Program Overview

If you want to benefit from pluralist theoretical training in institutional economics and development economics, are interested in understanding how inequalities, corruption and climate change affect economic development, and want to apply policies to real world economic issues in the Global South, the MSc in Political Economy of Development is ideal for you.

The unique MSc Political Economy of Development is a fascinating, pluralist programme that engages students with questions on the various issues affecting development in Global South contexts. The MSc provides theoretical insights into the critical analysis of the interaction between the political and the economic in influencing development.

The programme also supports students in empirical and methodological training. Overall, this exciting MSc is designed for students passionate about politics and economics whose first degree was not, or only partially in, economics as well as for those who have already studied a lot of economics and want to do an MSc that enables them with pluralist and heterodox understanding of the discipline.

Instead of the usual compulsory courses in micro, macro and econometrics (they are still available as options), this MSc has compulsory courses in institutional economics, development economics, research methods and statistical techniques. You can also take additional classes across SOAS, such as language courses, training courses to use data software, and make use of the large network of private, public and non-governmental organisations to acquire practical experience in the field of politics, economics or development.

Students on this programme can apply for a dissertation co-supervised with key international organisations, such as the International Trade Centre (ITC), the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the World Bank.

Why study MSc Political Economy of Development at SOAS?

Global Partnerships

This programme can be offered as part of a dual masters degree with

Johns Hopkins SAIS.

Through the dual masters, students can spend the first year studying at SAIS and second year at SOAS or vice versa and gain a Masters award from each institution. For more information and eligible programmes included in the dual masters, please see the

SOAS-SAIS partnership

For any queries, please contact