phd international development university of manchester

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MSc Research Methods with International Development / Overview

Year of entry: 2024

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We require a UK Honours degree with a First classification or the overseas equivalent, in a field pertaining to the chosen pathway.

When assessing your academic record we take into account the grades you have achieved and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.

Full entry requirements

Course options

Course overview.

• Join a university ranked second in the UK and 7th in the world for development studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022).
• Research-intensive master's degree, perfect if you're considering PhD study and/or a career in research. 
• The course will develop your research skills and knowledge of international development.

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The University holds regular open days, where you will have the opportunity to tour the campus and find out more about our facilities and courses.

On this day, you will find out more about the School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED), and meet academic and admissions staff who will be able to answer any questions you have.

For more information, see Open days .

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2024, the tuition fees are as follows:

• MSc (full-time) UK students (per annum): £12,500 International, including EU, students (per annum): £24,000

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive for the course tuition, administration and computational costs during your studies.

All fees for entry will be subject to yearly review and incremental rises per annum are also likely over the duration of courses lasting more than a year for UK/EU students (fees are typically fixed for international students, for the course duration at the year of entry). For general fees information please visit postgraduate fees .

Self-funded international applicants for this course will be required to pay a deposit of £1,000 towards their tuition fees before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. This deposit will only be refunded if immigration permission is refused. We will notify you about how and when to make this payment.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

MSc Research Methods complies with the research training requirements for ESRC scholarships for a PhD scholarship (commonly termed +3).

It is also suitable as the master's year as part of an ESRC scholarship award that covers both the master's and PhD (commonly termed a 1+3 award).

It is ideal if you want to apply for an ESRC scholarship or School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED) scholarship, as 70% of the ESRC Core Training can be demonstrated prior to commencing a PhD.

It will also be of interest to people who are considering a career in research in one of the pathway fields.

We also offer several postgraduate taught scholarships and merit awards to outstanding applicants and international students.

We also regularly welcome students on the University's Equity and Merit scholarship scheme.

In addition, the Manchester Alumni Scholarship Scheme offers a £3,000 reduction in tuition fees to University of Manchester alumni who achieved a first-class bachelor's degree and are progressing to a postgraduate taught master's course.

Many of our students have gained British Chevening, British Council or Commonwealth scholarships, as well as country-specific awards.

For more information, see fees and funding or search the University's postgraduate funding database .

Contact details

Courses in related subject areas.

Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.

• International Development

Regulated by the Office for Students

The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website .

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website .

• Schools & departments

International Development PhD

Awards: PhD

Study modes: Full-time, Part-time

Funding opportunities

Programme website: International Development

Upcoming Introduction to Postgraduate Study and Research events

Join us online on the 19th June or 26th June to learn more about studying and researching at Edinburgh.

Choose your event and register

Research profile

The University of Edinburgh is host to a thriving and cosmopolitan community of researchers working on global development issues.

We are home to internationally renowned academics working at the intersection of:

• international development policy and health
• science and technology
• urbanisation
• human rights

We are also respected regional centres of expertise in Africa, South Asia and Latin America.

Research community

As a doctoral student in International Development, you will become part of a vibrant, interdisciplinary research community. You will also join the Global Development Academy, which coordinates research and teaching on international development across the University.

We also welcome students who are keen to develop doctoral research projects in collaboration with third parties, for example:

• multilateral and bilateral agencies
• campaign groups
• media organisations

Research seminars and events

In addition, you will be invited to join research workshops hosted by the Global Development Academy and regular open research seminars held by subject areas across the School of Social and Political Science.

Programme structure

Usually undertaken full-time over three years, or part-time over six years, the PhD in International Development is a research degree in which you will make an original contribution to knowledge by pursuing an extended and focused piece of research on a topic of interest to them.

You will also be invited to join research workshops and regular open research seminars held by subject areas across the School of Social and Political Science, where you will enjoy special opportunities to meet development policy makers, practitioners, diplomats, and internationally recognised academics. Interdisciplinary research is strongly encouraged.

While based in the School of Social and Political Science, in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, International Development doctoral students will have opportunities to draw from expertise across the University's different Schools and Colleges for the purposes of supervision and research collaboration.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Training and support

As a postgraduate in our International Development group, you will receive regular one-to-one thesis supervision from two supervisors with expertise in your regional and/or specific research areas.

Focused supervision in the International Development group is drawn from faculty associated to:

• Centre of African Studies
• Social Anthropology
• Social Policy
• Politics and History

In addition, staff from across the University provide enriching expertise and training for our research students.

Focused supervision in the International Development group is drawn from faculty associated to the Centre of African Studies, Sociology, Social Anthropology, Social Policy, Politics and History. In addition staff from across the University provide expertise and training for our research students.

A wide range of training facilities are available to PhD students. The Graduate School provides a range of ESRC-recognised research training courses for social science students across the University. You are encouraged to participate in taught Masters level courses to assist you intellectual development and support you research.

The University’s Institute for Academic Development provides a range of courses and events to assist with methodological training and career development.

* Institute for Academic Development

Finally, you will participate with your peers in the bespoke course, International Development Exchanges and Advanced Skills, to improve your research abilities. These combine to enable you to acquire a broad set of academic and transferable skills during your time with us.

Research library and archive facilities in Edinburgh are outstanding.

You will be a member of the Graduate School of Social & Political Science, with full access to the Graduate School’s facilities in the Chrystal Macmillan Building.

Other library and archive facilities include the University’s Main Library, the National Library of Scotland and the Scottish Records Office. Proximity to the Scottish Parliament and other institutions of national government provides further research opportunities.

Entry requirements

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent, and a UK masters degree with an overall mark of 65% or its international equivalent.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country
• English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced ( CAE ) / C2 Proficiency ( CPE ): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE : ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS , TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE , in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

Fees and costs

Scholarships and funding, featured funding.

School of Social and Political Science Scholarships

UK Research Council Awards

For specialised guidance on submitting a competitive scholarship application, please follow the requirements and recommendations and how to contact relevant academic staff as advised here:

• Important information and recommendations

(Revised 10 November 2023 to update featured funding opportunities)

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding

Further information

• Postgraduate Admissions Team
• Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4086
• Contact: [email protected]
• Programme Advisor, Dr Aaron Kappeler
• Contact: [email protected]
• Graduate School of Social & Political Science
• Chrystal Macmillan Building
• 15A George Square
• Central Campus
• Programme: International Development
• School: Social & Political Science
• College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.

PhD International Development - 3 Years (Full-time)

Phd international development - 6 years (part-time), application deadlines.

We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

• How to apply

You must submit two references with your application.

You must submit a research proposal demonstrating your knowledge of your field of research, which will be closely scrutinised as part of the decision-making process. We request that PhD research proposals are no more than four A4 typed pages in Times New Roman, 12pt font. This includes charts and figures but does not include references or a bibliography.

We require PhD applicants in particular to contact potential supervisors before applying to discuss their research proposal so we can ensure there is adequate supervision.

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

Global Development Institute

The Global Development Institute is made up of over 60 academics from over five continents. We are driven by the desire to advance social justice by conducting world-class, interdisciplinary research that achieves real impact.

The Global Development Institute is led by Professor Sam Hickey.

Our academic research is focused around seven groups; digital development , migration, refugees and asylum ,  global urban futures , growth and distribution , politics, governance and management , global production networks, trade and labour  and, resources, environment and development .

Academic staff

We currently have over 60 researchers based at GDI.

Find out more

Senior Management Team

The Senior Management Team oversee the Global Development Institute and its research centres.

Communication and Support teams

Our Support Staff provide invaluable support to the delivery of our programmes.

PhD student profiles

View the profiles and thesis topics of some of our current postgraduate researchers.

Visiting and honorary fellows

Our honorary and visiting fellows make important contributions to the Institute.

School of Environment, Education and Development

Funding opportunities

Funding your programme will be a crucial factor in your decision to apply for a postgraduate research degree, so the earlier you consider your funding options, the better.

Once you have determined your funding intentions, you should be ready to submit your programme application. Section 9 of the application requests your intended funding sources. In this section, you should detail fully all the competitions in which you would like to be considered.

The section first asks 'Have you secured or do you intend to apply for funding to cover the cost of your studies?'. If you are self-funding, you may select 'no'.

If you would like to apply for funding, you must select 'yes' and provide the details of your funding intentions. If you intend to apply for multiple competitions, all must be detailed in section 9 to ensure you are included. There is no limit to the number of competitions you may enter. To enter an internal competition, please add a funding source, and populate the fields as below:

• Type of Funding  - Uni of Manchester Scheme.
• Awarding Body  - In the free text box, enter the name of the funding competition (e.g. 'Humanitarian Scholarship').
• Status of Funding  - Intend to Apply.

The remainder of the boxes may be left blank. Please give any further relevant details in the 'any other comments' box. Select Add+ to detail further competitions.

To determine your intentions, please browse all funding opportunities within the Humanities Doctoral Academy.

Read more information about funding.

Find out more

Train in Manchester and Singapore

A*STAR PhD programme

An exciting pathway into research, why undertake the a*star phd programme.

The four-year funded A*STAR PhD programme at Manchester enables postgraduate researchers in science and engineering to spend two years of their PhD at The University of Manchester and the other two years in Singapore at an A*STAR Research Institute.

• Receive training and support for your PhD in both Manchester and Singapore, with supervisors in both locations.
• Study at a prestigious institute in Singapore and experience life in another country.
• Choose from a range of projects spanning the biological sciences and engineering.
• Be part of a network of PhD researchers and establish international collaborations.

On this page:

Making an application

Experience two unique cities.

Each year, we recruit outstanding applicants who are keen to undertake a research project in Manchester and Singapore as part of the A*STAR Research Attachment Programme (ARAP).

The programme is a partnership between the University and the  Agency for Science, Technology and Research  (A*STAR) in Singapore.

Programme structure

Year 1 - manchester.

• Literature report
• Project planning and design
• Continuation report

Years 2 and 3 - Singapore

• Continuation of research project

Year 4 - Manchester

• Final project work
• Preparation of thesis
• Final submission and viva

What our students say

Read blog posts from our students to find out what they think about the programme.

Read the blog

Multidisciplinary research

Projects vary each year and span biological sciences, life sciences, medicine/translational research and engineering.

All A*STAR projects are designed to provide multidisciplinary challenges for applicants with backgrounds including science and engineering.

Find a project

Apply for the A*STAR programme

Applicants to the programme must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science, engineering or technology.

If you wish to be considered for the A*STAR PhD programme and meet our eligibility criteria, you must complete a single  online application .

Application process

Please follow the information and step-by-step guide on our main  How to apply  page. 

Specific details for this programme are noted below.

You must make one separate application for this programme (select 'A*STAR PhD Programme' on the online application form). If you select the incorrect programme, your application will not be considered.

You should select this programme for any project on the programme with supervisors in the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health.

There are some projects available for the Faculty of Science and Engineering this year, but you should apply directly to those and not to the A*STAR PhD programme, as this is only for projects with Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health supervisors.

For the 'Research Details' section, you must state the name of the primary project supervisor and project title in the format below. You can indicate up to two projects/supervisors here, listing the primary supervisor and project title in order of preference. You do not need to submit a separate application for each project.

• Name of Primary Supervisor – Project Title

For the 'Funding Sources' section, you must select the details as follows:

• Select 'Yes' from the drop-down.
• Type of Funding: 'University of Manchester Scholarship'.
• Awarding Body: University and A*STAR.
• Status of Funding – Awarded.
• Funding Covers – Fully Funded.
• Leave the remaining boxes blank.

Application deadline: To be confirmed

Other application information

Applications must be submitted by the deadline, as late applications will not be considered.

Incomplete applications will  not  be considered.

• Application deadline: 24 March 2023
• Interviews: April 2023

Eligibility

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and seek to create equality of opportunity for all our applicants and postgraduate researchers. See our  Equality, Diversity and Inclusion statement .

Academic excellence of the applicant is paramount, as the level of achievement is scrutinised by A*STAR.

They ask that candidates hold (or be about to obtain) a minimum Upper Second (2:1) undergraduate degree (or overseas equivalent) in a relevant subject, preferably from a well-ranked university with prior research experience.

Unfortunately, we cannot accept applications from students who have achieved a Lower Second (2:2) undergraduate degree, even if you have a good master's degree, for this particular programme.

Many of our applicants have also undertaken a master's degree, although this is not compulsory if you have achieved an Upper Second undergraduate degree.

International applicant eligibility requirements

We aim to support the most outstanding applicants from outside the UK. Funding will cover tuition fees and stipend only.

This scheme is open to both UK and international applicants. However, we are only able to offer a limited number of studentships to applicants outside the UK. Therefore, full studentships will only be awarded to exceptional quality candidates due to the competitive nature of this scheme.

The programme is open to all non-Singaporean applicants (home and overseas). To ensure the diversity of students studying at A*STAR institutions, A*STAR may apply stricter criteria to certain nationalities that may be over-represented in Singapore. As part of the offer/nomination process, The University of Manchester will select the most outstanding candidates for this programme.

International applicants must ensure they meet the academic eligibility criteria (including English language) as outlined before contacting potential supervisors to express an interest in their project. English language requirements can be found on the  How to apply page.

Information on living costs in Singapore can be found on the  Living in Singapore website .

You will be kept informed of the progress of your application throughout the application procedure.

We will contact you directly if we wish to invite you to interview.

What the funding covers

The programme is funded by The University of Manchester and A*STAR and includes:

• university tuition fees
• monthly stipend (equivalent to UKRI rate )
• airfare grants
• settling in allowance (Singapore)
• medical insurance

Have any questions? Get in touch.

For general queries about the A*STAR programme, email [email protected] .

If you have a query about a specific research project, you should contact the Manchester supervisor regarding your interest and application. You can find their details in the University’s online directory .