Overview
Global challenges demand global thinkers. McGill’s International Development Studies (IDS) program offers an interdisciplinary exploration of some of the world’s most pressing issues, including poverty and inequality, governance, sustainability, health, human rights, and social justice. Drawing on perspectives from across the social sciences and humanities, students examine how economic, political, cultural, and environmental forces shape development around the globe.
Housed within the Institute for the Study of International Development (ISID), one of the Faculty of Arts’ largest programs, IDS combines academic rigor with a commitment to understanding and addressing complex global challenges. Through a flexible curriculum, students engage with development-related themes such as economic development and poverty reduction, governance and public policy, inequality and social justice, conflict and peacebuilding, environmental sustainability, health and education, migration and urbanization, and international development cooperation. Courses emphasize the processes, policies, and challenges that shape development, particularly in the Global South.
Whether your interests lie in public policy, international organizations, community development, environmental sustainability, or graduate studies, IDS provides a strong foundation for understanding an interconnected world and contributing to meaningful change.
Learn more: www.mcgill.ca/isid
Careers
You could become a:
- Foreign Correspondent
- Government Administrator
- Legislative Aid
- Analyst
- Public Affairs Consultant
Course Work
As an International Development Studies student, you'll take courses like:
Possible minors
Minors are a great way to customize your academic experience. Many students use minors to pursue interests outside their major, while others choose minors to complement their degree.
Discover these potential minors:
Related majors
Discover these related majors:
Ready to apply?
For this program, you'll need to apply to the Faculty of Arts.
See the full eligibility information for more information about deadlines and required documents for your application.