Placement modules
Professional placement modules
Gain real-world experience alongside your degree.
At SOAS, our Professional Placement modules offer students the opportunity to apply their academic learning in real-world settings. Offered in BA Economics, BA Global Development and MSc International Development, these modules are designed to deepen your subject knowledge, build practical skills, and enhance your readiness for graduate careers.
All placements run in semester 2 and are worth 15 credits, forming an integrated part of your degree.
Why take a placement module?
- Apply your academic learning to real-world challenges
- Gain hands-on experience with organisations in your field
- Build professional skills and networks
- Strengthen your CV and career direction
- Reflect critically on global issues and institutional responses
BA Global Development Placement Module
This final-year, guided-option placement is an optional module for students studying BA Global Development, offering structured experience in development practice.
- 60 hours of placement activity over 8 weeks
- Opportunities with both London-based and international (virtual) organisations
- Individual or group placements with academic supervision
BA Professional Placement in Economics Module
This final-year, optional Professional Placement in Economics Module is worth 15 credits, running in semester 2.
The module enables you to work within an organisation on a research or practice-based project linked to your degree. It is designed to connect your studies in Economics, Development Economics, or Political Economy with real-world application.
- 64 hours of placement activity over 11 weeks
- Opportunities with both London-based and international (virtual) organisations
- Individual or group placements with academic supervision
MSc International Development Virtual Placement Module
The Postgraduate Virtual Development Placement module is a 15-credit optional module, running in semester 2.
This module offers postgraduate students the opportunity to work remotely with development-focused organisations across a wide range of specialisms.
- 40 hours of placement activity over 8 weeks
- Opportunities with international (virtual) organisations
- Individual or group placements with academic supervision