Development studies
What is Development Studies?
Development Studies provides an insight into an important source of social change in the modern world. It examines the relationship between rich and poor societies and the impacts on social, economic, and political processes and structures that emerge as a result of uneven change. Development Studies at the University of Melbourne is one of the fastest growing programs in Australia and critically engages with key development concerns such as debt and poverty, culture and human rights, gender relations, food and environmental security, globalization and national sovereignty, the role of civil society organizations, HIV/ AIDS and health systems, and migration and transnationalism. Development Studies offers students the opportunity to study these and other related development issues from an interdisciplinary perspective.
A major aim of the program is to provide a balanced pedagogical approach which incorporates both theories and practices of development. It enables students to gain expertise in wide-ranging skills relevant to pursuing careers in both academic research and in the development profession. Students who specialise in development studies will develop transferable skills that will substantially enhance their career options, including critical analysis, communication, cross-cultural understanding, research methods in development, project design and management, and team work.
At the graduate and postgraduate levels students have the opportunity to select specialty areas. These may include, for example, health and development, environmental sustainability, migration, gender and resource management. Graduate students also have the option to undertake an internship placement with a local or international based development agency. The internship program facilitates the transition to development practice and provides an opportunity to cultivate industry contacts.
Key staff in Development Studies
Why study Development?
Students develop a wide range of skills in analysis, survey writing, communication, group work and computing and will enrich their knowledge of social and environmental interactions.
The program covers areas that have direct relevance to practical and impact-oriented developmental practices. Recent growth in the development industry (international aid agencies, non-government organisations and private sector consulting companies) testifies to the relevance of the program.
Students who specialise in Development Studies develop transferable skills that will substantially enhance their career options. Alternatively, they are able to expand on their interest and knowledge through an articulated structure of higher degree study at the University of Melbourne.
How to take Development studies at the University of Melbourne
Development Studies can be undertaken as a major in the Bachelor of Arts degree, fourth-year Honours, as a postgraduate coursework program or a higher degree by research.
Scholarship opportunities
Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) Scholarship Opportunities:
www.australianscholarships.gov.au
Australian Leadership Awards for nationals from Asia-Pacific region information and application kits:
http://www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar/ala.cfm
Useful Links:
Undergraduate Major course structure (Link to official University Handbook description) and undergraduate information
Honours (Link to official University Handbook description) and honours information
SSEE Working Papers in Development
Websites of relevance to Development Studies