Minimum entry requirements for MSc Development Management

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

Competition for places at the School is high. This means that even if you meet the minimum entry requirement, this does not guarantee you an offer of admission.

If you have studied or are studying outside of the UK then have a look at our Information for International Students to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

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

We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account all the information presented on your application form, including your:

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

See further information on supporting documents

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency, although you do not need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE. See our English language requirements.

When to apply

Applications for this programme are considered on a rolling basis, meaning the programme will close once it becomes full. There is no fixed deadline by which you need to apply, however, to be considered for any LSE funding opportunity, you must have submitted your application and all supporting documents by the funding deadline. See the fees and funding section for more details. 

Every graduate student is charged a fee for their programme.

The 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 does not cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

Tuition fees 2024/25 for MSc Development Management

Home students: £17,424
Overseas students: £27,480

The Table of Fees shows the latest tuition amounts for all programmes offered by the School.

Fee status

For this programme, the tuition fee is the same for all students regardless of their fee status. However any financial support you are eligible for will depend on whether you are classified as a home or overseas student, otherwise known as your fee status. LSE assesses your fee status based on guidelines provided by the Department of Education.

Further information about fee status classification.

Fee reduction

Students who completed undergraduate study at LSE and are beginning taught graduate study at the School are eligible for a fee reduction of around 10 per cent of the fee.

Scholarships and other funding

The School recognises that the cost of living in London may be higher than in your home town or country, and we provide generous scholarships each year to home and overseas students.

This programme is eligible for needs-based awards from LSE, including the Graduate Support Scheme, Master's Awards, and Anniversary Scholarships. 

Selection for any funding opportunity is based on receipt of an offer for a place and submitting a Graduate Financial Support application, before the funding deadline. Funding deadline for needs-based awards from LSE: 25 April 2024.

In addition to our needs-based awards, LSE also makes available scholarships for students from specific regions of the world and awards for students studying specific subject areas.

Government tuition fee loans and external funding

A postgraduate loan is available from the UK government for eligible students studying for a first master’s programme, to help with fees and living costs. Some other governments and organisations also offer tuition fee loan schemes.

Find out more about tuition fee loans

Further information

Fees and funding opportunities

LSE is an international community, with over 140 nationalities represented amongst its student body. We celebrate this diversity through everything we do.  

If you are applying to LSE from outside of the UK then take a look at our Information for International students. 

1) Take a note of the UK qualifications we require for your programme of interest (found in the ‘Entry requirements’ section of this page). 

2) Go to the International Students section of our website. 

3) Select your country. 

4) Select ‘Graduate entry requirements’ and scroll until you arrive at the information about your local/national qualification. Compare the stated UK entry requirements listed on this page with the local/national entry requirement listed on your country specific page.

Part-time study
Part time study is only available for students who do not require a student visa.

This programme is centred on a compulsory course that employs a comparative political economy approach to examine the institutional roots of development and non-development. You will also select courses from options in International Development, Employment Relations and Organisational Behaviour, Accounting, Gender, Geography, Government, Management, and Social Policy, and will complete a dissertation of up to 10,000 words.

In addition, you will participate in a live group consultancy project for a leading development agency, which forms part of your total assessment. You will 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.

(*half unit)

Development Management
Employs a political economy approach to examine the causes of development and non-development. 

Development Management Consultancy Project*
Provides you with an opportunity to apply the analytical tools and critical thinking skills that you learn on this course to a ‘real world’ development problem.

Research Design and Dissertation in International Development
Combines a dissertation (an independent research project of 10,000 words, on an approved topic of your choice) with supporting lectures on research methods and the use of research in development practice.

Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking & Practice (unassessed)
The objective of the course is to introduce students to some of the most important and innovative voices and ideas in contemporary development debates, both from the academic and practitioner communities, which will both facilitate their `career paths’ and also contribute to learning in courses and consultancy projects.

Courses to the value of 1.5 units from a range of options

For the most up-to-date list of optional courses please visit the relevant School Calendar page. 

You must note, however, that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that the School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.

You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. You should visit the School’s Calendar, or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the updated graduate course and programme information page.

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.

For the African Development specialism. Please note the African Development specialism will not be available 2024/25.

For the Population Studies specialism, you need to take two half units to choose among DV444 Global Health Challenges: Epidemics, Disease, and Public Health Response, and DV456 Population, Health and Development: Evidence and Projections and MY476 Population Analysis: Methods and Models and your dissertation topic must be approved as being appropriate for this specialism.

For Applied Development Economics: DS, DM, DM/Sci Po, and HID students must take DV494 Foundations of Applied Econometrics for Economic Development Policy, plus two courses from: DV490 Economic Development Policy I, DV491 Economic Development Policy II, DV492 Economic Development Policy III. This specialism is not available on the IDHE programme.

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

Contact hours and independent study

A short, focused, introductory course on accounting practices and techniques will be held at the beginning of the programme. Thereafter, you take examined courses up to a total of four full units. The average number of contact hours per week is 12 hours, which includes lectures and seminars. Hours vary according to courses and you can view indicative details in the Calendar within the Teaching section of each course guide.

You are also expected to complete independent study outside of class time. This varies depending on the programme, but requires you to manage the majority of your study time yourself, by engaging in activities such as reading, note-taking, thinking and research.

Teaching methods

Courses are taught in lecture and class or seminar format. Lectures introduce the core theoretical and technical concepts whilst their associated classes allow you to discuss and apply these concepts through exercises and in-depth study. Seminars allow for the focused study of key concepts in a more informal style and often involve presentations by students on selected course materials. Many teachers adopt a variety of teaching methods to deliver their courses, such as class exercises, team presentations, individual or group work, or case study discussions.

LSE is internationally recognised for its teaching and research and therefore employs a rich variety of teaching staff with a range of experience and status. Courses may be taught by individual members of faculty, such as assistant professors, associate professors and professors. Many departments now also employ guest teachers and visiting members of staff, LSE fellows and graduate teaching assistants who are usually doctoral research students and in the majority of cases, teach on undergraduate courses only. You can view indicative details for the teacher responsible for each course in the relevant course guide. 

Assessment

All taught courses are required to include formative coursework which is unassessed. It is designed to help prepare you for summative assessment which counts towards the course mark and to the degree award. All full-unit courses are assessed by three hour unseen examinations in the Spring Term. Half-units are assessed by two hour unseen examinations. Some of the half-unit optional courses also have group/individual project work as part of the assessment. An indication of the formative coursework and summative assessment for each course can be found in the relevant course guide.

Academic support

You will also be assigned an academic mentor who will be available for guidance and advice on academic or personal concerns.

There are many opportunities to extend your learning outside the classroom and complement your academic studies at LSE. LSE LIFE is the School’s centre for academic, personal and professional development. Some of the services on offer include: guidance and hands-on practice of the key skills you will need to do well at LSE: effective reading, academic writing and critical thinking; workshops related to how to adapt to new or difficult situations, including development of skills for leadership, study/work/life balance and preparing for the world of work; and advice and practice on working in study groups and on cross-cultural communication and teamwork.

LSE is committed to enabling all students to achieve their full potential and the School’s Disability and Wellbeing Service provides a free, confidential service to all LSE students and is a first point of contact for all disabled students.

Through the Language Centre, you can access English language support both before you start at LSE and during your studies. Our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programme focuses on the skills required to perform in an English speaking academic environment across the core subject areas you will encounter during your time at LSE.

We’re here to help and support you throughout your time at LSE, whether you need help with your academic studies, support with your welfare and wellbeing or simply to develop on a personal and professional level.

Whatever your query, big or small, there are a range of people you can speak to who will be happy to help.  

Department librarians – they will be able to help you navigate the library and maximise its resources during your studies. 

Accommodation service – they can offer advice on living in halls and offer guidance on private accommodation related queries.

Class teachers and seminar leaders – they will be able to assist with queries relating to specific courses. 

Disability and Wellbeing Service – they are experts in long-term health conditions, sensory impairments, mental health and specific learning difficulties. They offer confidential and free services such as student counselling, a peer support scheme and arranging exam adjustments. They run groups and workshops. 

IT help – support is available 24 hours a day to assist with all your technology queries.  

LSE Faith Centre – this is home to LSE's diverse religious activities and transformational interfaith leadership programmes, as well as a space for worship, prayer and quiet reflection. It includes Islamic prayer rooms and a main space for worship. It is also a space for wellbeing classes on campus and is open to all students and staff from all faiths and none.  

Language Centre – the Centre specialises in offering language courses targeted to the needs of students and practitioners in the social sciences. We offer pre-course English for Academic Purposes programmes; English language support during your studies; modern language courses in nine languages; proofreading, translation and document authentication; and language learning community activities.

LSE Careers ­– with the help of LSE Careers, you can make the most of the opportunities that London has to offer. Whatever your career plans, LSE Careers will work with you, connecting you to opportunities and experiences from internships and volunteering to networking events and employer and alumni insights. 

LSE Library – founded in 1896, the British Library of Political and Economic Science is the major international library of the social sciences. It stays open late, has lots of excellent resources and is a great place to study. As an LSE student, you’ll have access to a number of other academic libraries in Greater London and nationwide. 

LSE LIFE – this is where you should go to develop skills you’ll use as a student and beyond. The centre runs talks and workshops on skills you’ll find useful in the classroom; offers one-to-one sessions with study advisers who can help you with reading, making notes, writing, research and exam revision; and provides drop-in sessions for academic and personal support. (See ‘Teaching and assessment’). 

LSE Students’ Union (LSESU) – they offer academic, personal and financial advice and funding. 

PhD Academy – this is available for PhD students, wherever they are, to take part in interdisciplinary events and other professional development activities and access all the services related to their registration. 

Sardinia House Dental Practice – this offers discounted private dental services to LSE students. 

St Philips Medical Centre – based in Pethwick-Lawrence House, the Centre provides NHS Primary Care services to registered patients.

Student Services Centre – our staff here can answer general queries and can point you in the direction of other LSE services.  

Student advisers – we have a Deputy Head of Student Services (Advice and Policy) and an Adviser to Women Students who can help with academic and pastoral matters.

As a student at LSE you’ll be based at our central London campus. Find out what our campus and London have to offer you on academic, social and career perspective. 

Student societies and activities

Your time at LSE is not just about studying, there are plenty of ways to get involved in extracurricular activities. From joining one of over 200 societies, or starting your own society, to volunteering for a local charity, or attending a public lecture by a world-leading figure, there is a lot to choose from. 

The campus 

LSE is based on one campus in the centre of London. Despite the busy feel of the surrounding area, many of the streets around campus are pedestrianised, meaning the campus feels like a real community. 

Life in London 

London is an exciting, vibrant and colourful city. It's also an academic city, with more than 400,000 university students. Whatever your interests or appetite you will find something to suit your palate and pocket in this truly international capital. Make the most of career opportunities and social activities, theatre, museums, music and more. 

Want to find out more? Read why we think London is a fantastic student city, find out about key sights, places and experiences for new Londoners. Don't fear, London doesn't have to be super expensive: hear about London on a budget. 

Fiona Imbali

Nairobi, Kenya
MSc Development Management

The MSc Development Management is an interdisciplinary programme covering an array of development issues. I have gained many insights as to why nations fail, from both geographical and institutional perspectives. LSE is one of the top universities in the world and I am taught by some of the best brains in development. I have been lectured by Teddy Brett, Jean-Paul Faguet and Elliot Green amongst others.

There is no general textbook for the course, which brings together insights from a range of disciplines dealing with problems of management and institutional reform. The weekly reading lists identify a small number of key texts which everyone should read, and provide a range of further readings for those particularly interested in the topic. The following is a list of general readings that cover key issues addressed in the course. There are, however, a few texts from which the course draws heavily, which students should buy. It is recommended that students begin reading Faguet (2012) and Brett (2009) and any one other of these books before the start of the academic year.

Required reading

D Acemoglu and J Robinson Why Nations Fail: the origins of power, prosperity and poverty (Crown, 2012)

E A Brett Reconstructing Development Theory (Palgrave Macmillan, 2009)

J Diamond Guns Germs and Steel (Vintage, 1997)  See also the 3-part documentary based on the book.

J P Faguet Decentralization and Popular Democracy: governance from below in Bolivia (University of Michigan Press, 2012) (Students with easy access to North American mail delivery can get a 60% discount directly from the publisher)

D C North, J J Wallis and B R Weingast Violence and Social Orders (Cambridge University Press, 2009)

D Rodrik In Search of Prosperity: analytical narratives on economic growth (Princeton University Press, 2003)

Strongly recommended 

C Boix Political Order and Inequality: their foundations and their consequences for human welfare (Cambridge University Press, 2015)

P Collier The Bottom Billion: why the poorest countries are failing and what can be done about it (Oxford University Press)

F Fukuyama The Origins of Political Order: from prehuman times to the French revolution (Profile Books, 2012)

A Kohli State-directed development: political power and industrialization in the global periphery(Cambridge University Press, 2004) A networked e-book is available via the Library catalogue

M Olson and S Kahkonen A Not-so-Dismal Science: a broader view of economies and societies (Oxford University Press, 2000). A networked e-book is available via Library catalogue.

R D Putnam Making Democracy Work: civic traditions in modern Italy (Princeton University Press, 1993)
C Tilly Democracy (Cambridge University Press 2007), A networked e-book available via Library catalogue

Recommended background reading

D Acemoglu and J Robinson Economic Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy (Cambridge University Press, 2006)

H J Chang Rethinking development economics (Anthem Press, 2003)

C Clague Institutions and economic development (Johns Hopkins University Press, 1997)

W Easterly The elusive quest for growth: Economists' adventures and misadventures in the tropics (MIT Press, 2001)

C Kirkpatrick, and others Handbook on development policy and management (Edward Elgar, 2002)

A Kohli State-directed development: political power and industrialization in the global periphery (Cambridge University Press, 2004)

J Linz and A Stepan Problems of democratic transition and consolidation (Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996)

D North Institutions, Institutional Change and Economic Performance (Cambridge University Press, 1990)

A Sen Development as Freedom (Oxford University Press, 1999)

World Bank World Development Report 2004: making services work for poor people (World Bank, 2004)

Quick Careers Facts for the Department of International Development

Median salary of our PG 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      
• International Organisations

The data was collected as part of the Graduate Outcomes survey, which is administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Graduates from 2020-21 were the fourth group to be asked to respond to Graduate Outcomes. Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and who were working in full-time employment.

The analytical skills developed here have secured past graduates promising careers in organisations as diverse as central banks, NGOs, multilateral organisations, charities, investment banks, government, consultancies, manufacturing firms and religious missions, and as independent experts and writers.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Laetitia Pancrazi 

MSc Development Management, 2016
Project Manager at Ashford Borough Council/ Public Practice Associate (April 2019 Cohort)

In April (2018), I will be joining the Ashford Borough Council, where I will develop and implement their sustainable development strategy as their Environmental Project Manager. My MSc in Development Management provided me with the analytical skills, leadership capacities as well as in-depth knowledge about development policies to confidently undertake such a role. I will also be a Public Practice Associate where I will join a multidisciplinary cohort of built environment professionals to conduct collective research. I am thrilled to be using the rigorous research methods and critical thinking capabilities I was taught at the LSE to contribute to the fields of urban development and planning. My teachers and fellow students were, and continue to be, constant inspiration to grow, learn, and help shape a better world.

Thomas Pieper

MSc Development Management, 2016
Consultant (Education and Employment Promotion) at GOPA Consultants, Germany

Having worked 8 years in business consulting and pharmaceuticals, I wanted to pursue a career change for quite some time. After several job applications, I thought another master’s program could pave the way. It turned out that the LSE Development Management program was the only program with a real-live consultancy assignment, which was a perfect match for me, since I didn´t want to purely do academic studies. It turned out to be one of the best year´s in my life so far, getting completely new insights, food for thought and especially meeting these great people across all the globe and various backgrounds.

Now implementing education projects across all continents for the European Commission or the GIZ (German Development Corporation), I´m not only able to relate back to the things I learned at LSE, but also to access this tremendously rich network of my former fellow students, working in different areas of development. Just last week, when I visited a conference on digitalization and development in Geneva, one of my former friends at LSE lead one of the workshops there. All in all a very enriching and exciting experience I recommend to everyone either changing careers or early pursuing the development corporation path.

Josianne Galea Baron

MSc Development Management, 2016
Children’s Rights and Business Specialist at Unicef UK

After graduating from the MSc Development Management in 2016, I joined the NCD Alliance, a civil society coalition tackling noncommunicable diseases globally as a capacity development officer, working directly with grassroots advocacy organisations in East Africa and elsewhere. Currently, I am a Children’s Rights and Business Specialist at Unicef UK, working to ensure UK businesses respect and promote children’s rights at home and abroad. Throughout this time, I have found the skills and confidence that I gained during my studies at the LSE International Development department to be an invaluable asset. Over and above the content of the classes and extracurricular opportunities available, the chance to join a community of fellow students - each with their own fascinating experiences and perspectives on development issues - was (and continues to be) a great source of knowledge and friendship. 

Dustin R. Daniels

MSc Development Management, 2013
Chief of Staff, Office of the Mayor, City of Tallahassee

I chose LSE because of the internationally recognized academic programs and its preeminent position among social science research institutions around the world. I look back on my time at LSE very favorably. In addition to loving my academic experience, the opportunity to build relationships with some of the most accomplished students from around the world was truly edifying.

At LSE, I worked on two live consultancy projects focused on financial development in Sub-Saharan Africa, and social innovation in Sri Lanka. I now work in the Mayor's Office in the Capital City of the State of Florida, the country's third largest state. I also serve as a lecturer in the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy at Florida State University.

Support for your career

Many leading organisations give careers presentations at the School during the year, and LSE Careers has a wide range of resources available to assist students in their job search. Find out more about the support available to students through LSE Careers.

Contact LSE's Graduate Admissions Team
Applications and admissions are processed centrally by the school. For any enquiries about the application process and admissions, including documentation, qualifications and VISA status please contact Graduate Admissions or use the Knowledge Base to ask your question. 
Quick response: When can I hear about my application?  |  Can I get a fee waiver?  |  What do I need to apply for your MSc’s?

Contact the Department of International Development
For programme and course related enquiries please contact the department's administrators: intdev.enquiries@lse.ac.uk. Please state your student/application number if relevant. Please first check our FAQs page for answers to questions. 
Quick response: How many hours of study is involved?   | Can I do the programme part-time?  |  What can I expect from the course selection process?

LSE ID Student Ambassadors
The LSE International Development Student Ambassadors are a group of current students who provide mentorship to incoming offer holders. You can reach out to our Ambassadors via our intdev.mentors@lse.ac.uk. Please include the name of the Student Ambassador you would like to connect with in the subject line. You can read student experience blog posts from our students here. 

Discover more about being an LSE student - meet us in a city near you, visit our campus or experience LSE from home. 

Experience LSE from home

Webinars, videos, student blogs and student video diaries will help you gain an insight into what it's like to study at LSE for those that aren't able to make it to our campus. Experience LSE from home. 

Visit LSE

Come on a guided campus tour, attend an undergraduate open day, drop into our office or go on a self-guided tour. Find out about opportunities to visit LSE. 

LSE visits you

Student Marketing, Recruitment and Study Abroad travels throughout the UK and around the world to meet with prospective students. We visit schools, attend education fairs and also hold Destination LSE events: pre-departure events for offer holders. Find details on LSE's upcoming visits.