Political Economy of Development

The unique MSc Political Economy of Development is a fascinating, pluralist programme that engages students with questions on the various issues affecting development in Global South contexts. The MSc provides theoretical insights into the critical analysis of the interaction between the political and the economic in influencing development.

The programme also supports students in empirical and methodological training. Overall, this exciting MSc is designed for students passionate about politics and economics whose first degree was not, or only partially in, economics as well as for those who have already studied a lot of economics and want to do an MSc that enables them with pluralist and heterodox understanding of the discipline.

Instead of the usual compulsory courses in micro, macro and econometrics (they are still available as options), this MSc has compulsory courses in institutional economics, development economics, research methods and statistical techniques. You can also take additional classes across SOAS, such as language courses, training courses to use data software, and make use of the large network of private, public and non-governmental organisations to acquire practical experience in the field of politics, economics or development.

Why study MSc Political Economy of Development at SOAS?

• we are ranked 8th in UK for student satisfaction with teaching (Guardian League Tables 2022)
• 5th in London (Complete University Guide 2022)
• The MSc provides rigorous training in both mainstream and heterodox economics
• The programme makes explicit links between economic theories and the real world, using pluralist and political economy perspectives
• The Master’s provides economic knowledge for specific regions, drawing on the rich regional expertise of SOAS
• Contemporary topics (like environmental policies and the gendered effects of monetary and fiscal policies) are incorporated in the core modules of the programme; they are not just taught in optional modules
• Make the most of SOAS’ wide range of language modules, the R coding and quantitative skills module to enhance skills working with data and software, and access the Department’s large network of private, public and non-governmental organisations to acquire practical experience in the field of politics, economics and/or development.