SOAS / University of Johannesburg - Joint MPhil in Sustainable Industrial Development and Policy

Key information

Duration
2-years
Attendance mode
Full-time
Location
SOAS University of London, University of Johannesburg (UJ), South Africa
Entry requirements

The general entry requirement is a 2:2 in a relevant undergraduate degree in the United Kingdom; 65% in a relevant Honours degree (NQF level 8) in South Africa, or international equivalent. 

In exceptional cases, we will also consider applicants who do not meet these grades, based on other considerations such as work experience, other qualifications, references, or a strong supporting statement. 

Course overview

The Joint MPhil in Sustainable Industrial Development and Policy offered by SOAS and the University of Johannesburg is a unique research-intensive programme aimed at developing the students’ intellectual competencies, intellectual independence and practical skills in the analysis, interpretation, contextualisation and application of appropriate industrial policies to address the most pressing sustainability challenges of our time and to drive the structural transformation of the economies of the African continent (and beyond).   

The MPhil programme consists of core modules and electives offering an in-depth coverage of a broad range of issues pertaining to industrial development policies, market regulation and competition, state-business relations, technological innovation and sustainable industrial ecosystem development, business models and strategies across emerging economies, with a focus on Africa. It will allow students to test the practical application of the knowledge imparted, participate in analysing case studies, conducting field visits, and prepare individual technical reports and research outputs on the various themes covered.   

The programme will offer students theoretical, methodological, and applied expertise in highly complementary policy areas for sustainable structural transformation. These are: 

  • industrial policy 
  • energy policy 
  • trade policy 
  • competition policy 
  • macroeconomic policy.  

The  programme will include four compulsory modules, three elective modules to be chosen from four options, plus a policy project and a research dissertation. The policy project will allow the student to identify and select one pressing sustainable industrial development issue and conduct a pre-assessment of the feasibility of a specific industrial policy initiative. The research dissertation will build on the policy project towards developing in-depth research evidence on the selected policy area, sector and country. 

The programme will enhance students’ critical thinking skills, their ability to handle complex issues and proficiency in research methodologies, including econometric techniques, enabling them to communicate their findings effectively to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.  

Students will undertake the MPhil for two years and have the opportunity to progress onto a PhD for another 2-years.   

Why study the SOAS-UJ joint MPhil in Sustainable Industrial Development and Policy 

Societies are facing unprecedented overlapping crises of climate change, persistent economic imbalances and rising inequality. At a time of instability and tectonic shifts in the geopolitical landscape, governments, businesses, civil society and academia are called to advance inclusive and sustainable solutions to these crises. Industrial policy must be at the forefront of economics to rethink the social contract and promote sustainable structural transformation.   

This is a unique research-intensive programme built around close complementarity between two hubs of research excellence – SOAS’ Centre for Sustainable Structural Transformation (CSST) and UJ’s South African Research Chair in Industrial Development (SARChI-ID) – and their international industrial policy network. 

Classes are delivered by renown world-experts in the field with years of experience in research and industrial policy practice. Students will be also exposed to seminars led by practitioners from both the public and private sectors. 

SOAS University of London 

  • We are ranked 30th in the UK for economics (QS World University Rankings 2025)  
  • Our research publications have been rated first in the UK - in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021   

University of Johannesburg 

The core activity of UJ’s School of Economics is to train economists in various fields of economics (financial economics, industrial policy, development economics, local government economics, econometrics, competition and regulation economics, environmental economics and trade economics).   

UJ’s School of Economics is ranked 4th in Economics and Econometrics in Africa.  

It is one of six Schools that make up the College of Business and Economics, in short CBE, at the University of Johannesburg. The CBE strives to develop critical thinkers and problem solvers that address business, economic and societal challengers  

  • The School consists of six distinct clusters namely: The economic development cluster 
  • The industrial policy cluster (including the Joint  partnership with SOASl)   
  • The financial economics cluster (includes a partnership with University of Ohio)  
  • The local economic development cluster (includes CENLED) 
  • The environment economics and public sector cluster (PEERC) 
  • The cluster for competition & economic regulation (CCRED) 

Admissions

Students will need to apply via UJ only for this programme. 

Award 

Upon successful completion of the programme, students will be awarded a single, co-badged certificate conferred by both SOAS and University of Johannesburg.   

International Mobility 

Mobility is not mandatory and students can be based at UJ or SOAS for this programme. All modules will be delivered in ‘global classrooms’ offered either by SOAS or UJ.  

However, applicants who will be international students at SOAS or UJ for the entire programme or part of the programme, must successfully obtain the appropriate visa for the UK or South Africa.  

Please see SOAS visas and immigration for more information on applying for a UK Standard Visitor visa or Student Visa and UJ’s International Students webpage for appropriate South African visas.  

Neither SOAS nor UJ can accept liability for failure of a student to obtain valid UK or South African visas for the programme. 

Structure

To be awarded the Joint MPhil, students must take modules to a total value of 300 SOAS/ 200 UJ credits, with 120 SOAS/80 UJ credits covered the Year 1 and 180 SOAS/120 UJ credits in Year 2 towards a dissertation. 

Students will undertake the MPhil for 2-years and have the opportunity to progress onto a PhD for another 2-years.   

Important notice 

The information on the website reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. The content and availability of optional modules may be subject to change. 

Teaching and learning

The language of instruction of the programme will be English. 

The MPhil in Sustainable Industrial Development and Policy consists of a total of 300 SOAS/200 UJ credits, with 120 SOAS/80 UJ credits covered the Year 1 and 180 SOAS/120 UJ credits in Year 2. 

At SOAS, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study, including reading and research, preparing coursework, revising for examinations and so on. It will also include class time, which may include lectures, seminars and other classes. 

Knowledge and understanding

During the course students will: 

  • demonstrate advanced knowledge of the industrialisation-sustainability nexus 
  • demonstrate advanced knowledge of specialised topics in the design and implementation of industrial policy 
  • develop knowledge of issues involved in the identification, preparation, appraisal, management and evaluation of a variety of industrial policy instruments, including financial, fiscal, financing, procurement, regulatory, competition and trade policy measures; 
  • apply a range of decision-making instruments and techniques required for an efficient analysis for the identification, preparation, appraisal, and evaluation of industrial projects; 
  • design complex research projects and master research methods techniques 
  • develop in-depth and original knowledge on a specific field in the area of sustainable industrialisation and policy through a research dissertation 

Learning outcomes

During the course students will: 

  • reflect critically on theories of sustainable development, structural transformation and industrial policy 
  • develop a fundamental understanding of what defines environmental trends and the potential risk and opportunity they present to industrialization 
  • be aware of various ontological and epistemological assumptions guiding research 
  • assess the methodological foundations of empirical findings 
  • demonstrate advanced knowledge of how theory and evidence can inform the design of economic policy 
  • critically assess strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to evidence-based policy making 

 

Fees and funding

Scholarships 

For the January 2026 intake, SOAS will provide partial scholarships to 10 African students based at UJ.

Employment

Graduates of this programme will leave with a rigorous training in sustainable industrial development, a unique mix of technical skills and practical expertise, and an in-depth understanding of policy processes, design and effective implementation. The extensive research dissertation will also give students specialised and deployable knowledge in one specific sector, country and policy mix.  

Potential employers of graduates of this programme include public sector institutions such as government agencies, departments and ministries; international organisations and multilateral agencies; development banks, private equity and venture capital companies; business consultancies; private sector and state-owned companies; third sector organisations. 

Key staff