The MPhil in Development Studies seeks to provide students with a critical and reflexive programme which encourages them to closely examine the role of the main development actors, institutions and policies and to ask who actually benefits from development interventions which are 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 the application of 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 by the Departments of Social Anthropology, Geography, and Land Economy, POLIS, and by the Judge Business School. The PhD admissions criteria can be found on the Centre's website.

Open Days

The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the end of October. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the Postgraduate Open Day page for more details.

See further the Postgraduate Admissions Events pages for other events relating to Postgraduate study, including study fairs, visits and international events.

Departments

This course is advertised in the following departments: