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Development Studies – (M.Sc.)
School of Oriental and African Studies
Faculty of Law and Social Sciences
- Programme website
- University Website
- City government site
- Student experiences about the UK - STeXX.eu
| Application Deadline: | June 30 | ||
| Annual Tuition Fee: | ≈ € 9,185 - ≈ € 15,788 (non-EEA) | ||
| Location: | London / United Kingdom / View location on map ▾ Hide location on map ▴ | ||
| Duration: | 12 months | Start Date: | September |
| Educational Form: |
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| Education Variants: |
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| Languages: | English | ||
Location of School of Oriental and African Studies
The programme attracts applications from students with a variety of academic and experiential backgrounds. We welcome applications from those who have worked in a broad field of development, but also from students without relevant work experience who can demonstrate a strong interest in, and understanding of, development issues. A good first degree in a social science is preferred.
Development Studies is a dynamic field 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 courses on offer, both within the Department and across the School, allowing them to create individualised interdisciplinary programmes.
Contents
There are four main components to this degree: three taught courses and a dissertation. All students take two core courses, Political Economy of Development and Theory, Policy and Practice of Development. Through these courses students build their analytical skills and knowledge of the main issues and debates in Development Studies.
Specialisation
Students also take optional courses (one full unit course or two half-unit courses), allowing them to specialise in particular areas of development and potentially to develop a dissertation in a related theme. By tying these to their individual dissertation topic, students design their degree to suit their own interests and career development goals.
Core Courses
All students take both Political Economy of Development and Theory, Policy and Practice of Development. The dissertation is compulsory.
- Political economy of development - 15PDSC002 (1 Unit) - Full Year
- Theory, policy and practice of development - 15PDSC001 (1 Unit) - Full Year
- Dissertation in Development Studies - 15PDSC999 (1 Unit) - Full Year
Optional Courses - Development Studies
Students may choose optional courses (one full course or two half courses) from the list below. Please check to ensure that any course in which you have a special interest is running in the year that you wish to study. In addition, access to relevant courses in other departments may be negotiated subject to the agreement of both Convenors.
- Agrarian change and development - 15PDSH026 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
- Aid and development - 15PDSH027 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
- Borders and development in the age of globalisation - 15PDSH023 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2011/2012
- Civil society, social movements and the development process - 15PDSH001 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
- Development practice - 15PDSH013 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
- East Asia and globalisation - 15PDSH025 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
- Famine and food security - 15PDSH022 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2011/2012
- Fundamentals of research methods for Development Studies - 15PDSH017 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
- Gender and development - 15PDSH010 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
- HIV and AIDS, culture and development - 15PDSH021 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
- Industrial globalisation and development - 15PDSH024 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
- Issues in forced migration - 15PDSH015 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
- Migration and mobility in the Middle East and North Africa (masters) - 15PDSH028 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2011/2012
- Migration and policy: perspectives from the global South - 15PDSH029 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
- Political and economic development of Latin America - 15PDSH016 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2011/2012
- Problems of development in the Middle East and North Africa - 15PDSH019 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
- Security - 15PDSH020 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
- The politics of natural resources management - 15PDSH031 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
- The working poor and development - 15PDSH030 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
- Understanding economic migration - 15PDSH032 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
- War to peace transitions - 15PDSH018 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
Open Options in Other Departments
Economics Department
- Economic development in Africa - 15PECC203 (1 Unit) - Full Year
- Economic dynamics of the Asia-Pacific region - 15PECC334 (1 Unit) - Full Year
- Economic problems and policies in modern China - 15PECC035 (1 Unit) - Full Year
- Economic development of modern Taiwan - 15PECH002 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
Politics and International Studies Department
- Government and politics in Africa - 15PPOC205 (1 Unit) - Full Year
- Government and politics of modern South Asia - 15PPOC003 (1 Unit) - Full Year
- Government And Politics Of Taiwan - 15PPOH005 ( Unit) - Not Running 2010/11
- State and development in Asia and Africa - 15PPOC017 (1 Unit) - Full Year
School of Law
- Human rights in the developing world - 15PLAC111 (1 Unit) - Full Year
Anthropology and Sociology Department
- Food, Body and Society - 15PANH041 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Cannot be taken with 15PANH042 Food, Development And The Global Economy
- Food, Development and the Global Economy - 15PANH042 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2 - Cannot be taken with 15PANH041 Food, Body And Society
- Therapy and Culture - 15PANH027 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
You are normally required to take an English Proficiency Test if you come from a non-English speaking country.
Most European Universities recognise the IELTS test.
More informationRequirements
Applicants should have a first or good second class honours bachelors degree from a UK university, or equivalent, in a subject appropriate to that of the programme to be followed. As an approximate comparison, an equivalent BA from a US university would have a Grade Point Average of either 3.3 or 3.5 depending on the awarding university. If an applicant does not have a bachelors degree in an appropriate field s/he may be required to complete a qualifying year or a one year diploma before entering the masters programme. Relevant work experience may also be taken into consideration. Individual courses may have specific entry requirements, so you are advised to consult the postgraduate prospectus for further information.
English language requirements
In order to ensure that SOAS students have a sufficient standard of English to study effectively, we require overseas students to submit evidence, during the application process, of their current level of proficiency.
Score for Unconditional Entry
- IELTS: Overall 7+ with at least 7 in all sub scores
- TOEFL: iBT105+ with at least 25 in all sub scores
- Pearson Test of English - Academic: Score of 75 or above with at least 70 in all sub scores
Additional Requirements
| Minimal degree required: | Bachelor's degree |
| Minimal amount of work experience | Not specified |
Language Proficiency
| IELTS Band: | 7.0 |
| TOEFL Internet-based: | 105 |
Funding details
Scholarships and Bursaries
There are some scholarships and bursaries available for postgraduate students. These are very competitive and early application is advised.
Loans
Another way to fund your studies is through educational loans. Some high street banks offer loans for education. The other option is a career development loan. Before taking out a loan ensure that you understand what the repayments will be and that you will be able to afford them.
Professional and Career Development Loans
A Professional and Career Development Loan is a bank loan for UK students designed to help you pay for your course. Repayments start one month after you complete your course. You can borrow between £300 and £8,000. The bank will approve your loan according to your credit rating.
US Federal Loans
Eligible US students can apply for Stafford Federal Loans, Federal Plus and private loans to cover their tuition and maintenance costs.
The Registry Fees and Scholarship section can also certify student registration for other loans, such as Canadian educational loans.
Please contact:
- Registry Fees Section if you have any queries on educational loans or fees for degree courses.
- Noel Connaughton for fees information for occasional courses, certificates and diplomas.
- CEFIMS for fees information for distance learning courses.
Other Sources of Funding
Useful funding information can also be found at:
- Hotcourses Scholarship Search
- HERO funding information for research students
Interested? Request information!
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