MSc Labour, Social Movements and Development
School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS)

This unique and innovative programme is the first and only MSc programme in the UK dedicated to Labour, Social Movements and Development. It provides a critical examination of the links between labour, capitalism, development and poverty.

The MSc Labour, Social Movements and Development offers students the opportunity to study labour conditions and relations, social movements of labour and their contributions to development processes and changes in the South. It investigates labour in contemporary social and economic development of the South as well as classic and newly emerging social movements of labour in local, national and international spaces. Students will also have the opportunity to experience labour campaigns and policy-making in practice by participating in our interactive sessions on designing and implementing international, regional and national labour campaigns and policies.

The programme is for students who want to analyse and work on social change for the working poor in developing countries. It is highly relevant to anyone working or intending to work on labour and labour-related social movements in development agencies and NGOs, labour and solidarity movements, corporate social responsibility initiatives, and to activists in both developed and developing countries.

Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent). Relevant work experience may also be considered.

September - September (Full time)
This programme may also be taken part time over 24 or 36 months.

There are two distinctive features which give Development Studies at SOAS characteristics not available elsewhere. The first is the School's outstanding reputation for the study of non-Western systems of thought and law. The second is its unrivalled regional specialisation in the languages and cultures of Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

The department hosts a wide range of seminars from high profile speakers and professionals working in the development sector.