Globalisation, Business and Development MA

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Sussex

Program Overview

The MA in Globalisation, Business and Development at the University of Sussex gives you a unique chance to explore how businesses interact with global development, inequality, and sustainability. It’s perfect for curious, motivated students who want to understand the real-world impact of business and use that knowledge to create positive change.

Curriculum Structure

Autumn Term: You’ll start with Globalisation, Business and Policy, where you’ll explore how global institutions, economic power, and technology shape business strategies and influence development outcomes. It’s an eye-opening way to understand the forces that shape our world.
Spring Term: The focus shifts to Business as a Development Actor, diving into how companies can actively contribute to development through social entrepreneurship, corporate social responsibility, and innovative partnerships, while also addressing issues like inequality and growth.
Spring & Summer Term: In Research Design, you’ll learn the essential skills to carry out your own research project, whether through qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods, setting you up to produce high-quality, impactful work.
Summer Term: The Dissertation is your chance to apply everything you’ve learned to a topic that excites you, producing an original piece of research that can make a real difference.
Alongside these core modules, you can choose from options like Economic Perspectives on Development, Climate Change & Development, Public Finance, and Theory & Practice of Impact Evaluation, so you can tailor your studies to your interests.

Focus Areas

Global inequality, economic power shifts, business as a development actor, globalisation and policy, research methods, sustainable development, corporate social responsibility, technology transfer

Learning Outcomes

You’ll finish the program with a strong understanding of globalisation and development, practical research skills, and the ability to critically analyse and influence business and development policy. You’ll be ready to take on challenges in both professional and academic settings with confidence.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

This MA is offered in partnership with the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) — a globally respected leader in development research — giving your degree serious credibility and exposure to cutting-edge thinking in the field.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings)

Sussex is ranked #1 in the world for Development Studies by QS World University Rankings (2025), reflecting its global reputation for excellence.
Graduates go on to careers in international organisations like the UN and ILO, development banks, NGOs, CSR, and policy roles, with 91% of postgraduates gaining relevant work experience by the time they finish.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Sussex, this MA isn’t just about sitting in lectures — it’s about getting your hands on real-world challenges and seeing how business and development intersect in practice. You’ll learn alongside leading researchers at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), take part in workshops with development practitioners, and work on projects that make a tangible difference. Whether it’s through group work, field research, or using cutting-edge tools, you’ll gain practical skills that go far beyond the classroom.

Here’s how you’ll experience learning in action:

Real-world projects: Take on paid project opportunities with UK organisations, where you work in teams to solve real challenges and deliver actionable insights.
Fieldwork options: Conduct interviews, gather data, or carry out desk-based research for your dissertation, giving your work a real-world grounding.
IDS Knowledge Services: Use development knowledge tools like Eldis and id21, and access the British Library for Development Studies — one of the most comprehensive collections in the world.
Library & research facilities: Enjoy the University’s library with over 800,000 books and e-books, 40,000 journals, and digital research databases to support every stage of your learning.
Special archive access: Explore unique resources through the BLDS partnership, ideal for in-depth development research.
Collaborative study spaces: Use the Global Studies Resource Centre, equipped with PCs, printers, scanners, and spaces for group work and study.
Digital tools & software: Access IT labs, campus wi-fi, and software like SPSS to help with data analysis and research.
Career & entrepreneurship support: Connect with employers, attend insight visits, or get involved with StartUp Sussex and Ideas Lab, turning your learning into real-world impact.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from this MA opens doors to exciting and meaningful careers where you can make a real difference. Many alumni go on to roles as development policy analysts, international consultants, CSR managers, or development researchers, working for organisations that shape global business and development policy. You’ll leave Sussex with the skills and confidence to step straight into impactful work:

Here’s how Sussex helps you get there:

Personalised career support: The Career Lab offers one-on-one coaching, CV help, interview prep, and guidance tailored to development and global business careers.
Entrepreneurial opportunities: If you’re interested in social enterprise or innovative development projects, Sussex’s StartUp Sussex and Ideas Lab help you bring your ideas to life.
Work experience: 91% of postgraduates gain relevant work experience by the time they finish, giving you practical exposure to complement your studies.
Global networks: Alumni go on to work in international agencies like UNIDO and the ILO, development banks, NGOs, CSR roles, and social enterprises worldwide.
Credible, long-term value: Partnering with the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) — a world leader in development research — ensures your degree carries real weight in both academia and the job market.
Graduate outcomes: You’ll be equipped to influence global development policy, drive business strategy in international contexts, or lead social enterprise projects with confidence.

Further Academic Progression:
If you’d like to continue your studies, this MA is an excellent foundation for a PhD in Development Studies or Global Studies, or research roles in think tanks and policy institutes. The strong research training and analytical skills you gain make you well-prepared for advanced academic or professional research work.