Migration, Mobility and Development

The MSc in Migration, Mobility and Development programme offers you the opportunity to combine study and analysis of critical perspectives on development and the related field of migration studies.

Our core course reflects the department’s diverse disciplinary and epistemological concerns, and approaches the study of migration and development through political economy, decolonial, postcolonial, and institutionalist perspectives, drawing from debates in Sociology, Geography, Politics and Anthropology. It engages with policy-making processes and strives to conceive innovative avenues for political intervention.

Highlights

The programme provides critical tools for understanding our contemporary world through the prism of migration. It seeks to create a series of analytical challenges associated with the study of migration and development; confront us with different epistemological perspectives for resolving such challenges; critically engage and reframe traditional approaches to ‘migration policy’; force us to take a stand on contemporary issues pertaining to the themes of this programme.

The core course addresses topics such as: the political economy of migration; colonialism, coloniality and race; trafficking; integration and citizenship; diaspora, transnationalism and autonomy of migration; security; climate change and conflict; migration advocacy; and borders.

The programme draws on the expertise of our staff in development, migration and forced migration contexts, and encourages inter- and trans-disciplinary dialogue with other relevant departments and centres within SOAS.

You will also have opportunities to take work placements as part of your degree, and we offer internships in the department and via external organisations. This year MSc students were offered placements in the International Organisation for Migration, the London International Development Centre and international NGOs.

Why study MSc Migration, Mobility and Development at SOAS?

• We are ranked 5th in the world for Development Studies (QS World University Rankings 2025)
• We are ranked 2nd in the world for Academic Reputation (QS World University Rankings 2025)
• There is also the opportunity to take virtual work placements. This year MSc students taking the International Development Placement module were offered placements at the Overseas Development Institute, ISEAL, and MSF. (Numbers in this module are capped to 75 students due to limited availability)
• All modules engage with questions of climate crisis, recognising its impact and interaction with processes of inequality and change
• Our staff specialise in a range of thematic areas including sustainability and climate change, migration and displacement, conflict, humanitarian action, labour, political ecology, and aid and institutions

Who should apply?

The degree has been developed to meet the needs of people working, or hoping to work, in international agencies, humanitarian organisations, and NGOs and students intending to go on to carry out PhD research. The programme attracts applicants with a variety of academic and working backgrounds. We welcome those who have worked in the field of migration and / or development, but we also welcome applications from students without relevant work experience who can demonstrate a strong interest in the major themes of the programme and a strong first degree, preferably in a social science.