Lecturer in Humanitarian and Development Studies
Department of Development Studies
MSc Humanitarian Action (Online, Sep 2026)
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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 Humanitarian Action is a critical, globally-oriented study of humanitarian history, politics and practice.
Designed for impact in complex crisis and development settings, it encourages you to question how, where and why aid is delivered, and to analyse its political and military entanglements. A distinctive focus on South-South cooperation and community-led critiques challenges and reshapes conventional humanitarian paradigms.
Graduates will develop decolonial, interdisciplinary insight, analytical rigour, cultural humility, and the ethical capacity to engage thoughtfully in humanitarianism, development and global justice worldwide.
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.
Structure
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.
Teaching and assessments are designed to give you the opportunity to apply your academic knowledge to real-world problems. Throughout the programme, you will develop and demonstrate your critical thinking, communication, and research skills, and your ability to synthesise and evaluate information.
This focus on employability is why recent graduates from the Department of Development have been hired by the US Department of State, BBC World Service, International Labour Organization, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and the World Bank.
