UK · Master's
Institute of Development Studies / University of Sussex
MA in International Development
Institute of Development Studies / University of Sussex
Course Overview
Sussex's MA in International Development is delivered jointly through the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) and the School of Global Studies — IDS is the world's #1-ranked development studies institution (QS by Subject 2024, 2025) and has been the academic home of senior World Bank, UN, DFID/FCDO, and bilateral development practitioners since 1966. The 12-month MA is structured around three core modules (Development Economics, Development Theory and Practice, Research Methods) plus four optional modules drawn from clusters in Governance and Conflict, Health and Nutrition, Climate and Resources, Globalisation and Labour, Gender and Inclusion, and Digital Development. Students complete a 12,000-word dissertation, often based on field research conducted with IDS partner organisations across the Global South.
Sri Lankan applicants choose IDS Sussex over LSE / SOAS development MAs because the IDS-developed curriculum is the global benchmark — the people teaching it have advised the UN HDR, the WDR, and the SDG framework directly — and because the Sussex campus environment is dramatically cheaper than London (Brighton living costs are 30-40% lower). Sri Lanka has historically taken 2-3 Chevening scholars per cycle on this exact programme, and IDS alumni include senior policy-makers at UNICEF Sri Lanka, the World Bank Colombo office, ADB Colombo office, the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS), the Centre for Poverty Analysis (CEPA), and UNDP Sri Lanka.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Sri Lankan Bachelor's (Hons) in Economics, International Relations, Political Science, Sociology, Social Work, Public Administration, or related — Upper Second-Class (2:1 / GPA 3.3+) minimum.
- check_circle Bachelor's in unrelated discipline accepted IF combined with 2+ years of development-sector or NGO work experience (UNICEF, UNDP, World Bank, ADB, IPS, CEPA, INGOs, government Ministry of Finance / Foreign Affairs / National Planning).
- check_circle Two academic references plus, where relevant, a professional reference from a development-sector supervisor.
- check_circle Personal statement (500-800 words) articulating development research interests and connecting to IDS research clusters.
- check_circle CV demonstrating engagement with development issues (volunteer work, policy-research output, internships).
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 6.5 Overall (no element below 6.0).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 88 Overall.
- check_circle PTE Academic: 62 Overall.
- check_circle Waived if your Bachelor's was taught and assessed entirely in English at a recognised institution — Sri Lankan English-medium graduates typically qualify with an MOI letter.
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (£) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (1-year programme) | £26,000 | Rs. 10,400,000 |
| Living Expenses (12 months, Brighton) | £12,500 | Rs. 5,000,000 |
| Student Visa & IHS | £1,300 | Rs. 520,000 |
| Field Research, Books & Conference Allowance | £1,000 | Rs. 400,000 |
| Total Programme Investment | £40,800 | Rs. 16,320,000 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
Eligible for the 2-year UK Graduate Route on completion. IDS Sussex MA grads place into UN agencies (UNDP, UNICEF, UNHCR), the World Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the African Development Bank, the FCDO Civil Service Fast Stream, bilateral aid agencies (SIDA, GIZ, JICA, NORAD), think tanks (ODI, IIED), and major INGOs (Oxfam, Save the Children, ActionAid, BRAC) — UK starting salary £32,000-£45,000 (LKR 12.8M-18M/yr) for entry-level roles, significantly higher in international postings. Sri Lankan returnees route into the UN Country Team in Colombo (UNDP, UNICEF, UNHCR, UNFPA, WHO, FAO, ILO), the World Bank Colombo Country Office, the ADB Colombo Office, the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS), the Centre for Poverty Analysis (CEPA), the Ministry of Finance / Planning, the Department of National Planning, INGOs (Sarvodaya, CARE, Save the Children Sri Lanka), and academic posts at the University of Colombo Department of Economics, Peradeniya, and the Open University.
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