Turn Your Action Into Change

Join a Global Network of Changemakers

The International Development Studies program is designed to prepare you for a meaningful career where you can make positive, sustainable and equitable change. When you graduate, you'll join a network of changemakers working around the world on pressing issues such as food insecurity, climate change and inequality.

Where Will Your Degree Take You?

The foundation you build as an International Development student will prepare you for a wide range of career possibilities, including:

Economic Development Officer
Teacher
International Strategy Analyst
Lawyer
International Aid Worker

Policy Analyst
Immigration Officer
Global Affairs Executive
Community Development Worker

Meet our Alumni

International Development Studies Tour U of G Questions About IDS?

What Our Graduates Say

"I was surprised by how much the professors cared in the IDS department. I came from high school and felt isolated, but then it felt like I found a home [in IDS]. I was kind of surprised by how collaborative all these courses were, how much positive work you could do together through experiential learning, and how supportive everyone was, in a very good way."

Aleksa Nitsis, Alumni
Program Manager with Natural Curiosity & Supply Teacher for Toronto District School Board | Class of 2020

"Creating communities in cities that are complete and that can sustain for a long period of time [is important to me]. We know that climate change is not just going to go away overnight, so it’s a matter of adapting to the situation and learning how to create urban areas more specifically, because that’s where most people live in a sustainable way. So how do we create a complete community? How do we incorporate Indigenous knowledge?"

Zoë Kreze, Alumni
Secondary Tutor in ESL and ELD with the Waterloo District School Board | Class of 2022

"My interest lies within the sphere of gender justice, specifically with promoting menstrual equity and the development of women's entrepreneurial skills; I think that impact ripples and has an effect on the whole community. But I also hope that I can contribute to these spaces in a way that promotes women's well-being and value beyond the economic benefits they bring to their communities: they are also human."

Johannah Brockie, Alumni
Menstrual Equity Lead at Changing The Flow | Class of 2018

"One course I took called Food and International Development was about global food systems and security, and now I actually work alongside some of those authors whose work I read in that class... I also took a course in 2019 where we went to the Yukon and we studied northern food systems and food security, which is a key component to the Laurier Centre for Sustainable Food Systems where I work now. That definitely helped land this job."

Erica Carmount, Alumni
Research Assistant with Laurier Centre for Sustainable Food Systems | Class of 2019

"I was surprised by how much the professors cared in the IDS department. I came from high school and felt isolated, but then it felt like I found a home [in IDS]. I was kind of surprised by how collaborative all these courses were, how much positive work you could do together through experiential learning, and how supportive everyone was, in a very good way."

Aleksa Nitsis, Alumni
Program Manager with Natural Curiosity & Supply Teacher for Toronto District School Board | Class of 2020

"Creating communities in cities that are complete and that can sustain for a long period of time [is important to me]. We know that climate change is not just going to go away overnight, so it’s a matter of adapting to the situation and learning how to create urban areas more specifically, because that’s where most people live in a sustainable way. So how do we create a complete community? How do we incorporate Indigenous knowledge?"

Zoë Kreze, Alumni
Secondary Tutor in ESL and ELD with the Waterloo District School Board | Class of 2022

"My interest lies within the sphere of gender justice, specifically with promoting menstrual equity and the development of women's entrepreneurial skills; I think that impact ripples and has an effect on the whole community. But I also hope that I can contribute to these spaces in a way that promotes women's well-being and value beyond the economic benefits they bring to their communities: they are also human."

Johannah Brockie, Alumni
Menstrual Equity Lead at Changing The Flow | Class of 2018

"One course I took called Food and International Development was about global food systems and security, and now I actually work alongside some of those authors whose work I read in that class... I also took a course in 2019 where we went to the Yukon and we studied northern food systems and food security, which is a key component to the Laurier Centre for Sustainable Food Systems where I work now. That definitely helped land this job."

Erica Carmount, Alumni
Research Assistant with Laurier Centre for Sustainable Food Systems | Class of 2019

"I was surprised by how much the professors cared in the IDS department. I came from high school and felt isolated, but then it felt like I found a home [in IDS]. I was kind of surprised by how collaborative all these courses were, how much positive work you could do together through experiential learning, and how supportive everyone was, in a very good way."

Aleksa Nitsis, Alumni
Program Manager with Natural Curiosity & Supply Teacher for Toronto District School Board | Class of 2020

"Creating communities in cities that are complete and that can sustain for a long period of time [is important to me]. We know that climate change is not just going to go away overnight, so it’s a matter of adapting to the situation and learning how to create urban areas more specifically, because that’s where most people live in a sustainable way. So how do we create a complete community? How do we incorporate Indigenous knowledge?"

Zoë Kreze, Alumni
Secondary Tutor in ESL and ELD with the Waterloo District School Board | Class of 2022

Four happy students pose for the camera during a field trip

Turn your Passion into Skills

Fueled by your passion, you'll choose one of five areas of emphasis that will help you develop the skills you need to impact the big issues facing our world that you care about the most.

Discover your Passion

A student enjoys a serene nature walk during a field trip

Turn your Skills into Action

Test out theory in the real world through hands-on experiences built into the program, including exchange, field schools, co-op, internships, volunteering, and course-based experiential learning.

Discover Experiential Learning

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