The MPhil in Development Studies seeks to provide students with a critical and reflexive programme that encourages them to examine closely the role of the main development actors, institutions, and policies and ask who actually benefits from development interventions designed and implemented within global and national power structures. The emphasis on critical reflection in this MPhil privileges analytical approaches to development as opposed to more practice-based or vocational strategies.

The MPhil will offer students:

• knowledge of the individual disciplines relevant to development studies and a conceptual understanding of the need for interdisciplinary research
• knowledge of a range of theories and methodologies from different fields in development with a particular focus on applying theory to empirical data
• engagement with a wide range of academic and policy debates in the field of international development and the ability to think about development beyond prescribed technical solutions

Learning Outcomes

The MPhil seeks to provide students with a solid foundation for consistent future growth through various fields of development, whether in scholarship or practice. The learning outcomes aim to include:

• the ability to collate, comprehend, and critically analyse a wide range of source materials
• the ability to develop and structure written and verbal arguments reflecting independent thinking on main debates in development
• the ability to produce major pieces of writing to high academic standards
• the ability to work in a group and to contribute constructively in an international, interdisciplinary environment

Continuing

Several students annually continue to the PhD programme in Development Studies. For continuation to the PhD, candidates will have achieved an average of at least 70 for their overall mark in the MPhil course. They will also need to submit a strong PhD proposal, with an available relevant academic Supervisor.

In recent years, Development Studies students have also been accepted as PhD students by the Faculties of Education, Social and Political Sciences, History, and the Departments of Social Anthropology, Geography, and Land Economy, POLIS, and the Judge Business School. The PhD admissions criteria can be found on the Centre's website.

Open Days

The University hosts and attends fairs and events throughout the year, in the UK and across the world. We also offer online events to help you explore your options:

• Discover Cambridge: Master’s and PhD study webinars - these Spring events provide practical information about applying for postgraduate study.

• Postgraduate Virtual Open Days - taking place in November each year, the Open Days focus on subject and course information.

For more information about upcoming events visit our events pages.

Departments

This course is advertised in the following departments: