Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time
Who is this programme for?:
The degree has been developed to meet the needs of both development practitioners and researchers on international development, including those wishing to pursue an MPhil/PhD in International Development. The programme will suit students with a variety of backgrounds in social sciences, including politics, sociology, economics, and so on. It would also meet the needs of people working, or hoping to work in international agencies, humanitarian organisations, and NGOs. Students with a strong interest in research and research methods will thrive on the MSc distinctive focus on training in research methods.
The MSc Research for International Development is a newly established interdisciplinary Taught Masters programme at SOAS, offered jointly by the departments of Economics and Development Studies. This cutting-edge degree is funded and supported by the UK’s ESRC (The Economic and Social Research Council) as part of the Bloomsbury Doctoral Training Centre.
The programme’s unique core module Battlefield of Methods: Approaches to International Development equips students with the theoretical background and analytical skills to inquire into the relationship between theory and method in the domain of international development. The module provides students with knowledge about the plurality of methodological approaches in key areas of international development research, and the policy choices and strategies associated with these. The module offers students the opportunity to engage with a selection of methods used in international development research.
Further training in a variety of research methods is the focus of the other two core modules: Research Methods in Political Economy I and II. RMI covers the necessary statistical methods for social sciences including survey design and regression analysis. It aims to a) introduce students to statistical inference; b) encourage the clear and coherent expression of statistical results; and c) promote the critical reading of statistics within the development literature. RMII addresses sources and methods for the social sciences in the context of the political economy of development.
This programme gives students advanced interdisciplinary training in research methods and topics in Research for International Development. While the programme structure emphasises research methods, students will also have the opportunity to choose from a large number of substantive optional modules. The interdisciplinary nature of the programme is by virtue of both the core modules and options available for study being drawn from two departments within SOAS: Economics and Development Studies. Students will therefore benefit from studying with experts in a variety of fields of international development, and from the wide regional expertise in developing countries and development issues.
Overview
Students must take 180 credits comprised of 120 taught credits (including core and option modules) and a 60 credit dissertation.
All students take core modules, ‘Battlefields of Method’, ‘Statistical Research Techniques in International Development’, ‘Research Methods in International Development’ and a ‘Dissertation in Development Studies’.
Specialisation
Students also take option modules from those offered by the Department of Development Studies and the Department of Economics. Please note that economics modules can only be taken with the permission of the specific Module Convenor and will depend on a specific background in economics.
Please note that not all option modules may run every year. Modules at other institutions (intercollegiate) are not part of the approved programme structure.
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.
Students take the following FOUR core modules:
| Module | Code | Credits | Term | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battlefields of Method: Approaches to International Development Research | 15PDSC008 | 30 | Full Year | |
| Dissertation in Research Methods for International Development | 15PDSC997 | 60 | Full Year | - Module can only be taken as part of the MSc Research for International Development programme |
| Statistical Research Techniques in International Development | 15PECC052 | 15 | Term 2 | |
| Research Methods in International Development | 15PECC053 | 15 | Term 1 |
Students choose modules to the value of 60 credits from lists below:
Students need to get approval from the Module Convenor in order to take modules from the list below:
| Module | Code | Credits | Term | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gender in the Middle East | 15PGNH001 | 15 | Term 1 |
All MSc students in Development Studies are eligible to attend the one-term, non-assessed course, Economics for Beginners, which introduces students to basic concepts in microeconomics, macroeconomics, development economics, and statistics and econometrics.
If you are a current student you can find structure information on Moodle or through your Faculty.
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.
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.
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.
Our MSc programmes attract students with a wide range of backgrounds including many who have worked for a few years before coming to SOAS. Our popular quantitative modules are designed to be accessible to all of our students including those with a relatively small quantitative component in their first degree. Our well-received quantitative modules focus on applying basic methods used in empirical research. They equip students to carry out their own high quality empirical work and critically evaluate research, with relatively little emphasis on advanced econometric theory and mathematical proofs. Our quantitative methods teaching begins with a three-week preliminary module in mathematics, statistics and computing. Each student must attend this module, and sit its exam. The preliminary module runs in September prior to the start of teaching in term one. The objective of the module is to review the basic quantitative skills assumed once formal teaching commences. This module is compulsory. Further details on the Preliminary Mathematics and Statistics Course.
Kuhn, T. S. (1962) The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, Chicago: University of Chicago Press
Fine, B., D. Johnston, A. Santos and E. Van Waeyenberge (2015). “Nudging or Fudging: The World Development Report 2015”, Development and Change, 47(4): 640–663.
Oya, C. (2013), ‘Methodological reflections on land 'grab' databases and the land 'grab' literature “rush”’. Journal of Peasant Studies, 40(3): 503-520.
Rizzo, M., Kilama, B., and Wuyts, M. 2015. ‘The Invisibility of Wage Employment in Statistics on the Informal Economy in Africa: Causes and Consequences’. The Journal of Development Studies 51: pp. 149-161.
Sayer, A. 1984. Method in social science: A realist approach. London: Hutchinson.
Schmidt, Anna 2007 ‘I Know What You’re Doing’, Reflexivity and Methods In Refugee Studies’ in Refugee Survey Quarterly, Vol. 26, Issue 3
Sumner, A. and M.Tribe. 2008. International Development Studies. Theories and Methods in Research Practice. London: Sage.
Vlassenroot, K (2006) ‘War and Social Research. The limits of empirical methodologies in war-torn environments’, Civilisations 54, pp 191-198.
Full details of postgraduate tuition fees can be found on the Registry's Postgraduate Tuition Fees page.
This is a Band 3 tuition fee.
Fees for 2017/18 entrants. The fees below are per academic year. Please note that fees go up each year.
| Full-time | Part-time 2 Years | Part-time 3 Years | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK/EU Students | Overseas Students | UK/EU Students | Overseas Students | UK/EU Students | Overseas Students |
| £10,995 | £18,790 | £5,498 | £9,395 | £3,665 | £6,263 |
Application Deadline: 2017-02-03 16:00
Application Deadline: 2017-01-31 17:00
Application Deadline: 2017-01-31 17:00
Application Deadline: 2017-02-22 17:00
Application Deadline: 2017-02-22 17:00
Application Deadline: 2017-02-22 17:00
Application Deadline: 2017-02-22 17:00
For further details and information on external scholarships visit the Scholarships section
A postgraduate degree in Research for International Development from SOAS provides graduates with a portfolio of widely transferable skills sought by employers, 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. Equally graduates are able to continue in the field of research, continuing their studies either at SOAS or other institutions.
An MSc in Research for International Development is a valuable experience that provides students with a body of work and a diverse range of skills that they can use to market themselves with when they graduate.
For more information about Graduate Destinations from this department, please visit the Careers Service website.
Tamara Bah, American University, WashingtonBefore I came to SOAS, I knew that my grade would depend on either one or two large assignments and I was apprehensive about that—almost scared, however I am glad as I got to learn a lot about myself as a student. I became more independent academically and got to see what I can really accomplished without teachers “coddling” me along the way. Extremely refreshing!
If you still have questions about this programme or studying at SOAS get in touch.
Postgraduate programme applications should be made through our online application system.
