Development Concentration
You’ll develop the cultural awareness and critical thinking skills you need to analyze and produce a broad range of discourse in a full spectrum of careers — and to make a difference in whatever you do.
- 2 Years / Onsite
- Intakes: Jan, Apr, Jun, Oct
Overview
The Development Concentration at Auckland Royal Academy focuses on the social, economic, and institutional dimensions of human development, exploring how communities, nations, and international organisations work to reduce poverty, improve wellbeing, and build more equitable societies. The programme draws on economics, political science, sociology, and development studies to provide a rigorous and multidisciplinary understanding of development challenges and opportunities in the Pacific and globally.
Seminars examine case studies from New Zealand's international development engagement in the Pacific, as well as from development contexts in Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America. Research methods courses equip you with the skills to conduct needs assessments, programme evaluations, and policy analyses in development settings, preparing you for fieldwork and professional practice in complex and resource-constrained environments.
Career Opportunities
Development Concentration graduates work with international non-governmental organisations, bilateral aid agencies, multilateral institutions such as the UN and World Bank, Pacific Island governments, and New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Careers include development programme management, humanitarian response, policy analysis, research, and advocacy for global health, education, and economic justice.
Program Learning Outcomes
Apply development economics and political economy frameworks to analyse the structural causes of poverty, inequality, and underdevelopment, evaluating the effectiveness of development interventions in Pacific and global contexts.
Design and conduct development programme evaluations using mixed methods research, applying monitoring and evaluation frameworks used by major international development organisations.
Demonstrate cultural competency and ethical awareness in engaging with communities in development contexts, applying the principles of participatory development, local ownership, and do-no-harm in professional practice.
Programme
| Semester 1 | Credits | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Development Studies | 4 | DEVS 101 |
| Foundations & Theory | 4 | DEVS 110 |
| Research Methods | 3 | DEVS 120 |
| Semester 2 | Credits | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Development Studies I | 4 | DEVS 201 |
| Professional Practice | 3 | DEVS 210 |
| Industry Context NZ | 4 | DEVS 220 |
| Semester 3 | Credits | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Development Studies II | 4 | DEVS 301 |
| Critical Perspectives | 3 | DEVS 310 |
| Ethics & Standards | 3 | DEVS 320 |
| Semester 4 | Credits | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Development Studies | 4 | DEVS 401 |
| Specialisation Elective | 3 | DEVS 410 |
| Development Studies Capstone Project | 4 | DEVS 490 |
| Total for the entire period of study | 11 |
Contact us
3/60 Federal Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
How to Apply?
- You Apply
Tell us a little about yourself and we’ll help with the rest. Our convenient online application tool only takes 10 minutes to complete.
- We Connect
After you submit your application, an admissions representative will contact you and will help you to complete the process.
- You Get Ready
Once you’ve completed your application and connected with an admissions representative, you’re ready to create your schedule.