Overview
- Introduction
Introduction
This is a vibrant MRes/PhD programme that uses a variety of disciplinary and interdisciplinary methods from across the social sciences to explore questions of global development.
You’ll have the chance to undertake a substantial piece of work that is worthy of publication and makes an original contribution to international development. You’ll begin on the MRes, and once you’ve met certain requirements, you’ll progress to the PhD.
The Department of International Development promotes interdisciplinary graduate teaching and research on processes of social, political, and economic development and change. The department is dedicated to understanding problems of poverty and late development within local communities, as well as national and international political and economic systems.
You’ll have the opportunity to study across several broad themes, including: complex emergencies, security, and humanitarianism in war-torn societies; comparative politics of development; and governance, civil society, and informal politics.
The programme also explores development management; development economics; and the demography of developing countries and the politics of global health.
Our faculty has considerable experience of living and working in the developing world, and most have engaged in policy-relevant research and consultancy work with international development agencies or non-governmental organisations.
Entry requirements
Taught master’s degree with 65 or above overall and in the dissertation element, or the equivalent.
See the GRE/GMAT requirement under additional tests.
Please select your country from the dropdown list below to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.
- Overseas
- Additional tests
Overseas
English language requirements
The English language requirement for this programme is Higher. Read more about our English language requirements.
Competition for places at LSE is strong. So, even if you meet the minimum entry requirements, this does not guarantee you an offer of a place.
However, please don’t feel deterred from applying – we want to hear from all suitably qualified students. Think carefully about how you can put together the strongest possible application to help you stand out from other students.
Programme content
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
- Year 4
Year 1
Introductory course
If you're planning to use advanced quantitative analysis in your PhD research, you're recommended to take an introductory summer course, particularly if you want to take advanced statistical courses.
First year (MRes)
The MRes programme is the entry point to doctoral research and is designed both to train you in development approaches and perspectives, and to provide significant flexibility to develop advanced methodological and theoretical skills within disciplinary specialisms appropriate to your research interests.
In addition, you'll develop any necessary language skills and background knowledge of specific topics related to your research.
DV501
Half unit
Development History, Theory and Policy for Research Students
DV510
One unit
Research Design and Proposal in International Development
DV502
One unit
Research Design in International Development
Methodology courses to the value of one unit
Browse your courses
Methodology or theory courses to the value of half a unit
Browse your options
For the latest list of courses, please go to the relevant School Calendar page.
A few important points you’ll need to know:
We may need to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees due to unforeseen circumstances. We’ll always notify you as early as possible and recommend alternatives where we can.
The School is not liable for changes to published information or for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside our control (including a lack of demand, industrial action, fire, flooding or other damage to premises).
Places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements so we cannot therefore guarantee you a place.
Changes to programmes and courses may be made after you’ve accepted your offer of a place – normally due to global developments in the discipline or student feedback. We may also make changes to course content, teaching formats or assessment methods but these are always made to improve the learning experience.
Forfull details about the availability or content of courses and programmes,please take a look at the School’sCalendar, or contactthe relevant academic department.
Somemajor changes to programmes/courses are posted on ourupdated graduate course and programme information page.
Why study with us
Discover more about our students and department.
- Meet the department
- Why LSE
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.
We’re proud of LSE’s reputation as one of the top universities in the world for development studies. Our academics and researchers explore the causes of poverty, social exclusion, economic stagnation, humanitarian crises and human security. We look at why and how some late developing countries have succeeded in overcoming these problems while others have not or have seen their progress derailed by disasters and conflicts.
Currently, weoffer four taught MSc programmes and a stimulating research programme – with research projects acrossAsia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.
Teaching staff,who have considerable experience living and working in the developing world, engagein policy-relevant research and consultancy with international developmentagencies and non-government organisations. Research within the department spansseveral broad themes.
Our study programmes attract talented students from all over the world. Graduates find rewarding careers in a wide variety of government, non-government, UN, academic and private-sector organisations.
Department of International Development
Your application
- Overview
- When to apply
Overview
We welcomeapplications for research programmes that complement the academic interests of ourstaff at LSE. For this reason, we recommend that you take a look at ourstaff research interestsbeforeapplying.
We carefully consider each application and take into account all the information included on your form, such as your:
- academic achievement (including existing and pending qualifications)
- statement of academic purpose
- references
- CV
- GMAT/GRE
- outline research proposal
- sample of written work.
See further information on supporting documents.
You may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. See our English language requirements.
Your research proposal for the MRes/PhD International Development should be approximately 1,500 - 2,000 words. It should have a descriptive title to enable us to identify the broad theme of the project. You'll also be prompted to complete the box for programme specific information, when filling out the online application form. You must include the following under programme specific information:
- the title of your research proposal
- a short summary of your research proposal
- the name of your proposed supervisor(s) in the department (this doesn't mean you need to have made contact with supervisors or obtained their approval in advance, it simply helps us when assessing your application).
If any of this information is missing or incomplete, it may delay consideration of your application.
Please note that students may apply to study part-time after successful completion of first year.
Fees and funding
Thetable of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes.
You're charged a fee for your programme. Your tuition fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It doesn't cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.
- Home
- Overseas
Home
£4,905
Home student fee (2025/26)
The fee is likely to rise over the full duration of the programme. The School charges home research students in line with fee levels recommended by the Research Councils.
Learn more about fee status classification.
At LSE, your tuition fees, and eligibility for any financial support, will depend on whether you’re classified as a home or overseas student (known as your fee status). We assess your fee status based on guidelines provided by the Department for Education.
Further information about fee status classification.
Scholarships, studentships and other funding
We recognisethat thecost of living in Londonmaybe higher than in your home town/city or country and we provide generousscholarships tohelp both home and overseas students.
For thisprogramme, students can apply forLSE PhD Studentships,andEconomic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funding.To be considered, you’ll need to submit yourapplication (and any supporting documents) before the fundingdeadline.
Funding deadlines
Deadline for the LSE PhD Studentships and ESRC funding: 18 December 2024.
In addition toour needs-based awards, we offer scholarships for students from specific regions of the worldand awards for certain subjects.
External funding
Additional funding opportunities may be available through other organisations or governments. We strongly recommend you investigate these options as well.
Further information
Learn moreabout fees and funding, includingexternal funding opportunities.
Learning and assessment
- How you learn
- How you're assessed
How you learn
You'll be assigned a lead supervisor (and a second supervisor/adviser) who is a specialist in your chosen research field, though not necessarily in your topic. Lead supervisors guide you through your studies.
Graduate destinations
- Overview
- Career support
Overview
Median salary of our postgraduate students 15 months after graduating:
£32,000
Top 5 sectors our students work in:
Government, Public Sector and Policy
Education, Teaching and Research
Health and Social Care
Consultancy
Financial and Professional Services
This data is drawn from the 2021/22 Graduate Outcomes Survey, run by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and in full-time employment.
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