Online, part-time
International Development MScIf 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 |
|
Applications open: |
14 March 2024 |
|
Application deadline: |
23 August 2024 |
|
Next start date: |
23 September 2024 |
|
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) |
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.
Online International Development MSc Scholarships
Five scholarships, valued at £5000 per student, are available as a partial contribution towards tuition fees for this course. The deadline for submissions is 14 June 2024. Please see the main King’s website for full details of eligibility criteria and the application process.
Ready to join us in September 2024?
Apply nowWhy 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.
Year one:
In this module, you'll explore two main areas. Firstly, you'll examine the main theories of development that have emerged since the 19th century. Secondly, you'll discuss development management, its historical place, and how to manage projects.
You'll gain a broad picture of long-term development and intertwine this with an examination of the policy implications following from each theory, such as industrialisation, market construction, or well-being improvements. You'll also review historical case studies of economic development. You’ll focus on successful middle-income countries, their relevant policies and institutions, and the challenges and dilemmas addressed during relevant periods.
You’ll then consider the main challenges to development today, the policy options available for developing countries, and discuss concrete examples and practices of development management.
You’ll also gain the ability to critically identify and use the most up-to-date methods for effective project management within a development context. You’ll be introduced to the main tools used in project design and the latest approaches. You’ll review leading participatory methods used to organise and manage projects and measure their contribution to development.
In this module, you’ll explore the key theories, models, policies and processes of development from a macroeconomic perspective. You’ll focus on middle-income and late developing countries (e.g., Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Turkey, India, China, Indonesia, as well as South Korea, Singapore, and similar countries).
These economies differ structurally from the advanced economies in important ways in their sectoral composition, relationship with international markets for goods, services and finance, and sources of dynamics.
Examination of these structural features can help to explain the constraints to development in those economies, and their macroeconomic instability and vulnerability to crisis. The theories, models and policies you’ll examine will help you to understand the long-term development of some of the largest, most dynamic, and most interesting economies in the world.
Year two:
- Intersectional Inequalities and Development (30 credits)
- Research Methods for International Development (30 credits)
- Dissertation (60 credits)
Meet your Programme Director
Dr. Juan Grigera
Juan joined King’s in 2018. He brings a wealth of teaching and research experience gained at University College London (UCL, UK), Universidad de Quilmes (UNQ, Argentina) and the University of Vienna (UoV, Austria). Juan did postgratuate studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE, UK) and Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA, Argentina).
He was a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow at UCL’s Institute of Americas, where he convened and chaired a public event series, Thinking Brazil. He’s currently an active member of the editorial board of Historical Materialism (London, UK) and Cuadernos de Economía Crítica (Buenos Aires, Argentina).
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
Essays
Written and oral assessments
Written and oral assessments
Online quizzes
Online quizzes
Presentations
Presentations
Entry requirements
A minimum 2:1 honours degree (or above) in a related subject such as international development, politics, economics or other social science or regional studies.
Please note that if you have a lower degree classification, or a degree in an unrelated subject, your application may still be considered. You’ll need to demonstrate significant relevant work experience or offer a related graduate qualification (such as a master’s or PGDip). Non-standard applications must be supported by degree certificates or transcripts (where relevant), a CV, a personal statement, and a reference letter.
English language band: B
To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You’re usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.
Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test. This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed:
- An undergraduate degree (at least three years duration) within five years of the course start date.
- A postgraduate taught degree (at least one year) within five years of the course start date.
- A PhD in a majority English-speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date.
For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.
Depending on your previous qualifications, you may need to submit a personal statement and a reference letter as part of your application.
You’ll need to submit a copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents.
You’ll need to submit your CV as part of your application to highlight your experience.
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 optionsCareer 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 2024?
Discover more
You have the potential. We’ll help you unleash it. Take charge of your future today.
Questions about our courses, studying online or the application process? Our expert Enrolment Advisors are on-hand to help. Simply fill in the form below, and they’ll get in touch with you shortly.
Fields with a '*' are mandatory.