Key information
- Duration: Full-time: 36 months (distance learning: 4 years); Part-time: 72 months (distance learning: 8 years)
Overview
Explore themes such as governance, sustainability, and inequality, and be ready to impact society through research with the International Development degree at the University of Birmingham.
Shape your future by developing cutting-edge research skills, critical thinking, and expertise in development studies, preparing you for influential roles in academia, policy-making, and global development organisations. Visit the programme website for more information.
The PhD in International Development offers you the opportunity engage in original research guided by leading academics supporting you with personalised training within a top-ranked, research-focused environment and vibrant research community.
Career opportunities
The PhD in International Development prepares you for a range of impactful careers. You’ll gain advanced research skills and expertise, opening doors to roles in academia, policy-making, global NGOs, and international development organisations.
Personalised training and extensive career support from the department will ensure you are equipped for leadership positions and real-world impact in your chosen field.
Programme Structure
Research projects:
- You can apply directly through the University, or by proposing your own PhD idea.
- They welcome applications that complement the academic interests of members of staff in the Department.
- They recommend that you investigate staff research interests before applying.
Admission Requirements
Academic requirements
We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.
English requirements
- TOEFL iBT: 88 (or 4.5 on new TOEFL iBT 1-6 score)
- PTE Academic: 67
- IELTS: 6.5
Other requirements
General requirements:
- Excellent undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Typically the latter will be a taught masters degree, including a dissertation. Normally candidates for the PhD programme will initially be offered a place on the MPhil programme and will be transferred to the PhD at the end of the first year, subject to a satisfactory review of progress.
- Besides formal qualifications, a key factor determining whether the Department decides to accept a candidate for either degree is the quality of his or her research proposal and its relevance to the own interests. Successful completion of a research thesis demands a high level of self-discipline, motivation and commitment to the subject of research. Great importance is placed on work experience, when relevant. Please contact the Department for more details.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees are shown in AUD and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.
- International students: 43,581 AUD / year (≈ 22,880 GBP / year)
- Domestic students: 9,977 AUD / year (≈ 5,238 GBP / year)
Additional details:
- UK: £2,619 part-time On Campus and Distance Learning
- International: £11,440 eight years Distance Learning
Living costs
Birmingham, United Kingdom: 1,457-2,160 AUD / month. The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.
Scholarships are available. For more information, please visit the programme website.