MA Governance, Development & Public Policy

Fair and effective gOvernance is critical for development to benefit both people and planet.

This degree provides you with a theoretical and practical understanding of debates on political change and how public authority is created and exercised. With this Masters in Public Policy based at IDS, you’ll build your critical and analytical skills, and improve your ability to develop and implement policies across state and non-state organisations.

World-leaders in development studies

The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) delivers world-class research, learning and teaching that transforms the knowledge, action and leadership needed for more equitable and sustainable development globally. IDS has been ranked first in the world for development studies, in partnership with the University of Sussex, for the last eight years.

Who is the degree for?

We welcome applicants with a broad range of career trajectories. Successful applicants will have some practical experience in development alongside an interest in critical academic enquiry. The majority of MA Governance, Development and Public Policy students are experienced professionals, having worked in government, private sector, NGOs, bilateral and multilateral donor and lending agencies, as well as UN agencies. Our students bring a vast diversity of cultures, experience and perspectives – alumni from this course have come from over 70 countries and work or have worked in over 150 countries.

Course content and structure

The academic year starts in September and has three terms.

A distinct feature of our MA is the focus on policy and practice.

Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

Optional modules, which build on these foundations, apply concepts and theories to a range of development issues, focusing on equipping students with the methodologies and tools to assess and critique different policy options. We draw upon case-studies, faculty, students, and research partners from Africa, East Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America, and South Asia, to enrich the curriculum of the MA.

This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.

While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.

Modules

The links below will take you to the University of Sussex’s website to find out more about each module.

Autumn

Public Policy for Development (core)
Political Economy Perspectives on Development (core)

Spring

Summer

Dissertation Governance, Development and Public Policy (core)

Studying at IDS has been an amazing and utterly fulfilling experience. The people I have met here have changed my life and perspective on the world. Staff and fellows at IDS are welcoming and their support is incredible; they listen as much as they teach. IDS is a big family, and I feel blessed to be a part of it.

- Clara Calabuig Martinez, MA Governance, Development and Public Policy

I really enjoyed my time at IDS. I learned not only from the teachers and the readings but from my colleagues as well. You become part of a community that is trying to contribute to making a better world. From unruliness to strengthening democracy I learned to understand better other development perspectives.

- Alejandra Seminario Zumaeta, MA Governance, Development and Public Policy

IDS has given me inter-cultural fluency; an ability to work across cultures; through learning from IDS and interacting with diverse peer groups.

- Basser Omaid, MA Governance, Development and Public Policy

Assessment criteria

Entry requirements

Successful applicants will have a first or upper second-class (2.1) undergraduate honours degree in the social sciences or related subject, and preferably at least one year of development-related work experience. Applications must be accompanied by a CV and detailed two-page personal statement, explaining why you are applying for the degree, the relevance of your previous experience, and what will you contribute to the cohort.

The course is taught in English. To derive the maximum benefit from the course, participants should be proficient in English and able to take an active part in discussions. The minimum requirement is, for example, an IELTS grade of 7.0 overall and no less than 6.5 in each section of the IELTS test. For detailed information on English language requirements for international students please see the University of Sussex website.

Fees & scholarships

Fees for home students (UK, Republic of Ireland, Channels Islands and Isle of Man) are £10,500 per year for full-time students, for 2024/25 academic year.

International student fees (including EU) are: £21,500 per year for full-time students, for 2024/25 academic year.

If you study part time over two years, you’ll be charged 50% of the equivalent full-time fee in each year of study. Your second-year fee – if you continue your studies without a break – will be subject to a 3% increase (subject to rounding).

Note that your fees, once they’re set, may be subject to an increase on an annual basis. Find details on our tuition fees page

If you’re a self-funded international student, you’re required to pay a tuition fee deposit. Find out more about Masters tuition fee deposits

Find out typical living costs for studying at Sussex

Find out about our terms and conditions

For scholarship opportunities and information on sources of funding please see the advice on funding on the University of Sussex website.

Additional costs for optional fieldwork

You have the option to undertake fieldwork for this course (though it is not mandatory). You will need to cover the additional costs that this entails. Costs will depend on the scope and scale of the activities. For example, conducting interviews in your hometown could cost very little, whereas travelling overseas to interview government officials could cost much more in terms of flights, accommodation and subsistence. There may also be options for desk-based research, such as paying for access to research databases. If you wish to conduct fieldwork, you should always talk to your course convenors and dissertation supervisors before making any arrangements.

Career opportunities

Our graduates are well prepared to go on to work in academic research, and as managers and policy advisors on governance and public policy issues for:

government ministries
UN agencies
bilateral and multilateral agencies, including international finance institutions
national and international NGOs
professional services networks.

Recent IDS students have gone on to jobs including:

senior adviser, Westminster Foundation for Democracy
assistant director Foreign Service, Department of International Relations and Cooperation
consultant, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.

(Source: IDS alumni database)

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