MA Intercultural Communication and International Development at University of Sheffield

Course description

This interdisciplinary course is designed to produce international development practitioners with advanced intercultural communication skills.

You'll develop a critical understanding of the role culture and communication play in international development. You’ll also learn the theory and practice of intercultural communication and international development, and how to apply these to real-life situations. 

The course is taught by the School of Languages and Cultures and the Department of Geography. A module on international project management integrates the two subjects and there are communication seminars designed for developers.

On our MA you'll develop essential skills in ethnographic research and form systematic approaches to understanding others’ perspectives. This course will help you develop an intercultural lens on the world’s most pressing problems.

The course includes a ten-day field class overseas that provides hands-on experience of research. Recent destinations have included the Galapagos, Tanzania and Nepal. The cost of the field trip class is included in the fees.

Dissertation placement

There will be an extra cost for the dissertation placement (which is often in the global south) but it's great experience and value for money. All students take a dissertation placement.

Our students are placed with some of the world's leading international agencies on the dissertation placement. Most of our placements are in the global south. We have some in the UK, and even a few in Sheffield, but unless you have overriding reasons (such as caring responsibilities) you should expect to do your placement outside the UK. 

Costs vary depending on the location of the placement – whether overseas or in the UK. You'll need to think about the cost of flights, accommodation, food and transport, which can add up to around £1,500 in addition to your tuition fees.