy
- Gender, Race and International Relations
- Global Development and Human Rights
- Health Economics in Developing Countries
- International Relations and Development
- Latin American Development from Independence to the Present
- Skills for Development
- Social Justice Activism in the Information Age
Research project
- Global Challenges Independent Research Project
Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours
to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw
or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.
Career prospects
Early in the programme you will be given advice and support on career pathways and how to achieve them. Careers that Global Development MSc graduates would be well-prepared and suited to do include:
- Civil and diplomatic services
- International organisations such as the United Nations or the European Union
- Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
- Development and rights consultancies
- Media and Journalism
- Communication
- Think-tanks
- Corporate social responsibility initiatives and foundations
- Social enterprises
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Professional development
Our programme is skills and employability oriented, with authentic assessments in all core course. It will bridge theory and practice, drawing on the extensive research impact and connections of course convenors. You will have the opportunity to develop your if network through guest lectures and seminars provided by leading practitioners in global development.
To develop your real-world experience, you can opt to undertake optional training in project management and engage with an industry placement in lieu of a dissertation. The programme engages with real-life case studies and examples, ensuring you are well-prepared to confront real challenges when in your subsequent career.
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Career support from the University of Glasgow
You will have access to our Careers, Employability & Opportunity service. This service offers students the opportunity to network through organised events, help with finding employment, internships and work experience, and career development masterclasses.
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Fees & funding
Tuition fees for 2026-27
MSc
Fees for this programme will be confirmed soon.
Fee status
Deposits
International and EU applicants are required to pay a deposit of £2,000 when an offer is made.
Deposits: terms & conditions
The following guidelines will apply in determining whether a deposit will be refunded. Where the deposit is refunded, a 25% administration fee will be deducted unless otherwise stated.
a: Deposits WILL be refunded to applicants under the following circumstances:
- Where the University is unable to offer you a place on the programme as specified on the offer. A full refund will be issued in this case.
- Death of a close family member (parent/guardian, grandparent, sibling, spouse, child/dependent). Official evidence (signed and stamped) must be provided.
- SERIOUS ill health of the applicant or a close family member (parent/guardian, grandparent, sibling, spouse, child/dependent). Official evidence (signed and stamped) must be provided.
- Applicant does not meet conditions of offer. This may be academic or language test requirements. Satisfactory evidence must be uploaded to the student’s applicant self-service to prove that they have not met the conditions of their offer (note that applicants who do not meet the language condition of their offer must show reasonable attempt to meet this, i.e. they must provide at least two language tests which were taken after the date the deposit was paid).
- Visa / ATAS refusal: we will only consider a refund if the visa / ATAS refusal was based on matters outside of the applicant’s control.
- If a refund request is received within 14 days of the deposit being received a full refund will be issued under the Consumer Protection Regulations.
b: Deposits WILL NOT be refunded to applicants under the following circumstances:
- An applicant decides not to attend the University for any reason not outlined above.
- Personal financial constraints / unsuccessful scholarship application.
- Applicant has decided to defer – in this situation the University will retain the deposit and hold it against the applicant’s account to secure their place for the following year of entry. You may defer twice. After the second deferral standard conditions will apply.
- There is still time to meet the English language test requirement before the final upload date. Please see section a) 4.
- Visa / ATAS was applied for too late. Please see section a) 5.
- Any documents used for admission are proven to be fraudulent. We work in partnership with Qualification Check to check academic qualifications. English language qualifications are verified with the provider.
- The refund request is received more than 30 days after the official course start date as outlined in your offer email.
Timeframe for requesting a refund
Refund requests must be received no later than 30 days after the official course start date as outlined in your offer email. As per section b)7 above the request will be denied.
Receiving a refund
- To comply with Money Laundering Regulations, the University will pay all refunds to the original payer using the source payment details. This is known as a “return to source” payment.
- All appropriate documentation and evidence relating to the original payment must be provided, when requested.
- All payments and refunds are in GBP currency - the University is not responsible for any exchange rate fluctuations or beneficiary bank charges associated with the refund.
- Where University approved payment methods have not been used, this may cause significant delays or prevent payment altogether.
- We will aim to issue the deposit refund within 8 weeks of receipt of information per point 2 above. At peak times this may be longer.
How to request a deposit refund
Please go to our enquiry form and select 'Fees and Deposit' as the enquiry reason and then 'Can I have a deposit refund?'.
Please upload all supporting documentation to your applicant self-service portal before submitting the above request.
Additional fees
- Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
- Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
- Registration/exam only fee: £170
Funding opportunities
GREAT Scholarships 2026
In partnership with the British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign, University of Glasgow is offering 5 scholarships to students in Greece, Spain, Pakistan, Kenya and Bangladesh applying for postgraduate courses in any subject (excluding MBA and MSc Research courses). All eligible courses can be viewed under the 'eligible programmes' tab on this webpage.
The scholarship offers financial support of £10,000 to students pursuing one-year postgraduate study in the UK. This discount cannot be combined with another University scholarship.
The scholarships above are relevant to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database
Entry requirements
2.1 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in social sciences, humanities, law or economics. We may also accept degrees in business.
We may sometimes accept degrees at 2.2 Hons or non-UK equivalent. Work experience may be considered in lieu of formal qualifications.
A personal statement is required for this programme.
English language requirements
For applicants from non-English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)
- 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
- IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Common equivalent English language qualifications accepted for entry to this programme:
TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)
- 90 overall with no subtest less than Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
- Only tests taken before January 2026 can be accepted for entry
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.
Pearsons PTE Academic
- 65 overall with no subtest less than Reading 60; Listening 60; Speaking 65; Writing 60
- Online PTE not accepted for entry
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)
- 176 overall with no subtest less than 169
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Oxford English Test
- 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
LanguageCert Academic/ Academic Online
- 70 overall with no subtest less than 65
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Password Skills Plus
- 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Trinity College Integrated Skills in English II
- Two subtests at 96 or higher, and two subtests at 80 or higher
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Kaplan Test of English
- Any two subtests at 480 or higher, and any two subtests at 450 or higher
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses
Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.
Alternatives to English Language qualification
- Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have studied for a minimum of their final year at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
- Undergraduate 2+2 and 3+1 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have completed their final year of study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.
Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:
- direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS);
- essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University;
- flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.
More information on our Pre-sessional courses.
We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:
- Heriot Watt
- Kingston Upon Thames
- Middlesex University
- Manchester University
- Reading University
- Edinburgh University
- ST Andrews University
- UCL
- Durham
For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form
International students
We are proud of our diverse University community that includes students and staff from more than 140 different countries.
How to apply
To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.
Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.
Documents
As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:
- A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
- A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
- Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
- One reference letter on headed paper
- Evidence of your English language ability (if your first language is not English)
- Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
- A copy of the photo page of your passport
You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.
You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.
For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, see how to apply for a postgraduate taught degree
Guidance notes for using the online application
These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form.
If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application, see Application System Help.
- Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
- Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
- Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
- Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
- Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
- English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
- Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.
Reference: Please provide one reference. This should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. Certain programmes, such as the MBA programme, may also accept an employer reference. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee directly.
Application deadlines
International & EU applicants
Due to demand for degree places on this programme, the University has an application process with application rounds which recognises that different geographical areas complete and submit their applications at different times of the year. This process aims to ensure fairness and equity to applicants from all geographic regions.
Round 1 application dates: 1 October 2025 to 5 November 2025
All International and EU applications submitted within these dates will be reviewed with no priority given to any geographic region. You will receive our decision on your application by 16 January 2026.
Round 2 application dates: 6 November 2025 to 17 December 2025
All International and EU applications submitted within these dates will be reviewed with no priority given to any geographic region. You will receive our decision on your application by 4 March 2026.
Round 3 application dates: 18 December 2025 to 4 February 2026
Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 15 April 2026.
Round 4 application dates: 5 February 2026 to 25 March 2026
Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 6 May 2026.
Round 5 application dates: 26 March 2026 to 13 May 2026
Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 17 June 2026.
Round 6 application dates: 14 May 2026 to 8 July 2026
Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 29 July 2026.
All international applications submitted by 17 December 2025 will be reviewed and processed normally with no priority given to any geographic region. From 18 December 2025, priority will be given to applications from geographic areas which have been unable to submit applications before that point.
As we receive a great number of applications, prospective students are only allowed to apply once per year.
Home applicants
- 21 August 2026
International & EU applicants
Due to demand for degree places on this programme, the University has an application process with application rounds which recognises that different geographical areas complete and submit their applications at different times of the year. This process aims to ensure fairness and equity to applicants from all geographic regions.
Round 1 application dates: 1 October 2025 to 5th November 2025
All International and EU applications submitted within these dates will be reviewed with no priority given to any geographic region. You will receive our decision on your application by 16 January 2026.
Round 2 application dates: 6 November 2025 to 17 December 2025
All International and EU applications submitted within these dates will be reviewed with no priority given to any geographic region. You will receive our decision on your application by 25 February 2026.
Round 3 application dates: 18 December 2025 to 4 February 2026
Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 8 April 2026.
Round 4 application dates: 5 February 2026 to 25 March 2026
Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 6 May 2026.
Round 5 application dates: 26 March 2026 to 13 May 2026
Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 17 June 2026.
Round 6 application dates: 14 May 2026 to 8 July 2026
Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 29 July 2026.
All international applications submitted by 17 December 2025 will be reviewed and processed normally with no priority given to any geographic region. From 18 December 2025, priority will be given to applications from geographic areas which have been unable to submit applications before that point.
As we receive a great number of applications, prospective students are only allowed to apply once per year.
Home applicants
- 21 August 2026
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