MSc Development Studies
School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS)

The MSc Development Studies is concerned with processes of change in the South - social and economic, political and cultural - and the major policy challenges they present to efforts to overcome poverty and insecurity. This programme provides a solid interdisciplinary social science formation in development theory and practice and develops students’ capacities for independent and critical analysis.
Highlights include:

* the meanings of development and the challenges it faces
* neoliberalism and its critiques
* industrialisation, labour and capital
* state failure, poverty and insecurity
* gender and class analysis
* NGOs, civil society and social movements
* globalisation, commodity chains and trade
* the agrarian question, peasantry and land

The MSc programme’s emphasis on transferable analytical skills has been of great benefit to the many graduates who have returned to, or taken up, professional careers in development in international organisations, government agencies and non-government organisations. Students also benefit from the wide range of optional courses on offer both within the Department and across the School, allowing them to create individualised interdisciplinary programmes.

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.