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Online, part-time

International Development MSc

If you’re interested in world events and championing global equality, this MSc in International Development can lead to an exciting career with real-world impact.

Key information

Study mode:

100% online

Duration:

2 years, part time

Next start date:

September 2025

Application deadline:

Date TBC

Intakes:

September

Tuition fees:

£18,500 *

These tuition fees may be subject to increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King's terms and conditions.

(funding options and instalments are available)

 

* Depending on your country of residence, you may also have to pay Goods and Services Tax (GST) in addition to your tuition fees. You can find further information on the King's Goods and Services tax page.

Course overview

In our ever-changing, increasingly interconnected world, more people are needed to understand and help tackle complex global issues like extreme poverty, inequality, or climate crisis.

This International Development MSc combines interdisciplinary training in subjects including development theory, political economy, and social policy, with applied country and region-based case studies.

Practical examples demonstrate different approaches and their contribution to national development in areas such as industrialisation, financial systems, regulation, technology, environment, and natural resource management. These case studies also help you appreciate the variations across advanced, emerging, and lower-income economies.

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Why choose this online MSc?


Well-ranked programme and university

Ranked fifth in Europe for politics and international relations (2023 QS World University Rankings) and placed first in the UK for research (Times Higher Education 2021 Research Excellence Framework).


Distinctive approach to development studies

Our course combines inter-disciplinary training on subjects like development theory, political economy, and social policy, with applied country-based and regional case studies.


A department of experts from across the globe

The department brings together experts in social science and humanities disciplines who work in an interdisciplinary, applied and policy and practice-based learning environment.

What you'll study

Capitalising on our extensive in-depth regional expertise on Latin America, East Asia and the Middle East, this MSc offers a non-Eurocentric worldview of international development.

Focusing on emerging economies, the course provides a social scientific framework to better understand international development. You’ll learn about the challenges, tradeoffs, and uncertainties surrounding the processes of development.

How you'll learn

Get more information on the online student experience with King's.

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Module overview

You’re required to take the following five modules, totalling 180 credits:

Year one:

Year two:

Watch the video overview 

Meet your Programme Director

Andy Summer

Andy Sumner

With twenty years of international research experience, he uses both qualitative and quantitative methods, contributing significantly to interdisciplinary Development Studies. He has gained global renown for challenging conventional assumptions in economic development and inequality dynamics.

This is evidenced by his publications and indicators now being widely used in international databases. He has authored 15 books and over 100 papers, journal articles, and book chapters, with ongoing work on cross-disciplinary enquiry in Development Studies.

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How you're assessed

Assessments are designed to test your knowledge, understanding and critical awareness of the topics discussed during the course. They’ll also assess your ability to analyse and apply specialist knowledge to practice. These may vary between modules. However, they’re likely to include one or more of the following:


Essays


Written and oral assessments


Online quizzes


Presentations

Entry requirements

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Not sure if you meet the requirements, or if the course is right for you? Speak to our team to get tailored support: 

Discuss my options

Career options in International Development

The field of international development is vast and diverse with opportunities in countries worldwide. It requires a multitalented workforce with specialists in a variety of disciplines, including finance, economics, health, education, public policy, engaging in non-governmental organisation work, and fundraising.  

Our International Development MSc equips you with a firm understanding of the history, evolution, and impact of the theory, strategies and tactics used to promote development. You’ll see how these are applied in practical case studies from the Global South.  

The general knowledge you gain can enhance any existing professional or subject-specific expertise, and you could use it to develop a more active role in international development than you currently have. You could pursue roles working within international organisations and standard-setting bodies like the UN, World Bank, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.

As well as working for government or international inter-governmental organisations, many countries have national initiatives focused on development. The US Agency for International Development, Asian Development Bank, and African Development Bank are among the largest employers. There are also dozens of international nongovernmental organisations, including CARE, OXFAM, World Vision, Mercy Corps, Save the Children, and Red Cross. 

Ready to join us in September 2025?

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Fees

Discover full tuition fees for our online courses.

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Funding options

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FAQs

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