Development, Environment and International Politics MSc
Source: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/degrees/4086f/ Parent: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/degrees/
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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
We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2025-26.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
\
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.
The module information below 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.
Development, Environment and International Politics MSc modules
| 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
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- academic staff
- personal tutors and research supervisors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
- peers
You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff, who will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
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
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
Our Careers Service
Our expert Careers Service is here to help you take the next steps in your professional life. We will support you while you’re studying with us and for up to three years after you graduate.\ \ You will have access to expert one-to-one advice and guidance through our campus careers centre and online, along with digital resources, workshops, networking opportunities, and careers and recruitment events.\ \ We’ve been awarded 5 QS Stars for Student Employability (2025). Many of our degrees are shaped by strong links with national and international businesses. We are committed to helping you access real-world experience opportunities and develop key skills through paid work placements and internships.
Visit our Careers Service website
Quality and ranking
- Global Top 140 University - QS World University Rankings 2026
- Top 200 for Politics and International Studies - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
- Top 100 for Developmental Studies - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 200 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Top 125 for Social Sciences – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2026
- Global Top 145 University - Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026
- Joint 64th in the world and 22nd in the UK for sustainability – QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026
- Top 5 city for affordability in the UK – QS Best Student Cities 2026
- World Top 50 and UK Top 5 student city – QS Best Student Cities 2026
- 89th in the world - TIME Magazine: World’s Top Universities 2026
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
If you’re studying an accredited degree and thinking about working in Europe after you graduate, the best place to find current information is the UK Government’s guidance on recognition of UK professional qualifications in EU member states. This official resource explains whether your profession is regulated in another country, what steps you need to take, and which organisation you should contact.
Facilities
As a Politics student you'll be based in the Henry Daysh Building.
Fees, Funding and Scholarships
Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year)
| Qualification: MSc Full time | |
|---|---|
| Home students Full time: 12 months | Tuition fees (per year) £11,400 |
| International students Full time: 12 months | Tuition fees (per year) £26,500 |
| Qualification: MSc Part time | |
|---|---|
| Home students Part time: 24 months | Tuition fees (per year) £5,700 |
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.
EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status
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 and scholarships
Find funding available for your course
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Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2026 entry.
Academic entry requirements
A 2:2 honours degree, or international equivalent. Degrees from all disciplines will be considered. We will also consider your application on an individual basis if you have lower or non-standard qualifications and relevant professional experience.
Qualifications from outside the UK
Select your country AfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBhutanBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBritish Virgin IslandsBruneiBulgariaBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCaribbeanCayman IslandsChileChinaColombiaCosta RicaCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFijiFinlandFranceGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGrenadaGuatemalaGuyanaHaitiHondurasHong KongHungaryIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIsraelItalyIvory CoastJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKosovoKuwaitLaosLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLithuaniaLuxembourgMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaltaMauritiusMexicoMongoliaMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew ZealandNicaraguaNigeriaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPakistanPalestinePanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRepublic of IrelandRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da CunhaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSouth AfricaSouth KoreaSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSwazilandSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTaiwanTajikistanTanzania, United Republic ofThailandTogoTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkeyTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUruguayUSAUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuelaVietnamZambiaZimbabwe
English Language requirements
Select your qualification IELTSPearsonsDuolingo English TestTOEFLOtherPre-Sessional Entry - 6 weeksPre-Sessional Entry - 10 weeks
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
Pre-Master’s and English Language courses
Need an alternative route to study this course? Our International Study Centre offers Pre-Master’s degrees and English language courses to prepare you for study.
How to apply
Before you start
Start Dates
The course starts in September.
Closing Dates
There is no application closing date for this course.
We suggest international students apply at least two months before the course starts. This is so that you have enough time to make the necessary arrangements.
Deposit
All International students
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 must pay a deposit or submit an official letter of sponsorship. The deposit is payable after you receive an offer to study with us. This deposit is non-refundable and will be deducted from your tuition fees when you register. You may also be subject to academic and English language qualification verification, confirmation of funds and credibility interviews.
International students who received an offer before 18 March 2026
- You are required to pay a £1,500 deposit or submit an official letter of sponsorship.
International students Bangladesh, Ghana, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan who received an offer after 18 March 2026
- You are required to pay a deposit of £5,000 or submit an official letter of sponsorship by 01 August 2026.
All International students (excluding those from the markets above) who received an offer after 18 March 2026
- You are required to pay a deposit of £1,500 or submit an official letter of sponsorship by 01 August 2026.
Programme codes
| Qualification: MSc Full time | |
|---|---|
| Full time: 12 months | Programme Code: 4086F |
| Qualification: MSc Part time | |
|---|---|
| Part time: 24 months | Programme Code: 4086P |
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Get in touch
Questions about this course?
If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:
[School of Geography Politics and Sociology](https://www.ncl.ac.uk/gps/)Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 3921 Email: Politicsadmissions@newcastle.ac.uk
General enquiries
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