Department of Development Studies

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Duration
One calendar year (full-time), two (part-time, daytime only). We recommend that part-time students have between two and a half and three days free in the week to pursue their course of study.
Start of programme
September
Attendance mode
Full-time or part-time
Location
On campus
Fees

Home: £12,220
International: £25,320

Course code
M9S3
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.

See international entry requirements and English language requirements.

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MSc Global Development (Gender) applicants apply for MSc Global Development but can decide to follow the Gender Pathway upon arrival by choosing the combination of modules required.

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: understanding development theories, processes, and practices through a gendered lens; and exploring the interplays between gender, racial, and other intersectional inequalities and the broader Global Development process.

Students taking the Gender Pathway will develop a specialist understanding of Development Studies centred on Gender, World Feminisms and Global Development. The programme banks on SOAS recognised record in this thematic area, within and beyond the department. The school also hosts the SOAS Centre for Gender Studies.

Students on this programme are expected to write their dissertation on a Gender topic of their choice. This will enable them to reflect on their learning throughout their studies and further advance their expertise in Gender and Development.

Why study MSc Global Development (Gender) at SOAS?

  • SOAS is ranked 3rd in the world for Development Studies (QS World University Rankings 2024)
  • We are ranked 2nd in the world for Academic Reputation (QS World University Rankings 2024)
  • There is also the opportunity to take virtual work placements. This year MSc students taking the International Development Placement module were offered placements at the Overseas Development Institute, ISEAL, and MSF. (Numbers in this module are capped to 75 students due to limited availability)
  • 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

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Students must take 180 credits per year comprised of 120 taught credits (including core, compulsory and optional modules) and a 60 credit dissertation.

Open modules: Students can choose up to 30 credits from other Departments as open options.

Important notice

The information on the website reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. The modules are indicative options of the content students can expect and are/have been previously taught as part of these programmes. 

However, this information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. 

Core module

Compulsory modules

Guided modules: List A

Guided modules: List B

Open options

Students can take a maximum of 30 credits from the School-wide open options list, including languages.

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Our teaching and learning approach is designed to support and encourage students in their own process of self-learning, and to develop their own ideas, responses and critique of international development practice and policy.

We do this through a mixture of lectures, and more student-centred learning approaches (including tutorials and seminars). Teaching combines innovative use of audio-visual materials, practical exercises, group discussions, and weekly guided reading and discussions, as well as conventional lecturing.

Dissertation

In addition to the taught part of the masters programme, all students will write a 10,000 word dissertation. Students develop their research topic under the guidance and supervision of an academic member of the Department. Students are encouraged to explore a particular body of theory or an academic debate relevant to their programme through a focus on a particular region.

Contact hours

All Masters programmes consist of 180 credits, made up of taught modules of 30 or 15 credits, taught over 10 or 20 weeks, and a dissertation of 60 credits. The programme structure shows which modules are compulsory and which optional.

As a rough guide, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study, including reading and research, preparing coursework, revising for examinations and so on.

It will also include class time, which may include lectures, seminars and other classes. Some subjects, such as learning a language, have more class time than others. At SOAS, most postgraduate modules have a one hour lecture and a one hour seminar every week, but this does vary.

SOAS Library

SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.

More information is on the page for each module.

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Title Deadline date
Tibawi Trust Award

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A postgraduate degree from the Department of Development Studies at SOAS will further develop your understanding of the world, other peoples’ ways of life and how society is organised, with an emphasis on transferable analytical skill.

Recent graduates have been hired by:

  • Amnesty International
  • BBC World Service
  • British Embassy Brussels
  • Department for International Development
  • Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)
  • Embassy of Japan
  • Government of Pakistan
  • Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office
  • International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
  • International Labour Organization (ILO)
  • KPMG LLP
  • Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
  • National Health and Medical Research Council
  • Overseas Development Institute
  • Oxfam
  • Royal Norwegian Embassy
  • Save the Children UK
  • The World Bank
  • Thinking Beyond Borders
  • US Department of State
  • UN World Food Programme
  • UN High Commissioner for Refugees
  • WaterAid

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