International Development
Entry requirements
MPhil: A good Honours degree in a relevant field, but the application may also be supported by appropriate work experience. Applicants for the MPhil degree should provide evidence of their research ability, for example, the mark received for an undergraduate dissertation.
PhD: Excellent undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Typically the latter will be a taught masters degree, including a dissertation. Normally candidates for the PhD programme will initially be offered a place on the MPhil programme and will be transferred to the PhD at the end of the first year, subject to a satisfactory review of progress.
Besides formal qualifications, a key factor determining whether the Department decides to accept a candidate for either degree is the quality of his or her research proposal and its relevance to our own interests. Successful completion of a research thesis demands a high level of self-discipline, motivation and commitment to the subject of research. Great importance is placed on work experience, when relevant. Please contact the Department for more details.
Months of entry
September
Course content
The International Development Department (IDD) is committed to encouraging new thinking in the fields of development studies, global politics, and public policy.
Studying for a degree by research with IDD means being part of an active research and practitioner community that will support you in accomplishing your academic goals.
Undertaking a PhD in International Development, you will have the opportunity to conduct original research under the guidance of academic supervisors within an active research environment with a focus on real world impact, leading to an 80,000 word thesis. You will take a number of research training modules in your first year and may attend further courses offered by the Department or the University that enhance your personal discipline-specific and transferable skills.
IDD is part of the School of Government, one of the leading UK and international centres for governance, politics, international development, and public management. As one of the largest Schools of Government, in the United Kingdom, it is home to more than 80 full-time academic staff, more than 1,200 undergraduate and taught postgraduate students, and more than 70 doctoral researchers. In the 2022 Research Excellence Framework, IDD was ranked 3rd in the country for impact.
The School of Government offers much more than a degree. As a doctoral student here, you have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of research events with staff and other doctoral students, including a PGR Colloquium and departmental speaker series. In addition, an individual training plan is drawn up to meet the needs of each student, covering coursework and skills development. As such, completing this research degree will cultivate specialist knowledge in your field and professional skills for a range of career settings.
We are particularly interested in receiving applications on the following themes:
- Conflict and post conflict reconstruction
- Governance and politics of development
- Natural resource governance, management and livelihoods
- Politics of environmental change and sustainable development
- Inequality, poverty, and anti-corruption
- Democracy and authoritarianism
- Public sector management and decentralisation
Information for international students
IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band.
Fees and funding
Qualification, course duration and attendance options
- PhD
- part time72 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- full time36 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
Course contact details
- Name
- Enquiries
- gandspgr@contacts.bham.ac.uk