MRes International Development (by distance learning) (Part time)

This degree has been designed for researchers working with research institutes or development organisations who wish to reflect more deeply on their applied work, acquire research skills and earn a formal postgraduate qualification in research from a world class university renowned for its research and teaching in international development. The course combines both theory and practice. Students will be provided with the opportunity to explore issues of culture, power and ethics within research as well as gain practical skills in research design, methods and communications.

The course will be delivered through distance learning (ICT-supported). Over two years, students will undertake a series of research modules, which will culminate in the completion of an independent Research Project at the end of the second year. Teaching and learning will be delivered through resource packs, downloadable materials, collaborative learning and one-to-one communication with an allocated supervisor. Assessment will mainly be by written assignments, including a literature review, a research proposal, and a policy analysis. Final assessment will be in the form of a fieldwork-based Independent Research Project.

Who is the Course for?

Applicants for the MRes programme should have a good first degree in either the social sciences or science and have some experience of working on international development issues, preferably with a research institute or development organisation.

Applicants must also have basic computer skills (word processing, e-mail) and regular access to a computer with CD/DVD and the internet.

Progression to PhD

Students performing well on the MRes International Development (by distance learning) will be encouraged to proceed to MPhil/PhD level.

Programme Structure (over two years)

Block 1: September-August (year 1)
Students must take three Compulsory modules:

• Introduction to Social Science Research (20 credits)
• Introduction to Research Methods (20 credits)
• Introduction to Development Fieldwork (20 credits)

Block 2: September-February (year 2)
Students must take the following Compulsory modules:

• Research Project 1: Organisational Context and Policy Analysis (20 credits)
• Research Project 2: Instrument Design and Piloting (20 credits)
• Research Project 3: Final Literature Review and Research Proposal (20 credits)

Block 3: March-September (year 2)
Students must take the following Compulsory module:

• MRes International Development Independent Project (60 credits)

Distance learning support is provided throughout the course.

International Development Research Groups

Research in the School of International Development addresses contemporary challenges in developing and transition economies via disciplinary and multi/interdisciplinary approaches. Please click the weblink to access further information about our International Development Research Groups and our current research projects.

Course Organiser:Dr. Kathleen Fincham

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Entry Requirements Degree Subject: Social Science or Science Degree Classification: 2.1 or equivalent Entry Requirement

Applicants for the MRes programme should have a good first degree in either the social sciences or science and have at least three years experience of working in development practice. It is preferable that they are currently working in development practice.

Students for whom English is a Foreign language

We welcome applications from students whose first language is not English. To ensure such students benefit from postgraduate study, we require evidence of proficiency in English. Our usual entry requirements are as follows:

• IELTS: 6.5 (minimum 6.0 in all components)
• TOEFL: Internet-based score of 92 (minimum 19 listening, 21 speaking, 19 writing and 20 reading)
• PTE (Pearson): 62 (minimum 55 in all components)

Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.

Other tests such as TOEIC and the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English are also accepted by the university. Please check with the Admissions Office for further details including the scores or grades required.

INTO UEA and INTO UEA London run pre-sessional courses which can be taken prior to the start of your course. For further information and to see if you qualify please contact intopre-sessional@uea.ac.uk (INTO UEA Norwich) or pseuealondon@into.uk.com (INTO UEA London).

The School of International Development at the University of East Anglia is a globally renowned department for teaching, research and consultancy on international development. We are committed to making a difference and are involved in advising on policy for major global challenges such as poverty reduction and environmental sustainability. With students from over 40 countries, we are a friendly, thriving and cosmopolitan department.

The School of International Development offers a range of postgraduate taught degree courses. Our objectives are clear, we will:

• offer individual students unrivalled training in their chosen subject area delivered by dedicated and experienced academics and practitioners.
• provide professional skills training desired by employers: we offer practice-based training workshops to develop professional skills such as project design and proposal writing for NGOs, project management, financial management, advocacy work and the use of social media for communication and business purposes. We also offer more specialised professional skills training in areas including humanitarian assistance, Geographical Information Systems and film-making.
• provide students with the option of undertaking a professional internship during their degree between the months of June and August.
• offer a memorable and enjoyable life-changing year, making new friends and contacts from across the world. You may decide to use your enhanced knowledge and continue with further research (PhD), or use your newly developed skills which will be attractive in the employment market.

Why choose to study at the School of International Development at UEA? What makes us distinctive and our degrees so highly valued by students and employers?

• High quality research and impact: The majority of the School’s research was rated as ‘internationally outstanding or high quality’ by the government in the last national research assessment exercise (RAE 2008). The School was placed in the top three departments in the country for research on international development.
• Strong League Table rankings: The School is consistently ranked highly. We are in the top 10 of the Guardian and Times League Tables for Geography and Environmental Sciences; in 2012/13 we were ranked 3rd in the Guardian’s University Guide and 9th in The Times League Table.
• Excellent staff-student ratios: We recruit about 120 postgraduate students each year, with an overall student population of 400. With 40 members of academic staff this means a staff-student ratio of 1:10 with one member of academic staff for every three postgraduate students.
• A supportive and friendly learning environment: Our excellent staff-student ratios and teaching methods mean we offer small class sizes and a close-knit, friendly and personal learning environment; staff can dedicate time to individual students. We come from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds so can design and offer coherent courses and teaching across academic disciplines without having to rely on other departments. All our staff teach, whether they are professors or junior lecturers.
• Excellent career opportunities: our graduates have been successful in entering a broad spectrum of employment including working for organisations such as the World Bank, the United Nations, DfID, JICA, Christian Aid, and Save the Children.Examples of positions from a recent careers analysis survey of our postgraduates reveals the diversity of employment possibilities:
  • NGO management in Japan
  • soil and water conservation in Pakistan
  • construction consultancy in Sri Lanka
  • export management in Norway
  • rural development coordination in Nigeria
  • senior inspector of schools in Kenya
  • development education work in the UK
  • doctoral research within the School, or elsewhere.
• We offer a series of regular seminars on ‘Working in Development’, with guest speakers from development agencies.
• We offer specific support to our international students in their transition to studying in the UK, with additional academic skills training if needed.

The School embraces theoretical innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration and a commitment to our research making a difference. We work with a wide range of partners and clients, including national and international development agencies, governments, NGOs and private clients. Since 2001, we have worked with an estimated 600 different partner organisations and in any year we have 100 or more live projects underway.

You will find that we give high priority to our teaching and we are proud of the learning experience we offer. See some of our students’ own feedback for more insights. If you choose to join us, you will discover exciting opportunities for engaging in development issues, you will meet people from different cultures, explore challenging problems, build your individual and team skills and discover fascinating new career directions.

Dr Steve Russell
Head of the School

Come and Visit Us

Our Open Days will give you the opportunity to experience the University of East Anglia's unique campus atmosphere.

If you are not able to visit us in person, check out our Virtual Open Day experience which we hope will help to provide you with an insight into life and study at the University of East Anglia.

Further Information

If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances with the Admissions Office prior to applying please do contact us:

Admissions Office (Development)
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk

Please click here to download the School of International Development Postgraduate Prospectus or register your details via our Online Enquiry Form.

International candidates are also actively encouraged to access the University's International section of our website.

Fees and Funding

Fees for the academic year 2012/2013 will be:

• UK/EU/International Students: £2,500*

* for each year of the course.

International applicants from outside the EU may need to pay a deposit.

Scholarships and Funding

A variety of Scholarships may be offered to UK students. Please click here for more detailed information about UK/EU Scholarships and Funding.

The University offers around £1 million of Scholarships each year to support International students in their studies. Scholarships are normally awarded to students on the basis of academic merit and are usually for the duration of the period of study. Please click here for further information about funding for International students. International candidates are also actively encouraged to access the University's International section of our website.