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Graduate (Taught)
Application code:Y2U6
Department of International Development

MSc Development Studies

Learn how institutions, power, and historical legacies shape global inequality, and develop innovative policy perspectives on development challenges.
Discover the MSc Development Studies at LSE

Overview

Introduction

The MSc in Development Studies deploys an interdisciplinary approach to understand the problems and possibilities facing societies and states in the developing world and examines the forces shaping structural inequalities and varied development trajectories. The programme fosters critical thinking and engagement with perspectives of Southern as well as Northern scholars, generating grounded and innovative policy thinking.

We ask how history and power relations have shaped different patterns of development between North and South, and within the South. What fosters successful agricultural and industrial transformation? Why do some countries fall into violent conflict and others survive in peace?

The MSc in Development Studies interrogates dominant thinking in the policy community and equips you with insights into contemporary challenges of poverty, inequality, and environmental crisis. We examine the global as well as national forces shaping production, trade and governance.

You can choose from a wide range of optional courses and design your own research project to tailor your studies to meet your own interests and aspirations. The core course provides you with a coherent overview of the evolution of thinking and experience in development that allows you to make sense of your optional courses.

Graduates of the programme have gone on to work in international organisations like the World Bank, the IMF and the United Nations. They have joined non-governmental and government organisations, and consultancy and private sector firms. Many have gone on to PhD research or worked for development think-tanks.

Entry requirements

Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in any discipline, with social science or humanities an advantage.

Please select your country from the dropdown list below to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

Overseas

English language requirements

The English language requirement for this programme is Higher. Read more about our English language requirements.

Competition for places at LSE is strong. So, even if you meet the minimum entry requirements, this does not guarantee you an offer of a place.

However, please don’t feel deterred from applying – we want to hear from all suitably qualified students. Think carefully about how you can put together the strongest possible application to help you stand out from other students.

Programme content

You'll take one compulsory half-unit core course and one full unit core course, plus a minimum of two half-unit courses from a select group of courses in the ID Department and complete a 10,000-word dissertation. You'll also select up to three further half-unit courses from options in International Development, Anthropology, Economic History, Gender Institute, Geography and Environment, Government, International Relations, Law, Methodology, and Social Policy.

Year 1

Students who choose to concentrate their electives and dissertation in a certain topic area may elect to have a specialism in "African Development”, “Population Studies” or "Applied Development Economics" attached to their degree certificate and transcripts. To obtain the specialism indication, students must meet the criteria below.

African Development: students must take African Development (DV418) and African Political Economy (DV435). Further to this, their dissertation topic must be approved as being appropriate for this specialism.

Population Studies: students must take two courses from the following: Global Health Challenges: Epidemics, Disease, and Public Health Response (DV444); Population Analysis: Methods and Models (MY476); and Population, Health and Development: Evidence and Projections (DV456). Further to this, their dissertation topic must be approved as being appropriate for this specialism.

Applied Development Economics: students must take Foundations of Applied Econometrics for Economic Development Policy (DV494) and two courses from the following: Economic Development Policy I (DV490); Economic Development Policy II (DV491); Economic Development Policy III (DV492).

If no such election is made, the degree certificate will state “Development Studies” without further specification.

Why study with us

Discover more about our students and department.

Meet the department

Formed in 1990, our department provides a focus for postgraduate teaching and research on the processes of social, political and economic development and change.

We’re proud of LSE’s reputation as one of the top universities in the world for development studies. Our academics and researchers explore the causes of poverty, social exclusion, economic stagnation, humanitarian crises and human security. We look at why and how some late developing countries have succeeded in overcoming these problems while others have not or have seen their progress derailed by disasters and conflicts.

Currently, we offer six taught MSc programmes and a stimulating research programme – with research projects across Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.

Teaching staff, who have considerable experience living and working in the developing world, engage in policy-relevant research and consultancy with international development agencies and non-government organisations. Research within the department spans several broad themes.

Our study programmes attract talented students from all over the world. Graduates find rewarding careers in a wide variety of government, non-government, UN, academic and private-sector organisations.

Your application

Overview

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students. At LSE, we want to recruit students with the best academic merit, potential and motivation, irrespective of background.

We carefully consider each application and take into account all the information included on your application form, such as your:

  • academic achievement (including predicted and achieved grades)
  • statement of academic purpose
  • two academic references
  • CV.

See further information on supporting documents.

You may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. See our English language requirements.

703
Applications
98
Intake
7:1
2023 Ratio

Fees and funding

The table of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes.

You're charged a fee for your programme. At LSE, your tuition fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It doesn't cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

Home

£18,300

Home student fee (2025/26)

For this programme, the tuition fee is different for home and overseas students depending on their fee status.

Learning and assessment

How you learn

Graduate destinations

Overview

Recent graduates have gained employment in government, international development agencies, international and local non-governmental organisations (NGOs), international and local private firms, development consultancies and think-tanks, or have gone on to obtain PhDs in development studies or other social science disciplines.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Median salary of our graduate taught students 15 months after graduating:

£32,000

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

Government, Public Sector and Policy
Education, Teaching and Research
Health and Social Care
Consultancy
Financial and Professional Services
This data is drawn from the 2021/22 Graduate Outcomes Survey, run by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and in full-time employment.

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