Bachelor of Development Studies

Undergraduate Entry Requirements

Academic Qualifications: Applicants for undergraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 65% or above in their previous academic qualifications.

English Language Proficiency:

• IELTS: Overall band score of 6.0 or 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component.
• TOEFL: Overall score of 79 with a minimum of 12 in each section.
• PTE (Pearson Test of English): Overall score of 58 with a minimum of 50 in each section.

Students must provide:

• academic marksheets & transcripts
• letters of recommendation
• a personal statement - SOP
• passport
• other supporting documents as required by the university.

It's important to note that entry requirements can vary by program and may change over time. Additionally, some programs may have additional requirements, such as interviews, portfolios, or work experience.

The University of Newcastle, Australia, is making high-quality education accessible to international students. One of the ways it achieves this is by offering a wide range of scholarships designed to support and reward academic excellence, diversity, and achievement among international students.

International Excellence Scholarships: These scholarships are aimed at high-achieving international students who have a strong academic record. They provide financial assistance to cover a portion of tuition fees, making quality education more affordable.

Country-Specific Scholarships: The University of Newcastle offers scholarships tailored to specific countries, ensuring students from various regions have the opportunity to study in Australia. These scholarships may vary in terms of eligibility criteria and benefits.

Women in STEM Scholarships: To promote gender diversity in STEM fields, the university provides scholarships specifically for women pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Development Studies program at the University of Newcastle are equipped with a diverse skill set that prepares them for a wide range of career opportunities in the field of international development, social justice, and community empowerment. 

Development Officer: Graduates can work as development officers for non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international aid agencies, or government departments. They are responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating development projects aimed at addressing issues such as poverty alleviation, education, healthcare, gender equality, and environmental sustainability in communities around the world.

Community Development Worker: Graduates may pursue careers as community development workers, working closely with marginalized communities to identify their needs, mobilize resources, and implement programs that promote social inclusion, economic empowerment, and capacity building. They collaborate with local stakeholders, facilitate community participation, and advocate for social justice and human rights.

Policy Analyst: Graduates can work as policy analysts for government agencies, research institutes, or advocacy organizations, analyzing development policies and programs, conducting research on social issues, and providing evidence-based recommendations to policymakers. They contribute to policy formulation, monitoring, and evaluation processes, advocating for policies that promote equitable and sustainable development outcomes.

International Project Manager: Graduates may pursue careers as international project managers, coordinating development projects across borders and cultures. They manage project budgets, timelines, and resources, liaise with local partners and stakeholders, and ensure project compliance with donor requirements and international standards. They work in areas such as humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, or community development.

Social Researcher: Graduates with strong research skills can work as social researchers, conducting studies on development issues, conducting surveys, collecting data, and analyzing social trends and patterns. They may work for research institutions, think tanks, or consulting firms, contributing to evidence-based policymaking, program evaluation, and academic scholarship in the field of development studies.

Humanitarian Aid Worker: Graduates interested in humanitarian assistance can work for humanitarian organizations such as the United Nations, Red Cross, or Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). They provide emergency relief, healthcare services, and protection to populations affected by conflicts, natural disasters, or humanitarian crises, working in challenging environments to save lives and alleviate suffering.

Social Entrepreneur: Graduates with an entrepreneurial mindset may choose to start their own social enterprises or nonprofit organizations, developing innovative solutions to address social, economic, or environmental challenges. They blend business principles with social impact goals, leveraging market-based approaches to create sustainable change and empower communities.

Development Consultant: Graduates can work as development consultants, providing advisory services to governments, NGOs, and businesses on development issues and strategies. They offer expertise in areas such as project management, capacity building, fundraising, and organizational development, helping clients achieve their development goals effectively and efficiently.