Development Studies

MSc Development Studies

Full-Time Programme

Why study this course at Birkbeck?

• Ideal if you want to further your knowledge of, or are planning a career in, development agencies, international organisations or related areas.
• Develop transferable skills, including critical analysis of debates and issues in development, team-working, written and oral communication, and qualitative and quantitative data analysis.

This interdisciplinary programme aims to provide a critical and theoretical understanding of the issues, processes and institutions central to global poverty, inequality and development.

The programme's core modules introduce you to key debates that have shaped thinking on international poverty and development and will equip you with knowledge of the conceptual and theoretical bases of development. They aim to improve your skills of evaluation and analysis, enabling you to participate critically in debates on the changing nature of the multilateral, bilateral and non-governmental institutions designed to address development issues, the context in which they operate and the constraints they face.

You will also have the opportunity to choose from a range of thematic option modules, allowing you to tailor the programme according to your personal or career interests.

Teaching

Lectures, seminars, group work and presentations.

Objectives

On successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key underlying issues of theory, policy and practice in development.
• Understand the social effects of development processes and institutions on individuals, groups and communities at a local and national level.
• Demonstrate substantive and critical knowledge of debates on the determinants and dynamics of poverty.
• Demonstrate specialist knowledge of specific issues (according to your choice of assignments, options and dissertation topic) and evaluate their impact on poverty, inequality and development.
• Critically appreciate the institutional mechanisms within multilateral, bilateral and non-governmental sectors for addressing development issues within their relevant contexts.