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International Development

• Getting into international development
• Building experience
• Finding graduate opportunities

CVs and Applications

Current awareness, skills in demand.

• Applying for Jobs
• How to write an international development CV (with example) From Indeed
• CV Guidelines for United Nations Useful guide to format and length of CV and covering letters for jobs at the UN
• Application tips - JPO Service Centre Includes guides to résumés, cover letters, competency-based interviews and interview preparation
• Our advice on interviews Includes links to practice interview systems
• Mastering Nonprofit and International Development Interviews: Key Questions & Winning Answers Useful guide from Eval Community

Being aware of news, developments and issues in the sector can help you at interviews. Here are some news sources to try:

• Global Development News - The Guardian
• Headlines - ReliefWeb

Good will is not enough, so look at getting the skills that organisations need:

• Technical knowledge is highly prized. Qualifications/experience in health (medicine, nutrition, speech therapy), finance and economics, engineering, environmental management and IT can make a real difference to development work at a local level
• Learn a language. French, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian and Mandarin would be useful for intergovernmental organisations and NGOs. Or a proven facility for picking up languages
• Specialise. Work out what you want to do and start building your qualifications/experience in this area. It will give your applications more focus
• << Previous: Finding graduate opportunities
• Last Updated: Nov 20, 2023 5:04 PM
• URL: https://guides.careers.sussex.ac.uk/internationaldevelopment

Develop the analytical and practical skills required to address some of today’s most pressing global challenges including inequality, sustainability and security with a Master’s in Development Studies.

Based at IDS, you’ll learn how to approach development problems with creativity, confidence and the ability to work collaboratively.

You’ll develop an understanding of the main debates in development, and engage in informed and critical ways with professionals from diverse backgrounds.

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 eight years in a row.

Who is the degree for?

A hallmark of this degree is the diversity of cultures, experience and perspectives that our students bring. Successful applicants will have some practical experience in development alongside an interest in critical academic enquiry. We welcome applicants with a broad range of career trajectories.

Course content and structure

The academic year starts in September and has three terms.

This degree offers a wide choice of module options, allowing students flexibility to choose their area of interest and grow intellectually within the overall degree framework.

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.

Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. 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.

In the summer term you will research and write a 10,000 word dissertation under the supervision of a faculty member.

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.

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

Ideas in Development and Policy, Evidence and Practice (core)

Economic Perspectives on Development

Gender, Identity and Inclusion

Political Economy Perspectives on Development

Power and Social Perspectives on Development

Aid and Poverty: the Political Economy of International Development Assistance

Business as a Development Actor

Climate Change and Development

Competing in the Green Economy

Debating Poverty and Vulnerability: Policy and Programming

Democracy and Public Policy

Designing Critical Enquiry

Development in Cities

Governance of Violent Conflict and (In)security

Health and Development

Poverty, Violence and Conflict

Public Financial Management

Reflective and Creative Practice for Social Change

Research Design (core)

Sustainability and Policy Processes: Issues in Agriculture, Environment and Health

The Politics of Gender

Theory and Practice of Impact Evaluation

Unruly Politics

Dissertation Development Studies (core)

Studying at IDS allowed me to get to the heart of where the action is for international development. It is a true hot spot for meeting like-minded intellectual thought leaders, gaining exposure to the prevalent sectoral trends and witnessing where the global development agenda is being critically discussed – in real-time! IDS was a true launching pad for my career in the sector.

At IDS I was able to learn new concepts, but it also helped me to unlearn many notions and misconceptions which had become part of my overall thinking regarding various concepts of development.

If you don’t want engaging, critical, cutting-edge insights into the past, present, and future of development with a healthy dose of participatory approaches and power analysis, stay home.

You’ll be assessed through term papers, coursework assignments, presentations, practical exercises, and a 10,000 word dissertation.

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

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 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 a dvice 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. Most students do desk-based research and therefore do not incur these additional costs.

IDS postgraduates have gone on to work as ministers in national governments, high-level officials in development organisations, civil servants, leaders of civil society organisations and high profile academics at universities across the world. Many of them are working to understand and tackle some of the most pressing global challenges.

They also apply their expertise to research and policy work in governments, NGOs, thinktanks and universities such as:

• the Women’s Research Institute
• Educational Trust Malawi
• the British Institute of Human Rights
• Korea International Cooperation Agency
• United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.

Figure 1: The Human Development Index around the world 2018

Transcript of information contained in the image above (figure 1)

Key information

Full time duration, part time duration, home fees (uk, republic of ireland, channel islands & isle of man), overseas (including eu), considering studying at ids.

Get answers to your questions and a sense of what life is like at IDS

Meet us at Sussex or online

Join our Open Events on campus or our live webchats

Meet us in your country

Our International Team are here to help

Key contacts

Programme Officer

j.prescott@ids.ac.uk

+44 (0)1273 915647

Related links

• Why study at IDS
• First in the world for development studies
• Development Studies Scholarships and Funding
• Responding to Covid-19

We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, we may need to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

3 years ago @IDS_UK

Writing a cover letter

Getting started

Let employers know why you're the right choice for the job

The aim of a cover letter is to persuade an employer to read your CV - so it's vital to make an impact with yours. It needs to highlight why you're interested in the job and why you're suitable for the role you're applying for.

Tips for a good cover letter

• Target your cover letter towards the employer and the job - researching the employer  is essential to show knowledge of the position applied for, and how you fit in the company
• Highlight relevant information from your CV – but don't just copy and paste
• Use the cover letter to explain any inconsistencies in your CV such as gaps in your employment history
• Tell the employer how their company will benefit from employing you
• Make sure the paragraphs are short and clearly themed
• Use no more than one side of A4
• Wherever possible, address the cover letter to a named person - you may have to ring the employer to find the name of the person you should be writing to

How to structure your cover letter 

Contact details.

Start with your contact details in the top right-hand corner of the A4 letter.

Then write the company address in the top left-hand corner.

First lines

You should try and find out the name of the person to whom you're addressing the letter. If it’s not possible, you should use "Dear Sir/Madam".

In the next line, include a reference to the job title and reference number such as "RE: Graduate Trainee – Finance stream (reference: abc/123/pb)".

Introduction

The first section of a cover letter is a chance to briefly introduce yourself. Include what subject you are studying at University and at what stage of University you are. Confirm the role that you're applying for and where you saw it advertised.

The next sections should consist of no more than two or three brief paragraphs. Explain why you're interested in the role and provide evidence to support your interest. For example, you may want to talk about work experience or aspects of your course that inspired your interest. Ensure all your evidence from your studies, work experience and volunteering is related directly to the position you're applying for.

Evidence how you meet the job requirements, keeping it clear and concise. Explain your specific interest in the organisation you’re applying to and why you want to work for them. You need to research the employer well . You may want to evidence your interest in one of the organisation’s projects, area of work, ethos or values. Make sure you come across well prepared. Remember to be positive in explaining what you could contribute to the role and the business of the employer.

Final paragraph

In the final paragraph, remember to conclude the letter on a friendly note. Thank the reader for their attention and for considering your application. You can also use this space to offer to supply additional information, such as a reference.

End the letter by signing off "Yours sincerely" if addressed to a person or "Yours faithfully" if you have addressed it to Sir/Madam.

Disability disclosure

The decision to disclose a disability to an employer is a personal one and may be based on factors such as the nature of the disability and the demands of the role being applied for. Disabilities can be disclosed in a cover letter, but may also be disclosed at other stages in the application process and decisions about this are largely a matter of personal preference and judgement.

If disclosing disabilities, always do so in a very positive manner, explaining any assistance that may be needed. If necessary, speak with a careers adviser or contact the employer directly before sending in any applications to discuss any support that may be required during the selection process or in the role itself. It's important to answer any direct questions from the employer fully and honestly.

If you are a student or graduate with a disability, disclosing your disability is a personal choice. You could choose to disclose your disability within the cover letter. Alternatively, you may choose to wait and discuss this in person at a later date. We have a guide to disability, equality and diversity  when applying for jobs.

Get more guidance on applying for jobs

Book an appointment with one of our advisers for more help with applying to jobs! 

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The standard design is two-sided and single language. Two-sided bilingual versions are available on request.

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How to write a cover letter

Your CV is important but it is not the only opportunity to impress a potential employer. Cover letters – or even cover emails – are a further opportunity to motivate the employer to invite you to interview. Your cover letter shouldn't tell employers everything that your CV says, but it is important to choose a few highlights from your CV that encourage them to read it. For further inspiration on cover letter writing, make sure you also visit our CareerHub+ resources .

Tips for writing a cover letter

Think of the cover letter as your shop window: you want employers to come in and find out more about the product: you. So put items in the window that you know will interest them – you then motivate them to read your CV. You’re not going to send the same letter with every job application: all employers seek different skills. Plus, the skills you want to showcase – and the order you want to showcase them in - will change with every job too. So use this as a rough guide, rather than a hard rule, for what to include in your letter. Tailoring your letter means changing the “window” display so that the employer sees the skills/strengths that you want them to see.

When writing your cover letter:

• research the company online to further understand what the company is looking for in top candidates
• don’t worry about using fancy words for your first draft, write from the heart then formalise the language later
• avoid generic words that anyone can use (e.g. hardworking), focus on showcasing your unique strengths
• don’t hesitate to show off your achievements, help them to see just how good you are

Formatting your cover letter 

As a general rule, let the length of the Person Specification influence your letter length. If the job criteria’s fairly brief: one page will be sufficient. If the criteria is fairly long, then aim for 1-2 pages.

Make sure you pay attention to details such as grammar, spelling and presentation. Keep formatting simple with fonts such as Arial or Calibri, and use black font colour only – unless it’s for a creative role.

Where possible, address the letter to a specific person. Proactive online research, or taking the initiative to call and enquire, means you ensure the letter is seen by the right manager as quickly as possible.

Structuring your cover letter

Generally, employers want to know that you are:

• motivated – tell them why you’re applying for this role / organisation
• qualified – showcase relevant skills or experience that you’ve identified from the Person Spec as important
• compatible – that you are a good fit for their organisation and/or share the same values / priorities.

Essentially you need to answer: Why you? Why this role? Why do you want to work for this organisation? Some students find it helpful to structure their letter so that each paragraph addresses a different theme – e.g. paragraph 1 is why you want the role, paragraph 2 shows off work experience, etc. Others find it easier to brainstorm these themes and build their letter around them.

Templates and examples

Templates and examples on Career Hub+ are useful to review. But remember: there is no right/wrong way to structure your letter, your letter should be as unique as you are. Do company research and use relevant language to showcase your commercial awareness alongside your job motivations.

Language and tone of voice

Essentially the cover letter is a series of ‘selfies’ that shows you in action at work or study. They can then imagine you in the role, slotting into their team with ease. It needs to be readable, well written, and include keywords from the job criteria. Cover letters are also a great opportunity to showcase your good written communication skills. The employer needs to know that you have the language skills to be able to liaise well with stakeholders, and the commercial awareness of their sector that means you can hit the ground running.

Across your letter, use vocabulary which implies a good insight to their business or the role. For example, a retail employer might use the term customer, whereas a bank employer might prefer the term client. Analysing the job information, company website, and social media such as LinkedIn, will help you to identify relevant language. You also want the employer to see the energy and enthusiasm you’ll bring to the role. Use active/dynamic language which helps them to see you in action – for example, verbs such as facilitating, liaising, coordinating.

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Covering letters

Submit a covering letter with your job application as a way of introducing yourself whilst highlighting your strengths and motivation for applying for the role and company. 

For most roles, aim for one A4 page with three or four paragraphs. 

Academic positions may require around two A4 pages, while senior roles can extend to up to five pages. 

Make a professional impression by using a proper greeting and closing in your covering letter. For example, Dear Hiring Manager, Yours sincerely (further information on formal letter writing can be found in the Resources section below). 

Whenever possible, address the letter to a specific person by checking the job advert or contacting the company. 

Opening: Introduce yourself, mention where you found the job, and explain your reasons for applying. 

First paragraph: Express your interest in the company and the role. Show your knowledge about the organisation and sector. Align your career aspirations with the company's values. 

Second paragraph: Match your skills and experiences to the job description. Highlight relevant examples and achievements. Emphasise transferable skills if you lack direct experience. 

Closing: Stay positive and showcase your suitability for the role. Convey enthusiasm and end with a closing statement like "I look forward to hearing from you soon." 

• Address a named person whenever possible. 
• Proofread for spelling and grammar - get feedback from friends, family, or your careers adviser. 
• Include a cover letter unless instructed otherwise. 
• Customise your letter for each role and company to avoid generic content. 
• Support your statements with examples using the STAR Technique .
• Let your enthusiasm shine through!

Further support

Get cover letter writing tips at the Writing a Winning CV and Cover Letter  workshop or explore our Cover Letter LinkedIn Learning Pathway for ideas and inspiration.

Recommended by our careers advisers

• Writing a Covering Letter  (includes four examples)
• Prospects Cover Letters
• Target Jobs Cover Letters
• Balance Careers: Sample letter format
• Balance Careers: Closing a formal letter
• Jobs.ac.uk: Academic Cover Letters

Speak to a careers adviser

Get guidance from our friendly team of advisers. Book an appointment  or call 0161 295 0023 (option 5, option 3). 

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Cover letters

Cover letter booklet.

You must always include a cover letter with a CV for a professional job application. This guide tells you how to do this effectively.

CV and cover letter resources

Take a look at resources and advice on CVs and cover letters

Get feedback on your cover letter

Once you've read the booklet and drafted your cover letter, why not get feedback by sending a query or booking an appointment?

How to…create a CV and cover letter

How can you catch an employer’s attention with your CV and cover letter? Learn the tools to make your application stand out from the crowd.

Our top cover letter tips

Always research the organisation and carefully tailor what you write to them and the job role. Make it clear what you have to offer; how your qualifications, skills and experience are relevant. Explaining why you want to work for them is vital, so be specific and persuasive. There are lots of other simple but powerful tricks which are explained in our cover letter booklet, so download it for free!

Useful links

Prospects - A leading website resource to explore resources to help with your cover letter

targetjobs - Explore a variety of resources to help you develop your cover letter

Gradcracker - How to put together the perfect CV and cover letter

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Below are two useful sites for CV and cover letter advice:

• Target Jobs - CV advice with example CVs and cover letters
• Prospects - CVs and cover letters

Academic CVs

Writing an academic CV? An academic CV focuses on academic achievements, research interests and specialisms. They are typically used when applying for roles in academia, lecturing and research. You may find the following resources helpful:

• Prospects - Academic CVs
• Vitae - Academic CV advice
• Jobs.ac.uk - Academic CV guide

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Obituary: Hella Pick CBE

Posted on behalf of: Internal Communications Last updated: Wednesday, 10 April 2024

Hella Pick CBE

Hella Pick CBE died on Thursday 4 April 2024. A former Guardian foreign correspondent and diplomatic editor, and the holder of an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Sussex, Hella was one of the most influential and prominent members of the Support Group and Advisory Board of the Centre for German-Jewish Studies. A crucial part of the centre since its inception in 1995, Hella was also a passionate advocate and friend of the University who remained closely involved with Sussex until her final days.

Along with Lord George Weidenfeld, Hella was instrumental in enabling the University to set up a Chair in Modern Israel Studies in 2013. Through her exceptional contacts, she also played a key role in securing support from the German and the Austrian governments to help the University establish the Weidenfeld Institute of Jewish Studies in 2019. The Institute brings together scholars from across the University who are engaged in various dimensions of Jewish Studies, aiming to examine the broader implications of the Jewish experience.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sasha Roseneil said: “Hella was an utterly remarkable woman, and it was a huge privilege to have met her on a number of occasions since I have been at Sussex. The legacy of her formidable intellect and her deep humanity will live on through her contribution to the work of the Weidenfeld Institute and her trailblazing writing and journalism.”

About Hella’s life and work

Hella was born in Vienna, into a middle-class Jewish family in the late 1920s. Following Germany's annexation of Austria in 1938, and a visit from the Gestapo, Hella’s mother managed to get her on a Kindertransport to Britain in March 1939. Her mother obtained a visa and joined her three months later.

Hella studied at the London School of Economics, and, in 1960, she became the UN correspondent of the Guardian newspaper, where she worked under its chief US correspondent Alistair Cooke. Hella went on to spend more than 30 years reporting on foreign affairs for the Guardian . As a woman journalist who broke into the world of foreign affairs journalism in the 1950s, Hella was revered in the sector as a true pioneer. She had dual British and Austrian citizenship, and regularly visited Austria, her ‘home away from home.’

Hella’s successful and pioneering journalistic career won her numerous accolades across Europe. She was awarded honours in the UK, Austria and Germany, including a CBE in 2000. She received an Honorary Doctorate from Sussex in 2018 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to journalism, and this was an accolade of which she was particularly proud. Read an interview with Hella marking her doctorate.

Hella worked as a senior consultant for Lord Weidenfeld’s Club of Three and the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, where she became Director of the Arts and Culture Programme. She was the author of Simon Wiesenthal – A Life in Search of Justice , and Guilty Victim – Austria from the Holocaust to Haider .

Hella Pick Lecture

In October 2023, Hella was honoured by Sussex and the Austrian Embassy with the first Hella Pick Lecture which took place at the Austrian Ambassador’s residence in London. The evening consisted of a panel discussion with prominent female journalists discussing women in journalism and engaging with Hella’s autobiography, Invisible Walls .

Invisible Walls was published in 2021 and gives an account of Hella’s life and career in journalism. Hella told the dramatic story of how she, as a Kindertransport survivor, won the trust and sometimes the friendship of world leaders. She spoke frankly of personal heartache and of a struggle over her Jewish identity. It is also the intensely touching story of how, despite a gift for friendship and internationally recognised achievements as a woman journalist, a continuing sense of personal insecurity confronted Hella throughout her life with a series of invisible walls.

Read the Guardian’s obituary of Hella .

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