Graduate Destinations
How does a degree in Development help with my career?
The department of Development Studies provides innovative and challenging teaching that engages students in the field and opens our graduates up to a wide range of career possibilities. Graduates leave SOAS with a portfolio of transferable skills which employers seek, including analytical skills, the ability to think laterally and employ critical reasoning, and knowing how to present materials and ideas effectively both orally and in writing. The group work elements of the programme also build teamwork and influencing skills.
Former Development Studies students have gone on to employment in a range of international organisations, NGO’s and government organisations, as well as professional roles in both business and public sectors. The Development Studies degree programmes have also enabled graduates to continue in the field of research either at SOAS or other institutions
Destinations of recent graduates from this department immediately after graduation include:
- Greenpeace: Climate and Energy Campaigner
- Ernst & Young: Associate
- British Council: Project Researcher
- The Times of India: Special Correspondent
- UN Development Programme Lebanon: Economic Officer
- United Nations Assistance Missions for Iraq: Problem Officer
- Bloomberg News: Reporter
- Peace Corps Response: Liaison/Consultant
- Save the Children: Philanthropy Account Executive
- Africa Practice: Research Assistant
- Global Witness: Campaigner on Climate Change and Human Rights
- Qatari Government: Education Planner
- Refugee Council: Advisor for Asylum Seeking Children
- BBC Worldwide: Writer and Journalist
- UNHCR: Refugee Status Associate
- LSE: Lecturer
- Overseas Development Institute: Research/Project Officer
- UN World Food Programme: Programme Officer
- Gambian Government: Industrial Economist
- HM Treasury: Policy Advisor
- Economist Intelligence Unit: Economist
- Department for International Development: Special Advisor to Secretary of State
- Risk Advisory Group: Research Analyst
- Comic Relief: International Work Programme Assistant
- International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC): Deputy Head of Regional Delegation
- Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Diplomat
- Institute of Development Studies: Project Manager
- UNESCO: Programme Officer
- House of Commons: Researcher
- Sri Lankan High Commission: Political Officer
- UNICEF: Project Officer
- US Department of Defence: Social Scientist
- Amnesty International: Policy Advisor for Violence Against Women
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Political Attache
- The World Bank: Violence & Conflict Consultant
- BP: European Buying Manager
- Department of Trade and Industry: Policy Adviser - Social Enterprise
- SOAS: MA Violence Conflict and Development
- University of Oxford: MSc in African Studies
- SOAS: PhD Development Studies
DLHE Statistics
The chart above shows that SOAS Development Studies graduates are very employable. Graduate Destination Surveys from 2004-2011 show that 93% of graduates who could be surveyed are either in work, further study, work and study or volunteering.
Further information about DLHE is available on the Careers Service website.
What do Graduates do?
- SOAS Alumni Spotlight
- Prospects: What do graduates do
- Sector profile: Charities and voluntary work
- What do London Graduates do
- London Graduates Idea Generator
Job Profiles
- Occupational profiles for 600 career areas on Prospects
- Postgraduate study information and database on Prospects
- For more information about careers, visit Careers Tagged
