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Course Directory > Postgraduate (taught) > MRes International Development (Departmemt of Social & Policy Sciences, University of Bath)
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Course Type: Postgraduate (taught)
Training Provider: University of Bath
School/Institute/Dept./Centre: Department of Economics

The Master of Research (MRes) in International Development combines the academic study of International Development, with training in research methods and the techniques of policy analysis. Its aims are:
  • to systematically review and evaluate different research skills, methodologies and paradigms in International Development;
  • to review systematically, and to evaluate critically, the application of these approaches in the specific areas of social and educational enquiry in which students are specialising;
  • to support students, within an active research community, in identifying and investigating their own original research questions;
  • to equip students with the skills to contribute to research projects using any of the main methodologies of the social sciences.

The programme was designed for the needs of two groups of students:

  • First, those professionals who want to further develop their research and analytical skills in International Development.
  • Second, those who wish to pursue a Masters in research as a precursor for PhD studies in International Development. The Master of Research in International Development is approved by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as a top quality research training degree that students can use for ESRC-funded PhD studies. ESRC is the most prestigious national institution for funding research in Britain and only few Masters have this recognition. The ESRC now requires that all the students whom it funds for doctoral studies should first complete a recognised programme of this kind (see http://www.esrc.ac.uk/esrccontent/postgradfunding/foindex.asp). Students applying for the MRes in International Development as preparation for a PhD at Bath are therefore eligible to apply for ESRC funding for the MRes/PhD 1+3 programme.
  • More information at http://www.bath.ac.uk/soc-pol/postgraduate/mres-id/

Programme Structure

The MRes International Development is a one-year full-time (or up to 5 year part-time) postgraduate programme.

The programme comprises a mixture of compulsory and optional Units (or modules), delivered over a two-semester structure (Autumn and Spring), addressing a mix of development-related issues and research methods. This is followed by a 3-month dissertation (typically July to September), which requires students to draw on the taught units addressed in the previous two semesters, undertaking a more sustained piece of research on a question that they themselves identify.

Students may be able to undertake an internship, either in the UK or overseas, during the time they prepare their dissertations (subject availability).

Semester 1

Compulsory
  • Principles and Skills of Social Research
  • Qualitative Methods 1
  • Quantitative Methods 1
  • International Development and Poverty
  • Short Research Apprenticeship Project (SRAP)*

*Audit one of the following (as part of the SRAP):
  • Comparative European Social Policy
  • Economics of Development
  • Policy Theory and the Politics of Developing Countries
  • Public Sector Economics 1 (taxation)
  • Sociology & Social Anthropology of Development
  • International Policy Analysis 1
  • Globalisation 1: political sociology of globalisation

Semester 2

Compulsory
  • Long Research Apprenticeship Project (LRAP)
  • Either Qualitative Methods 2 or Quantitative Methods 2

One of the following:
  • Language Foundation
  • Management of Development
  • Critical Issues in Social Development
  • Well-being, Welfare Regimes & Social Policy: a global perspective
  • International Development: Extended Essay

Audit
  • Postgraduate Dissertation Workshop

Summer

Dissertation - a 15,000-word research project of the students' choice, supported by a research-active member of staff (as their own Dissertation Supervisor).  (May include a 3-month, UK or overseas placement.)

(*) The dissertation unit allows students to take a placement in a UK- or overseas-based development organisation, non-government organisation (NGO) or government department. The Department for Economics and International Development has strong links with various suitable organisations. However, the option of a placement is subject to availability of (and demand for) internships, and the Department cannot guarantee internships in organizations.

Hits: 2557

                                                                     

Course Details

Staff:
http://www.bath.ac.uk/soc-pol/people

Entry Requirements:

- 2.2 or higher first degree or equivalent in a social science subject, or a
- 2.1 in another subject, or
- relevant professional experience.

Students should normally have prior experience of working in development. Underlying these conditions is a belief that students must bring a minimum combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience to the programme. Marginal cases are often dealt with at interview, and it is not uncommon for relatively inexperienced students to be asked to defer entry.

Applicants should have a good command in English, oral as well as written. In particular, non-Anglophone students should have obtained a minimum score in English language tests of:

- IELTS 7.0 (with not less than 6.5 in each of the four components) or
- TOEFL 600 (paper-based test) or 250 (computer-based test)

If you wish to improve your English proficiency before commencing your studies, pre-sessional language training can be arranged through the university\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s English Language Centre.

Intake/Applications (previous year):
8/50

Course Duration:
One-year full-time, up to five years part-time.

The Masters Programmes are available for part-time study. We recognise the often significant challenges associated with balancing study and other activities, and so adopt a flexible approach (wherever possible) to part-time study. A typical example might be: to take two or three taught units in each of the four semesters over a two-year period - the aim being to complete the taught component of your studies by the end of semester 2 in the second year. Development of the Dissertation may be commenced in the first summer, being completed in the second summer, possibly extending into the third year.

(If the compulsoiry units are taken in the first year, this might provide the necessary key knowledge to be able to identify and pursue the dissertation in the first summer.)

Obviously, such a pattern will not be suitable to all students - our recommendation would be to meet with the Director of Studies to identify a tailor-made study programme to suit your particular requirements.

[Whilst there will be constraints regarding timetabling and that some units require other units to be taken before them, we continue to strive to reduce such constraints. For example, the MRes core units are delivered on just two days of the week - Tuesdays and Fridays in both semesters 1 and 2 ).]

We also recognise that studying a programme on a part-time basis can impose a range of problems, different to those encountered by full-time students, particularly regarding the balance between studying and other life activities (such as home or work). We therefore provide advice to students as to how to tackle this balance, and expect Directors of Study to maintain regular contact with p/t students. To enable part-time students to adapt study arrangements as they continue to juggle study and outside commitments, students can suspend their registration for a period of one or more semesters ? this is sometimes useful to work-around outside activities although should only be considered where absolutely necessary.

Language(s) of Instruction:
  • English

Mode of Study:
  • residential

Thematic Focus:
  • Development Economics
  • Development Studies
  • Globalisation
  • Poverty Analysis
  • Research Methods
  • Rural Development
  • Social Policy and Development

Country(ies):
  • United Kingdom

Town(s) or City(ies):
Bath

Course fees:
http://www.bath.ac.uk/grad-office/finance/pgfee_schedule.pdf

Scholarships & Awards:
see web address below...

Further Funding Information:
http://www.bath.ac.uk/econ-dev/pg/funding.htm

Course's Webpage:
http://www.bath.ac.uk/econ-dev/pg/res-development.htm

School/Institute/Dept./Centre
Department of Economics
Training Provider: University of Bath
Contact Telephone: +44 (0)1225 38 3799
Courses: 7
The Department of Economics (http://www.bath.ac.uk/economics/) is one of the leading UK university research departments.
  • Department in top 10 for Economics: Complete University Guide 2010
  • 9th best university in the UK; the Guardian University League tables 2010   In the last Research Assessment Exercise (2001), the development studies were graded at 4, the highest grade awarded for the sector whilst the economists in the department shared Grade 5 (the maximum possible score being 5*) with DSPS and the School of Management. The UK government’s Quality Assurance Agency awarded the department 24 points out of 24 for its teaching provision in its most recent review (November 2001). . 
     
  • Drawing on its research and consultancy activities, the Department's research-active scholars offer three undergraduate degrees (Economics & International Development, Economics & Politics and Economics), a Masters Economics (Development), as well as research supervision for MPhil and PhD degrees.  

    In all our programmes the aims are to increase students' awareness of the subjects taught and to develop those critical faculties which enable them to apply their knowledge when dealing with practical policy issues. All undergraduate programmes students have the opportunity to spend twelve months (during the third year of the programme) on placement with a government department, commercial organisation, or an overseas agency.   Examples of placements included prestigious organisations, including the Bank of England, HM Treasury, HSBC, Shell, Xerox, Cambridge Econometrics, and many other private and public sector employers. Placements are also common through the departments own research programmes - either in the UK or overseas.  Some students also take placements in Europe, and this opportunity is particularly valuable for students who continue to study European language courses within the undergraduate programmes.

    Students benefit from ethusiastic and approachable academic staff. The interdisciplinary nature of many of our programmes is also reflected in and informed by staff research interests.

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