MSc Anthropology and Development

This MSc in Anthropology and Development provides a unique perspective on the complex challenges facing our world today. The programme offers you a comprehensive study of how anthropologists evaluate, criticise and contribute to development (whether "planned" or "unplanned"), and how they understand globalisation and other economic transformations.

Studying this programme will provide you with anthropological insights into these phenomena, as well as their historical backdrop and wider context. You'll gain a knowledge of how cutting-edge policy is formed and critiqued, and learn about the processes involved in overcoming poverty and creating healthy, wealthy and sustainable social change.

The MSc is offered by the Department of Anthropology with the assistance of the Department of International Development. It focuses on both "Big D" development (schemes of planned intervention or improvement, projects) and "little d" development (change that happens as the result of economic growth or modernisation). You'll get a chance, in addition, to select courses that fit with your particular interests.

The programme also provides ideal preparation for research work in anthropology, international development and related fields.

• H J Chang Kicking Away the Ladder: development strategy in historical perspective (Anthem, 2002)
• C Hann and K Hart Economic Anthropology: History, Ethnography, Critique (Polity, 2011)
• K Gardner Discordant Development: Global Capitalism and the Struggle for Connection in Bangladesh (Pluto, 2012)
• K Gardner and D Lewis Anthropology, Development: twenty first century challenges (Pluto, 2015)
• A Kohli State-Directed Development: political power and industrialization in the global periphery (Cambridge, 2004)
• A Sen Development as Freedom (Anchor, 1999)

You'll take a combination of compulsory and optional courses before submitting a dissertation.

The Department of Anthropology is world-leading and internationally renowned – rated the top anthropology department in the UK (Good University Guide 2024).

Our work is rooted in ethnographic research: we explore how different societies and communities work. We ask big questions about what people have in common and what makes us different – challenging traditional assumptions and ideas.

Anthropology has been taught at LSE since 1904. The department rose to prominence under Malinowski – the founder of British social anthropology. Many of the leading figures in the field have taught and/or studied at LSE. Today, we strive to work in the best radical traditions of the discipline while constantly pushing our thinking in new directions.

The department offers a mix of undergraduate and postgraduate study opportunities, including a single honours degree in Social Anthropology and a joint undergraduate Anthropology and Law programme.

We have a dynamic and active research community. Long-term anthropological fieldwork is a key strength of our department. Most staff are involved in ongoing field research, in both well-established and emerging fields. Our academics also work at the intersections with other disciplines, including history, cognitive psychology and religious studies.

The department has strong international links. Leading scholars from around the world come to LSE as visiting academics. Postdoctoral fellows and PhD students also make important contributions to the department’s research.

We’re proud to welcome students from all over the world and diverse academic backgrounds to our vibrant, welcoming and inclusive department.

Learn more about our programmes and research.

Department of Anthropology

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.

Applications for this programme are considered on a rolling basis. This means that applications will close once the programme is full.

There is no fixed deadline. However, if you’d like to be considered for any funding opportunities, you must submit your application (and all supporting documents) by the funding deadline. See the fees and funding section below for more details.

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

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

All taught courses are required to include formative coursework which is unassessed. It's designed to help prepare you for summative assessment which counts towards the course mark and to the degree award. LSE uses a range of formative assessment, such as essays, problem sets, case studies, reports, quizzes, mock exams and many others.

Summative assessment will include examinations and essays, including an essay (dissertation) of not more than 10,000 words on an approved topic of your own choice, which is submitted in late August. An indication of the formative coursework and summative assessment for each course can be found in the relevant course guide.

The programme provides ideal preparation for research work in anthropology, international development and related fields.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

From CV workshops through to careers fairs, LSE offers lots of information and support to help you make that all-important step from education into work.

Many of the UK’s top employers give careers presentations at the School during the year and there are numerous workshops covering topics such as job hunting, managing interviews, writing a cover letter and using LinkedIn.

See LSE Careers for further details.