MSc Wellbeing & Human Development
Dept Social & Policy Sciences (incl Centre for Development Studies) University of Bath

This new MSc (commenced October 2007) has been developed to reflect the increasing interest in ‘wellbeing’ from academic and policy circles in both developed and developing countries. The programme carries forward the insights of the research group Wellbeing in Developing Countries into a taught programme. This MSc is multi-disciplinary and combines economic, political, sociological and anthropological analyses of the concepts of wellbeing and its relevance for international development with insights from philosophy and psychology. This new MSc represents a significant shift from other Masters Programmes in International Development in the sense that it moves the debate on international development from a debate about ‘development’ to a debate on wellbeing and social justice. The MSc in Wellbeing and Human Development is distinctive from existing degrees in that: * it deals explicitly with conceptual and normative aspects of international development and social policy arising from the wellbeing discourse; * it approaches international development with perspectives from psychology and ethics; * it brings the insights from ‘development studies’ to the context of developed countries as a means of bridging the analytical divide that has existed between the study of ‘developing’ and ‘developed’ nations; * it analyzes the specific aspects of ‘globalization’ which relate to social justice and the struggle of each human being to attain a decent level of wellbeing. The programme will provide students with the theoretical underpinnings of the concept of wellbeing and its policy implications as embodied in the ‘human development paradigm’ promoted by the Human Development Reports of the United Nations Development Programme. It will also develop the conceptual tools for the critical analysis of contemporary development debates from a wellbeing perspective. See http://www.bath.ac.uk/econ-dev/pg/

The entry requirements for students enrolling on the Masters programme in Wellbeing & Human Development are: • 2.2 or higher first degree or equivalent in a social science subject, or a • 2.1 in another subject with substantial prior experience of working in development. Underlying these conditions is a belief that students must bring a minimum combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience to the programme. Marginal cases are often dealt with at interview, and it is not uncommon for relatively inexperienced students to be asked to defer entry. Applicants should have a good command in English, oral as well as written. In particular, non-Anglophone students should have obtained a minimum score in English language tests of: • IELTS 7.0 (with not less than 6.5 in each of the four components) or • TOEFL 600 (paper-based test) or 250 (computer-based test) or 100 (internet based) A student who has already been awarded the UoBath PG Certificate or PG Diploma Wellbeing & Human Development (within five years of initial registration) may be admitted directly onto the next Stage of the programme. See http://www.bath.ac.uk/econ-dev/pg/mwhd.htm. Applications must be sent by post to: Graduate Office, University of Bath, Claverton Down Bath BA2 7AY UK Each application should comprise: + Letter of Interest explaining why you wish to apply + completed Application Form - available in WORD or PDF format + 2 references (at least one academic reference) in signed sealed envelopes, each comprising a completed Reference Request - available in WORD or PDF + your degree certificate/transcript + English language certificate (if your native language is other than English) + (in the case of those students applying for an MPhil/PhD) a Research Proposal which comprises a full description of your research interests and an outline of the research you propose to undertake. Indicate if possible how the proposed research relates to your first degree and/or subsequent qualifications or professional experience. All applications for taught MSc and MRes programmes are considered, and decisions as to whether or not to offer a place are made, by the programmes' Admissions Tutor/Director of Studies. Applications for research MPhil/PhD programmes are reviewed by the Director of Studies and possible Supervisor(s). Candidates are strongly advised to apply as soon as possible - whilst applications as late as July may still be considered, the offer of places is usually based on a first-come, first-served basis. Suitable applications to programmes which have already been allocated their full quota of students may be offered a place in the following academic year.

October to end of September each year

(i) Placements possible (including overseas) during the dissertation stage over the summer period, however this is subject to student performance and availability. (ii) Separate PG Certificate and PG Diploma (comprising semester 1 and semesters 1&2 respectively) are available as intermediate qualifications.