Entry requirements and pathways
International students

Academic entry requirement

Prerequisites

Successful completion of an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent).

Prior learning developed through relevant work experience or professional accreditation, where it is deemed to be at least equivalent to that obtained through a Bachelor's degree, may be considered. In making an offer to an applicant, the University will give consideration to a range of factors, including academic record, English proficiency and/or employment experience.

Selection criteria

  • Applicants with an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent) in a cognate discipline or area and marks reflective of the capacity to work at the masters level will receive credit of up to 60 credit points.

    The following subjects will be credited as advanced standing for cognate students:

    DST5DIP DEVELOPMENT IN PRACTICE

    DST5CTD MAKING DEVELOPMENT MATTER

    DST5GMD GENDER MOBILITY AND DEVELOPMENT

    PLA4001 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT

    Applicants with an Australian Honours degree (or equivalent) in a cognate discipline or related area will receive credit of up to 120 credit points, including the subjects listed above.

    Applicants with over 2 years of relevant work experience may be eligible to receive credit of up to 60cp credit points

Note: Meeting minimum prerequisites does not guarantee an offer of a place. Entry into all La Trobe courses is based on competitive selection and there may be limited places available.

English language requirement

6.5 IELTS (Academic) with no individual band less than 6.0.

Please refer to our English Language Requirements page for details of other accepted English Proficiency tests and additional recognised English Language Proficiency Measures, such as English as the language of instruction.

Credit for previous study (advanced standing)

Credit for previous study (advanced standing) is the recognition of prior study or learning that can be counted towards a qualification. This can reduce the number of subjects required to complete your course. The amount of credit received depends on the level and relevance of your previous study and the number of subjects completed.

The University will designate courses where there is only admission into Year 1 of the course. In these cases, there is limited credit. See list of limited entry courses.

To check if this course is available for credit, please visit the Advanced standing webpage.

Questions about the course?

Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.

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What you'll study

Sample course structure

Please note, the following course structure is indicative and subject to change depending on your course location, offer year or how you tailor your course with specialisations, majors, minors and electives. Structures for the following year are not normally finalised until October, so the sample provided is based on the most recently approved structure. For more information, please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook.

To qualify for the award of Master of International Development, students must complete a total of 240 credit points across 2 years.

Applicants with an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent) in a cognate discipline or area and marks reflective of the capacity to work at the masters level will receive credit of up to 60 credit points.

The following subjects will be credited as advanced standing for cognate students:

DST5DIP DEVELOPMENT IN PRACTICE

DST5CTD MAKING DEVELOPMENT MATTER

DST5GMD GENDER MOBILITY AND DEVELOPMENT

PLA4001 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT

Applicants with an Australian Honours degree (or equivalent) in a cognate discipline or related area will receive credit of up to 120 credit points, including the subjects listed above.

Applicants with over 2 years of relevant work experience may be eligible to receive credit of up to 60 credit points.

Year 1 requires the completion of 120 credit points including:

  • 120 credit points from chosen Core

Study options

Core subjects are required subjects in your course. You need to complete these subjects to attain your degree.

Subject name Subject code Year Credit points
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY MODULE LTU0AIM 1 0
CONTEMPORARY APPROACHES TO DEVELOPMENT DST5DAC 1 15
DEVELOPMENT IN PRACTICE DST5DIP 1 15
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT PLA4001 1 15
FIELD METHODS AND RESEARCH FOR DEVELOPMENT DST5MDF 1 15
GENDER MOBILITY AND DEVELOPMENT DST5GMD 1 15
HOW SOCIAL CHANGE HAPPENS DST5HSM 1 15
HUMAN SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT DST5HSD 1 15
MAKING DEVELOPMENT MATTER DST5CTD 1 15

A range of standalone elective subjects is available in this course. Some electives are recommended for your course, but you may also be able to choose from a range of University-wide electives or electives from other interest areas or disciplines. Note these electives may have their own prerequisites and other requirements. Please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook for the subjects available.

A specialisation is a sequence of related subjects studied in your course. In some courses, you need to complete at least one specialisation to attain your degree.

Students to select one specialisation

Course specialisations Specialisation code
Advanced research SPE-ADR02
Community inclusion and public health StudyFlex SPE-CPH01
Economic management StudyFlex SPE-ECN01
Leadership and practice SPE-LPR01
Security and governance SPE-SGO01

For more information on these please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook.

Work-Based Learning

Elective placement opportunities (Work Based Learning)
During this course, you will have the opportunity to participate in an optional Work Based Learning (WBL) placement experience, designed to allow you to extend your formal academic learning beyond the classroom. The WBL experience will provide the opportunity to bring your learning from the university into a work environment and test out your knowledge in a professional real-world environment. Some courses include compulsory WBL subjects, however, we also offer a range of elective WBL subjects, both cross-discipline and subject-specific. La Trobe University will source placements for some subjects, while others will require you to source your own placement. If you are required to source your own placement, dedicated staff will guide and support you through the process. Elective WBL subjects generally involve an application process and Subject Coordinator approval. The location and number of hours undertaken can vary considerably depending on the activity and the discipline area.

See La Trobe University Handbook for more details

The Handbook contains detailed course information designed for enrolled students, including course structures, electives and options. The delivery of this course can vary between campuses.

View course information for Online

Questions about the course?

Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.

Apply now

 Call  (+61 3) 6145 0033

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Chat is available from 9am to 5pm AEST Monday to Friday during business days.

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Master of International Development course and career outcomes

However you choose to structure your study, La Trobe recognises your hard work. Here are the pathways you could follow as you move through your course.

Course intended learning outcomes

  • Apply an advanced and integrated knowledge of complex interventions, procedures and professional practices to independently evaluate the international development sector.
  • Critically analyse complex development problems via advanced analytical theories from development studies and related disciplines, which may include geography, anthropology, public health, sociology and economics.
  • Research, synthesise and professionally communicate complex development knowledge, skills and ideas to a wide range of specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  • Independently assess complex sustainable development challenges and propose innovative solutions based on advanced interdisciplinary methodologies and approaches.
  • Apply specialised technical skills to design, implement, monitor and critically evaluate complex development activities.
  • Reflexively respond with advanced participatory practice to the contextual needs and conditions of beneficiaries/communities to support self-determination through the international development architecture.

Master of International Development career opportunities

After graduation, you could work across a wide range of organisations, including multilateral development organisations, government and intergovernmental agencies, media organisations and not-for-profits, community-based and non-government organisations, and research or training institutions.

Possible roles include:

  • Project manager
    • Lead development and humanitarian projects. Work closely with communities as you address economic and social inequalities.
  • Humanitarian delegate
    • Represent marginalised and disaster affected communities. Work with leading organisations and governments to create sustainable solutions and human-centred policies.
  • Policy analyst
    • Analyse, prepare and assess the performance of development and humanitarian policies.
  • Humanitarian/emergency relief officer
    • Work closely with communities on humanitarian and emergency-relief efforts.
  • Campaign or advocacy manager
    • Help amplify the voices of marginalised communities. Deliver public awareness campaigns and lobby stakeholders, including governments and peak bodies.

Questions about the course?

Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.

Apply now

 Call  (+61 3) 6145 0033

Live chat

Chat is available from 9am to 5pm AEST Monday to Friday during business days.

Live chat

Ask a question

Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.

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Fees and scholarships

Estimated course fees for international students

Estimated fees per year (2024): Indicative based on 2023 fees
A$23 000 per 120 credit points.
Note: 120 credit points represents full-time study for one year.

Scholarships: Available for this course

The International estimated fees are indicative only. The tuition fees you pay will depend on the subjects you choose to study, with each subject having its own cost. In some cases, your course fees may be higher than the indicated fees because of the subjects you choose.

International scholarships

Destination Australia – an Australian Government initiative

The Destination Australia scheme supports new international students to study in regional Australia and offers students a high-quality learning experience. For eligible applicants, these scholarships are worth up to A$15 000 per annum for up to four years.

Find out more about Destination Australia scholarships.

If you're a La Trobe graduate, you may be eligible for a 10 per cent fee reduction when you apply for a full-fee postgraduate coursework program. See our Alumni Advantage page for further details.

International students applying for an undergraduate or postgraduate course to study at La Trobe University can be rewarded a bonus grant for completing their admission process early. Recipients will automatically be eligible to receive an Early Bird Acceptance Grant of 5% of the first-year tuition fees.

If you’re a high-achieving international student from either Vietnam, Cambodia or the Philippines and are considering full-time undergraduate or postgraduate study, you can apply to receive a 50 - 100 per cent tuition fees scholarship for the duration of your studies from 2024.

Do you have an excellent academic record? La Trobe High Achiever Scholarships are awarded to high-achieving international students and provide up to a 25 per cent reduction in course fees for selected courses.

Note: You must first have an offer to study at La Trobe before you are eligible to apply for a La Trobe scholarship.

Questions about fees and scholarships?

Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.

Apply now

 Call  (+61 3) 6145 0033

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Chat is available from 9am to 5pm AEST Monday to Friday during business days.

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Ask a question

Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.

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How to apply

Apply now or ask us a question if you need more help. You can also call us on +61 3 9627 4805.

Note: Some courses start earlier than the standard semester, term or study period. Applications for these courses close one week prior. Always check your course’s start date to ensure your application is submitted in time.

Check when course applications close

CRICOS code:

Ready to apply?

Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.

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 Call  (+61 3) 6145 0033

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Ask a question

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Overview

Key facts

Award Master of International Development
Start dates

Indicative based on 2023 start dates

Semester 1 (March 2024), Semester 2 (July 2024)
Duration 2 years full-time
Available locations Melbourne (Bundoora), Online
Scholarships View fees and scholarships
Specialisations

What is a specialisation?

A postgraduate specialisation is a chance to deepen your knowledge and confidence in your field. Choose from options across your discipline, aligning your studies and passion. With career-focused outcomes and industry connections, you'll graduate ready to make an expert impact.

Annual tuition fee

Indicative based on 2023 fees

A$23 000 per 120 credit points.
Note: 120 credit points represents full-time study for one year.

About the Master of International Development

If you're passionate about supporting our world's most vulnerable communities, La Trobe's Master of International Development will give you strong foundations to advance your career in the humanitarian and development sector.

Build a meaningful career and learn how to create sustainable, positive change in areas where we need it most. You'll learn from experienced experts as you choose from a wide range of specialisations and specially curated electives, allowing you to pursue your passion.

You'll learn how to build strong relationships in the development sector and have the opportunity to undertake an internship or placement with a local or international development organisation, helping you to further build your skills and networks.

You'll learn:

  • How to design and deliver development projects
    • Understand how to work in partnership with local communities, and learn how to create projects that address inequality.
  • Policy and practice frameworks
    • Develop the knowledge and skills you need to successfully operate in the development sector.
  • How to drive social change
    • From grassroots activism to governmental policy, you'll learn how to engage with individuals, communities and organisations to create positive change.
  • Development sector best practice
    • Become familiar with the tools and techniques commonly found in development practice, including logframes, project proposals and 'theory of change' documents.

The qualification awarded on graduation is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 9 - Masters Degree.

Have questions?

Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.

Apply now

 Call  (+61 3) 6145 0033

Live chat

Chat is available from 9am to 5pm AEST Monday to Friday during business days.

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