MPhil/PhD in Development Studies

Program Overview

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Key Information

Duration

3 years full time or 6 years part-time

Attendance Mode

Full-time or part-time

Location

On campus

Fees

• Home (full-time): £4,860 per year
• International (full-time): £23,390 per year

Course Code

M9Z1

Entry Requirements

We normally require a 2.1 bachelor's degree plus a Masters degree with a Merit classification in a Social Science plus one reference. In exceptional cases we may accept applicants who do not meet these criteria if they show evidence of a strong Masters degree and/or appropriate level of relevant work experience. International applicants should also see Doctoral School English language requirements.

Course Overview

Study our on-campus MPhil/PhD in Development Studies at SOAS to realise your potential to tackle global injustice and transform the world with your research impact.

As a PhD researcher, you’ll join a renowned globally diverse research community with access to research and teaching opportunities, as well as a substantial series of seminars presented by leading development professionals and practitioners.

The Department currently has over 70 research students, working on a range of research topics in many parts of Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. We are particularly interested in potential research students who wish to work in one of the main Departmental Research Clusters, specifically:

• Agrarian Change and Development
• Labour, Activism and Global Development
• Violence, Conflict and Peace
• Migration, Mobility and Development
• Environment

Structure

Year 1

During the module of your first year, you are required to attend the Department’s Postgraduate Research Training Seminar. These sessions will provide you with the essential training in research methodology and will assist you in getting started: specifically, they will assist you in writing the constituent components of the ‘upgrade paper’ that you have to submit and defend in a viva in Term 3 of your first year.

Given the wealth of training resources in research methods and other theoretically and empirically relevant postgraduate modules across the Faculty and in other Faculties at SOAS, students are strongly encouraged to audit modules.

Additional modules can be invaluable, especially for conceptual or area specific issues or topics, as ways to supplement the training imparted in the MPhil Seminars. The supervisor and the student will discuss at the beginning of the year the most suitable portfolio of training and modules in relation to the topic of the thesis, its main research questions and the setting in which the research will be conducted.

Schedule after year 1

Once students have passed their upgrade, they should immediately proceed with designing the details of the empirical work and organising the drafts written in the module of the first year. As most Development Studies students will embark on fieldwork in their second year, it is important to keep the 3-year time limit in mind, and to not postpone writing chapters until after the completion of fieldwork.

Any writing done during that period will save crucial time on return.

Ordinarily, a student would then adhere to the following writing up schedule:

Terms 4, 5 and 6

Fieldwork, and beginning of data processing as well as drawing up of chapter templates.

Summer holidays of the second year, terms 7 and 8

Data analysis and back to literature review to revise initial chapters and producing a full final draft.

Term 9

Reviewing the first draft, complete any required rewriting, and submission of dissertation. There is a possibility of continuation of writing-up after term 9 but the thesis will have to be submitted in any case before the end of the 4th year. This will be the final deadline although the thesis is expected to be finished within three years of full-time active research.

Teaching and Learning

All MPhil/PhD students have a supervisory committee, comprising their main supervisor, and one other academic staff member. In the first year, PhD students will have regular formal tutorials during term time with their main supervisor, working towards the production of their upgrade paper and viva at the end of the academic year.

Supervision

Supervision during the 2nd year (usually the fieldwork year) will often by through email and Skype (whilst students are away in the field), and in person if they return to the UK during this period. In the final year, tutorials are arranged around the writing-up of thesis chapters. Outside the formal supervision tutorials, all research students are encouraged to chat with their supervisors to discuss issues as they arise.

Weekly research seminars

In addition to the individual tutorials with their supervisors, all research students are required to attend and participate in the weekly research seminars, which provide training and skills in specific research methods. They may also take specific taught masters options where relevant to their particular research.

Fees and Funding

Please note that fees go up each year. See research fees for further details.

Employment

A degree from the Department of Development Studies at SOAS will further develop your understanding of the world and how society is organised, with specific focus on violence and conflict, the role of aid, refugees and forced migration. Graduates leave with a range of transferable skills, including critical thinking, analytical skills and cultural awareness.

Recent graduates have been hired by:

• Amnesty International
• BBC World Service
• British Embassy Brussels
• Department for International Development
• Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)
• Embassy of Japan
• Government of Pakistan
• Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office
• International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
• International Labour Organization (ILO)
• KPMG LLP
• Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
• National Health and Medical Research Council
• Overseas Development Institute
• Oxfam
• Royal Norwegian Embassy
• Save the Children UK
• The World Bank
• Thinking Beyond Borders
• US Department of State
• UN World Food Programme
• UN High Commissioner for Refugees
• WaterAid

Scholarships

• Tibawi Trust Award
• Elisabeth Croll Scholarship for fieldwork in China
• Bloomsbury PhD Studentship - Child-centered climate and development pathways
• SOAS Research Studentships - School of Arts
• SOAS Research Development Studies Studentships
• Sasakawa Studentships
• SOAS Research Studentships
• Edgar Graham Prize - PhD Development Studies
• Meiji Jingu Japanese Studies Research Scholarships

Program Outline

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MPhil/PhD in Development Studies at SOAS University of London

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Degree Overview

The MPhil/PhD in Development Studies offered by SOAS University of London equips you with the knowledge and skills to become a leader in the field, tackling global injustices and creating positive change through your research.

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Key features:

• World-renowned research community: Be part of a diverse group of scholars, researchers, and practitioners dedicated to development issues.
• Research opportunities: Access extensive research resources, participate in exciting projects, and attend seminars led by leading experts.
• Global impact: Develop your research skills to contribute to impactful solutions for development challenges around the world.

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Program Objectives:

• Develop a profound understanding of development theory, critical methodologies, and contemporary issues.
• Conduct original research that contributes significantly to the field of Development Studies.
• Gain advanced research skills, including data analysis, writing, and presentation abilities.
• Become an independent researcher capable of conducting impactful research on critical global issues.

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Outline

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Program Structure:

• Year 1: Focuses on foundational knowledge, research methodology, and development of your research proposal.
• Year 2: Conduct your primary research, typically involving fieldwork.
• Year 3: Analyze your findings, write your thesis, and present your research.

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Modules:

• Weekly Postgraduate Research Training Seminar: Covers essential research methodologies and assists in writing your upgrade paper for year 1.
• Potential for auditing additional modules in specific topics related to your research, depending on availability and supervisor guidance.

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Course Schedule:

• Year 1: Term 1-3 focuses on coursework and preparation for the upgrade paper and viva exam.
• Year 2: Terms 4-6 involve your primary research and data analysis, potentially including field study.
• Year 3: Terms 7-9 focus on writing your thesis and completing your research project.

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Assessment

Assessments include:

• Upgrade Paper and Viva: Year 1 evaluation focusing on your research progress and proposal.
• Thesis: In-depth written work demonstrating your original research findings and analysis.
• Oral examination: Discussing your research with your supervisory committee.
• Additional assessments: May be required for specific modules or research activities.

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Teaching

• Supervisory committee: Comprised of your main supervisor and another faculty member, providing guidance throughout your research journey.
• Weekly research seminars: Train and improve your research skills in various methodological approaches.
• Individual tutorials: Discuss your research progress, receive feedback, and gain insights from your supervisor.

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Careers

Graduates of the program pursue diverse careers with organizations such as:

• International development agencies
• Government departments
• Non-governmental organizations
• Research institutions
• Academic positions

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Career opportunities may include:

• Policy analyst
• Development researcher
• Program manager
• Advocacy officer
• The program attracts a globally diverse group of students, fostering a vibrant and enriching learning environment.
• SOAS boasts one of the world's leading academic libraries for African, Asian, and Middle Eastern studies.
• Students have access to numerous resources, including research databases, software, and specialized facilities.

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Home student fees (full-time): £4,860 per year Home student fees (part-time): £2,430 per year Overseas student fees (full-time): £22,490 per year Overseas student fees (part-time): £11,245 per year Please note that fees go up each year.