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International Development and Social Justice

MSc, PG Cert, PG Dip

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Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:

October 2026

Study route:

MSc and PG Dip:

  • One year full-time, on campus
  • One year full-time, online
  • One year full-time, flexible learning
  • Two years part-time, on campus
  • Two years part-time, online
  • Two years part-time, flexible learning

PG Cert:

  • One year part-time, on campus
  • One year part-time, online
  • One year part-time, flexible learning
Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:

Full-time | Part-time | Flexible learning | On campus | Online

Course overview

This course in international development and social justice is unique in its exploration of the structures, theories and histories that shape international development.

  • Why choose this course?
    • It offers you a transformative approach to learning about international development, the unequal global relationships that underpin it, and the social and political movements that challenge and redefine development in an era of rising inequalities and climate crisis.
    • You will be taught by academics who draw on their cutting-edge research to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the course’s themes.
    • It is ideal if you are planning a career in international development, or working with international organisations, NGOs or social movements.
    • You will have the opportunity to take part in a unique interdisciplinary field trip to Dakar, Senegal.

  • What will I learn?

    This course introduces you to key approaches to international development and social justice and equips you with the specific skills required to conduct development research.

    It offers you a comprehensive understanding of themes including: childhood and international development; cities in the Global South; climate justice; development as colonialism; diasporas; gender, sexualities and development; global health; the political economy of aid; racism and international development; and social movements and revolutions.

    You will choose from a range of option modules, which will allow you to develop specific expertise in some of these areas. You will also have the opportunity to complete an extended piece of research on a topic of your choice, supported by a dissertation supervisor with expertise in the field, helping you to further develop and apply your research skills.

  • How will I learn?

    This course is primarily taught through a combination of lectures, which are also recorded for you to watch at your convenience, and seminars involving small group discussions and other collaborative activities with your lecturers and fellow students.

    Outside of class, you will engage with online readings and multi-media content. For your dissertation, you will receive one-to-one supervision from an expert academic. This course is available to study full- or part-time, with classes taking place in the evening.

    We offer this course as a Master’s, Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate. For the Diploma and Certificate you study fewer modules and do not complete a dissertation.

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full-time: Two to three evenings a week, October to July.

    Part-time: One to two evenings a week, October to July.

  • Flexible Master's

    This course is part of our Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both.

    If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.

  • Course disclaimer

    Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

    Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More highlights

  • Located in the School of Social Sciences, we are able to offer a wide range of modules that reflect the disciplinary breadth of international development, while also allowing you to engage with other disciplines, such as sociology, politics, international relations, geography and criminology.
  • We have a vibrant research culture, powered by a shared passion for learning and intellectual engagement among our academics and students. We have a strong commitment to social justice, which informs and shapes much of our research.
  • Situated in the heart of central London, studying at Birkbeck gives you access to a wide variety of public events, libraries, archives and exhibitions which are relevant to international development and social justice.
  • If you are taking this course part time, you may be eligible for a Bonnart Trust Master’s Studentship which will cover the cost of your tuition fees.

Modules and Teaching

School of Social Sciences

The school offers an invigorating and enriching educational experience, and students are taught by internationally renowned researchers with an exciting range of expertise. 

Visit the school

Entry requirements

A second-class honours degree (2:2) or above in social sciences or humanities. Other applicants will also be considered.

Previous experience or study of development issues may be an advantage.

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered, and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

  • What are the English language requirements?

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

  • What are the visa and funding requirements?

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).

    As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

  • Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

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Fees

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £5,670 per year
Full-time home students: £11,340 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, online, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £5,670 per year
Full-time home students: £11,340 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, flexible learning, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £5,670 per year
Full-time home students: £11,340 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

PG Cert: One year part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £3,780 per year
Part-time international students: £6,950 per year

PG Cert: One year part-time, online, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £3,780 per year
Part-time international students: £6,950 per year

PG Cert: One year part-time, flexible learning, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £3,780 per year
Part-time international students: £6,950 per year

PG Dip: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £3,780 per year
Full-time home students: £7,560 per year
Part-time international students: £6,950 per year
Full-time international students: £13,900 per year

PG Dip: One year full-time or two years part-time, online, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £3,780 per year
Full-time home students: £7,560 per year
Part-time international students: £6,950 per year
Full-time international students: £13,900 per year

PG Dip: One year full-time or two years part-time, flexible learning, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £3,780 per year
Full-time home students: £7,560 per year
Part-time international students: £6,950 per year
Full-time international students: £13,900 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the Fees Policy.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this international development and social justice course, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including in:

  • research
  • team-working
  • written and oral communication
  • qualitative and quantitative data analysis.

Graduates can pursue career paths in development agencies and other international organisations, policy research, journalism, social movements or the non-governmental sector. Possible professions include:

  • policy researcher
  • journalist
  • development practitioner
  • communications officer.

Some of our graduates from this course have gone on to be employed at the following organisations:

  • UNICEF
  • UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
  • Oxfam
  • Water Aid.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

How to apply

You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.

You will need to prove your identity when you apply. Find out more about how to apply.

Related courses

Study routes for International Development and Social Justice (MSc, PG Cert, PG Dip)

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Starting in October 2026

Full-time

Part-time