Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Development
Department of Development Studies
MSc Global Development (Online)
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Key information
Key information
- Duration
- 2 years (accelerated) or 3 years
- Start of programme
- September 2026 or January 2027
- Attendance mode
- Part time
- Fees
-
MSc: £12,000
PGDip: £8,000
PGCert: £4,000
Course overview
The MSc Global Development will equip you with critical knowledge and the practical tools to understand complex global development dynamics.
You will explore social, economic, political and cultural transformations across the Global South, middle-income countries, and the Global North, recognising their deep interdependence. Emphasising critical and interdisciplinary thinking, the programme cultivates global awareness and cultural sensitivity as you engage with major policy challenges like poverty, inequality, and insecurity.
Graduates emerge with a nuanced understanding of global development as a shared and interconnected process, and are prepared for academic, policy, and professional roles across international contexts.
Studying at SOAS
We're ranked 5th in the world for Development Studies and 2nd in the world for Academic Reputation in Development Studies (QS 2025). Gain a global perspective unlike any other from a world-renowned university based in the heart of London.
Study Tours
All postgraduate students can take part in our Study Tours and explore the world’s most dynamic regions. Destinations include New Delhi, Lahore, Seoul, Luang Prabang, Almaty, Bishkek, Kigali, Johannesburg, and Doha. For more information, see our Study Tours page.
Structure
Full module information coming soon.
You can study this programme as an:
- MSc: six modules
- Postgraduate Diploma: four modules
- Postgraduate Certificate: two modules
Teaching and learning
Each module is 14 weeks long and represents 300 hours of learning: 100 hours of assessment preparation and 200 hours of directed and self-directed learning with extensive teacher contact throughout.
Assessment
Instead of exams, we use a range of assessment methods designed to reflect different learning styles and develop real-world employability skills, giving you a real opportunity to demonstrate what you’ve learned.
You’ll be evaluated through a mix of innovative practical projects, like creating a policy brief, a patchwork assignment, or fact-checking generative AI; participation activities such as video presentations and feedback; and reflective written work.
Employment
We know you’re choosing this programme to advance your career and make a real difference in the world. That’s why we embed employability in every module and offer a range of innovative assessment methods. Graduates leave with:
- Substantial independent projects that demonstrate applied expertise.
- The ability to articulate the value of their degree to employers or future collaborators.
- A range of practical skills valued by employers.
You’ll develop communication, research, and critical thinking skills, the ability to synthesise and evaluate information, and much more. These attributes are valued across sectors including public policy, international development, business, sustainability, media, and NGOs.
