Program Overview

MSc Development Management (Applied Development Economics)

The MSc in Development Management gives you the theory and practical tools to drive transformations forward by enabling you to understand why some societies have succeeded and others have failed. The programme is built around a theory-led approach to the role of institutions and organisations in development, using both classical institutional theory and new institutional economics.

Introduction

Development is not just about increasing growth and political and social rights. It’s about creating self-sustaining institutions that liberate societies from low-level deprivation traps by increasing productivity, freedom, and cooperative interdependence. Students pursuing the Applied Development Economics stream will focus on development economic policy in their optional courses and dissertation.

Key Features

• A distinctive feature of the programme is the Development Management Project, a team-based consulting exercise for real-world, public, private, and non-profit organisations.
• The programme explores the role of institutions in explaining the comparative statics of development (why some countries are rich and others poor), as well as comparative dynamics (the development process per se across different countries and regions).

Entry Requirements

• Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in any discipline, with social science or humanities an advantage.
• English language requirements: The English language requirement for this programme is Higher.

Programme Content

Year 1

• DV469: The Political Economy of Development (Half unit)
• DV443: Development Management Consultancy Project (Half unit)
• DV494: Foundations of Applied Econometrics for Economic Development Policy (Half unit)
• DV410: Research Design and Dissertation in International Development (One unit)
• Choose two courses from:
  • DV490: Economic Development Policy I: Applied Policy Analysis for Macroeconomic Development (Half unit)
  • DV491: Economic Development Policy II: Microeconomic Analysis (Half unit)
  • DV492: Economic Development Policy III: Government Policy Analysis (Half unit)
• Choose one course from:
  • DV424: International Institutions and Late Development (Half unit)
  • DV464: Democracy and Development (Half unit)

Why Study with Us

• The Department of International Development provides a focus for postgraduate teaching and research on the processes of social, political and economic development and change.
• LSE is internationally recognised for its teaching and research and therefore employs a rich variety of teaching staff with a range of experience and status.

Your Application

• We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students.
• Applications for this programme are considered on a rolling basis.
• There is no fixed deadline, but if you’d like to be considered for any funding opportunities, you must submit your application (and all supporting documents) by the funding deadline.

Fees and Funding

• Home student fee (2026/27): £19,300
• Overseas student fee (2026/27): £30,400
• Fee reduction: Students who completed undergraduate study at LSE and are beginning taught graduate study at the School are eligible for a fee reduction of around 10 per cent of the fee.
• Scholarships, bursaries, and loans are available, including the Graduate Support Scheme and the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme.

Learning and Assessment

• Contact hours and independent study: A short, focused, introductory course on accounting practices and techniques will be held at the beginning of the programme. Thereafter, you take examined courses up to a total of four full units.
• Teaching methods: Courses are taught in lecture and class or seminar format.
• Academic support: You’ll meet with your academic mentor regularly to discuss your work.

Graduate Destinations

• The analytical skills developed here have secured past graduates promising careers in organisations as diverse as central banks, NGOs, multilateral organisations, charities, investment banks, government, consultancies, manufacturing firms, and as independent experts and writers.
• Median salary of our graduate taught students 15 months after graduating: £34,000
• Top 5 sectors our students work in:
  • Government, Public Sector and Policy
  • Health and Social Care
  • Consultancy
  • International Organisations
  • Education, Teaching and Research

Related Programmes

• MSc Development Studies
• MSc International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies
• MSc Health and International Development
• LSE-Sciences Po Double Degree in the Political Economy of Development
• MSc International Social and Public Policy
• MSc Development Management (Political Economy)
• MSc Economic Policy for International Development
• MSc International Social and Public Policy (Development)
• MSc Local Economic Development
• Master of Public Administration
• MSc International Political Economy
• MSc Gender, Development and Globalisation