Key facts
English language requirements
IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6) or equivalent
Duration
1 year full-time
Locations
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Set yourself up for career progression in an evolving field by studying the Master of International and Community Development. With new expertise, you’ll be able to take the lead on development programs that promote justice, reduce poverty and create environments for people to lead sustainable, fulfilling lives.
Tomorrow’s development opportunities require new ways of thinking. Want the practical experience needed to respond to future challenges in creative, culturally sensitive ways?
Deakin’s Master of International and Community Development is the largest, longest running and most reputable course of its type in Australia. Our academic staff have extensive professional experience within the sector and course content is finely tuned to the state of local and global events that impact development – just two of the reasons why our graduates are better prepared for their current and future roles. The course fosters your passion for social justice, sustainable development and human rights. At the same time, it provides professional development opportunities that take your career forward. Plus, you’ll be studying on our premium online learning platform, giving you the flexibility to fit your degree around your work.
You can tailor the degree to your interests and career goals by choosing from three study streams:
- international development stream
- community development stream
- combined stream (international and community development)
Adding to your study options is a broad range of elective units. Select topics that matter to you, from policy and advocacy to food security and gender development and create a degree that’s built just for you.
You’ll explore a range of issues, including poverty, empowerment, inequality and environmental vulnerability, then learn how to design, resource and implement initiatives that respond to these challenges. You’ll develop skills through assessment tasks that simulate the sort of work you’ll be doing on real development projects and campaigns. Hands-on learning opportunities and access to industry professionals through seminars and guest lectures adds to your practical experience, and further enhances your readiness for future career opportunities.
Our engagement in field research puts us at the leading edge of academic and industry thinking, and you’ll be able to leverage the expert knowledge of our research team when undertaking the research component of the degree. Acknowledging that keen analytical skills are expected of professionals within the development field, the course provides rigorous research training that embeds these skills while giving you the chance to delve into a topic of interest.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Master of International and Community Development
- Year
2023 course information
- Deakin code
- A765
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- Approval status
This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.
Course structure
To qualify for the Master of International Community Development, a student must successfully complete 8 credit points of study according to one of the options listed below and
1
Core unit
7
Stream/Research/Elective units combination
8
Total units
Streams
Students complete one of three streams
Streams (select one)
Stream 1 (Combined Stream - International Development and Community Development)
Plus 4 credit points of study from one of the Minor Thesis, Research Paper, or Professional Experience Pathways and Course Electives.
Stream 2 International Development Stream
Plus 6 credit points of study from one of the Minor Thesis, Research Paper, or Professional Experience Pathways and Course Electives.
Stream 3 Community Development Stream
Plus 6 credit points of study from one of the Minor Thesis, Research Paper, or Professional Experience Pathways and Course Electives.
Pathways
Minor Thesis - PhD Pathway
Plus 2 credit points of research units:
Research Paper – non PhD Pathway ^
Professional Experience – non PhD Pathway ^
^ The Research Paper and Professional Experience options are not PhD Pathways.
Course Electives List A
ADS721 Policy and Advocacy in Development Contexts [No longer available for enrolment]
* Students who have previously completed any of these units within the Graduate Certificate of International and Community Development are required to substitute with an alternate unit from the course elective list
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Online
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Online
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Online
Additional course information
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Work experience
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Entry requirements
Entry information
Admission to study postgraduate coursework at Deakin is based on recognition of your professional experience and previous qualifications.
Admission is based on:
- Bachelor honours (AQF8) degree in a related discipline or
- Bachelor degree in a related discipline, plus two years relevant work experience or
- Graduate certificate or graduate diploma in a related discipline or
- Evidence of academic capability judged to be equivalent.
IELTS / English language requirements
Please note that English language requirements exist for entry to this course and you will be required to meet the English language level requirement that is applicable in the year of your commencement of studies.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the required IELTS score to register with any external accredited courses. (more details)
If you don’t meet the minimum admission criteria for this Masters degree, we offer a pathway via the Graduate Certificate in International and Community Development.
Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories. To be eligible for admission to this program, applicants must meet the course requirements.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements.
Please note that meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee selection, which is based on merit, likelihood of success and availability of places in the course.
For more information on the Admission Criteria and Selection (Higher Education Courses) Policy visit the Deakin Policy Library
Recognition of prior learning
If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for credit transfer. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your credit transfer. Your credit transfer is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.
You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.
Postgraduate bursary
If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.
Apply now
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply web page.
Fill out the application form and submit to a Deakin International office or take your application form to a Deakin representative for assistance
For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage.
If you’re still having problems, please contact Deakin International for assistance.
Research Information
Students will complete a research pathway in 1 of the 3 following options:
- Minor Thesis - PhD Pathway ; or
- Research Paper – non PhD Pathway^ ; or
- Professional Experience – non PhD Pathway^ .
Entry pathways
Alternative exits
- Graduate Certificate of International and Community Development (A565)
- Graduate Diploma of International and Community Development (A665)
Careers
Career outcomes
You’ll graduate from this course with sought-after skills that open the door to a wide range of opportunities, both in Australia and internationally. Your practical experience will prepare you for leadership roles within all organisations that respond to challenges relating to social justice, empowerment, poverty and community development. These include:
- international and domestic non-government organisations
- government agencies
- local community organisations, councils and other civil society actors
- Commonwealth departments such as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
- international aid and development agencies such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
- bilateral and multilateral agencies.
There is also the potential to work in related areas, such as:
- social enterprise and other private sector businesses
- teaching
- travel
- consulting
- journalism
- government and non-government agencies concerned with the flow of trade, services, capital and personnel.
For more information go to DeakinTALENT
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities | Undertake research to acquire advanced integrated understanding, synthesis and application of theory and practice to international and community development within diverse disciplinary contexts and worldviews. |
| Communication | Apply oral, written and interpersonal communication skills to plan, inform, and debate complex multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral issues for improved social, environmental and economic outcomes to a wide range of audiences, and contexts, including scholarly research scenarios and real-world situations. |
| Digital literacy | Source, analyse and report on complex data and information, utilising a range of digital sources for effective research and professional development, across interpersonal, organisational and professional contexts |
| Critical thinking | Conduct in-depth scholarly and practice-based research to investigate, critically analyse, report and propose actions on local issues and opportunities in the context of historical and contemporary development discourse. |
| Problem solving | Apply advanced skills in research, comprehension, interpretation and analyses of competing option for solving complex or “wicked” problems with creativity, innovation and respect. |
| Self-management | Plan, organise and manage competing demands on time, to work mindfully in a personal and professional capacity, and commit to ongoing learning and self-reflection on the development as a professional practitioner. |
| Teamwork | Work collaboratively as an active, engaged and reflective team member by contributing to mutual goals, research, tasks and leadership across practice, cultures and disciplines. |
| Global citizenship | Question, engage, provoke and innovate on a broad and interrelated range of social justice, environmental and development issues taking into consideration cross cultural, indigenous, local and global contexts. |
| Approved by Faculty Board November 2018 | |
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