International Development

Entry requirements

A minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent). We welcome applications from academically strong individuals from a wide variety of fields and backgrounds. Candidates with a lower class degree but with degree-relevant work experience may be considered.

Months of entry

April, October

Course content

The MSc International Development builds on the established global reputation of the Development Studies department as one of the top places in the world to study international development. We welcome applications from those who have worked in development, however broadly defined, but also from students without relevant work experience who can demonstrate a strong interest in, and understanding of, issues

pertaining to international development. International Development is a dynamic field concerned not only with processes of change in the Global South, but also of social, economic, political and cultural change in middle income countries and the Global North. The perspective of International Development analyses these processes as interdependent and engages major policy challenges as well as efforts to overcome poverty and insecurity while also presenting a structural analysis. This programme provides a solid interdisciplinary social science formation in the political economy and sociology of development and develops students’ capacities for independent and critical
analysis.

• Conceptualising and questioning development
• Marxism, dependency and structuralism
• Gender and development
• Measuring development
• Neoclassical economics, neoliberalism and development
• Global institutions, agendas and development targets
• Industrial policy
• Agriculture and agrarian change
• Labour and labour markets
• Decolonial approaches to development

Students can draw on SOAS's unique expertise to specialise further in particular regions or topics.

Information for international students

For details, including English language requirements, please see SOAS website

Fees and funding

For details of postgraduate fees, please see SOAS website