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  • Development Studies and Social Anthropology (MSc / Postgraduate Diploma / Postgraduate Certificate)
  • 2012/2013 entry
  • Contact us
  • Assessment

    • By coursework, including a reflective learning journal, critical surveys of relevant literature and essays. MSc dissertation (12,000 words).

  • Attendance
      • Part-time: one–two evenings a week.
      • Full-time: up to three evenings a week, plus day and/or weekend sessions.
      • October–June.
  • Duration
      • MSc/PgDip one year full-time or two years part-time
      • PgCert: one year part-time.
  • Entry requirements
      • Good degree (2:1 or above) in social sciences or humanities.
      • Previous experience or study of development issues and/or social anthropology may be an advantage.
      • Two references: preferably both academic references, but employer references may be considered.
      • Proof of English language ability (equivalent to 7.0 IELTS), if English is not your first language.
      • Applicants may be asked to submit a set 3000-word essay prior to being offered a place.
      • Please note that this programme can become oversubscribed, so meeting the entry requirements will not guarantee applicants a place.

      Find out about our international entry requirements

  • Fees and funding
    • Fees (2012/13)
      • Part-time (home/EU students): £3975 pa
      • Part-time (overseas students): £6875 pa
  • Location
      • Central London.
  • Teaching

    • Lectures, seminars, presentations, workshops and tutorials.

Development Studies and Social Anthropology (MSc / Postgraduate Diploma / Postgraduate Certificate) - 2012/2013 entry


  • Overview

    • This programme will be of particular interest to anyone wishing to develop an anthropological understanding of global development, policy and practice and their local impacts. Its combination of anthropology with other development studies disciplines provides a good grounding for anyone wishing to use an anthropological perspective when working in multidisciplinary teams. It provides a solid base for those planning a career in development agencies, the non-governmental sector and other international organisations, and for those working in such institutions who wish to take a larger role in the direct provision of services or policy development. It is also relevant for people interested in policy research, journalism and in undertaking advanced research in development studies, anthropology and related fields.

      The programme will help you to develop a critical and theoretical understanding of the issues, processes and institutions central to global poverty, inequality and development. It will help you to develop a thorough understanding of theories and methods in anthropology and to apply these to the field of development studies. It will enable you to contrast anthropological perspectives on development with those of other disciplines.

      The programme's core modules aim to improve your skills in 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 and to undertake a dissertation that examines development from an anthropological perspective. The option modules and dissertation will allow you to tailor your programme according to your personal or career interests.

      The transferable skills you will develop/further develop during the programme include the capacity to analyse debates and issues in development, team-working, written and oral communication. You will also learn to locate and analyse qualitative and quantitative data on development from printed and electronic sources.

  • Why study this course at Birkbeck?
      • Taught by a multidisciplinary team active in the fields of development research, policy and practice.
      • Draws on the wide range of development experience that students bring to the course, including working in development agencies and organisations in developing countries and the UK.
  • Course structure

    • MSc: two core modules, two option modules and a dissertation.

      Postgraduate Diploma: two core modules and two option modules.

      Postgraduate Certificate: two core modules.

      Core modules:

      • Development Studies: Theoretical Approaches: introduces you to key debates that have shaped thinking on international poverty and development and equips you with knowledge of the conceptual and theoretical bases of development.
      • Anthropology: Theory and Method: provides you with a good understanding of the theory and methods of anthropology, of their application to international development, and of the relationship between anthropology and development.

      Option modules:

      Option availability may vary from year to year. Relevant options may also be taken from other Birkbeck programmes, subject to agreement with the programme director.

      Dissertation research in a relevant field is agreed with the programme director.

  • Study resources
  • Further study opportunities
  • Careers information

    • Graduates go on to careers in development agencies and other international organisations, policy research, journalism or the non-governmental sector.

  • Apply now