Program Overview

MSc International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies

The MSc in International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies provides a solid foundation in humanitarian issues such as the nature of vulnerability, the drivers and management of international emergency responses and a broad range of development issues.

Introduction

This programme provides you with academically rigorous graduate-level interdisciplinary training in the fields of humanitarianism, emergencies and international development. The core and semi core courses provide an excellent overview of the key issues and debates in the practice of humanitarian action, optional courses enable you to shape your studies to your own needs and interests.

Programme Details

• Study mode: Home full-time students (12 months), Home part-time students (24 months), Overseas full-time students (12 months)
• Academic year: 2026/27
• Start date: 28 September 2026
• Location: Houghton Street, London
• Application deadline: None – rolling admissions. However, please note the funding deadlines

Programme Content

You'll take three compulsory courses and complete a dissertation of up to 10,000 words. You'll select courses from options in Anthropology, Development Studies, Gender, Management, Methodology and Health Policy.

• Year 1:
  • DV442: Key Issues in Development Studies (Half unit)
  • DV428: Managing Humanitarianism (Half unit)
  • DV466: Humanitarian Consultancy Project (Half unit)
  • Courses to the value of one unit from the following:
    • DV420: Complex Emergencies (Half unit)
    • DV455: Advocacy, Campaigning and Grassroots Activism (Half unit)
    • DV462: Forced Migration and Refugees (Half unit)
    • DV467: Famine, Data skills and Analysis (Half unit)
    • DV473: Health, conflict and crises (Half unit)
  • Courses to the value of half a unit from a range of options
• Programme regulations at LSE: For the latest list of courses, please go to the relevant School Calendar page.

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.

Why Study with Us

• Meet the department: Formed in 1990, our department provides a focus for postgraduate teaching and research on the processes of social, political and economic development and change.
• Why LSE: Discover more about our students and department. 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.

Fees and Funding

• Home student fee (2026/27): £19,300
• Overseas student fee (2026/27): £30,400
• Fee status: At LSE, your tuition fees, and eligibility for any financial support, will depend on whether you’re classified as a home or overseas student.
• Scholarships, bursaries and loans: We offer some needs-based awards for this programme, including the Graduate Support Scheme.

Learning and Assessment

• How you learn: Contact hours and independent study, teaching methods, extra-curricular activities and learning, academic support.
• How you're assessed: All taught courses are required to include formative coursework which is unassessed. Summative assessment may be conducted during the course or by final examination at the end of the course.

Graduate Destinations

• Overview: Recent graduates have secured promising professional careers in public, private and voluntary agencies dealing with development and humanitarian problems at both national and international levels.
• 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

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• MSc Health and International Development: Explore multi-disciplinary evidence on major global health issues and their interconnections with international development trends and policies.
• MSc Human Rights: Examine the legal, social, and philosophical foundations of human rights in a global context.