Development, Environment and International Politics MSc
Explore the interlinked histories, ideas and policies that shape international development. Focus on the relationship between key global political-economic processes and the environment.
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Start date(s):
- September 2025
Overview
Our Development, Environment, and International Politics MSc gives you the knowledge and skills to understand and shape global debates in Development Studies, Global Environmental Politics, and contemporary International Relations.
Equip yourself with analytical and methodological skills, as well as the conceptual and empirical knowledge needed to understand, explain and interrogate the international politics of development and the environment.
Study the political-economic processes, actors and discourses that shape international development policy and practices.
Understand the relationship between development, the environment and international politics.
Engage with a rich interdisciplinary literature that explores the histories and practices of international development with a focus on environmental issues and perspectives from the global South.
Key questions addressed include:
- How can economic development be reconciled with ecological limits of the planet?
- How do various actors - such as states, non-governmental organisations, social movements, and multilateral institutions - shape environmental policies?
- How do countries in the Global South design initiatives and policies to tackle development and environmental challenges?
- How do global environmental agreements influence local development practices?
You will benefit from rigorous training in:
- The politics of International Development
- Global Environmental Politics and the politics of sustainable development
- International Relations theory and practice
- Policy analysis and evaluation
- Research methods
- Data analysis
Important information
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View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
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What you'll learn
As a student on the Development, Environment and International Politics MSc you'll:
- Gain advanced knowledge and understanding of the relationship between international development and the politics of the environment.
- Use analytical and methodological methods to study and interrogate key ideas, actors and policies in international development.
- Develop an understanding of the complex socio-economic and ecological challenges facing the Global South in the era of climate breakdown.
- Gain a deep understanding of essential research techniques and approaches in International Development and Politics research, including qualitative analysis and data visualisation.
- Conduct independent research on key issues in international development, global environmental politics, and international politics.
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Thinking About Politics | 20 |
| Development, Environment and International Politics | 20 |
| Dissertation | 60 |
How you'll learn
The course is delivered through lectures, seminars and workshops. Expert academic staff will also help you deepen your understanding of key concepts. This is through active participation, independent research, discussion and collaboration with peers.
Preparation, critical thinking, and your own unique insights will be the driving force behind your learning experience. You'll play an active role in shaping discussions and exploring ideas to ensure your journey is both personal and impactful.
This programme is for anyone who wants to gain an advanced understanding of the international politics of development and the environment. This is whether you have experience or are exploring them for the first time.
Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Dissertation
- Essay
- Oral examination
- Practical lab report
- Portfolio
- Report
- Research paper
- Written exercise
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Key staff for this course include:
Your future
You'll develop specialist knowledge and research skills for a career with a significant international dimension. You'll also be able to pursue a postgraduate research degree in:
- globalisation
- development
- poverty studies
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Quality and ranking
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
As a Politics student you'll be based in the newly refurbished Henry Daysh Building.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)
As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.
Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.
EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database.
If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.
Scholarships
We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.
What you're paying for
Tuition fees include the costs of:
- matriculation
- registration
- tuition (or supervision)
- library access
- examination
- re-examination
- graduation
Find out more about:
If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.
You can check this in the How to apply section.
If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.
For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.
Search for funding
Find funding available for your course
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course
INTO International Pre-Master's - Pathway course
Our Business and Humanities Pre-Master's will prepare you for Master's study at Newcastle. If you're successful then you're guaranteed a place on this Master's course.
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Email: Politicsadmissions@newcastle.ac.uk
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