Global Development

About the School

Geography has been taught at Queen Mary since 1894, making us one of the longest-established schools of geography in the UK. Today, we are one of the leading centres for geographical scholarship. We were ranked 11th overall for our excellence in the latest UK research rankings and fifth for the quality of our staff’s research publications (Research Excellence Framework 2014).

Set in the heart of one of London’s most vibrant and diverse areas, the School is ideally placed for studying the capital’s people, places, cultures and environment, as well as being a global hub for geographical expertise. We have a culturally diverse and inclusive postgraduate community.

We pride ourselves on our close links with external partners including the Environment Agency, the Geffrye Museum of the Home, Citizens UK and Natural England.

The School of Geography received the Athena SWAN bronze award in September 2016.

Programme:

Explore the multiple connections (and disconnections) between countries of the Global North and the Global South. You will consider alternative future possibilities for international development in theory and practice, combining cutting-edge thinking on development, economic geography, political economy, labour studies and social change.

• Gain a detailed understanding of development practices and experiences within different sites and spaces of the Global North and South
• Engage with leading academics in the School of Geography's world-leading Economy, Development and Social Justice research theme

What you'll study

You will be encouraged to challenge the common use of Western historical experiences and categories. Instead, you will reconsider the diversity of populations, economies, urban centres, and governance practices in the Global South on their own terms – and in so doing, step outside the conventional lenses of mainstream development theory and the international policies they inform.

Your studies will encourage you to examine these realities in light of the contrasts and continuities between the Global North and South and critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of different theoretical approaches to studying development futures.

You will be able to extend your understanding of these topics and develop your research skills by undertaking an independent research project. This will be supported by research training as well as one-to-one tailored supervision from experienced researchers.

You will have the opportunity to attend weekly research seminars and research framework sessions with top-level academic researchers.

This programme also offers students the opportunity to undertake an unpaid internship with London International Development Centre (LIDC) while studying. LIDC will take on up to 4 Masters students as interns per year. Learn more here.

Facilities

• Use dedicated Masters study and computing spaces within the School of Geography.
• Access specialist qualitative, quantitative, and GIS computing software to support your learning and research.
• Access an unparalleled range of learning resources, special collections, and world-leading libraries within QMUL and the University of London, such as the QMUL Library, Senate House Library. Other specialist collections are accessible nearby, for example at the British Library.

Fees and Funding

https://www.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/coursefinder/courses/global-development-ma/

Career Paths

This programme will prepare you for a broad range of careers but will specifically deliver the research skills and substantive knowledge required by NGOs, development organisations, national government departments and academic research roles. Previous graduates have gone onto undertake PhDs, as well as working in consultancy, as traders, as research executives, marketers and in management.