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Programme Specification for the 2023/4 academic year

MA International Development

1. Programme Details

Programme name	MA International Development	Programme code	PTA1HPSHPS83
Study mode(s)	Full Time	Academic year	2023/4
Campus(es)	Streatham (Exeter)	NQF Level of the Final Award	7 (Masters)

2. Description of the Programme

The MA in International Development will provide a broad-based training in major theories of development, combined with a strong grounding in development policy and practice. It will allow students to focus on particular issues and geographical areas, and to develop their skills and knowledge for future careers in international development, including within governmental and non-governmental organisations. With its focus on developing and emerging economies, the programme will extend the available curriculum for students wanting to engage with serious global development challenges, including those of poverty, inequality, climate change, migration and displacement, health, and violence and conflict. 

3. Educational Aims of the Programme

• To provide a solid grounding in international development theories and issues; 

• To provide a broad-ranging knowledge of development processes and policies in developing countries 

• To provide an excellent knowledge of international policies around poverty, inequality, and development 

• To provide a thorough knowledge of contemporary debates and issues in development.  

• To provide an introductory training in international development tools and techniques, and a solid grounding in the critique of development practice. 

4. Programme Structure

The MA International Development is a one-year full-time programme of study at National Qualification Framework (NQF) level 7 (as confirmed against the FHEQ). If the programme is taken part-time, 60 credits are taken in year 1 and 60 credits plus a further 60 credits (dissertation) are taken in year 2. 

5. Programme Modules

The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.

Stage 1

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Compulsory Modules

120 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules

The optional modules are clustered around specific Development themes. The thematic clusters are not formal pathways. They are there to better inform your choice of optional modules, depending on your own individual preferences, in particular the academic and professional skills you would like to acquire from studying International Development at Exeter.

* the following list of modules are indicative, and the precise availability of modules will vary each year

Code	Module	Credits	Non-condonable?
POLM886	Dissertation	60	Yes
POLM173	Theories of International Development	30	No
POLM174	Tools, Policy, and Practice of International Development	30	No

Optional Modules

Code	Module	Credits	Non-condonable?
MA International Development Option Modules 2023-4
POLM016	Food Systems, Alternative Food Networks, and Ethical Consumption	15	No
POLM148	Brexit: Causes, Interpretation and Implications	30	No
POLM158	Digital Politics and Policy	30	No
POLM057	Understanding and Interpretation in Political Thought	30	No
POLM063	Qualitative Methods in Social Research	15	No
POLM086	Quantitative Data Analysis	30	No
POLM140	Qualitative Methods in Social Research	30	No
POLM803	Sources in Modernity and Post-Modernity	30	No
POLM809	Applied Quantitative Data Analysis	15	No
POLM082	International Relations of the Middle East	30	No
POLM144	The West, Civilisations and World Order	30	No
POLM156	The Transformation of Politics in the Global Age	30	No
POLM502	International Relations: Power and Institutions	30	No
POLM503	Foreign Policy Decision-Making	30	No
POLM651	State and Society in the Middle East	30	No
POLM084	Conflict, Security and Development in World Politics	30	No
POLM088	State-building after Civil War	30	No
POLM167	Global Governance: Institutions and Challenges	30	No
POLM220M	Management and Governance: Comparing Public Administration around the World	30	No
POLM222M	The Politics, Policy and Practice of Sustainable Development	30	No
ARAM236	Sociology and Anthropology of the Gulf and the Arabian Peninsula	15	No
ARAM225	Gender and Politics in the Middle East	30	No
ARAM230	Gender, Sexuality and Violence in Palestine/Israel	15	No
ARAM054	State and Society in the Middle East	30	No
ARAM131	Nationalisms in the Middle East	15	No

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6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods

Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:	Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
	...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):	...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:
1. A coherent and solid knowledge and understanding of international development and critiques 2. A coherent and solid knowledge and understanding of international development policies and practice at national and global levels 3. An understanding of social, political and economic conditions in the developing world and their international context	Knowledge of concepts, debates, theories and issues in international development will be achieved through core and compulsory lectures, and tutorial presentations and discussions.	Research essays and oral presentations

Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:	Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
	...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):	...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:
4. The ability to devise and sustain arguments related to international development 5. The ability to discuss and critically engage with theories and ideas about international development from a variety of intellectual perspectives 6. An ability to examine data and theories using a multi-disciplinary social science approach 7. An ability to read and engage with a variety of types of literature – reports, papers, articles, books – incorporating different types of data and methodology and disciplinary perspectives 8. An ability to use and critique a range of tools, techniques and approaches used in international development practice 9. An ability to formulate research questions, design a research strategy, gather evidence, and work independently to address those questions.	The ability to devise and sustain arguments related to international development will be developed through lectures, seminars, and class discussions  The ability to critically engage with theories and ideas about international development will be developed through reading materials, lectures, and through small-group seminars in which students will present and discuss the major theories pertaining to a particular issue  The ability to examine data and theories using a multi-disciplinary approach will be fostered through readings which draw on a range of disciplines, and from lectures based on a variety of multi-disciplinary approaches  An ability to read and engage with a variety of types of literature will be developed through the reading materials, essay writing (and feedback on those essays) and seminar presentations.  The ability to use and critique a range of tools, techniques and approaches used in international development practice will be developed through a specialized core module on ID practice.  The ability to formulate a research question and work independently will be fostered through the Dissertation.	Research essays, oral presentations, and Dissertation.

Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:	Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
	...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):	...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:
10. The ability to present ideas, oral and written, in a clear, well-structured manner 11. Understanding of how to use a variety of sources and interpret the data contained in those sources 12. The ability to work to deadlines and within time constraints 13. The ability to critically engage with complex ideas and arguments 14. The ability to engage in meetings through presenting, discussing and constructively critiquing ideas 15. The ability to work productively in, and contribute to groups 16. The ability to work independently 17. Practical knowledge of the international development field	Through essay writing following clear guidelines and with feedback on written and other coursework  Through strict deadlines and parameters within which essays must be presented  Through the development of presentation and debating skills through seminar presentations and discussions  Participation in the core module on tools and practice of international development.	Attainment of these skills is essential in completing the coursework, including essays and the Dissertation.

7. Programme Regulations

Classification

Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.

8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning

9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning

Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.

10. Admissions Criteria

Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.

Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.

Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.

11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards

Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.

The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.

(Quality Review Framework.

14. Awarding Institution

University of Exeter

15. Lead College / Teaching Institution

Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS)

16. Partner College / Institution

Partner College(s)

Not applicable to this programme

Partner Institution

Not applicable to this programme.

17. Programme Accredited / Validated by

0

18. Final Award

MA International Development

19. UCAS Code

Not applicable to this programme.

20. NQF Level of Final Award

7 (Masters)

21. Credit

CATS credits	180	ECTS credits	90

22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group

23. Dates

Origin Date		Date of last revision