ObjectivesThis programme offers a multi-disciplinary framework within which to seek a better understanding of the problems of the developing world and of possible solutions. The programme emphasises an appreciation of the importance of social difference and inequality, including gender relations, age, ethnicity and class, for an understanding of development policy and practice.
Entry requirementsThe programme is designed for those who: -would like to learn more about developing countries and the dilemmas of economic, social and political development around the world; -have working experience in developing countries, and want to place that experience in a theoretical and comparative context; -want to advance their capacity to interpret critically a mass of information of different kinds on the problems of development; -want to enhance their research skills in the field of development.
Academic titleDevelopment Studies (Research Training) MA
Course descriptionModule details
Core course units typically cover the following:
-Perspectives on Development
-Political Economy of Development
-Methodology and Research Design
-Qualitative Research Methods
-Quantitative Methods
Optional course units typically include:
-Social Development: Analysis and Policy
-Poverty and Livelihoods: Analysis, Policy and Action
-Politics and Development
-Environment and Development
-Conflict Analysis
-NGO Management and Strategy
-Food and Agricultural Policies in Less Developed Countries
-Poverty, Inequality and Government Policy in Less Developed Countries
-Economics for Rural Development
-Ethics in World Politics
-Human Rights in World Politics
-Global Governance
-Africa and Global Politics
-Social Theory and Cultural Identity
-Social Movements
-Anthropology and Development
-Applied Demography
-Survey Research
Availability of optional units may vary from year to year.
The RT route also includes: Methodology and Research Design; Introduction to Quantitative Methods and Qualitative Research Methods.
Career opportunities
IDPM has a large and diverse postgraduate population, including a large number of students from outside the UK (85% of our students are drawn from outside the UK, particularly from Africa, Asia and Western Europe, but also reaching out to Latin America, the Middle East, North America and the Pacific). Many of our alumni have gone on to prestigious careers in the public service or in the NGO/charitable and private sectors, as policy officers, managers, consultants or development practitioners - while others have pursued further academic study leading to a PhD and academic careers. Since its foundation, IDPM has trained over 7000 individuals from 170 different countries