research for international development soas

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  Research for International Development - MSc

Soas university of london     department of development studies, findamasters summary.

Embark on a transformative academic journey with the MSc Research for International Development programme at SOAS, funded by the prestigious UK ESRC. This cutting-edge degree delves into the intricate relationship between theory, research methods, and politics in the realm of international development. Through a comprehensive curriculum, students gain profound insights into diverse methodological approaches and policy strategies crucial in international development research. The programme's core modules, including Fundamentals of Research Methods for Development Studies and Statistical Research Techniques in International Development, provide advanced interdisciplinary training in research methods. Students can further tailor their learning experience by choosing between modules like Political Economy of Development or Theory, Policy and Practice of Development. Ideal for aspiring researchers and development practitioners, this programme welcomes applicants with a 2:2 or higher in a relevant subject, offering a unique focus on research methods and a supportive academic environment. Thrive academically and professionally with SOAS's renowned expertise in Development Studies.

About the course

The msc research for international development.

is a cutting-edge degree funded and supported by the UK’s ESRC (The Economic and Social Research Council).

The programme equips you with the theoretical background and analytical skills to inquire into the relationship between theory, research methods and politics in international development. Our academic staff provide students with knowledge about the plurality of methodological approaches in key areas of international development research, and the policy choices and strategies associated with these. The module offers students the opportunity to engage with a selection of methods used in international development research.

Entry Requirements

We will consider all applications with 2:2 (or international equivalent) or higher. In addition to degree classification we take into account other elements of the application such as supporting statement. References are optional, but can help build a stronger application if you fall below the 2:2 requirement or have non-traditional qualifications.

Please see the university website for further information on fees for this course.

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Research for International Development MSc SOAS, University of London

• On campus - SOAS University of London
• Sep 1, 2023 Part-time - 2 years
• Sep 1, 2023 Full-time - 1 years

Key Course Facts

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• Admission advice for international students

Course Description

The MSc Research for International Development is a newly established interdisciplinary Taught Masters programme at SOAS, offered jointly by the departments of Economics and Development Studies. This cutting-edge degree is funded and supported by the UK’s ESRC (The Economic and Social Research Council) as part of the Bloomsbury Doctoral Training Centre.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

Average student cost of living in london.

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

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Positions of soas, university of london in top uk and global rankings., about soas, university of london.

SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies) University of London is a research university dedicated to liberal arts subjects, with a particular focus on the continent of Africa, and the nations of Japan, Korea, and China. Their modern campus is located in the Bloomsbury area of London. Applicants can expect to find programmes and courses that take regions from Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and combine them with a particular area of academic interest. These might include, History, Economics, Politics, as well as Music and History of Art. This university offers a high degree of specialisation, ensuring that the teaching staff are able to deliver perspectives based on true expertise in their fields.

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International Development

Entry requirements.

We normally require a 2.1 bachelor's degree plus a Masters degree with a Merit classification in a Social Science plus one reference. In exceptional cases we may accept applicants who do not meet these criteria if they show evidence of a strong Masters degree and/or appropriate level of relevant work experience. International applicants should also see Doctoral School English language requirements .

Months of entry

Course content.

As a PhD researcher, you’ll join our renowned globally diverse research community with access to research and teaching opportunities, as well as a substantial series of seminars presented by leading development professionals and practitioners.

Students may follow the PhD pathway in International Development by being based at either SOAS, LSHTM or IoE. All PhD students on the International Development pathway will attend an advanced research training seminar run by LIDC.

The series will provide students in the ESRC Doctoral Training Centre's International Development Pathway with a broad understanding of interdisciplinary approaches to development, and a detailed understanding of selected areas of interest.

All MPhil/PhD in International Development research students will participate in the compulsory course work and attend research student seminars in the college and department where they are registered for the MPhil/PhD. At SOAS the Economics and Development Studies departments hold seminar series and students will be expected to involve themselves in the work of the relevant research clusters.

Admissions process

There are three admissions routes to the MPhil and PhD in International Development:

• The 1+3 structure: Following successful completion of the MSc Research for International Development at SOAS. ESRC 1+3 studentships are available to fund this route.
• The +3 structure: By direct applications for MPhil/PhD in International Development admission . ESRC 1+3 studentships are available to fund route.
• The 4 structure: not currently available at SOAS.

Why study MPhil/PhD in International Development at SOAS?

• We are ranked second in the world for Development Studies (QS World University Rankings 2023)
• We are ranked 27th in UK for Economics (QS World University Rankings 2023)
• We are top 40 in the UK for Economics (Complete University Guide 2023)
• This is an on-campus programme, as such you will receive the benefit of learning and working in close proximity with the Department's expert scholars and researchers
• Our academic staff create an intellectually stimulating and challenging space across the many branches of international development and humanitarianism that make up Development Studies. 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
• Combined with exceptional resources and our interdisciplinary approach, we offer a unique learning and research opportunity for our diverse and vibrant student community

Information for international students

For details, including English language requirements, please see SOAS website

Fees and funding

For details of postgraduate fees, please see SOAS website

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

• Campus-based learning is available for this qualification

Course contact details

Courses, apprenticeships, information guides and more

SOAS University of London

Degree level: postgraduate, awarded by: school of oriental and african studies (soas), university of london, research for international development (taught), course options.

There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

The MSc Research for International Development is a newly established interdisciplinary Taught Masters programme at SOAS, offered jointly by the departments of Economics and Development Studies. This cutting-edge degree is funded and supported by the UK’s ESRC (The Economic and Social Research Council) as part of the Bloomsbury Doctoral Training Centre. The programme equips students with the theoretical background and analytical skills to inquire into the relationship between theory, research methods and politics in international development.

Core modules: Battlefields of method (approaches to international development research); dissertation in research methods for international development; statistical research techniques in international development; research methods in international development.

Entry requirements

We will consider all applications with 2:ii (or international equivalent) or higher in a relevant subject. In addition to degree classification we take into account other elements of the application including supporting statement and references.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees.

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

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Visit our website

SOAS University of London Thornhaugh Street Russell Square Camden WC1H 0XG

Course contact details

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020 7898 4700

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SOAS University of London: Developing a more equitable future

In a world grappling with issues like poverty, inequality, and climate change, Development Studies emerges as a crucial field. It delves into the complexities of how nations evolve, examining social, political, economic, and cultural factors that shape their growth. This multifaceted approach equips us with the tools to tackle real-world challenges and build a more equitable future.

A passion for understanding development disparities is what led Fernandes Wanda from Angola to study for a Master’s degree at SOAS University of London ‘s Department of Development Studies . The world’s university’s strong focus on Africa and its questioning perspective resonated with the student, providing him with a critical lens to analyse these issues.

Ranked third in the world in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024, the Development StudiesDepartment is a leader in its field, tackling many of the world’s most pressing concerns. Development Studies, as a dynamic field rooted in interdisciplinary social sciences, offers evidence-based solutions for a transformative development agenda. It fosters a critical understanding of power dynamics and how inequalities arise and can be challenged.

Students and staff relish these subjects at SOAS. The department combines policy expertise with activism and a vast network of academic and practitioner connections. Students actively engage in global discussions on development, political economy, conflict, migration, humanitarian and environmental issues. Teaching is research-led, ensuring students learn from professors who are thought leaders directly shaping development processes worldwide. Social justice, anti-racism, inclusivity, and decolonial practices are central to the department’s philosophy.

What’s more, SOAS boasts the UK’s second-highest international faculty ratio, solidifying its global standing. Amongst these esteemed faculty members are recently appointed high-profile research professors Naomi Hossain and Dzodzi Tsikata .

Social justice, anti-racism, inclusivity, and decolonial practices are central to the Department of Development Studies. Source: SOAS University of London

Diverse programmes for diverse interests

The department offers six on campus master’s programmes: MSc Global Development (also with optional pathways in Gender or Labour) , MSc Environment, Politics and Development, MSc Violence, Conflict and Development , MSc Migration, Mobility and Development , MSc Humanitarianism, Aid and Conflict , and MSc Research for International Development . In addition, many students are enrolled on our successful online MSc programmes, such as Climate Change and Development, Sustainable Development, and Humanitarian Action.

All programmes offer flexibility, allowing students to tailor their learning experience. Each programme includes two core modules and a choice of four electives. These programmes are characterised by academic rigour, sophisticated and pluralistic theoretical frameworks, a commitment to social justice, and real-world projects.

Take the MSc Global Development programme, for example. It provides a solid foundation in development theory and practice, honing independent and critical analysis skills. The curriculum investigates critical issues like the evolving meanings and challenges of development, critiques of neoliberalism, and the dynamics of structural transformations, labour, and capital. Recent graduates have secured positions with prestigious organisations like the ICRC, Amnesty International , Conciliation Resources, and Saferworld the European Parliament, BBC World Service, and the UNODC and UNDP .

A rigorous grounding in development theory, policy, and practice across various contexts equips graduates with highly relevant and transferable skill sets that will endure throughout their careers. Just ask Naina Mangtani, who currently studies the MSc Research for International Development, ‘Doing my MSc programme at SOAS has taught me so much. Not only did I make great friends, but taking modules such as Statistical Research Techniques for International Development, and Fundamentals of Research Methods in Development Studies has provided me with great experience, which has led to me getting a job working for the OECD Development Centre, even before I finish my studies’ .

All MSc programmes culminate in a rigorous 10,000-word dissertation, reflecting the department’s commitment to supporting original and impactful research endeavours. Past dissertations have explored bold themes, ranging from the transition from war to peace to the political economy of agrarian change in specific settings.

Source: SOAS, University of London © Davide Scalenghe

At SOAS, all master’s programmes equip students with the skills, knowledge, and competencies essential for success in their chosen career paths. Source: SOAS University of London

A vibrant learning environment

To study at SOAS is to have a great time. Staff and peers are always ready to lend support. There’s an academic advisor for each student, a dedicated programme convenor who can assist with any academic issues, a team to help with administrative issues, and student representatives who attend department faculty meetings to share student views and requests with staff. “At the school level, students have access to student information and welfare services via a centralised student hub, a dedicated app with all the relevant information and tools, academic support via the learning and teaching enhancement team which provides one-to-one tutorials and other inputs, and the support of the dedicated students union,” says Tania Kaiser , Professor & Senior Lecturer in Forced Migration at SOAS.

Regular staff-student social evenings provide opportunities for informal interaction, while events like the Development Studies movie series spark intellectual discourse and social bonding. It’s hard to not get inspired here, given the vast range of backgrounds students come from and the even wider range of societies on campus. Whether students love sports, politics, culture, or music, they are very likely to find a group equally as or more passionate than they are.

“Our students have strong sense of belonging to the department as attested by our alumni when they come across other SOAS graduates in their careers,” says Tania.

Charting a career path

Preparing for a career in development is a multifaceted affair. The department recognises this and thus equips students with not only academic knowledge but also the ability to contextualise and apply this knowledge in policy, political, and activist settings. Many students opt to gain first-hand experience by taking the specialised development placement module. In addition, students can engage with development practitioners through seminars, classes, student groups, internships, and research activities.

By actively applying, engaging and building on their new knowledge and skills, including via authentic assessments that often replicate the output requirements of the workplace, SOAS students are set up for success when taking their next professional steps. After completing her MSc in Development Studies, Weiwei Chen scored an internship with the United Nations Volunteers (Germany) before returning to SOAS to become a research assistant on the ESRC-DFID project on Chinese firms and employment dynamics in Ethiopia’s and Angola’s manufacturing and construction sectors.

This was Chen’s first job in the UK. “This position greatly enriched my knowledge and was invaluable in enhancing my understanding of development,” she says. “It also boosted my employability in academia, especially in topics related to Chinese-African relations or global China studies.”

The department’s excellent careers service provides career counselling, CV writing, and networking opportunities — further enhancing student employability. Faculty also play a vital role in offering guidance, reviewing applications, and providing academic references.

Interested? Learn more about SOAS University of London .

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MSc Research for International Development

At soas university of london.

Qualification

Masters Degree (Research)

Next intake

23 September 2024

Entry Score

About the course

The MSc Research for International Development is a cutting-edge degree funded and supported by the UK's ESRC (The Economic and Social Research Council). The programme equips you with the theoretical background and analytical skills to inquire into the relationship between theory, research methods and politics in international development. Our academic staff provide students with knowledge about the plurality of methodological approaches in key areas of international development research, and the policy choices and strategies associated with these. The module offers students the opportunity to engage with a selection of methods used in international development research.

• Scholarships View all scholarships
• Internships

Start dates and prices

Course fees are indicative and should be used as a guide. to get an accurate price.

Duration: 1 Year (s)

Fees: GBP 25320

How to apply

Entry requirements for soas university of london, application deadline.

The application deadline isn't available Speak to an IDP counsellor for more detailed information

Further information

If you aren't eligible for the above entry requirements, you might ant to explore pathway options at SOAS University of London . If you want to find out more, speak to our counsellors.

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The world ranking.

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Qualification, university name, postgraduate development economics courses at soas university of london.

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• Development Economics
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MSc Development Economics

Soas university of london.

The MSc Development Economics is the flagship Master's programme offered by the SOAS Economics Department. It integrates two fundamental Read more...

• 1 year Full time degree: £12,220 per year (UK)
• 3 years Part time day degree: £4,075 per year (UK)
• 2 years Part time day degree: £7,565 per year (UK)

MSc Research for International Development

The MSc Research for International Development is a cutting-edge degree funded and supported by the UK’s ESRC (The Economic and Social Read more...

• 2 years Part time day degree: £6,110 per year (UK)

MPhil in Development Economics

The PhD/MPhil in Development Economics is a research degree offered by the Department of Economics, and is also part of the PhD pathway, Read more...

• 2 years Full time degree: £4,860 per year (UK)
• 4 years Part time degree: £2,430 per year (UK)

SOAS-Wits Joint MPhil/PhD in Applied Development Economics

This joint PhD programme delivered in partnership with the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa will coordinate a programme of Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £3,997 per year (UK)

MPhil in Development Studies

Study our on-campus MPhil/PhD in Development Studies at SOAS to realise your potential to tackle global injustice and transform the world Read more...

PhD in Development Studies

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,860 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree: £2,430 per year (UK)

MSc Development Economics with Placement Year

The MSc Development Economics with Work Placement Year is the flagship Master's programme offered by the SOAS Economics Department. It Read more...

• 2 years Full time degree: £12,220 per year (UK)

PhD in Development Economics

The PhD in Development Economics is a research degree offered by the Department of Economics, and is also part of the PhD pathway, Read more...

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• Interdisciplinary Studies

What are the top International Development Studies programs?

By gaia12 June 3, 2015 in Interdisciplinary Studies

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What do you consider to be the top international development studies programs, particularly outside of the United States?

I have found many lists, some from blogs or magazines and others from students listing the schools they will apply to. So often, these schools change and are replaced by others I have not even heard of. I recognize each school has their strengths, but which are the strongest overall? Among those, please feel free to speak about particular strengths and weaknesses.

These lists are interesting, but very different than what I would have expected. What do you think of them?

http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2015/development-studies - development studies programs

https://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2014-15/subject-ranking/subject/social-sciences - this one is only for social sciences

Below are the schools and programs I'll be applying for in the fall, any comments about the schools or programs would be greatly appreciated!:

Sciences Po -  MSc in Development Studies

London School of Economics -  MSc Development Management

Geneva IHEID -  Master in Development Studies

University of Sussex -  MA Development Studies

University of London School of Oriental and African Studies SOAS -  MSc Development Studies

University of Toronto -  MA Political Science of International Development

Carleton University - MA International Affairs 

University of Ottawa -  MA Development Studies

University of Cape Town -  MPhil Sociology (Development Studies) - This will be a backup as the application cycle begins in May. I'm very curious about this program, does anyone have any experience at Cape Town?

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• 2 weeks later...

LSE, Sciences Po, IHEID are all solid choices. Well-known schools within the field of IR and beyond. You have to think more about the overall reputation of the school than the subject ranking ie. development. Employers will never know how each school ranks in terms of development studies but they'll have a general feeling regarding the school. I think the most important thing is to look closely at each program and see which ones resonates with your goals and what you want. For example, LSE is more academically focused wheras IHEID is more practically based preparing students for future employment. At Sciences Po, you'd be taking classes that are shared with other masters programs.

Karoku_valentine

What about Duke:  http://dcid.sanford.duke.edu/academics/midp

• 4 weeks later...

In terms of quality of academic research produced, LSE and the Sussex IDS are potentially the best on the list (mostly owing to the fact that "development studies" as a purely academic discipline rather than a hybrid academic/professional field of study is mostly confined to the UK and Commonwealth countries). Both LSE and Sussex IDS but esp. the latter are also very well-connected with the policy world, and esp. the IDS mixes instructions from career academics and professional practitioners quite well. You'll be able to encounter and interact with both academics and practitioners with more professional and field experiences (But in terms of quality of instruction and general quality of academic institution at the taught masters level--as a current MSc student at LSE--I have to say that LSE is still very lacking. While individual courses and instructors are excellent most of the time, there is little thought put into curriculum planning or general academic direction for each program, and each program really feels like a bundle of loosely related courses rather than a well thought out degree).

SOAS on the other hand seems to be excellent in terms of student satisfaction, according to many friends currently pursuing development studies masters there. I know many excellent academics at SOAS, but in terms of quality of research or quality of instruction, I couldn't comment as I'm not really familiar with the school other than through indirect contact. 

Heard Canadian universities do a good job with ID masters, but again I only formed this opinion through indirect contact. 

El pichichi

Thank you !

IHEID has a huge advantage in that its located in the international district of Geneva with many organisations located right next to the school. So in terms of encountering and interacting with professional practitioners, IHEID beats the other schools any day.

• 4 months later...

On 10-7-2015 at 2:57 PM, dpgu800 said: (mostly owing to the fact that "development studies" as a purely academic discipline rather than a hybrid academic/professional field of study is mostly confined to the UK and Commonwealth countries).

I'm wondering if you could clarify this for me? What is the concrete difference between a 'purely academic' and a 'hybrid' approach?

• 2 months later...

On 28/07/2015 at 11:42 PM, Figgamonda said: IHEID has a huge advantage in that its located in the international district of Geneva with many organisations located right next to the school. So in terms of encountering and interacting with professional practitioners, IHEID beats the other schools any day.

I can confirm this as someone who has lived in Geneva and been exposed to the industry for many years.

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