Australian residents
International students
Duration: 
2 years full time or longer for part time
Location: 
City Campus
Delivery mode: 
Hybrid
Start dates:
24 February 2025
28 July 2025
Application due dates:
Direct applications are due on 16 February 2025 for our next intake which starts on 24 February 2025.
Apply

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.

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:

  1. Graduate Certificate in International Community Development
  2. 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.

As a postgraduate student you might want to take up one of many opportunities to further develop your academic language and study skills. VU’s Learning Hubs are welcoming spaces where you can improve your study and employability skills.

We offer maths, writing, careers and English-language advice and show you effective ways to study and manage your time.

Our programs include:

  • workshops
  • drop-in sessions
  • peer mentoring
  • maths and writing resources
  • resume and career guidance.

We also have accessibility support services and counselling services available for all students.

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.

Need some advice?

Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.

Request a call back

International student story

Meet VU graduate Isurika - Transcript

Careers in community development

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.

Salaries

Use Labour Market Insights to find average salaries in Australia for various professions:

A global community in the classroom

A global community in the classroom

Thanks to the rich and diverse learning environment at VU, Angelo Monizjong is getting the most out of his Master of International Community Development.

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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.

Year 1

Plus 24 credit points of Elective Studies

Year 2

OPTION A - Community-based Research

Plus 48 credit points of Elective studies

Or

OPTION B - Research Thesis

Plus 48 credit points of Elective studies

Elective Units

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

  1. Interpret community development theoretical concepts and related knowledge to think critically on appropriate approaches to address sociocultural problems in contemporary societies;  
  2. 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  
  3. Deconstruct the role of civil society and grassroots social movements in relation to international community development;  
  4. Critique global and regional political structures, and their impact upon community development;  
  5. Creatively employ advanced skills in research and project management in international community development contexts;  
  6. Devise and execute a substantial research-based project or minor thesis;  
  7. 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.  

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

Fees & scholarships

Fee type for this course: Full-fee

Fee type definitions

The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or a full fee-paying place.

Students who enrol in a:

In addition to your tuition fees, you may also be charged a Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF).

Scholarships & assistance

Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.

We can help with fee assistance and advice.

Admission & pathways

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. We also encourage you to explore our study pathways to help you reach your goal.

Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Entry requirements

Completion of an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent) in any discipline
OR
Completion of an Australian Graduate Diploma (or equivalent) in a similar discipline
OR
Applicants without an undergraduate qualification may be admitted to the Graduate Diploma based on approved work experience. Upon completion of the Graduate Diploma, graduates will be eligible for admission to this course with credit granted for completed units.

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.

Credit Calculator

Find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

CALCULATE YOUR CREDIT

How to apply

Available start dates:
  • 24 February 2025
  • 28 July 2025

Before you apply

Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:

  • Special admission programs: Depending on your life circumstances you may be eligible for special consideration of your application.
  • Advanced standing: If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.

Find out more about applying for our courses.

Apply direct to VU

Direct applications are due on 16 February 2025 for our next intake which starts on 24 February 2025.

Apply direct to VU

Already a VU student?

If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.

After you apply

  • It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
  • Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered

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At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.