MSc Development Studies MSc Development Studies (Research)

About the MSc programmes

These programmes aim to provide students with a high quality academic training in development studies, examining the importance of contemporary theory in the social sciences for the policy and practice of development. We will consider applicants with a background in any subject, although a first degree in a social science or humanities subject would be an advantage. As the programme requires intensive reading across a broad range of literature drawn from various social science disciplines students must have a high proficiency in the English language to perform well. The MSc Development Studies offers you a wide range of choice in optional courses within the School so that you can deepen or broaden your disciplinary training, or take up the advanced study of a particular region of the developing world. The MSc Development Studies (Research) offers you a choice of courses for advanced training in research methodology through LSE's Methodology Institute (see Methodology Institute), including both qualitative and quantitative elements. Flexibility of dissertation topics in both programmes allows you to shape your studies to your needs.

The MSc Development Studies brings together an exciting group of European and international students with a diversity of academic and professional backgrounds who have gone on to establish an international alumni network involved in development research and practice. Recent graduates have gained employment in government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), international firms and banks, or have gone on to obtain PhDs in development studies or other social science disciplines. 

Students for both programmes must take the core course, Development: History, Theory and Policy, and the component course on Social Research Methods in Developing Countries, and complete a 10,000 word dissertation. Students on the research programme must also take the course on Foundations of Social Research taught in the Methodology Institute; and an optional course. Students studying for the main MSc will take the equivalent of two full unit optional courses.

During the Michaelmas term you have the opportunity to attend a weekly lecture series that brings to the School prominent scholars and practitioners who discuss the findings and methodological dimensions of development research and/or problems of development practice. On average you will have about 13 hours of lectures and classes a week during Michaelmas term and nine and a half hours during Lent term plus the opportunity to meet with a faculty adviser during weekly office hours. You will also participate in a dissertation workshop during Summer term, where students present and discuss their dissertation proposals.

Compulsory courses

• Development: History, Theory and Policy
• Social Research Methods in Developing Countries
• Foundations of Social Research (compulsory course for the Research track)
• Dissertation

Options

(* half unit)

Choose a combination of options to the total of two full units (MSc Development Studies) or one full unit (MSc Development Studies (Research) from the following list in consultation with your supervisor. Some have prerequisites; others have limited places.

Development Studies

• Poverty*
• Economic Development Policy
• Population and Development: An Analytical Approach*
• Environmental Problems and Development Interventions*
• Global Environmental Governance*
• African Development*
• Complex Emergencies*
• Emerging Health Threats and Development*
• Global Political Economy of Development I*
• Global Political Economy of Development II*
• Managing Globalisation*
• Public Management of Development*
• Managing Humanitarianism*
• Global Civil Society* 
• Nationalism, Democracy and Development in Contemporary India*
• IT and Socio-economic Development
• Aspects of IT and Socio-economic Development*
• China in Developmental Perspective*
• Human Security*
• The Informal Economy and Non-State Governance*
• Key Issues in Development Studies* 
• You may also choose Development Studies optional courses listed under the MSc Development Management (but not the core course)

Anthropology

• Anthropology of Economy: Development, Transformation and Globalisation*
• Anthropology of Politics*
• Anthropology of Economy: Production and Exchange* 
• Taiwan in Comparative Perspective*

Economic History

• Economic Development of East and Southeast Asia

Economics

• Development Economics
• Development and Growth
• The Economics of Regional and Urban Planning

Gender

• Gender Theories in the Modern World: An Interdisciplinary Approach
• Globalisation Gender and Development
• Gender, Postcolonialism, Development: Critical Perspectives and New Directions*

Geography and Environment  

• Environmental Planning: National and Local Policy Implementation
• Gender and Development: Geographical Perspectives*
• Environment and Development
• Cities, People and Poverty in the South* 
• Urban Ethnography*
• Urban Theory, Policy and Practice in the Global South
• Race and Space*
• Concepts in Environmental Regulation
• Development, Diaspora and Migration*
• Cities and Social Change in East Asia*
• Environment and Development: Sustainability, Technology and Business*
• Environment and Development: Resources, Institutions and the Global South*
• Issues in Environmental Governance*
• Contemporary Urbanism 

Government

• Democracy in East and South Asia
• States and Markets* 
• Nationalism 
• Public Management Theory and Doctrine*
• Democratisation and its Discontents in Southeast Asia
• Local Power in an Era of Globalisation, Democratisation and Decentralisation* 

International Relations

• International Politics: Asia and the Pacific 

Law

If you wish to take law related courses as part of the Development Studies programme you must have a good first degree in law, or obtain special permission from the Law Department.

• International Economic Law
• International Human Rights
• World Poverty and Human Rights*
• International and European Environmental Law

Population Studies

• Population Analysis: Methods and Models*
• Planning for Population and Development*
• Reproductive Health Programmes: Design, Implementation and Evaluation*
• Demography of the Developing World*
• Migration: Population Trends and Policies* 

Social Policy

All courses are designed for people with at least one year's practical working experience in developing countries, and seminars draw extensively on students' own experience. Student numbers may be limited on these courses.

• Urbanisation and Social Policy in the Global South*
• Basic Education for Social Development*
• Rural Development and Social Policy*

It may be possible to substitute other master's level courses for the options listed.

Not all the courses will be available in any year. Please check Department of International Development| for the latest information.