MRes/PhD International Development at London School of Economics and Political Science

Programme overview

Develop a deep understanding of complex processes of social, political and economic change, and produce original research on international development themes. This is a vibrant MRes/PhD programme that uses a variety of disciplinary and interdisciplinary methods from across the social sciences to explore questions of global development. You’ll have the chance to undertake a substantial piece of work that is worthy of publication and makes an original contribution to international development.

Department: Department of International Development | Duration: Four to five years - one year MRes, three to four years PhD full-time; part-time available | Study mode: full-time/part-time | Intake: 27 September 2027 | Location: London, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Compulsory and core courses include Development History, Theory and Policy for Research Students, Research Design and Proposal in International Development, Fundamentals of Social Science Research Design, Research Design for Policy and Programme Evaluation.

Career pathways

This data is drawn from the latest 2023/24 Graduate Outcomes Survey, conducted by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Where included, median salaries are based on respondents in full-time employment who were paid in UK pounds sterling.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Taught master’s degree with 65 or above overall and in the dissertation element, or the equivalent. Please select your country from the dropdown list below to find out the entry requirements that apply to you. English language requirement: Higher (IELTS 7.0 overall with 7.0 in reading and 6.5 in listening, writing and speaking).

Domestic applicants: GBP 5,368 a year (2027/28). First-year fee; likely to rise over the duration of the programme. Source

International applicants: GBP 25,300 a year (2027/28). First-year fee; likely to rise over the duration of the programme. Source

Intake: 27 September 2027

Duration: Four to five years - one year MRes, three to four years PhD full-time; part-time available

Apply through the official page: https://www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/Graduate/Prospective-students/How-to-Apply

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