Overview and entry requirements
MSc Development Studies with reference to Gender applicants apply for the MSc Development Studies programme but can decide to follow the Gender Pathway upon arrival by choosing the combination of modules required for this pathway (see Structure tab).
We welcome applications from those who have worked in a broad field of development, but also from students without relevant work experience who can demonstrate a strong interest in, and understanding of, development issues in Gender.
Students taking the Gender Pathway will develop a specialist understanding of Development Studies in the context of Gender. SOAS' recognised strengths in this area, including the establishment of the SOAS Centre for Gender Studies, makes this a unique and exciting opportunity for those interested in development and gender.
Students on this programme are encouraged to write their dissertation on a Gender topic of their choice. This will enable them to reflect on their learning throughout their studies and apply this to a Gender-related topic.
See Department of Development Studies
Part-time study
Students can take this programme part-time over 2 or 3 years. Students usually complete their core modules in Year 1 and their option modules and dissertation in subsequent years.
Why study MSc Development Studies with reference to Gender at SOAS
- we are ranked number 2 in the QS World University Rankings in the subject of Development Studies
- SOAS is ranked in the top 5 universities in the UK for producing a CEO or Managing Director, according to new research
- we are specialists within the humanities including in key topics such as international development, gender development, violence and conflict, environmental sustainability, the role of aid and trade in promoting development, as well as refugees and forced migration
- our staff have unrivalled practical knowledge across the discipline and regularly inform organisations such as the UN, NGOs and international governments
- as well as the curriculum knowledge you will also obtain a rich historical and cultural
knowledge about the countries and regions in which you may work in
- you will be able to flexibly structure your programme using our Open Options modules to take advantage of the expertise of our other departments, including the opportunity to learn a language
- we are specialists in the delivery of languages. Your command of a language at SOAS will set you apart from graduates of other universities
The MSc programme’s emphasis on transferable analytical skills has been of great benefit to the many graduates who have returned to, or taken up, professional careers in development in international organisations, government agencies and non-government organisations. Students also benefit from the wide range of modules on offer, both within the Department and across the School, allowing them to create individualised interdisciplinary programmes.
Explore
Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings
Start of programme: September
Mode of Attendance: Full-time or Part-time
Entry requirements
- We will consider all applications with a 2:2 (or international equivalent) or higher in social science of humanities subject. In addition to degree classification we take into account other elements of the application such as supporting statement. References are optional, but can help build a stronger application if you fall below the 2:2 requirement or have non-traditional qualifications.
Please see our 'postgraduate entry requirements' page for Overseas and EU qualifications and equivalencies.
- duration:
- One calendar year (full-time) Two (part-time, daytime only) We recommend that part-time students have between two and a half and three days free in the week to pursue their course of study.
Fees 2022/23
- Home students fees:
- £14,270
- Overseas students fees:
- £23,800
Fees for 2022/23 entrants. This is a Band 2 fee. The fees are per academic year. Please note that fees go up each year. Further details can be found on the Postgraduate tuition fees page
Structure
Students must take 180 credits per year comprised of 120 taught credits (including core, compulsory and optional modules) and a 60 credit dissertation.
Core modules: A core module is required for the degree programme, so must always be taken and passed before you move on to the next year of your programme.
Compulsory modules: A compulsory module is required for the degree programme, so must always be taken, and if necessary can be passed by re-taking it alongside the next year of your programme.
Optional modules: These are designed to help students design their own intellectual journey while maintaining a strong grasp of the fundamentals.
Core Modules
Compulsory Modules
Please note that if the module Feminist Political Economy and Global Development 15PDSH073 is not running in a particular year, students may instead select a module to the value of 15 credits from the list of Gender Studies options below.
Optional Modules
Choose module(s) to the total value of 30 credits from:
- module(s) from the Development Studies list below to the value of 30 credits
- open option modules to the value of 30 credits from another department
- module from the Development Studies list below to the value of 15 credits
- open option modules to the value of 15 credits from another department
List of Development Studies modules (subject to availability)
Gender Studies optional modules
Important notice
The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. If you are a current student you can find structure information on the previous year link at the top of the page or through your Department. Please read the important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.
Teaching & Learning
Our teaching and learning approach is designed to support and encourage students in their own process of self-learning, and to develop their own ideas, responses and critique of international development practice and policy.
We do this through a mixture of lectures, and more student-centred learning approaches (including tutorials and seminars). Teaching combines innovative use of audio-visual materials, practical exercises, group discussions, and weekly guided reading and discussions, as well as conventional lecturing.
Dissertation
In addition to the taught part of the masters programme, all students will write a 10,000 word dissertation. Students develop their research topic under the guidance and supervision of an academic member of the Department. Students are encouraged to explore a particular body of theory or an academic debate relevant to their programme through a focus on a particular region.
Contact hours
All Masters programmes consist of 180 credits, made up of taught modules of 30 or 15 credits, taught over 10 or 20 weeks, and a dissertation of 60 credits. The programme structure shows which modules are compulsory and which optional.
As a rough guide, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study, including reading and research, preparing coursework, revising for examinations and so on.
It will also include class time, which may include lectures, seminars and other classes. Some subjects, such as learning a language, have more class time than others. At SOAS, most postgraduate modules have a one hour lecture and a one hour seminar every week, but this does vary.
SOAS Library
SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.
More information is on the page for each module.
Tuition fees
Fees for 2022/23 entrants, per academic year (Band 2 tuition fee)
Full-time |
Part-time 2 years |
Part-time 3 years |
Home Students |
Overseas Students |
Home Students |
Overseas Students |
Home Students |
Overseas Students |
£14,270 |
£23,800 |
£7,135 |
£11,900 |
£4,710 |
£7,855 |
Fees go up each year, therefore your tuition fee in your second and subsequent years of study will be higher.
Our continuing students, on the same degree programme, are protected from annual increases higher than 5%.
Full details of postgraduate tuition fees can be found on the postgraduate tuition fees page.
Scholarships
Application Deadline: 2022-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2022-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2022-05-31 00:00
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Application Deadline: 2022-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2022-05-31 00:00
For further details and information on external scholarships visit the Scholarships section
Employment
A postgraduate degree from the Department of Development Studies at SOAS will further develop your understanding of the world, other peoples’ ways of life and how society is organised, with an emphasis on transferable analytical skill.
These skills have been of great benefit to the many graduates who have taken up professional careers in development in international organisations, government agencies and non-government organisations.
This, in addition to your detailed subject knowledge, will also equip you with a set of other specific skills, including: critical skills; the ability to research extensively; a high level of cultural awareness; and the ability to solve problems.
Careers
SOAS graduates have gone on to work for a range of organisations including:
Amnesty International BBC World Service British Embassy Brussels Department for International Development Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Embassy of Japan Government of Pakistan Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) International Labour Organization (ILO) KPMG LLP Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) National Health and Medical Research Council
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Overseas Development Institute Oxfam Public Sector Reform Unit - Government of Sierra Leone Republic of Mozambique National Parliament Royal Norwegian Embassy Save the Children UK The World Bank Thinking Beyond Borders US Department of State UN World Food Programme UN High Commissioner for Refugees WaterAid |
Roles
Types of roles that graduates have gained include:
Chief Economist Global Communications Director Director for Climate Change and Environment Head of Research and Consultancies Development Director Regional OVC programme coordinator Head of Operations Country Director Bureau Chief Desk Officer on Pakistan Affairs |
Policy Analyst Partnership Liaison Officer Fundraising and Communications Manager Development Policy Officer Environmental Economist Journalist Human Rights Officer Country Director - Indonesia Relationship Banker - Africa Desk Policy Analyst/Economist |
Visit SOAS Careers Service
A Student's Perspective
It is truly an international place where you meet people from all around the world, practice foreign languages and broaden your knowledge and perspective on life.
Inger Lise Ellingsen, University of Oslo