Key facts
Duration
Depending on your professional experience and previous qualifications, the Master of Humanitarianism and Development is typically 1 or 1.5 years duration.
- 1 year full-time (2 years part-time) - 8 credit points
- 1.5 years full-time (3 years part-time) - 12 credit points
Locations
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 3 2024 are closed.
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 1 2025 close 16 February 2025
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Study the Master of Humanitarianism and Development to develop a deeper understanding of the challenges facing the planet. Extend your theoretical knowledge and enhance your specialist and practical skills in international development, crisis and disaster response, humanitarian responses, and community development.
You’ll gain insights into the histories, causes, interconnections, and multiple impacts of the many crises facing the world. You’ll also learn about community-led approaches to these issues that are occurring locally and across the globe. By identifying the challenges and successes of these strategies you’ll understand how communities create new and far-reaching methods and processes for addressing social, political and environmental problems.
Deakin has an exceptional reputation with over 40 years of teaching and research in international and community development, and more than a decade in humanitarian assistance. We were the first graduate program in humanitarian assistance in Australia.
The Master of Humanitarianism and Development is designed with industry consultation and taught by pioneering academics.
An opportunity to specialise in one of the following streams is available:
Disasters and Community Resilience, Community Development, International Development, Humanitarianism, Professional Practice.
Do you want to contribute to a better future for the many, not the few?
This course builds on the practical connections between immediate disaster and humanitarian relief and the longer-term issues associated with international and community development. You’ll examine critical issues from climate change to poverty, hunger, homelessness, racism, culture, and forced migration and learn how to build practical and just solutions.
You'll explore transformational change, examine the power relations between the global north and global south, and consider the overarching climate crisis, alongside geopolitical tensions. Above all, you’ll look at historic and contemporary community-led approaches to social justice, development, and humanitarianism, studying their successes, limitations, and new possibilities.
The Master of Humanitarianism and Development attracts students committed to social justice and equity, and those who wish to create enabling environments for addressing multiple modern-day crises.
You’ll choose from a variety of elective units. This allows you to focus on your career goals and development. Some of your elective unit options include:
- Food and Water Security
- Refugees and Forced Migration
- Culture Arts and Community
- Humanitarian Knowledge and Principles
- Monitoring and Evaluation
Graduates of the Master of Humanitarianism and Development will acquire a diverse skill set, including:
- project management
- data analysis and research methodologies for evidence-based decision making
- critical thinking and problem solving
- advocacy and policy analysis for influencing positive change
- cross- cultural communication skills.
You’ll have the opportunity to study and network online, on campus, or mixed mode, full-time or part-time. Take advantage of industry experiences and international experiences available. Our in-person intensives provide wonderful further opportunities to meet your peers, industry experts and academic staff.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Master of Humanitarianism and Development
- Year
2025 course information
- Deakin code
- A756
- CRICOS code?
- 114005C Burwood (Melbourne)
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9
Course structure
To be awarded a Master of Humanitarianism and Development, a student must successfully complete 8 or 12 credit points as follows:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory module)
- 1 credit point core unit
- 7 or 11 credit points of study from one of the Minor Thesis, Research Paper, or Professional Experience Pathways. Course Elective units must be used to form a stream.
1
Core units
11
Research pathway and Course Electives
12
Total units
Core
Pathways
Minor Thesis - PhD Pathway
Plus 2 credit points of research units:
Plus either 4 or 8 credit points of course electives used to form at least one stream
Research Paper – non PhD Pathway ^
Plus either 6 or 10 credit points of course electives used to form at least one stream
Professional Experience – non PhD Pathway ^
Plus either 5 or 9 credit points of course electives used to form at least one stream
^ The Research Paper and Professional Experience options are not PhD Pathways.
Streams
Students may select units within or across the streams as detailed below. To complete a stream students must complete 3 out of 4 elective units within a stream. Students may complete more than one stream.
Stream 1: Disasters and Community Resilience *
Stream 2: Community Development*
Stream 3: International Development*
Stream 4: Humanitarianism
Stream 5: Professional Practice*
* Trimester 3 unit. If selected this stream will require Trimester 3 study
Course Electives
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Online
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Online
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Online
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Work experience
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
The time and cost of your course could be reduced based on your previous qualifications and professional experience. This means you can fast track the masters degree from 1.5 years down to 1 year duration. See entry requirements below for more information.
Academic requirements
1 year full-time (or part-time equivalent) – 8 credit points
To be considered for admission to this degree (with 4 credit points of admission credit applied^*) you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- completion of a bachelor degree in a related discipline and at least two years of relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)
- completion of a bachelor honours degree in a related discipline
- completion of a graduate certificate or graduate diploma or higher in a related discipline
1.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) - 12 credit points
To be considered for admission to this degree (without admission credit applied*) you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- completion of a bachelor degree or higher in a related discipline
- completion of a bachelor degree or higher in any discipline and at least two years of relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)
^Recognition of prior learning into the Master of Humanitarianism and Development) may be granted to students who have successfully completed appropriate Postgraduate level studies.
*Recognition of prior learning will also be considered on a case-by-case basis. Learn more below.
English language proficiency requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- bachelor degree
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Admissions information
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.
Recognition of prior learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning.
You can refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The available fee places for this course are detailed above. Not all courses at Deakin have Commonwealth supported places available. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical first-year tuition fees for students enrolled in this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.
One year full-time study load is typically represented by eight credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook. Learn more about fees and available payment options.
FEE-HELP calculator
What is FEE-HELP?
FEE-HELP loans cover up to 100% of tuition fees for eligible students. By taking out a FEE-HELP loan, the government pays your tuition fees directly to Deakin, and the balance is repaid from your employment income - but only once you're earning over $54,435.
Please note: fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and based on 2025 rates. Actual fees may vary. We advise confirming fees with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
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- $* is the estimated full cost for a Master of Humanitarianism and Development (12 credit points), based on the 2025 fees.
- is the annual FEE-HELP payment, based on your current salary
- of your current salary be spent on FEE-HELP
*Disclaimer
Deakin University (Deakin):
- gives no warranty and accepts no responsibility for the currency, accuracy or the completeness of the information provided;
- advises users that no reliance should be placed upon on the information provided, and;
- instructs users that they should confirm the actual course fee with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
This tool provides indicative information about the fees that will be payable in respect of courses and subjects offered to prospective students domiciled in Australia during the periods indicated.
Please note that the fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and actual fees may vary. Users are advised to confirm the actual course fee with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
The estimated course fee is based on the tuition fee costs applicable to a domestic full time student commencing the course in Trimester 1 and studying full time for the duration of the course but:
- does not include non-tuition costs that may apply, such as Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF);
- does not take into account any scholarships or bursaries awarded to the student (including the 10% Deakin alumni discount);
- assumes the maximum number of units that need to be successfully completed actual number completed may be reduced if recognition of prior learning is granted;
- assumes that no exceptional, or non-typical, circumstances apply to the proposed course of study;
- assumes that the options that the user selects are appropriate for the course of study that they intend to undertake;
- where fees are estimated for future years those fee will be subject to annual increases in accordance with increases in the cost of course delivery.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.
Postgraduate bursary
If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.
Apply now
To apply, create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal details and education experience, upload supporting documents and submit. Need help? Play this video, or contact one of our friendly future student advisers on 1800 693 888 or submit an online enquiry.
For more information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage. If you're still having problems, please contact us for assistance.
Research Information
Students will complete a research pathway in 1 of the 3 following options:
- Minor Thesis - PhD Pathway ; or
- Research Paper – non PhD Pathway^ ; or
- Professional Experience – non PhD Pathway^.
Contact information
Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services and how we can help you further your career.
- Call us: 1800 693 888 Monday – Friday, 9am–5pm
- Live Chat: Monday - Friday
- Submit an online enquiry
- Help hub find common and trending questions and answers
Careers
Career outcomes
Some of the areas you might obtain work as a graduate of this course include:
- Government
- Not-for-profit
- Policy and advocacy roles
- Program and partnership roles
- National and Local non-government organisations
- Community development agencies
- Emergency management
- Private sector
- Social enterprise
- Consultant
- UN and associated agencies, including UNICEF, UNDP, UNOCHA, World Food program, and many other agencies
- Military and civil/military partnerships
- Universities
For more information go to DeakinTALENT.
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Engage in disciplinary research to critically analyse the major theoretical, conceptual and policy issues in development, humanitarian action, and disaster response / management, both locally and internationally, with a focus on engagement with communities and community-led responses to the world’s crises, including climate change, food insecurity, conflict and disasters, inequality and injustice, racism and exclusion. |
| Communication | Use oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills to disseminate the findings of research into complex multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral issues for improving social, environmental, and economic outcomes including global justice, peace, sovereignty, community resilience, and transformations of power to a wide range of specialist and non-specialist audiences. |
| Digital literacy | Research, analyse, report, and communicate complex data and information on contemporary issues in international and community development, global justice, disaster risk reduction and humanitarian action, utilising a range of digital sources for effective research and professional development, across interpersonal, organisational, and professional contexts. |
| Critical thinking | Conduct in-depth scholarly and practice-based research to investigate, synthesise, critically analyse, report, and propose actions on local and global issues such as global justice, disaster risk reduction and humanitarian action and opportunities, in the context of historical and contemporary development and humanitarian discourse. |
| Problem solving | Apply advanced skills in research, comprehension, interpretation and evaluation of theory, critique and proposed innovative responses to complex situations or “wicked” problems encountered in a range of community, development, humanitarian, and disaster contexts, with creativity, innovation, and respect. |
| Self-management | Plan, organise and manage competing demands on time, to work mindfully in a personal and professional capacity, whilst committing to ongoing learning, and performing as an independent and reflective practitioner capable of operating effectively in the context of developing community-led solutions to the world’s crises. |
| Teamwork | Work collaboratively as an active, engaged, and reflective team member seeking solutions to the world’s problems by contributing to mutual goals, research, tasks and leadership across practice, cultures, and disciplines, demonstrating active and constructive participation and contributions to resolving impasses and conflict. |
| Global citizenship | Question, engage, provoke, and innovate on a broad and interrelated range of social justice, environmental, development and humanitarian issues taking into consideration cross-cultural, indigenous, local and global knowledges, contexts, and perspectives that can inform the development of creative solutions for the world’s crises. |
Approved at Faculty Board 2023