Master of International Community Development

Name: Master of International Community Development
Price: <p>Tuition: per semester AU$16,100</p> AUD

VU course code: AMCD | CRICOS: 083312G | Level of study: Postgraduate

Duration

2 years

Delivery mode

Hybrid

Fees

Tuition: per semester AU$16,100

Location

City Tower

Next start date

28 July 2025

View all start dates

Overview

Take your knowledge of community development and human rights to the next level, with the Master of International Community Development at Victoria University.

This unique and popular program in international community development offers a personalised education. The mix of study and practical experience will have you job-ready for a fulfilling career in a local or international arena.

Key study areas include:

community development theories and practices
project design, planning and management
social research and evaluation
understanding globalisation and its impacts on communities
peace strategies and conflict resolution
building capacity and mobilising communities
advocacy of gender rights and other human rights
leadership in community development
governance of local and international organisations.

The course is open to graduates considering a career in community development.

Our masters is the final stage of three courses, following our graduate certificate and graduate diploma.

If you are already employed in community development and want to advance your career, this program will give you the practical skills and intellectual know-how to be a more capable and skilled professional and leader in real-world settings.

: On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Interpret community development theoretical concepts and related knowledge to think critically on appropriate approaches to address sociocultural problems in contemporary societies;

Utilise critical analytical skills to interrogate and interpret different schools of thought on globalisation and development and their impacts on communities, including through critical engagement with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Deconstruct the role of civil society and grassroots social movements in relation to international community development;

Critique global and regional political structures, and their impact upon community development;

Creatively employ advanced skills in research and project management in international community development contexts;

Devise and execute a substantial research-based project or minor thesis;

Resolve complex or emerging problems in professional practice and in contemporary international community development settings by applying knowledge and skills in a real-world context.
: VU offers expertise and guidance in several specialised research areas. Postgraduate research will bring you into contact with our vibrant and innovative research community.
Related research themes include community resilience, liveable and inclusive cities, cultural diversity and wellbeing and community, identity and displacement.
The Community, Identity and Displacement Research Network (CIDRN) promotes research into displacement, identity, community and change, focused on Melbourne’s west.
Our Social & cultural transformation research program is part of our Institute for Sustainable Industries & Liveable Cities. We conduct high-impact and innovative research relating to social inclusion, community development, inclusive and transformational education, and social justice.
: VU offers flexible study options, with courses designed to lead into one another. This makes it easy for you to graduate with the qualification that suits you, within a timeframe that suits you.
This degree is the final stage of a nested suite of three courses that make up the Master of International Community Development. The two previous stages are:
Graduate Certificate in International Community Development
Graduate Diploma in International Community Development.
Applicants with a four-year undergraduate degree can apply directly to this masters degree.
Alternatively, if you have a three-year undergraduate degree or equivalent you can apply for the graduate certificate or graduate diploma course and then proceed to the masters.
Completion of one stage gives you credit towards the next. You can also choose to exit the course at graduate certificate or graduate diploma level.
: Our partnerships with educational, business and community organisations offer important research opportunities. We have agreements with other universities and NGOs, such as the National University of Timor Leste (UNTL). These give you fantastic options to learn and travel.
Students studying international development at VU have completed placements in the following countries:
Timor Leste
Fiji
Cambodia
Thailand
Malaysia
India
Bangladesh
Mauritius
Kenya
Botswana.
: This program critically engages with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), recognising and supporting Victoria University values.
These include respecting cultural diversity and supporting lifelong learning.
VU’s Strategic Plan includes ‘An unwavering commitment to progressive inclusivity’ and further states that:
It is our responsibility to respect and listen to Indigenous voices and standpoints, upholding and privileging self-determination, sovereignty and authority.

Entry requirements

When assessing your application, we consider your education, work experience, current skills and personal attributes (where relevant).

Applicants for this course will need to meet the entry criteria outlined below. If you don’t meet the entry criteria, you may be able to gain entry by first completing a different course. We call this a ‘pathway’.

For PhD applicants, we offer a related ‘Integrated PhD’ which allows you to establish relevant skills before beginning your research.

You may also be eligible for course ‘credits’, where you are granted a unit or units towards your qualification for equivalent previous study or work experience, so you can graduate sooner.

Entry criteria

Credit & Entry pathways into this course

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Course structure

To complete the Master of International Community Development students will be required to complete 192 credit points consisting of the following:

72 credit points of Core studies
72 credit points of Elective studies
48 credit points of either Community-Based Research or Research Thesis Capstone Studies.

Units

Fees & scholarships

As an international student at Victoria University, you will be required to pay your tuition fees up front each semester.

There may be additional materials fees throughout your studies, depending on your chosen course, as well as an administrative fee as part of your course.

Victoria University is proud to support our international scholarship recipients and sponsored students.

Save up to 30% off your fees!

The VU Block Model® International Scholarship offers eligible international students up to 30% off tuition fees for their entire first year of study. Study well and you’ll have the chance to increase or extend the scholarship for the whole duration of your course.

Find out more

Fees

Scholarships

Careers

Graduates find work in many related areas, including international humanitarian and development aid.

Careers include:

international and regional consultant in human rights, gender, poverty reduction and project evaluation
project manager with international, government and local organisations such as Australian Red Cross, Save the Children, Asylum Seekers Resources Centre
leaders and advisers in government
community development educator and trainer
journalist
activist
academic and researcher.