Master of Science
MSc Digital Development
Year of entry: 2027
Duration: 1 year
Overview
Course overview
Explore how digital technologies can support economic and social development around the world.
- Prepare for careers in digital development, digital policy, international development, technology consulting and innovation-focused organisations.
- Study at a university ranked in the world's top five for Development Studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026).
- Learn from experts at Manchester's world-leading (CDD).
- Develop the knowledge and skills needed to plan, implement and manage digital development and ICT4D initiatives.
Our students. Real experiences. Visit the to hear from our students as they share what it's really like to study here.
A study experience that makes a difference
We place social responsibility at the heart of your learning which means you can take advantage of unique ways to make a difference while studying with us, through your course or through extra-curricular activities.
- Complete our Ethical Grand Challenges to learn how you can create a better world and become more socially responsible.
- Work with an external organisation to tackle real-world sustainability problems through our University Living Lab.
- Discover subjects that broaden your horizon with our interdisciplinary learning opportunities.
Explore how you'll make your mark
Every course at Manchester contributes towards the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, so no matter what you're studying you'll be playing an active role in the protection of people and planet.
You will explore the following goals in your course:
- Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Open days
The University holds regular events throughout the year, including webinars and the annual on-campus Master’s Expo, all of which offer the opportunity to find out more about our facilities and courses from our academic and admissions staff.
We also attend a number of education fairs both in the UK and overseas throughout the year.
For more details on how you can meet us, visit out events page: /study/masters/meet-us/
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- Contact name
- School of Environment, Education and Development - 0161 275 2814
- Telephone
- 0161 275 1814
- gdi.admissions@manchester.ac.uk
- School/Faculty overview
-
See: .
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
Entry requirements
Academic entry qualification overview
We require a UK Honours degree with a First or Upper Second (2.1) classification or the overseas equivalent.
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.
English language
For the latest information on demonstrating your English proficiency for those whose first language is not English, please see our .
This programme accepts successful completion of the 6- and 10-week pre-sessional English Language course. We accept the following qualifications which must be valid on the start date of the Master's course:
Pre-sessional 6-week course requirement:
IELTS UKVI or Academic 6.5 Overall with 6.5 in Writing and Speaking, and 6.0 in Listening and Reading OR IELTS UKVI or Academic 7.0 Overall with 6.5 in Writing or Speaking, and no other sub-skill below 6.0
TOEFL iBT 90 Overall with 22 in Writing and Speaking, and 20 in Listening and Reading OR TOEFL iBT 100 Overall with 22 in Writing or Speaking, and no other sub-skill below 20
TOEFL iBT (6-point scale) 4.5 Overall with no sub-skill below 4.5
Pearson PTE Academic UKVI or Academic 70 Overall with 70 in Writing and Speaking, and 65 in Listening and Reading OR Pearson PTE Academic UKVI or Academic 76 Overall with 70 in Writing or Speaking, and no other sub-skill below 65
Pre-sessional 10-week course requirement:
IELTS UKVI or Academic 6.5 Overall with no sub-skill below 6.0
TOEFL iBT 90 Overall with no sub-skill below 20
TOEFL iBT (6-point scale) 4.5 Overall with 4.5 in two sub-skills, and no other sub-skill below 4.0
Pearson PTE Academic UKVI or Academic 70 Overall with no sub-skill below 65
English language test validity
Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the Master's course.
Other international entry requirements
Fees and funding
Fees
Fees for entry in 2027 have not yet been set. For reference, the fees for the academic year beginning September 2026 were as follows:
-
MSc (full-time)
UK students (per annum): £14,700
International, including EU, students (per annum): £30,500
The fees quoted above are fully inclusive of tuition, administration and computational costs.
Fees for entry are subject to yearly review. The University reserves the right to increase your tuition fee by up to 7% each year for courses lasting more than one year, including to reflect rising costs associated with delivering our educational and wider student experience. Postgraduate fees information .
Always contact the admissions team if you are unsure which fee applies to your qualification award and method of attendance.
International student CAS deposit
Self-funded international applicants are required to pay a deposit of £2500 towards their tuition fees before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. Some applicants will be required to pay a higher deposit. More information on tuition fee deposits .
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 (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
We know that student finance can be complicated. The links below provide further information to help guide you.
- Learn more about - student finance options for UK students .
- Learn more about - fees and finance for international students .
- Graduates of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and Manchester Metropolitan University can receive a 10% discount on their master's degree tuition fees as part of our Manchester Alumni Loyalty Discount scheme.
Application and selection
How to apply
Advice to applicants
Please submit the following documents with your completed application form:
- copies of official degree certificatesand transcripts of your previous study, showing the subjects taken and grades obtained. If these documents are in languages other than English, please provide official translations;
- copies of English Language Certification, eg IELTS, TOEFL iBT or Pearson test score report if available at the time of application;
- your CV.
Ensure that you enclose all the necessary documents to avoid any delays.
How your application is considered
Applications for MSc Digital Development are very competitive. Due to the high demand for the programme we may not be able to offer places to all applicants who have the entry qualifications that we require. If we are unable to consider you for an offer you may be placed on a waiting list. Candidates on a waiting list will only be considered for an offer if places become available.
Once your application has been received, our admissions team will contact you. We may ask you to submit additional information, if necessary.
Re-applications
If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry.Â
In your new application, you should demonstrate how your application has improved. We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.
Course details
Course description
Develop the knowledge and skills to use digital technologies to support meaningful economic and social change.
MSc Digital Development explores how digital technologies are transforming economies, organisations and societies around the world. The course examines the relationship between digital innovation and development, helping you understand how technology can contribute to addressing complex economic, social and development challenges.
Delivered within the Global Development Institute, the programme combines expertise in development studies and informatics. You will explore conceptual frameworks that help explain socio-economic development while examining the opportunities and challenges created by digital technologies, data and information systems.
The course focuses on the effective planning, development, implementation and management of digital development initiatives. You will critically evaluate how digital technologies are used in different development contexts and consider their implications for inclusion, governance, innovation and social change.
You will learn from internationally recognised experts at Manchester's Centre for Digital Development, whose research addresses digital transformation, information systems, technology-enabled development and the role of digital innovation in tackling global challenges. Additionally, field visits give you a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience, connect with practitioners in the field, and apply your learning in real-world contexts.
The programme is suitable for students interested in combining technology and development, whether pursuing careers in international development organisations, digital policy, consultancy, government, technology-focused organisations or further academic research.
Special features
- We're Europe's largest dedicated development research and teaching institute and have been at the .
- We bring cutting-edge insights from our research into all our postgraduate teaching. Our courses bring different development perspectives and voices to Manchester, from to the leaders of multinational companies.
- We are home to the internationally recognised and research centres.
- Students are part of our vibrant research community this includes our which brings world experts, former heads of state, and leading development thinkers, to discuss current issues in development.
- We have numerous for outstanding applicants.
Teaching and learning
Important notice: factors affecting fieldwork and placements
The School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED) recognises the value of fieldwork and placements. However, the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remains our priority.
The School will assess on a regular basis the viability of any travel and fieldwork and communicate any significant changes to our students at the earliest possible opportunity.
Coursework and assessment
The taught elements of the course, carrying 120 credits overall, are continuously assessed by a variety of methods (e.g., project-based reports, essays), involving largely individual submissions, but also elements of group work.
You must also complete a 12,000-15,000-word dissertation on a topic of your choice approved by the Programme Directors.
You are encouraged to base your dissertation on topics of direct professional concern.
Course unit details
A master’s degree is formed of 180 credits.
120 of these credits are made up by a mix of mandatory and optional course units, with 60 credits taken in each semester.
The availability of individual course units may be subject to change. Information that is sent to you in August about registration onto the course will clearly state the course units that are available in the academic year ahead.
The remaining 60 credits are awarded through a compulsory research component in the form of a dissertation. Your dissertation must be within the area of one of the course units you have chosen and you will be assigned an academic dissertation-advisor who is experienced in your chosen field.
Course unit list
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| MGDI60701 | 15 | Mandatory | |
| MGDI70992 | 15 | Mandatory | |
| MGDI72090 | 15 | Mandatory | |
| EDUC70050 | 15 | Optional | |
| EDUC70511 | 15 | Optional | |
| EDUC77401 | 15 | Optional | |
| MGDI60012 | 15 | Optional | |
| MGDI60052 | 15 | Optional | |
| MGDI60162 | 15 | Optional | |
| MGDI60191 | 15 | Optional | |
| Displaying 10 of 27 course units | |||
| Display all course units | |||
What our students say
Disability support
Careers
Career opportunities
Graduates develop specialist knowledge and practical skills at the intersection of technology and development. The programme is particularly relevant for students interested in how digital technologies can support economic and social development, public services, inclusion and innovation.
Potential career paths include:
- Digital development
- ICT4D (Information and Communication Technologies for Development)
- Digital policy
- Digital transformation
- Technology consulting
- International development organisations
- Government and public sector roles
- Innovation and digital inclusion programmes
- Research and analysis
- Doctoral study (PhD)
The combination of development knowledge and digital expertise prepares graduates for careers across international organisations, NGOs, government agencies, consultancies and technology-focused organisations.
Careers support
This course supports students interested in careers across digital development, technology, policy, consultancy and international development, in roles that include digital design, implementation, management and policy-making.
The University has its own dedicated that you would have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate.
At Manchester you will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability ,
Careers support for international students
The Careers Service provides specialist resources, advice and events to help with career planning and making the most of your time while studying in Manchester.
Global networks
Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ is proud to have the largest global alumni community of any campus-based university in the UK.
After your course, you'll join our 10,000 strong .
We'll keep you up to date with all the new insights and implications from our research.
International alumni groups are a great way to keep in touch with fellow Manchester graduates in your country.
It is an opportunity to build professional and social networks.
You can view the alumni networks already operating across the globe .
Regulated by the Office for Students
Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ 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 .
You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our .