Senior Lecturer, Sustainable Development
Centre for Development, Environment and Policy
& Department of Development Studies
MSc/PGDip/PGCert Sustainable Development (Online)
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Key information
Key information
- Duration
- PGCert min. 1 year, MSc/PGDip min. 2 years
- Start of programme
- October / April
- Attendance mode
- Online learning (part-time)
- Fees
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MSc: £10,270
PGDip: £8,200
PGCert: £4,100 - Entry requirements
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We will consider all applications with a 2:2 (or international equivalent) or higher in a relevant subject.
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Afghanistan: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master's degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 80% or 3.3/4.0
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Argentina: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Titulo / Grado de Licenciado
Equivalent to 2:ii: 7/10
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Australia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 2:2 or Credit or 65%
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Austria: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 2.5/5.0 and overall Pass (Bestanden)
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Bahrain: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 75% or GPA 3.0/4.0
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Bangladesh: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor’s from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology or Master's degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 60% or GPA 3.0/4.0
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Belgium: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Licentiaat or Licencié
Equivalent to 2:ii: 13/20 or 65%
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Botswana: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree (5-year) or Master's from University of Botswana
Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 3.5/5.0 or 65% or B- or Good
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Brazil: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Título de Bacharel / Título de Licenciado (4-year)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 7/10 or 70%
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Brunei: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: Lower Second Class Honours with 50% overall
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Bulgaria: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 4.3/6
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Cameroon: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Diplôme d'Ingénieur/ Diplôme d'Études Supérieures de Commerce (5-year)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 12-13 assez bien (fair); 70-74; or B+
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Canada: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 3.0/4.0 or 74-77% or overall B
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China Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree (4-year)
Equivalent to 2:ii:
73% or 2.6/4.0 (C9 unis)
75% or 2.8/4.0 (Double First unis)
80% or 3.25/4.0 (all other unis) -
Colombia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Licenciado / Titulo (4-year)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.5/5.0
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Croatia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Baccalaureus / Baccalaurea (Bachelor degree)
Equivalent to 2:ii: Overall score 3/5
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Cyprus: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 6.5/10
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Czech Republic: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree (180 ECTS)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 1.75/4.0 or High C 'dobre’ (good)
Information for prospective students from the Czech Republic
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Denmark: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 7/12 or 8/13 or grade C
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Egypt: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 70% or 3.0/4.0
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Estonia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bakalaurusekraad / University Specialist's Diploma / Professional Higher Education Diploma
Equivalent to 2:ii: 4.0/5.0
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Finland: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor / Kandidaatti / Kandidat (180 ECTS credits)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 3/5 or 2/3
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France: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Licence or Diplôme from a grande école
Equivalent to 2:ii: 11.5 out 20
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Gambia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master's degree (2-year)
Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 3.0/4.3 or 64% or B
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Germany: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree (180 ECTS)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 2.6/5
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Ghana: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 2:2 (Second Class Lower Division) or GPA 3.25/5.0 or 60%
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Greece: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 6.50/10
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Hong Kong: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: Upper second class or GPA 2.7/4.0 or 75% or B Minus
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Hungary: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor (Alapfokozat) or Diploma (Egyetemi Oklevél)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.5/5.0
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Iceland: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree (Baccalaureus or Bakkalarprof)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 7.0 out of 10
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India: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: CGPA: 55-60% or 5.5/10 - 6.0/10
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Iraq: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree (Licence/Karshani)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 0.7
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Israel: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 70% or C+
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Italy: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Laurea (180 ECTS)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 100/110
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Japan: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 70% or C+ or 3.0
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Jordan: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.0/4.0 or 70%
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Kazakhstan: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelors (Bakalavr Diplomi) or Specialist Diploma
Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 3.0/4.0 or GPA 4.0/5.0 or B
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Kenya: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 2:2 or 60%
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Kuwait: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.0/
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Latvia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bakalaura Diploms (Bachelor's) or Profesionālā Bakalaura Diploms
Equivalent to 2:ii: 7/10
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Lebanon: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree / Licence
Equivalent to 2:ii: 75% or Grade B-/C+ or GPA 2.8/4.0 or 14/20
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Liberia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master's degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 75% or 2.8/4.0
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Libya: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor Degree from selected institution
Equivalent to 2:ii: 75% or GPA 3.0/4.0
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Lithuania: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelors / Bakalauro (180 ECTS)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 7.5/10
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Malawi: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master's degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 70% or GPA 3.0/4.0
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Malaysia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.0/4.0 or B (Class 2 Division 2)
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Malta: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: Lower Second Class with 65% or Category IIB
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Mexico: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Titulo de Licenciado
Equivalent to 2:ii: 8/10 or 80%
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Morocco: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Licence / Licence d'Etudes Fondamentales / Licence Professionnelle
Equivalent to 2:ii: 13/20
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Nepal: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master's degree / Bachelor degree (4-year)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 70%
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Netherlands: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 6.5/10 or GPA 3.0
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New Zealand: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: Majority of credited modules B- or above
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Nigeria: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: Lower Second Class or 55% or GPA 3.0/5.0 or 2.5/4.0 or 4.0/7.0
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Norway: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelors / Bachelorgrad (180 ECTS) or Candidatus /a magisterii
Equivalent to 2:ii: Grade C (with at least 80 ECTS) at grade B or 3.2
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Oman: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.0/4.0
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Pakistan: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor (4-year) / Master's from HEC recognised institution
Equivalent to 2:ii: CGPA 2.7 or 65%
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Philippines: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master’s from recognised institution or Centre of Excellence / Bachelor from prestigious institution or Centre of Excellence
Equivalent to 2:ii:
Prestigous Universities: GPA 3.3/4.0 or 1.75/5.0 or Grade B or 83%
Recognised Universities: GPA 3.5/4.0 or 2.0/5.0 or Grade B or 87% -
Poland: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Licencjat or Inżynier (3-year)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 4.25/5
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Portugal: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Licenciado (180 ECTS)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 15/20
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Qatar: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 or 70% or 7/10
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Romania: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Diplomă de Licenţă / Diplomă de Inginer / Diplomă de Urbanist Diplomat
Equivalent to 2:ii: 8/10
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Russia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Diplom Bakalavra or Specialist Diploma
Equivalent to 2:ii: 3.8/5.0
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Rwanda: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor (4-year)
Equivalent to 2:ii: Lower Second Class Honours or 65-69% or 14/20
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Saudi Arabia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 or overall 70%
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Singapore: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: CAP 3.5/5.0 or 3.0/4.0
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Slovakia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bakalár / Bachelor
Equivalent to 2:ii: 70% or 2.0 overall or C
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South Africa: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor (4-year)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 60%
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South Korea: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 2.7/4.0 or 3.0/4.3 or 3.3/4.5
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Spain: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Título de Grado / Título de Licenciado / Título de Ingeniero / Titulo de Arquitecto
Equivalent to 2:ii: 6.5/10 or GPA 1.75/4.0
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Sri Lanka: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor Special Degree or Professional Degree (4-year)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 55% or 2:2 or GPA 3.0/4.0
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Sudan: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor (5-year)
Equivalent to 2:ii: 65%+ or B
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Sweden: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree / Kandidatexamen / Yrkesexamen
Equivalent to 2:ii: B (90 credits) and C (90 credits) or Very Good (70 credits) and Good (110 Credits) or C (180 credits)
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Switzerland: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Diplom / Diplôme / Lizentiat / Staatsdiplom / Diplôme d’Etat
Equivalent to 2:ii: Overall 4.5/6 or 7/10 or 2.5/5
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Syria: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Licence / al-ijaza-fi / Bachelor
Equivalent to 2:ii: 70%+ or 'Good'
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Taiwan: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 68-70% or GPA 2.8/4.0-3.0/4.0
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Thailand: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 3.0/4.0
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Tunisia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Diplôme National d'Ingénieur / Diplôme National d'Architecture / Licence / Maîtrise
Equivalent to 2:ii: 12 out of 20
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Turkey: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Lisans Diplomasi
Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 2.6/4 from the top universities and 3.0/4 from all others
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Uganda: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 2:2 (Lower Second) or B or GPA 3.0/5.0
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Ukraine: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree or Specialist Diploma
Equivalent to 2:ii: 8/12 or 3.8/5
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United Arab Emirates: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 3.0/4.0 or 3.2/5.0
Information for prospective students from the United Arab Emirates
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United States of America: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: GPA 3.0/4.0
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Vietnam: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree (4-year)
Equivalent to 2:ii: Overall score of 6.5/10
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Yemen: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master's degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: Overall 'Good' (71-77%) or Aden University 80-83% (or 3.0/4.0)
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Zambia: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Master's degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 65% or B or Credit or GPA 1.7/2.5 or 3.3/5.0
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Zimbabwe: Qualifications (Bachelor equivalency): Bachelor degree
Equivalent to 2:ii: 2:2 or 65%
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In addition to degree classification in a relevant subject 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.
See international entry requirements and English language requirements
Course overview
The global community faces problems of poverty and profound environmental change that are interconnected in complex and dynamic ways.
Our MSc Sustainable Development programme aims to provide you with a broad grounding in the main concepts associated with sustainable development. It's clear that solutions to the challenges of sustainable development need holistic, integrated and coordinated actions across a wide range of sectors.
Through the programme you will gain a theoretical basis for understanding the evolution, meanings and use of the concept of sustainable development. You will also acquire the skills needed to understand current environmental, developmental and sustainability issues and debates.
During your time on the programme your knowledge and understanding will be enhanced for decision and policy making on sustainable development issues. You will also gain critical, analytical and integrative skills for responding to these challenges.
Why study MSc Sustainable Development at SOAS?
- SOAS is ranked second in the world for Development Studies (QS World University Rankings 2022).
- We're ranked 6th in UK for graduate employability (QS World University Rankings 2023).
- We offer a range of exciting degree programmes on-campus and online, at BA, MSc and PhD levels. Our degrees are inter-disciplinary, combining political-economy, politics, anthropology, and history approaches to analyse processes of development in different contexts around the world.
- Students have the opportunity to take placements as part of their BA or MSc degrees, and we offer internships in the department and in partner organisations.
- Our academic staff create an intellectually stimulating and challenging space across the many branches of international development and humanitarianism that make up Development Studies.
- All modules engage with questions of climate crisis, recognising its impact and interaction with processes of inequality and change.
- Our staff specialise in a range of thematic areas including sustainability and climate change, migration and displacement, conflict, humanitarian action, labour, political ecology, and aid and institutions.
- Combined with exceptional resources and our interdisciplinary approach, we offer a unique learning and research opportunity for our diverse and vibrant student community.
Contact
Email: cedep-studentsupport@soas.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)20 7074 5003
A student's perspective
SOAS has given me the space to ask questions of myself and of my studies which I hadn’t had before, it gives you the academic and ideological freedom to explore your own ideas. This has been really important for me, and changed the way I address challenges and experiences more generally.
Hannah Duncan
Structure
Sustainable Development is available as a Master of Science, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate. You will complete one module at a time, over a period of 16 weeks. Study sessions occur twice a year, beginning in April and October.
These two study sessions include one module and for MSc students an additional dissertation stage. The core and elective modules run over a 16-week period, during which you will need to allocate at least 10-15 hours of study per module, per week.
For MSc students, dissertation stages are taken immediately after each module. MSc students are required to enrol for their dissertation at the same time as their modules.
Three programme structures: MSc, PGDip and PGCert
Please note that all programmes must be completed with the registration period .
MSc
- Four modules, comprising one core (30 credits), at three elective modules (30 credits each) from the list below (only one elective is permitted from outside CeDEP).
- You will also be required to complete a dissertation (60 credits). In a two-year MSc programme cycle, the dissertation is completed in four eight-week stages. These stages take place between the normal study sessions, but study in term time is also permitted.
- If you aim to complete you MSc over three years, there will be two study sessions when you will not need to study a taught module. You may choose not to study at all during these sessions due to other commitments. Alternatively, you may want to use this time to undertake preparation for your dissertation.
PGDip
Four modules, as per the requirements for MSc students, but will not be required to complete a dissertation (thereby gaining 120 credits in total).
PGCert
- One core module and one elective module from within CeDEP.
- Modules from other departments - only students on MSc and PGDip programmes may take one module from other departments as listed below.
Modules
| Module type | Module name | Apr '22 | Oct '22 | Apr '23 | Oct'23 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core | Understanding Sustainable Development | * | * | * | * |
| Elective | Climate Change Adaptation | * | * | ||
| Elective | Energy and Development | * | |||
| Elective | Food Security and Social Protection | * | * | ||
| Elective | Global Environmental Change and Sustainability | * | * | ||
| Elective | Low Carbon Development | * | * | ||
| Elective | Understanding Poverty | * | * | ||
| Elective | Urban Sustainability | * | * | ||
| Elective | Water and Land Management for Sustainable Development | * | * | ||
| Elective | The Politics of Gender and Feminisms in Development (offered through Development Studies) | * | * | ||
| Elective | Understanding Violence, Conflict and Development (offered through Development Studies) | * | |||
| Core | Dissertation Sustainable Development (Stage 1) | * | * | * | * |
| Core | Dissertation Sustainable Development (Stage 2) | * | * | * | * |
| Core | Dissertation Sustainable Development (Stage 3) | * | * | * | * |
| Core | Dissertation Sustainable Development (Stage 4) | * | * | * | * |
Registration period
Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and MSc Students are registered for a maximum of 5-years. If you would like to upgrade from a PG Certificate to PG Diploma or PG Diploma to MSc the 5-year registration period will apply from the date you commence study on the first programme.
Successful requests to upgrade will be made in the first year of study and must meet specific criteria.
Important notice
The information on the website reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. The modules are indicative options of the content students can expect and are/have been previously taught as part of these programmes.
However, this information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.
Teaching and learning
Online academic tutor
You will be individually assigned an online academic tutor for the duration of each module with whom you can discuss academic queries at regular intervals during each study session.
Virtual Learning Environment
This programme is taught 100% online through our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
To make your experience as an online and distance learning student more complete and rewarding, you will have access to the VLE, which is a web-based learning platform. Via the VLE, you communicate with your assigned academic tutor, administrators and other students on the module using discussion forums.
The VLE also provides you with access to each module's Study Guide, learning materials and assignments, as well as a selection of electronic journals. You will be able to access the VLE at any time so you can fit your studies around your existing commitments.
Assessment
Each module will be assessed via six e-tivities:
- E-tivity 1: Online participation (10%)
- E-tivity 2: Library information retrieval (not assessed)
- E-tivity 3: Literature critique (5%)
- E-tivity 4: Examined assignment proposal (20%)
- E-tivity 5: Analytical exercise (5%)
- E-tivity 6: Examined assignment (60%)
Dissertation (MSc students only)
Dissertation involves desk-based and/or field-based research.
In the breaks between terms one and two of a typical 2-year MSc programme, there is dedicated time to work on your dissertation. In year one, you will learn how to conduct original research and acquire the methods you needs, to go about doing it. In the first year, you will be required to produce:
- a topic form, on the basis of which a supervisor will be allocate
- an assessed proposal, an elaborated plan of proposed topic, based on learning done around research gaps, questions, research design, methods and data analysis, along with input from the supervisor
In year two, you will move to the data collection stage and follow this up with the analysis and write-up to be undertaken, as in year one, mostly within the 8-week breaks between the two study terms. Your dissertation is assessed through two components: the assessed proposal (20% of the final module mark); and the 10,000 word dissertation (80% of the final module mark).
Fees and funding
| Programme level | MSc | PGDip | PGCert |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fee | £10,270 | £8,200 | £4,100 |
You will make one payment of £2,054 for each taught module. For MSc students, the dissertation module is an additional £2,054, with payment split across four stages.
- See online and distance learning fees for further information.
Pay as you learn
Our distance learning programmes can be paid in full at the time of enrolment or on a pay as you learn basis. Pay as you learn means you only pay for the module you are enrolling on.
Postgraduate loans
If you have been a resident in England for 3 years you may be eligible. See postgraduate funding and finance for more information.
- Look through the available postgraduate scholarships.
Alternatively, we also recommend students approach their local British Council, British High Commission or British Embassy, for information on local funding.
Dependent on nationality, employment circumstances and other factors, funding and sponsorship sources can include:
- United Nations (UNESCO, FAO, UNDP, UNEP etc)
- Bilateral Aid Agencies (SIDA, GTZ, etc)
- European Union
- British Council
- UK Department for International Development / Foreign & Commonwealth Office
- NGOs
- Educational and other charitable trusts
Application
To make an application, or to find out more about our admissions procedure, please visit cefims.ac.uk and how to apply (ODL)
Employment
Graduates from the Centre for Development, Environment and Policy leave SOAS with in-depth knowledge about the environment and sustainability challenges facing the world today, as well as the interdisciplinary skills to tackle them.
Recent graduates have been hired by:
- African Development Bank Group
- BP
- Civic Exchange, Hong Kong
- Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
- Energy Networks Association
- Energy UK
- Ernst & Young LLP
- ESB
- Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
- Plan UK
- Public Policy Projects
- UN Environment Programme
Find out about our Careers Service.
