Humanitarianism and international development in the 21st Century – shaping the world of tomorrow

Humanitarianism has been all over the news in recent months, prompted particularly by the situation in Gaza.

Humanitarians are being constrained by geopolitical agendas of donor states and the growing assertion of national sovereignty. What, then, can humanitarians hope to achieve? At the University of Bath, we have designed courses specifically designed to help navigate the tumultuous humanitarian landscape.

Build your career in humanitarianism and international development

In an increasingly complex socio-political world, effective and sustainable responses to conflict and disaster seem to be increasingly harder to achieve. Through a master’s degree at the University of Bath, you can gain the concrete skills and tools to help make a difference in the world.

Our courses provide you with an excellent skillset to start your career in policy, sustainability, campaigning, or peacebuilding organisations. They are equally relevant if you’re already working in the field and looking to advance your career with a deeper level of specialist knowledge.

MSc Humanitarianism, Conflict and Development

This part-time degree combines online learning with intensive residentials in Bath and Jordan, allowing you to both enhance your knowledge alongside other commitments and apply it to real-world scenarios.

You’ll focus on the practical tools and approaches used to respond to peacebuilding, development, human rights and humanitarian response challenges. Throughout the course, you’ll learn from active researchers with extensive experience working in the field. You will also be able to share your perspectives with a diverse, global group of fellow students, enabling you to build a strong professional network.

MSc International Development

Taught on our Bath campus, either part or full-time, this course will equip you with interdisciplinary research and interpersonal skills to constructively engage with the different social, political and cultural environments shaping countries’ development processes.

You can choose to complete the interdisciplinary MSc International Development, or specialise in one of three pathways:

• MSc International Development with Conflict and Humanitarian Action
• MSc International Development with Economics
• MSc International Development, Social Justice and Sustainability
• MSc International Development with Education*
• MSc International Development Management*

On all pathways, you will have the opportunity to gain real-world experience by conducting a work-based practicum with a partner organisation instead of a traditional dissertation.

Humanitarianism in Crisis?

Join this webinar on 22 February, 12:30 – 13:30, delivered by University of Bath researchers Dr Naomi Pendle, Dr Touseef Mir and Dr Mathilde Maîtrot.

In this conversation, we will discuss the good, the bad and the ugly of humanitarian principles and practice. Our focus will be on contemporary humanitarian dilemmas, and we will draw on extensive first-hand research in Africa, Asia and the Middle East conducted by scholars at Bath.

What should be the role of humanitarianism in a world where international law has evidently failed to protect large numbers of civilians? How should international humanitarian organisations respond to calls for the decolonisation of aid?

We anticipate a lively discussion, so whether you are working in humanitarianism, interested in joining the field, or a sceptic – please join us.

*Subject to approval