MSc International Development (Online) SOAS University of London

Mode of Attendance: Online learning

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.

Some topics will include:

• 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.

Structure

Students must take 180 credits comprised of one core and three elective modules totalling 120 taught credits, four supporting mini-modules and a 60-credit dissertation.

Core modules: A core module is required for the degree programme, so must always be taken and passed before you move on to the next year of your programme.

Elective modules: These are designed to help students design their own intellectual journey while maintaining a strong grasp of the fundamentals. Elective modules can be chosen from a list of subjects offered across SOAS' portfolio of programmes.

Dissertation

• Dissertation in Development Studies

Core module

• The Political Economy and Sociology of Development

Students have to choose a minimum of 30 credits from the Development Studies list below. They can then either select an additional 60 credits from this list or 30 from the Development Studies list and 30 from the Open Options list.

Development Studies

• Human and Critical Security Studies
• Understanding Violence, Conflict and Development
• Critical Insights in Forced Migration
• Partnerships Beyond Borders: NGOs, Social Movements and Civil Society in Transnational Development
• The Politics of Gender and Feminisms in Development

Open Options - Global Diplomacy, International and Environmental

• The Art of Negotiation
• Climate Change and Development
• Economics, Politics and Society in MENA
• Economics, Politics and Society in South Asia
• Food Security and Social Protection
• Global Media
• Global Public Policy
• International Security
• Multinational Enterprises in a Globalising World
• Strategic Studies
• Understanding Poverty
• Understanding Sustainability

Important notice

The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session.