Investigate the challenges that face our rapidly evolving but delicately balanced world
Year of entry: 2023 (September)
Wednesday 7 June 2023
Join us to uncover what postgraduate life at York is all about.
Development is an inherently political process of change that tests human relationships.
By exploring these relationships you’ll see the connections between violent and non-violent conflict, processes of development, and how they relate to the governance of our modern world.
This course combines a strong focus on the major theories of development with empirical analysis of the experiences of particular countries and regions. You’ll examine key conflict and development case studies and apply major theories of international development to deepen your understanding of local, national and global processes of change as part of this dynamic course.
The course has allowed me to follow my interest in development across the world, and given me the theoretical and analytical tools to adapt myself to different situations.Solene, MA Conflict, Governance and Development
Our staff advise governments and international organisations on a wide range of issues, and contribute to news media and current affairs programmes around the world
Enjoy vibrant discussions and debate across core modules that are designed to draw the very most from our department’s in-depth research experience, which spans the Middle East, Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe.
You may be studying alongside students with experience in conflict and development practice from around the world, and you'll learn and benefit from each other’s knowledge and experience.
You will also study four option modules. In previous years, options have covered topics such as:
The options available to you will be confirmed later in the year. For further information, please get in touch.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.
During the Summer Term and vacation you will consolidate your interests in a 12,000-word dissertation on a topic of your choice.
Previous dissertation titles include:
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
As part of a diverse postgraduate community I found that there was a wealth of different experiences and perspectives.Andrew, MA Conflict, Governance and Development
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (1 year) | £9,990 | £22,250 |
| Part-time (2 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. |
£4,995 | £11,125 |
Students on a Student Visa (formerly Tier 4 Visa) are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
For courses which are longer than one year, the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study.
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
You may incur some additional expenses for books, but these costs are optional as most of the texts you'll need are available in the University library. If the resources you need aren't available, you can borrow via inter-library loans and order new books to our library for free.
Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2023/24 throughout the year.
If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
You'll learn through a combination of lectures, seminars and one-to-one supervision. We offer a personal approach to learning with much of our teaching conducted in small groups.
You will be based in the Department of Politics in Derwent College on Campus West. Around half of your teaching will take place in Derwent College; the rest of your contact hours will take place nearby.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
You submit six essays; three are submitted at the beginning of Spring Term and three at the beginning of Summer Term. Essays are usually around 4,000 words long.
Your final dissertation of between 10,000-12,000 words is submitted at end of your final term.
We offer the opportunity to present your dissertation at our research seminar presentation workshops. These are not formally assessed, but they give you the chance to hone your presentation skills and to get verbal feedback from your tutors and peers.
From political research to journalism, marketing and HR, a Masters degree in Conflict, Governance and Development leads to a broad range of career opportunities.
Our students have found work in central or local government, non-governmental organisations, community and voluntary organisations, social enterprise, higher education, accountancy and banking organisations, law firms, media companies and international and global development bodies.
The best thing about studying at York is the learning environment. The classes are such engaging settings for discussing and analysing the debates being had between academics in the field, and the courses are very well organised, with comprehensive reading lists and carefully structured module content.Peter, MA Conflict, Governance and Development
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | 2:1 or equivalent. We are willing to consider applicants with lower qualifications, particularly if you have high marks in relevant modules and/or appropriate professional experience. Additional information may be requested. |
| International pre-masters programme | Pre-masters from our International Pathway College |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
You will need to submit an example of written work with your application. Please see our guidance on submitting written work.
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component |
| C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency | 176, minimum 169 in each component |
| Duolingo | 120, minimum 105 in all other components |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert International ESOL | B2 Communicator: Pass with 33/50 in each component |
| PTE Academic/PTE Academic Online | 61, minimum 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87, minimum 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all requirements |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
We offer a range of campus accommodation to suit you and your budget, from economy to premium.
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