phd thesis on development studies

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MPhil in Development Studies

PhD in Development Studies

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Description

Most of our PhD students spend their second year away from Cambridge, conducting their fieldwork for which some limited financial assistance is available.

A part-time PhD route is available and proceeds in a similar sequence but over a longer duration, with a maximum allowed length of seven years. Candidates who intend to carry out fieldwork as part of their doctoral research cannot be considered for the part-time route.

In the first year of the PhD programme there is a focus on training in research methods and transferable skills. Students will take a Research Methods course and it is compulsory for all first year PhD students to attend, including part-time students. Students are also encouraged to attend seminars and other events that are organised by the Centre of Development Studies and departments throughout the University, such as the Social Sciences Research Methods Centre . All candidates for the PhD programme are not at first registered for the degree, as they have to pass a registration exercise towards the end of the first academic year of study. The registration exercise aims to ensure that the candidate’s project is viable, that an appropriate methodology has been developed, and that the candidate is capable of carrying the project through successfully. Failure to pass the registration (which may be repeated only once) will result in removal from the course. Details of First Year Assessment for current First Year students are found on Moodle.

Transferable Skills Training is available through the University and further information can be found here .

PhD students are invited to give a presentation on their own research at seminars run by the Centre. This is a great opportunity to develop presentation skills and receive valuable feedback from both senior academics and peers relating to their thesis. Presentation of a paper at one of these seminars is a requirement of the PhD programme.

The essence of the Cambridge experience , however, is that the PhD candidate works closely with the PhD supervisor. He or she will help the candidate develop the thesis project through discussion and the review of draft materials presented by the candidate.

The process of working on the thesis will differ from candidate to candidate, depending on their project, their preferences and the style of supervision adopted. However, in general, it is expected that the first year will be devoted not only to completing the Research Methods modules, but also to the development of a detailed and well thought-through thesis outline and methodology. In particular, at the outset, the student should devote some time to considering how they will be making an original contribution to the field through their work.

As members of a research-oriented institution, Cambridge University academic staff are entitled to sabbatical leave . As a result, it is possible that in any particular term or year one of the members of the academic staff may be away. The University always endeavours to make appropriate arrangements for substitute teaching, but occasionally one or another option may be suspended during a staff member's leave.

By the end of the programme , candidates will have acquired excellent skills, experience and knowledge to undertake postdoctoral work (research, teaching or both) or another profession related to the field of development studies.

For details of the virtual Postgraduate Open Day, held in November each year: Postgraduate Open Day

The fees and funding page contains details of schemes specific to this course., the frequently asked questions page should cover anything else that the other pages have missed.

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Accounting for sustainable development in water services : a case of Lephalale Local Municipality in the Limpopo province, South Africa Makgatho, Selina Magugudi ( 2022-09 ) Local government, in terms of its constitutional obligation is liable for service provision. But in the provision of service there is a need for accountability. This will assist municipalities to track improvement derived ...
Achieving equity and gender equality in Uganda’s tertiary education and development Odaga, Geoffrey ( 2019-12 ) Grounded in feminist epistemology, the study focused on the concepts of location, social position, gender and Affirmative Action to assess the social phenomenon of inequality in the distribution of public university ...
Adoption of information and communication technology for the development of the incubated rural farming cooperatives in Limpopo province, South Africa Seroka, Michael Phaane ( 2022-11 ) Information and communication technology (ICT) is ubiquitous and has penetrated various economies and farming included. The advent of ICT has expanded the farming sector evidenced by a whole range of value chains that can ...
Advancing the rights of rural women with disabilities in Zimbabwe: challenges and opportunities for the twenty first century Dziva, Cowen ( 2018-02 ) Disability studies largely ignored or neglected the experiences of rural women with disabilities (WWD) in the Global South. This qualitative study documents the challenges faced by Zimbabwean rural WWD in the enjoyment of ...
Africa is not a country: perceptions of poverty by Christians in Germany Dieckmann, Daniel ( 2021-06 ) This research examines the perception that Christians in Germany have of poverty in Africa and the extent to which this thinking corresponds to a holistic understanding of poverty. The study is examined in the context ...
An afrocentric critique of the discourse of good governance and its limitations as a means of addressing development challenges in Nigeria Adejumo-Ayibiowu, Oluwakemi Damola ( 2018-09-11 ) The current study is an African-centred critique of the idea of ‘good governance’; which since the 1990s, has been a prescription of the international development institutions for all development challenges facing developing ...
Analysing the sustainable livelihoods of domestic female migrants in Dunoon, Cape Town in the Western Cape of South Africa Tokoyo, Bertha ( 2023-01-11 ) There is proof that women continue to migrate from other countries to seek better ways of survival and to increase their sustainable livelihood. These women’s migration is linked to their provisional efforts and the ...
Analysis of a model designed for land restitution in protected areas in South Africa De Koning, Maria Adriana Imelda ( 2010-10 ) This thesis investigates the design of a model, methods and guidelines that may assist government agencies in South Africa to find a balance between the objective of biodiversity conservation and increased local economic ...
An analysis of climate change resilience of vulnerable rural communities in Malawi Mkungula, Yusuf Malsellino ( 2021-05 ) Climate change is increasingly becoming a global challenge and countries are feeling its impacts. Malawi is heavily affected by the impacts of climate change because her economy depends on agriculture which is extremely ...
An analysis of Dubai's socio-economic development strategies and performance between 1998-2008 Thompson, Paul Anthony ( 2014-03-17 ) This study explores the socio-economic development path of the former Trucial State of Dubai, now an economic powerhouse within the Federal State of the United Arab Emirates. This thesis emanated out of the researcher’s ...
Analysis of factors influencing provision of municipal services in the rural districts : the case study of Luwingu District Council of Zambia Longa, Simon ( 2018-06 ) Provision of municipal services to urban residents particularly those residing in small towns across developing countries, is facing challenges. A small town or rural district of Luwingu in Zambia, is no exception. This ...
Analysis of foreign aid effectiveness on economic development in Ethiopia Tagese Helore Lamore ( 2022-08 ) In this study the effectiveness of foreign aid on economic development and poverty alleviation in Ethiopia during the period of 2011 to 2020 was analysed. On the one hand, government reports have indicated that the country ...
Analysis of government agricultural food security pack programme: the case of Mpulungu District, Northern Province, Zambia Royd, Tembo ( 2021-06 ) This study investigated the effects, capacity, and challenges of the food security pack programme in Mpulungu district, Northern Province, Zambia. The primary sources of data were farm household surveys, focus group ...
Analysis of livelihoods and food security of poor urban households: the case of urban productive safety-net beneficiaries in Ethiopia Tegegn Gebeyaw Wassie ( 2022-07 ) Social protection, including social assistance or safety nets, is considered a proven means of reducing poverty, promoting livelihood, improving food security and nutrition status of the poorest households. The Government ...
An analysis of perceptions amongst farmers on the adoption of GM technology in Paarl, Western Cape - South Africa Owusu, Festus ( 2020 ) In early 2003, a persistent drought threatened about 15 million people in the Southern African region (SADC) with starvation as farmers in this region were not able to produce enough food. A similar threat was experienced ...
An analysis of public perception towards consuming genetically modified crops and the acceptance of modern agricultural biotechnology: a South African case study Makaure, Cleopas ( 2019-01 ) South Africa is one of the biggest producers of genetically modified crops in the world. However, recent studies in South Africa show a low public willingness to consume genetically modified crops and accept modern ...
An analysis of the actor-oriented approach as tool in international development cooperation Bosman, Willem ( 2009-08-25 ) No abstract available
An analysis of the benefits of the growth in tourism to the local communities in the Panorama region, Mpumalanga Province Monakhisi, Ngwako Philemon ( 2009-08-25 ) In recent decades tourism has asserted its importance as the biggest employer and foreign exchange earner in both the developing and developed countries. Consequently, there has been increasing attention to tourism ...
Analysis of the compatibility of customary land tenure with food security: a case of Binga District, Zimbabwe Dube, Mathew Unique ( 2021-11-30 ) The study focused on the analysis of the compatibility of customary land tenure with food security in Binga District, in the northwest of Zimbabwe. The practices in customary land tenure that lead to food insecurity ...
An analysis of the effects of parent emigration on the social security of children left behind: the case of Highfield, Harare in Zimbabwe Masaila, Fesiline ( 2022-02 ) This study examined the perspectives of caregivers on how parental emigration impacts the social security of children left behind in Highfield, Zimbabwe. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews with caregivers, as well as ...

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Empowering primary school educators with knowledge and skills for inclusive education in Capricorn District, Limpopo Province Manthata, Metsefedile Yvonne ( 2023 ) Majority children with learning barriers are taught in special schools that are few and far apart and as a result many of them end up leaving school without reaching their full potential. Learners with learning barriers ...
An assessment of the impact of agricultural co-operatives on poverty alleviation in Polokwane Municipality in Limpopo Province Maake, Ngwanamogale Tryphinah ( 2012 )
A socio-economic impact of Letaba Water Users Association on emerging black farmers at Mopani District Manicipality, Limpopo Province Ramabulana, Munzhedzi Euphemia ( 2007 ) Water is a basic need and everybody has a right to have access to it, be it for consumption or irrigation. The principle of rights is applicable in every sphere of life even in the utilization of water resources. South ...
The impact of the fourth industrial revolution on the performance of small and micro enterprises : a case of Mankweng Township, Polokwane Local Municipality, South Africa Selelo, Mohale Ernest ( 2023 ) The Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs) are mostly viewed as the catalysts of development in both developed and developing countries. Their significant contribution to socio-economic development has captured the attention ...
Factors contributing to the failure of community income generating projects in the Mankweng Cluster of Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo Province Raedani, Phathutshedzo Priscilla ( 2023 ) The prevalence of poverty, unemployment and low economic growth are some of the reasons programmes for poverty alleviation have been introduced. The study sought to examine the factors that contribute to the failure of ...
The efficacy of integrated development plan implementation towards the enhancement of basic service delivery : case of Mpakeni Village, Mbombela Local Municipality, South Africa Thabethe, Lifa Rodney ( 2023 ) The study aimed at investigating the efficacy of the Integrated Development Plan (IDP)‟s implementation to enhance basic service delivery at Mpakeni Village in the Mpumalanga Province. The South African government ...
The impact of local economic development on livelihood strategies in communities of Botlokwa Village, Molemole Local Municipality, Limpopo Province Lebopa, Thapelo Brilliant ( 2023 ) Local economic development was instituted as a strategy by the new democratic government to boost employment, local economic growth and reduce poverty at local level. This research investigated the impact of LED towards ...
Participation of public school in Local Economic Development in Marite, Bushbuckridge in the Mpumalanga Province Malibe, Tholi Vusi ( 2017 ) The study focused on the participation of public schools in LED. Public schools are viewed as the corner-stone of community development. They are institutions which are based within the community to cater for their ...
The contributions of rural livelihood diversification towards household income-poverty alleviation in Madumeleng Village, Limpopo Province Maake, Shadrack Manala ( 2017 ) Although motivations vary across households, livelihood diversification is commonly adopted as a coping strategy against income-poverty and food insecurity in Africa. Income-poverty is disproportionately the main integral ...
An evaluation of the expanded public works programme in Sekhukhune District of Limpopo Province Ramaepadi, M. D. ( 2007 ) Refer to document
The effects of rural development non-governmental organisations governance on societal transformation in Elandsdoorn Moutse, Limpopo Province Makofane, Happines Refilwe ( 2022 ) This study provides a theoretical foundation for researchers to investigate the effects of rural development non-governmental organisations’ governance on societal transformation. The research also assessed the mission ...
The role of community based organisations in empowering victims of gender based violence : case study of Ikhaya Lethemba Centre, Gauteng Province, South Africa Rasekgala, Lenkwang Sylvia ( 2022 ) There is a high rate of gender-based violence in South Africa. The study aimed at examining the effectiveness of Ikhaya Lethemba as a community based organisation in empowering victims of gender-based violence in Gauteng ...
The effectiveness of national financial aid scheme towards student skills development at the University of Limpopo, South Africa Mokgotho, Manoko Graca ( 2022 ) The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) was introduced in South Africa in 1999. Despite two decades of implementation—and some notable successes—the NSFAS has been critiqued for its overall “effectiveness” (McKay, ...
An analysis of the environmental liability for breach of the duty of care for the environment in South Africa Gaveni, Dyondzo Walter ( 2022 ) Refer to the document
Exploring challenges faced by social workers on the management of foster care backlog at the Department of Social Development, Limpopo Province, South Africa Matsoso, Sisimogang Philadelphia ( 2022-10-11 ) The foster care backlog has been a challenge in the National Department of Social Development for some years which resulted in the lapsing of foster care grants and thousands of children left without legal and statutory ...
The effects of small and micro-enterprises (SMES) on Employement creation in Sefene Village, Limpopo Province Makgamatha, Mpho Gift ( 2022 ) Small and Micro-Enterprises (SMEs) are considered sources of income that give people the purchasing power to meet their basic needs and improve their standard of living. Primarily, this study investigated the effects of ...
The effectiveness of the 'fetsa tlala' initiative in improving food security of women smallholder farmers : a case of Semaneng Village, Polokwane Local Municipality Tefu, Kgabo Maureen ( 2022 ) Development projects, including the Fetša Tlala Initiative, were designed to contribute to the National Development Plan, 2030. The objectives of this research assessed how effective the Fetša Tlala project was in ...
Sustainable economic development challenges faced by managers of small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) at Lepelle Nkumpi Municipality in the Limpopo Province Mashilo, Kakaru Sinah ( 2022 ) Unemployment in South Africa has prompted the government to shift focus in terms of employment creation resulting in encouraging citizens to become entrepreneurs. This took effect after 1994 and small, medium, and micro ...
The role of school management teams towards provisioning of school sanitation at Man'Ombe Circuit, Mopani Education District in Limpopo Province, South Africa Maswanganyi, Amukelani Lizzy ( 2022 ) The purpose of this study was to explore the role of SMTs in providing and sustaining schools’ sanitation infrastructure. Qualitative research approach was conducted to determine if the SMT members fully understand the ...
Determinants of population development in planning for South Africa Mmotlana, Lerato ( 2022 ) Population development planning has continued to be a battle for both developed and developing countries, as such it has been used as an exploitative tool and a political instrument to manipulate societies. China has offered ...

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Study with the world leaders in development studies and realise your potential to transform the world with our PhD by Research.

The PhD in Development Studies by Research is IDS’s advanced research degree. It is awarded to candidates after a minimum of three years study, based on completion of original and significant research in the field of Development Studies – which is assessed through a written thesis.

*Please note: It is not possible for international students to take a part-time PhD due to UK Home Office visa restrictions, and IDS does not have a distance learning mode of its PhD Programme.

World leaders in development studies

Ranked first in the world for Development Studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023) for the eighth year in a row – the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) transforms the knowledge, action and leadership needed for more equitable and sustainable development globally, through our world-class research, learning and teaching.

As a PhD researcher, you will join a thriving research community comprising more than 70 research staff and 50 postgraduate researchers. You will have access to research and teaching opportunities, as well as a substantial series of seminars presented by leading development professionals and practitioners.

Areas of study

We welcome submissions from researchers who share our commitment to:

upholding climate and environmental justice
reducing extreme inequities
fostering healthy and fulfilling lives
nurturing inclusive, democratic and accountable societies.

We are particularly interested in work that shows originality in addressing topics related to the work of our research fellows based across our ten research clusters : business; cities; digital; governance; health and nutrition; impact and policy; participation; power; resource politics; and rural futures.

Find out more about our current PhD Researchers Find out more about our Research Fellows and their interests

Studying at IDS can potentially transform your view of the world – you grow a lot learning from this very rich and diverse community.

Each PhD researcher has a minimum of two supervisors. The number of hours of formal supervision will vary over the course of the PhD depending on the student, supervisor and type of research. IDS publishes a detailed PhD handbook which sets out expectations and responsibilities regarding supervision.

During the course of your PhD, you are required to give two seminars to the IDS community. The first, at the end of year one is called the Research Outline Seminar and this provides an overview of your PhD plans prior to beginning fieldwork. The second occurs halfway through year three. This is called the Work in Progress Seminar and it focuses on the research findings and overall arguments made in the dissertation.

Your PhD work is examined by dissertation and viva. Your thesis must be no longer than 80,000 words. These limits includes footnotes and bibliography but excludes any appendices.

You’re normally expected to have a Merit (an average of 60% overall) in a Master’s degree. Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences subject. In exceptional circumstances, you may be considered for the degree if you have a qualification in a different subject area. You must also show evidence of substantial professional work experience in development-related work.

English language requirements

Students must be proficient in English. The minimum requirement is, for example, an IELTS grade of 7.0 overall and no less than 6.5 in each section of the IELTS test. For detailed information on English language requirements for international students please see the University of Sussex website .

IDS requires that students register for a minimum of three years. Most students spend time on fieldwork that may take place in a development context – either overseas or in the UK. During fieldwork, students are charged a fee which is normally 65% of the full-time fee but may be subject to change.

Almost all IDS PhD researchers choose to do empirical research and fieldwork for their PhDs. The broad parameters of this research (topic and country) are usually decided by the student and included in the proposal submitted as part of the application to the PhD programme. More detailed assessments of the scope and scale of this research are usually developed in conjunction with supervisors during the first year of the PhD. Fieldwork usually lasts between 8 and 12 months and costs depend on the scope and scale of the activities. For example, participant observation and qualitative interviews undertaken in your home country and in a language with which you are familiar, may not be very expensive, but working in a country where you need visas, in-country ethical approval, and have to employ translators, transcribers, or a team of enumerators for a quantitative survey can mean that costs rapidly escalate. Where you stay, how you travel to your fieldsite, what technology you use to collect and analyse data and how long you stay will all influence the costs. IDS does not have the resources to fund any fieldwork or travel costs. There is a small conference fund and PhD students can apply for up to £450 during their PhDs if they are presenting a paper at a conference.

After having made substantial progress and completed three years of registration, students may be permitted to transfer to pre-submission status for a maximum of 12 months. IDS considers substantial progress to be the completion of three empirical chapters, supervisors’ approval and a successful work-in-progress seminar. If pre-submission status is not granted, then full-time fees are still applicable. The pre-submission fee is approximately £500 for each year or part thereof.

Unfortunately, neither IDS nor the University of Sussex can offer financial support. Applicants requiring financial assistance should contact their local Ministry of Education or Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the British Council representative (c/o British Embassy). For the latest information on fees, funding and scholarships, visit the University of Sussex website .

Living costs

Find out typical living costs for studying at Sussex

Find out about our terms and conditions

Our PhD graduates are defining and solving some of the world’s most pressing global challenges in their work as:

ministers in national governments and civil servants
high-level officials in development organisations such as UNDP and the World Bank
leaders and thinkers of civil-society and international development organisations such as ActionAid and Christian Aid
high-profile academics at universities across the world.

Apply via the University of Sussex online application . When completing the application form, please identify IDS on the application; the code for this is L1604R – Development Studies (IDS) (PHD).

Finding a supervisor

While you are not responsible for finding a supervisor, it is good practice to express your preferred supervisors on your application form. Applicants are assessed both on their academic credentials and on the relevance of their works to the research of one or more IDS Research Fellows .

Distance learning

IDS is unable to accept applications for distance learning. We believe it is in the best interests of both PhD students and the Institute that the majority of the study period is spent at IDS. This offers the opportunity for ongoing interaction with other IDS members and students.

Your research proposal

When you apply, you must submit a detailed research proposal of 2000-3500 words indicating the primary research questions of your research project, a short review of the literature that you are planning to engage with, and your methodology. Find out how to write a research proposal.

Before applying, please read carefully our guidelines on how to write your research proposal on the Sussex website . Here is a good example of a recent research proposal from a successful applicant: Susana Araujo’s PhD research proposal to IDS, 2020 .

Application deadline

We prefer our PhD by Research students to start in September to coincide with the start of the University of Sussex autumn term. This timing will maximise your opportunities to take part in induction sessions, training and module enrolment (optional), both at IDS and the University of Sussex.

For September entry, the application deadlines are:

21 June for international students
21 July for UK/EU students.

In exceptional circumstances IDS may permit students to start the PhD by Research in January (for example, if visa issues prevent a September entry). The application deadline is 31 October for all January starters. We may also be able to offer some flexibility in start dates for students transferring from another organisation.

How we assess your application

When assessing your application we take into account many factors including: the quality of your research proposal, your academic qualifications, fit with IDS research priorities, previous development experience, language skills and availability of suitable supervisors.

All applications are assessed by the IDS Director of Doctoral Studies, with input from two potential supervisors. You will also be interviewed on your PhD research plans by these potential supervisors. If your application is successful, you will be contacted by the University of Sussex Admissions Office with a formal offer letter.

Presence at IDS

Your presence at IDS is vital at the early stage of your PhD when the research proposal is prepared (the first year) and then, after fieldwork, at the stage of writing up the research findings (the third year). The maximum period of registration is four years, but a PhD can be completed in three years.

Key information

Full time duration, part time duration, home fees (uk, republic of ireland, channel islands & isle of man), overseas (including eu), open days and events.

Find our more about our PhD Open Evenings, information sessions, virtual PhD events and campus tours

Key contacts

Teaching Coordinator

s.s.watson@ids.ac.uk

+44 (0)1273 915662

International Development PhD

Awards: PhD

Study modes: Full-time, Part-time

Funding opportunities

Programme website: International Development

Introduction to Postgraduate Study at the University of Edinburgh

Join us online on 25 September to learn more about Scotland, the city of Edinburgh and postgraduate study at the University.

Find out more and register

Research profile

The University of Edinburgh is host to a thriving and cosmopolitan community of researchers working on global development issues.

We are home to internationally renowned academics working at the intersection of:

international development policy and health
science and technology
urbanisation
human rights

We are also respected regional centres of expertise in Africa, South Asia and Latin America.

Research community

As a doctoral student in International Development, you will become part of a vibrant, interdisciplinary research community. You will also join the Global Development Academy, which coordinates research and teaching on international development across the University.

We also welcome students who are keen to develop doctoral research projects in collaboration with third parties, for example:

multilateral and bilateral agencies
campaign groups
media organisations

Research seminars and events

In addition, you will be invited to join research workshops hosted by the Global Development Academy and regular open research seminars held by subject areas across the School of Social and Political Science.

Programme structure

Usually undertaken full-time over three years, or part-time over six years, the PhD in International Development is a research degree in which you will make an original contribution to knowledge by pursuing an extended and focused piece of research on a topic of interest to them.

You will also be invited to join research workshops and regular open research seminars held by subject areas across the School of Social and Political Science, where you will enjoy special opportunities to meet development policy makers, practitioners, diplomats, and internationally recognised academics. Interdisciplinary research is strongly encouraged.

While based in the School of Social and Political Science, in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, International Development doctoral students will have opportunities to draw from expertise across the University's different Schools and Colleges for the purposes of supervision and research collaboration.

Training and support

As a postgraduate in our International Development group, you will receive regular one-to-one thesis supervision from two supervisors with expertise in your regional and/or specific research areas.

Focused supervision in the International Development group is drawn from faculty associated to:

Centre of African Studies
Social Anthropology
Social Policy
Politics and History

In addition, staff from across the University provide enriching expertise and training for our research students.

Focused supervision in the International Development group is drawn from faculty associated to the Centre of African Studies, Sociology, Social Anthropology, Social Policy, Politics and History. In addition staff from across the University provide expertise and training for our research students.

A wide range of training facilities are available to PhD students. The Graduate School provides a range of ESRC-recognised research training courses for social science students across the University. You are encouraged to participate in taught Masters level courses to assist you intellectual development and support you research.

The University’s Institute for Academic Development provides a range of courses and events to assist with methodological training and career development.

* Institute for Academic Development

Finally, you will participate with your peers in the bespoke course, International Development Exchanges and Advanced Skills, to improve your research abilities. These combine to enable you to acquire a broad set of academic and transferable skills during your time with us.

Research library and archive facilities in Edinburgh are outstanding.

You will be a member of the Graduate School of Social & Political Science, with full access to the Graduate School’s facilities in the Chrystal Macmillan Building.

Other library and archive facilities include the University’s Main Library, the National Library of Scotland and the Scottish Records Office. Proximity to the Scottish Parliament and other institutions of national government provides further research opportunities.

Entry requirements

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent, and a UK masters degree with an overall mark of 65% or its international equivalent.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

Entry requirements by country
English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
C1 Advanced ( CAE ) / C2 Proficiency ( CPE ): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
Trinity ISE : ISE III with passes in all four components.
PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS , TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE , in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

Fees and costs

Read our general information on tuition fees and studying costs:

Scholarships and funding

Featured funding.

School of Social and Political Science Scholarships

UK Research Council Awards

For specialised guidance on submitting a competitive scholarship application, please follow the requirements and recommendations and how to contact relevant academic staff as advised here:

Important information and recommendations

(Revised 10 November 2023 to update featured funding opportunities)

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

your programme
the duration of your studies
your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

Search for funding

Further information

Postgraduate Admissions Team
Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4086
Contact: [email protected]
Programme Advisor, Dr Aaron Kappeler
Contact: [email protected]
Graduate School of Social & Political Science
Chrystal Macmillan Building
15A George Square
Central Campus
Programme: International Development
School: Social & Political Science
College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

This programme is not currently accepting applications. Applications for the next intake usually open in October.

Start date: September

Awards: PhD (36 mth FT, 72 mth PT)

Application deadlines

We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

How to apply

You must submit a research proposal demonstrating your knowledge of your field of research, which will be closely scrutinised as part of the decision-making process. We request that PhD research proposals are no more than four A4 typed pages in Times New Roman, 12pt font. This includes charts and figures but does not include references or a bibliography.

We require PhD applicants in particular to contact potential supervisors before applying to discuss their research proposal so we can ensure there is adequate supervision.

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

> Master's Dissertations and PhD Theses

Master's Dissertations and PhD Theses

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Development Studies (IDS) PhD

Key information.

1st in the world for Development Studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024)

Study with the world leaders in Development Studies and realise your potential to transform the world

The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) transforms the knowledge, action and leadership needed for more equitable and sustainable development globally, through our world-class research, learning and teaching.

As a PhD researcher, you’ll join a thriving research community with more than 70 research staff and 50 postgraduate researchers. You’ll have access to research and teaching opportunities, as well as a substantial series of seminars presented by leading development professionals and practitioners.

Your time at IDS will equip you with the training needed to launch your career in academia, government, civil society or the private sector, and make a real difference in bringing about transformative change. Our PhD graduates are defining and solving some of the world’s most pressing global challenges in their work as:

ministers in national governments and civil servants
high-level officials in development organisations such as UNDP and the World Bank
leaders and thinkers of civil-society and international development organisations such as ActionAid and Christian Aid
high-profile academics at universities across the world.

What it’s like to study for a PhD at IDS – Jorge Ortiz-Moreno

Areas of study

We welcome submissions from researchers who share our commitment to:

upholding climate and environmental justice
reducing extreme inequities
fostering healthy and fulfilling lives
nurturing inclusive, democratic and accountable societies.

We’re particularly interested in work that shows originality in addressing topics related to the work of our research fellows based across our ten research clusters .

Find out about our current PhD researchers

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.

Masters and P h D events

Meet us on campus or online

Book your place

Entry requirements

UK requirements
International requirements

Degree requirements	You’re normally expected to have a Merit (an average of 60% overall) in a Masters degree.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences subject. In exceptional circumstances, you may be considered for the degree if you have a qualification in a different subject area. You must also show evidence of substantial professional work experience in a developing country or in development-related work.

Please select your country from the list.

Masters degree requirement	You’re normally expected to have the equivalent of a UK Masters degree, which will mean having completed some academic study beyond your Bachelors degree.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences subject. In exceptional circumstances, you may be considered for the degree if you have a qualification in a different subject area. You must also show evidence of substantial professional work experience in a developing country or in development-related work.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Philippines

Saudi arabia, south africa, south korea, switzerland, united arab emirates, my country is not listed.

If your country is not listed, you need to contact us and find out the qualification level you should have for this course. Contact us

Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences subject. In exceptional circumstances, you may be considered for the degree if you have a qualification in a different subject area. You must also show evidence of substantial professional work experience in a developing country or in development-related work.

English language requirements

Ielts (academic).

Advanced level (7.0 overall, including at least 6.5 in each component).

IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about IELTS

We accept IELTS One Skills Retake.

We do not accept IELTS Online.

Check full details of our English Language requirements and find out more about some of the alternative English language qualifications listed below

Alternative English language qualifications

Proficiency tests, cambridge advanced certificate in english (cae).

176 overall, including at least 169 in each skill.

We would normally expect the CAE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.

You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about Cambridge English: Advanced

Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

We would normally expect the CPE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.

You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about Cambridge English: Proficiency

LanguageCert Academic SELT

Advanced level (75 overall, including at least 70 in each component).

LanguageCert Academic SELT scores are valid for two years from the test date. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about LanguageCert Academic SELT

We only accept LanguageCert when taken at SELT Test Centres.

We do not accept the online version. We also do not accept the non-SELT version.

LanguageCert International ESOL SELT

Advanced level (International ESOL SELT C1 with a minimum of 33 in each component)

LanguageCert International ESOL scores are valid for two years from the test date. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about LanguageCert SELT

We only accept LanguageCert when taken at SELT Test Centres. We do not accept the online version.

Pearson PTE Academic

Advanced level (67 overall, including at least 62 in all four skills)

PTE (Academic) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about Pearson (PTE Academic)

We do not accept the PTE Academic Online test.

TOEFL (iBT)

Advanced level 95 overall, including at least 22 in Listening, 23 in Reading, 23 in Speaking, 24 in Writing.

TOEFL (iBT) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about TOEFL (iBT)

We do not accept TOEFL (iBT) Home Edition.

The TOEFL Institution Code for the University of Sussex is 9166.

English language qualifications

As/a-level (gce).

Grade C or above in English Language.

Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE)/ AS or A Level: grade C or above in Use of English.

GCE O-level

Grade C or above in English.

Brunei/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.

Singapore/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.

GCSE or IGCSE

Grade C or above in English as a First Language (Grade 4 or above in GCSE from 2017).

Grade B or above in English as a Second Language.

Ghana Senior Secondary School Certificate

If awarded before 1993: grades 1-6 in English language.

If awarded between 1993 and 2005: grades A-D in English language

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)

Level 4, including at least 3 in each component in English Language.

Indian School Certificate (Standard XII)

The Indian School Certificate is accepted at the grades below when awarded by the following examination boards:

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) – English Core only: 70%

Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) - English: 70%

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)

English A or English B at grade 5 or above.

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education

Grades A - C in English language

Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) 1119/GCE O-level

If taken before the end of 2008: grades 1-6 in English Language.

If taken from 2009 onwards: grade C or above in English Language.

The qualification must be jointly awarded by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES).

West African Senior School Certificate

Grades A1-C6 (1-6) in English language when awarded by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or the National Examinations Council (NECO).

Country exceptions

Select to see the list of exempt english-speaking countries.

If you are a national of one of the countries below, or if you have recently completed a qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree or higher in one of these countries, you will normally meet our English requirement. Note that qualifications obtained by distance learning or awarded by studying outside these countries cannot be accepted for English language purposes.

You will normally be expected to have completed the qualification within two years before starting your course at Sussex. If the qualification was obtained earlier than this, we would expect you to be able to demonstrate that you have maintained a good level of English, for example by living in an English-speaking country or working in an occupation that required you to use English regularly and to a high level.

Please note that this list is determined by the UK’s Home Office, not by the University of Sussex.

List of exempt countries:

Antigua and Barbuda
New Zealand
St Kitts and Nevis
St Vincent and the Grenadines
The British Overseas Territories
Trinidad and Tobago
United Kingdom

** Canada: you must be a national of Canada; other nationals not on this list who have a degree from a Canadian institution will not normally be exempt from needing to provide evidence of English.

English language support

If you don’t meet the English language requirements for your degree, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course

Visas and immigration

Admissions information for applicants

Research proposal	You must write an outline research proposal of two to three pages indicating the nature, ambition and primary questions of your research project.

If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us

How to apply

If you’d like to join us as a research student, there are two main routes:

browse funded projects in this subject area
browse our potential supervisors and propose your own research project.

Find out how to apply for a PhD at Sussex

Full-time and part-time study

Choose to work on your research full time or part time, to fit around your work and personal life. For details about part-time study, contact us at [email protected]

Our supervisors

Prof Jeremy Allouche

[email protected]

View profile of Jeremy Allouche

Dr Marina Apgar

Associate Fellow

[email protected]

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Dr Seife Ayele

[email protected]

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Dr Inka Barnett

[email protected]

View profile of Inka Barnett

Dr Gerald Bloom

[email protected]

View profile of Gerald Bloom

Prof Danny Burns

[email protected]

View profile of Danny Burns

Dr Lidia Cabral

[email protected]

View profile of Lidia Cabral

Mr Terry Cannon

[email protected]

View profile of Terry Cannon

Dr Deepta Chopra

[email protected]

View profile of Deepta Chopra

Dr Stephen Devereux

[email protected]

View profile of Stephen Devereux

Dr Ayako Ebata

Research Fellow

[email protected]

View profile of Ayako Ebata

Mr Jerker Edstrom

[email protected]

View profile of Jerker Edstrom

Ms Becky Faith

[email protected]

View profile of Becky Faith

Dr Dominic Glover

[email protected]

View profile of Dominic Glover

Dr Martin Greeley

[email protected]

View profile of Martin Greeley

[email protected]

View profile of Jing Gu

Dr Jaideep Gupte

Cluster Leader/Fellow

[email protected]

View profile of Jaideep Gupte

Dr Thomas Harrison

[email protected]

View profile of Thomas Harrison

Dr Martin Hearson

[email protected]

View profile of Martin Hearson

Dr Jo Howard

[email protected]

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Dr Amber Huff

[email protected]

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Dr Anuradha Joshi

[email protected]

View profile of Anuradha Joshi

Prof Patricia Justino

[email protected]

View profile of Patricia Justino

Dr Shandana Khan Mohmand

Cluster Leader/ Fellow

[email protected]

View profile of Shandana Khan Mohmand

Prof Melissa Leach

View profile of Melissa Leach

Dr Tessa Lewin

[email protected]

View profile of Tessa Lewin

Dr Jeremy Lind

[email protected]

View profile of Jeremy Lind

Dr Miguel Loureiro

[email protected]

View profile of Miguel Loureiro

Prof Hayley Macgregor

[email protected]

View profile of Hayley Macgregor

Dr Philip Mader

[email protected]

View profile of Philip Mader

Mr Gauthier Marchais

[email protected]

View profile of Gauthier Marchais

Dr Giulia Mascagni

[email protected]

View profile of Giulia Mascagni

Dr Rosemary Mcgee

[email protected]

View profile of Rosemary Mcgee

Prof Lyla Mehta

[email protected]

View profile of Lyla Mehta

Prof Michael Moore

Professorial Fellow

[email protected]

View profile of Michael Moore

Dr Lars Otto Naess

[email protected]

View profile of Lars Otto Naess

Prof Sohela Nazneen

[email protected]

View profile of Sohela Nazneen

Prof Nicholas Nisbett

[email protected]

View profile of Nicholas Nisbett

Dr Pauline Oosterhoff

[email protected]

View profile of Pauline Oosterhoff

Dr Marjoke Oosterom

[email protected]

View profile of Marjoke Oosterom

Dr Wilson Prichard

[email protected]

View profile of Wilson Prichard

Dr Tony Roberts

[email protected]

View profile of Tony Roberts

Ms Rachel Sabates-Wheeler

Fellow in Gender & Development

[email protected]

View profile of Rachel Sabates-Wheeler

Prof Ian Scoones

[email protected]

View profile of Ian Scoones

Dr Patta Scott-Villiers

[email protected]

View profile of Patta Scott-Villiers

Dr Alex Shankland

[email protected]

View profile of Alex Shankland

Dr Jacqueline Shaw

[email protected]

View profile of Jacqueline Shaw

Dr Wei Shen

[email protected]

View profile of Wei Shen

Dr Shilpi Srivastava

[email protected]

View profile of Shilpi Srivastava

Dr James Sumberg

View profile of James Sumberg

Dr Mariz Tadros

[email protected]

View profile of Mariz Tadros

Dr Dolf Te Lintelo

[email protected]

View profile of Dolf Te Lintelo

Dr John Thompson

[email protected]

View profile of John Thompson

Ms Jodie Thorpe

[email protected]

View profile of Jodie Thorpe

Dr Giel Ton

[email protected]

View profile of Giel Ton

Dr Linda Waldman

[email protected]

View profile of Linda Waldman

Dr Mary Wickenden

[email protected]

View profile of Mary Wickenden

Miss Annie Wilkinson

[email protected]

View profile of Annie Wilkinson

Dr Dirk Willenbockel

[email protected]

View profile of Dirk Willenbockel

Funding and fees

How can i fund my course, funded projects and scholarships.

Our aim is to ensure that every student who wants to study with us is able to despite financial barriers, so that we continue to attract talented and unique individuals. Don’t miss out on scholarships – check the specific application deadlines for funding opportunities. Note that funded projects aren’t available for all our PhDs.

Details of our scholarships are not yet set for entry in the academic year 2025/26.

Applying for USA Federal Student Aid?

If any part of your funding, at any time, is through USA federal Direct Loan funds, you will be registered on a separate version of this degree which does not include the possibility of distance learning which is prohibited under USA federal regulations. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid .

Part-time work

We advertise around 2,500 part-time jobs a year so you can make money and gain work experience. We have a special scheme to employ students on campus, wherever possible.

Find out more about careers and employability

How much does it cost?

Fees for self-funding students.

Fees are not yet set for the academic year 2025/26 – check back from September 2024. Note that your fees, once they’re set, may be subject to an increase on an annual basis.

Living costs

Find out typical living costs for studying at Sussex

Find out about our terms and conditions

Explore our campus

Experience Sussex life in our virtual tour.

Start your virtual tour

PhD Information Sessions

Visit campus and chat to staff and students. Book your place

Online PhD Sessions

Join a live webchat. Book your place

International

Meet us in your country

Course enquiries

+44 (0)1273 876787

Send us a message

Admissions enquiries

If you haven’t applied yet:

+44 (0)1273 606261 [email protected]

Find out about the Institute of Development Studies

After you’ve applied:

+44 (0)1273 877773 [email protected]

Find out how to apply

What do you want to do next?

Courses Browse our courses by subject area
Sussex Life Find out about life at Sussex
Visit Come to a PhD Open Evening
Apply Find out how to apply

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PhD in Development Studies (Research)

Faculty Website: Faculty of Humanities Department: Department of Development Studies Programme Level: Postgraduate Programme Name: PhD in Development Studies (Research) Programme Code: P7008Q

Medium of Facilitation: part-time, Full-Time NQF Level: 10 NQF Credits: 360 SAQA: 73871

Application Start Date : 1 April 2024 Application End Date: 1 March 2025

Campus: Auckland Park Kingsway

Contacts: UJ Call Centre 011 559-4555 Email: [email protected]

Duration of Study: 2 Years Full-Time and 3 Years Part-Time

Programme Fees

The Doctoral study programme comprises a thesis written under supervision that makes an original contribution to the field of Development Studies on a topic selected in consultation with the Department of Anthropology and Development Studies. A Doctoral defence (of the proposal and the thesis) is required in accordance with the regulations of the Faculty of Humanities.

The doctoral study programme comprises a thesis written under supervision that makes an original contribution to the field of Development Studies on a topic selected in consultation with the Department of Anthropology and Development Studies. A doctoral defence (of the proposal and the thesis) is required in accordance with the regulations of the Faculty of Humanities. An article ready for publication on the thesis content is also required.

Admission Requirements

A Master’s Degree in Development Studies and a final course mark of at least 65% in the particular discipline is required. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of Development Studies, applicants (for the PhD) from other social science Degrees with Development Studies content are encouraged, and will be processed through the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning Committee.

Selection Process

The extent to which applicants meet admission requirements is assessed by the relevant Head of Department, in consultation with the prospective supervisors, in accordance with the admission requirements for the particular doctoral programme determined by the Faculty Board, approved by Senate and contained in the relevant Faculty Rules and Regulations. The Head of Department, in consultation with the relevant Executive Dean, may set additional admission requirements, as approved by the relevant faculty higher degrees committee, for a particular student. Admission requirements are department specific and approved by the Executive Dean. Admission to a doctoral programme is not automatic even if the applicant is in possession of an appropriate preceding qualification.

More Information

Extended BSc in Life and Environmental Sciences (Zoology and Chemistry)

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PhD in Sustainable Development

The PhD in Sustainable Development at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) is a unique and innovative program that combines rigorous interdisciplinary training with practical application. This program provides a comprehensive education in both the social and natural sciences, preparing students to address complex sustainable development challenges.

Overview: The program's core curriculum includes around ten courses designed to provide interdisciplinary grounding, taught at the level expected of first- or second-year Ph.D. students. The course structure offers PhD-level training in economics and a natural science field, complemented by integrative courses specifically designed for sustainable development and courses in social sciences. This structure allows students the flexibility to pursue individual fields of study while developing broad-based skills and knowledge. Students must complete two social science electives and a coherent sequence of four natural science courses, totaling a minimum of 60 credits, and must maintain an overall B+ average with no grade lower than a B- in core classes.

In addition to coursework, students participate in integrative seminars—Sustainable Development Seminar I (SDEV U9200) and Sustainable Development Seminar II (SDEV U9201)—throughout the first three years of the program. They must also complete an MA thesis, pass an Orals Exam (leading to the MPhil Degree), and present and defend a Ph.D. dissertation.

Advanced Standing: Due to the unique interdisciplinary content of the program, students entering with a master’s degree from Columbia University or elsewhere must still complete all MA and MPhil course requirements and examinations. Advanced standing for previously held degrees may occasionally be granted at the discretion of the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) after the successful completion of the first year.

Advising: Students must select an advisory committee before the end of the fourth semester, ideally earlier, with the help and approval of the DGS and Program Faculty. The advisory committee, typically comprising 2 to 3 members, must include a SIPA faculty member as the main academic advisor. Other advisors can be from different Columbia University schools or universities but cannot be the main academic advisor. The committee should include faculty with expertise in both the social and natural sciences. Initially, the DGS will serve as the academic advisor for the first year or two, guiding and monitoring research progress.

Service Requirements: Students are required to fulfill teaching and research requirements, typically involving six semesters of work as a teaching fellow (TF) or a graduate research fellow (GRF). They usually serve as TFs in SIPA master-level and undergraduate courses. Students who secure external fellowship funding may reduce this requirement with the DGS's approval, but every student must complete at least two semesters as a TA.

Sixth Year: The Ph.D. in Sustainable Development is designed as a five-year program, although some students may need to extend their studies into a sixth year. While administrative accommodations can be made, funding for the sixth year is not guaranteed, and students are encouraged to secure fellowship support or other funding sources.

Tomara Aldrich Program Coordinator for the Ph.D. in Sustainable Development [email protected]

John Mutter , Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences and of International and Public Affairs; Director of the PhD in Sustainable Development program

Douglas Almond , Professor of International and Public Affairs and of Economics

Scott Barrett , Lenfest-Earth Institute Professor of Natural Resource Economics

Geoffrey Heal , Donald C. Waite III Professor of Social Enterprise in the Faculty of Business and Professor of International and Public Affairs

Cristian Pop-Eleches , Professor of International and Public Affairs

Jeffrey Sachs , Quetelet Professor of Sustainable Development; Professor of Health Policy and Management; Director of the Earth Institute

Wolfram Schlenker , Professor of International and Public Affairs

Jeffrey Shrader , Assistant Professor of International and Public Affairs

Joseph Stiglitz , University Professor

Requirements for the MA Degree

Sustainable development courses.

These courses are designed and taught specifically for the PhD students in Sustainable Development, although they may be open to students from other programs.

Course List
Code	Title	Points
		Points
	Sustainable Development Seminar I	1.5
	Sustainable Development Seminar II	1.5
	Human Ecology ＆ Sustainable Development	4
	Environment ＆ Resource Economics	3
	Collective Action for Global Sustainable Development	3
	Environmental Science for Sustainable Development ( PhD Lab, 1 point)	3

Core Economics Courses

All core economics courses are taught in the Economics Department and are drawn from the Economics PhD syllabus. More information about these courses can be found from the Economics department Web site .

Course List
Code	Title	Points
		Points
-	MICROECONOMIC ANALYSIS I and MICROECONOMIC ANALYSIS II	8
-	INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMETRICS I and INTRODUCTN TO ECONOMETRICS II	8
A third course in Quantitative Analysis is also required

Social Science Courses

Students must take at least 3 social science courses.

Natural Sciences Courses

Students must also take 3 natural science electives drawn from the following departments:

Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology (E3B)

Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DEES)

Department of Environmental Health Sciences (EHS) at the Mailman School of Public Health

Department of Earth and Environmental Engineerin g (DEEE) at the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS)

The master’s thesis should be completed by May 1 in the fourth semester and should address a problem in sustainable development using data and methodologies from the four natural science courses completed in the first two years of the program. The thesis consists of an article (around 30 pages long), which would be publishable in an appropriately refereed academic journal reflecting the disciplinary orientation of the project. Students should submit the Masters paper to their research advisor(s) with a copy to the DGS. The advisor later meets with the student and submits a pass/fail grade to the Assistant DGS for processing. For titles of MA thesis projects previously completed by students in the program please see here .

Requirements for the MPhil Degree

Completion of the MA requirements with a minimum of 60 credits and a B+ average.

Complete 4 out of 6 semesters of service requirements (Teaching Assistant, TA or Research Assistant, RA appointments) . Students with outside funding need to complete a minimum of 2 TA appointments.

Fulfillment of research tools requirement

Core courses in quantitative methods (Introduction to Econometrics I and II, and a third Quantitative Analysis course).

Either a two-course sequence in GIS or other analytic modeling systems or a proficiency examination in a non-English language, as selected with the approval of the academic adviser.

Submission of a final draft of the dissertation prospectus , approved by the adviser, to the MPhil Examining Committee three weeks prior to the MPhil examinations. The prospectus should:

be a single, 10-page document

be distinct from the Master’s thesis though it can build on similar research

cover the methods and objective of the research project

Two-hour long oral exam designed to examine the candidates’ formal learning and their capability to do independent research, including the presentation of a dissertation prospectus/proposal. The examination committee will consist of three faculty members, normally from the Sustainable Development core faculty, and will be chaired by the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), who will lead the discussion of the prospectus. Examinations are conducted as follows:

5 minutes: the candidate will give a formal presentation of the prospectus

30 minutes: all members of the examining committee, led by the DGS, will ask questions.

30 minutes: examination of proficiency in fields most relevant to the proposed research, from within the following subjects:

Natural Science

Sustainable Development

(Optional) An elective field, such as study of a region

Each component will be graded on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the lowest and 5 the highest. If the average grade is 3.5 or above the student receives a clear pass. If the average grade is below 3.0 the student will be required to leave the program by the end of the current semester. If the average grade is between 3.0 and 3.5 or if any individual grade is below 3.0 the committee require the student to take further courses, revise their prospectus, or provide a revised research paper.

Requirements for the PhD Degree

Phd dissertation.

The PhD dissertation will be on a social science topic in sustainable development. The social science research will be informed by an understanding of physical and natural science constraints and opportunities influencing economic development.

Students with a regional area of interest to their dissertation may wish to do research abroad, so as to conduct field studies, use archives, improve language skills, or confer with local experts. In order that students may complete the PhD program without delay, it is preferred that they make use of summers to conduct such research. Students who feel they require a longer period of field research or language training need the approval of their advisor, and of the DGS. Students may not receive extended residence credit for study or research away from Columbia before the completion of all course work requirements and comprehensive examinations.

PhD Defense

Complete the GSAS deposit application and pay the $85 processing fee;

Submit the required Survey of Earned Doctorates online;

Upload and submit a PDF copy of your dissertation;

Obtain a signed Approval Card that certifies you have made all required revisions and that the dissertation has been approved for deposit by your sponsor and by your doctoral program.

Open defenses (optional)

If both the candidate for a defense and the Advisory Committee choose to have an “open” defense, the following will apply:

The candidate will have a maximum of 40 minutes to present major conclusions of the thesis research, with at least half of the time devoted to a description of new findings or insights in the field discussed that directly resulted from research by the student.

Any member of the University community or other interested parties can attend the first part of the thesis defense.

Questions following the initial presentation are permitted for a maximum of 10 minutes.

Following the oral presentation by the candidate and the brief period for general questions, the defense committee will question the candidate in closed session for a period of up to 90 minutes.

If either the candidate or the Advisory Committee prefer, the procedures for “closed defense” (i.e., 20-minute oral presentation followed by questions from the defense committee in closed session for a period of up to 90 minutes) will be followed.

Candidates must consult with their advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies about scheduling the defense. Every Ph.D. student must submit the Intent to Distribute and Defend form directly to GSAS.

The final examination will not be scheduled until the Director of Graduate Studies has recommended the dissertation for defense. A five-person examining committee will be appointed by the department and must be approved by GSAS. The DGS will then officially invite the examiners.

The Application for Defense must be completed by the Candidate and the Director of Graduate Studies and submitted by the program’s office to the GSAS Dissertation office.

Members of the PhD examining committee must be given a minimum of three weeks to read the thesis, so the defense may comfortably be scheduled after submission of the thesis to the Advisory Committee. Before being recommended for defense, the candidate must submit to his/her Advisory Committee draft copies of the thesis, including figures, plates and tables and obtain the Advisory Committee’s written approval of the draft. (Written approval by the Advisory Committee indicates only that the thesis as it stands or with revisions suggested by them is in good enough form to justify scheduling the defense.)

After the Advisory Committee has given its preliminary approval in writing, and the candidate has made any revisions suggested by them, he/she must distribute copies of the dissertation to the external readers. Instructions for the correct form for preparing the manuscript and information on publication options may be obtained via the Graduate School’s website ( http://www.columbia.edu/cu/gsas/ )

The candidate must see that outstanding fees or loans to the University are paid and make sure that he/she has fulfilled all other Departmental requirements. When these requirements have been fulfilled and the examining committee has been appointed by the DGS, the candidate is notified of the examination date, usually about two weeks in advance.

After passing the final examination, the candidate must see to any minor revisions and their approval by the examining committee before final deposit. If major revisions were called for (a defense-vote of “incomplete”), these must be made and submitted within a stated period (usually no fewer than three months and no longer than one year from the date of the defense) to the supervising committee, whose approval will have to be certified in writing before the candidate can be recorded as having passed the final examination. From the time of the “pass” vote, the student has a maximum of six months to deposit the thesis. There are four steps to completing your deposit -- the steps can be done in any order, but your deposit is only considered complete when all four steps are done.

Doctorate degrees are awarded in October, February, and May. Check the academic calendar for specific deadlines for the final deposit of the dissertation. (You may, however, call yourself “Dr.” as of the day of your deposit, since that date will appear on your official transcript.)

PhD in Sustainable Development Courses

SDEV U6240 Environmental Science for Sustainable Development. 3.00 Points.

This course provides a rigorous survey of the key areas of natural science that are critical to understanding sustainable development. The course will provide the theories, methodological techniques and applications associated with each natural science unit presented. The teaching is designed to ensure that students have the natural science basis to properly appreciate the co-dependencies of natural and human systems, which are central to understanding sustainable development. Students will learn the complexities of the interaction between the natural and human environment. After completing the course, students should be able to incorporate scholarly scientific work into their research or policy decisions and be able to use scientific methods of data analysis. This is a modular course that will cover core thematic areas specifically, climate, natural hazards, water management, public health/epidemiology, and ecology/biodiversity. To achieve coherence across lectures this course will emphasize how each topic is critical to studies of sustainable development and place-based case studies in recitation will integrate various topics covered. In the lectures and particularly the recitation sections this course will emphasize key scientific concepts such as uncertainty, experimental versus observational approaches, prediction and predictability, the use of models and other essential methodological aspects.

Term	Section	Call Number	Instructor	Times/Location
Fall 2024	001	16318	John Mutter	T 11:00am - 12:50pm 501a International Affairs Bldg
Fall 2024	R01	16319		Th 4:10pm - 6:00pm 418 International Affairs Bldg

SDEV U9200 Sustainable Development Seminar I. 1.50 Point.

This course is restricted to PhD in Sustainable Development

Term	Section	Call Number	Instructor	Times/Location
Fall 2024	001	16323	Douglas Almond	M 4:10pm - 6:00pm 801 International Affairs Bldg
Fall 2024	R01	16324		F 10:00am - 11:30am 1102 International Affairs Bldg

SDEV U9201 Sustainable Development Seminar II. 1.50 Point.

Term	Section	Call Number	Instructor	Times/Location
Spring 2025	001	10509	Douglas Almond	M 4:10pm - 6:00pm Room TBA
Spring 2025	R01	10510		F 10:00am - 11:30am Room TBA

SDEV U9240 Human Ecology ＆ Sustainable Development. 4.00 Points.

This course has two primary objectives: first, to provide a structured way to think about—and conduct research in—the field of sustainable development. Second, to introduce formal models of dynamic, coupled human and environmental systems.

Term	Section	Call Number	Instructor	Times/Location
Spring 2025	001	10511	Jeffrey Shrader	M 2:10pm - 4:00pm Room TBA
Spring 2025	R01	10512		F 1:00pm - 3:00pm Room TBA

SDEV U9245 Environment ＆ Resource Economics. 3.00 Points.

This course aims to introduce you to the basic concepts of environmental economics

SDEV U9248 Collective Action for Global Sustainable Development. 3.00 Points.

When externalities go uncorrected, and public goods go undersupplied, the reason is not that the market fails; the reason is that governments are unable or unwilling to intervene effectively. The biggest problem is with transnational externalities and regional and global public goods. This is partly because of the scale of these problems, but it is also because the institutional arrangements at this level make effective intervention difficult. There is no World Government. Instead, there are around 200 sovereign states. To support sustainable development globally, states must cooperate, and yet states' self-interests often conflict with their collective interests. This is why all countries agree that collective action must be taken to limit climate change, and yet, though they try and try again, countries seem unable to muster the individual action needed to meet their own collective goal. The aim of this course is to develop an apparatus for understanding international collective action for sustainable development. By an apparatus, I mean a theory, a structured way of looking at and understanding the world. Rather than just present the theory, my aim is to show you why theory is needed, how it has been constructed, and what its strengths and weaknesses are. Basically, in addition to teaching you principles and tools, I want you to come to see how this field has developed, what it has achieved, and where it has fallen short. Throughout the course, we shall also be looking at tests and applications of the theory-empirical and experimental papers in addition to case studies. The course draws from a number of disciplines, especially economics, game theory (analytical and experimental), and international relations-but also international law, philosophy, history, the natural and physical sciences, and engineering. The focus will be on institutions, and the way that they restructure the relations among states to cause states to behave differently-that is, to cause them to undertake collective action. In terms of applications, the course will address not only climate change but also depletion of the ozone layer, trans-boundary air pollution, pollution of the oceans, over-fishing, biodiversity loss, and the emergence and spread of infectious diseases.

ECON GR6211 MICROECONOMIC ANALYSIS I. 4.00 points .

Prerequisites: the director of graduate studies' permission. Corequisites: ECON G6410. Consumer and producer behavior; general competitive equilibrium, welfare and efficiency, behavior under uncertainty, intertemporal allocation and capital theory, imperfect competition, elements of game theory, problems of information, economies with price rigidities

Course Number	Section/Call Number	Times/Location	Instructor	Points	Enrollment

ECON 6211	001/10855	T Th 2:40pm - 3:55pm 333 Uris Hall	Bernard Salanie, Mark Dean	4.00	27/50

ECON GR6212 MICROECONOMIC ANALYSIS II. 4.00 points .

Prerequisites: the director of graduate studies permission. Corequisites: ECON G6410. Consumer and producer behavior; general competitive equilibrium, welfare and efficiency, behavior under uncertainty, intertemporal allocation and capital theory, imperfect competition, elements of game theory, problems of information, economies with price rigidities

Course Number	Section/Call Number	Times/Location	Instructor	Points	Enrollment

ECON 6212	001/12002	M W 10:10am - 11:25am 520 Mathematics Building	Qingmin Liu, Yeon-Koo Che	4.00	37/45

ECON GR6411 INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMETRICS I. 4.00 points .

Corequisites: ECON G6410 and the director of graduate studies' permission. Introduction to probability theory and statistical inference

Course Number	Section/Call Number	Times/Location	Instructor	Points	Enrollment

ECON 6411	001/10858	M W 1:10pm - 2:25pm 520 Mathematics Building	Serena Ng, Jushan Bai	4.00	29/45

ECON GR6412 INTRODUCTN TO ECONOMETRICS II. 4.00 points .

Corequisites: ECON G6410 and the director of graduate studies permission. Introduction to the general linear model and its use in econometrics, including the consequences of departures from the standard assumptions

Course Number	Section/Call Number	Times/Location	Instructor	Points	Enrollment

ECON 6412	001/12009	T Th 8:40am - 9:55am 627 Seeley W. Mudd Building	Jushan Bai, Simon Lee	4.00	37/45

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/images/cornell/logo35pt_cornell_white.svg" alt="phd thesis on development studies"> Cornell University --> Graduate School

Development studies, field description.

Our doctoral program in Development Studies focuses on ‘development,’ a central and contested concept that gained prominence after World War II, which implies progressive change towards improving economies and people’s well-being while conserving nature at local, regional, and global scales. Faculty and graduate students in the field of Development Studies study processes of social, cultural, ecological, economic, and political change, and the historical and contemporary forces that shape those dynamics. They also study the organizations and actors that engage in development-related processes and the practices, knowledge, and forms of expertise they bring to bear on their work.

An interdisciplinary field, Development Studies draws from a wide range of disciplines, including sociology, economics, political science, human geography, anthropology, history, Indigenous and postcolonial studies, and the natural and technical sciences. Our doctoral students study in a range of contexts, some working directly with communities around the globe, others exploring large data sets or studying institutions as they seek to understand the complexities behind development and its impacts on people and the planet.

The program offers preparation for research, for the application of social sciences in government positions, the non-profit sector, consulting, and think tanks, and for college teaching in development studies and related fields. For the Ph.D. degree, students are expected to demonstrate (1) a thorough knowledge of social theory in development studies, with special emphasis on theories in their major concentration, (2) knowledge of previous and current research pertinent to the concentration, and (3) knowledge of multiple research methods, including qualitative and quantitative, with special emphasis on research design, data collection, and analytical techniques relevant to study in the concentration.

Students are admitted into the Ph.D. program. If they do not have a M.S. degree in Development Studies or a related discipline, they will complete a qualifying paper or M.S. thesis as part of their training.

Research and study opportunities Faculty in the field rely on a wide range of domestic and international funding to support research and graduate students. Graduate students also successfully apply for a wide range of internal and external grants for their fieldwork, such as the Wenner Gren fellowship, National Science Foundation and Fulbright fellowships. Students and faculty members are actively conducting research around the globe, both in the United States and elsewhere. Although some doctoral dissertations are based on field-collected data, other candidates rely on rich secondary-data resources, working closely with the Cornell Institute for Social and Economic Research (CISER) and the various libraries on campus. Faculty members also participate in other fields such as Natural Resources, City and Regional Planning, Anthropology, Crop and Soil Sciences, in the Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies, and in the area studies programs for Africa, Latin America, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Several of those programs have supported dissertation research overseas. The department is also home to the Polson Institute for Global Development , which funds assorted working group research initiatives in the U.S. and abroad.

Contact Information

Mann Library B75 Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853

Data and Statistics

Doctoral Program Statistics

Field Manual

Subject and degrees, development sociology.

Development Sociology (Ph.D.) (Ithaca)

Concentrations by Subject

development sociology (minor)
methods of social research (minor)
population and development
rural and environmental sociology
state, economy, and society

Victoria Beard

Campus: Ithaca
Concentrations: Development Sociology: development sociology; rural and environmental sociology
Research Interests: comparative urbanization, poverty and inequality, collective action, community development, infrastructure access, water and sanitation infrastructure

Sarah Besky

Concentrations: Development Sociology: rural and environmental sociology; state, economy, and society
Research Interests: agrarian studies; gender and work; South Asia

Rachel Bezner Kerr

Concentrations: Development Sociology: development sociology; methods of social research; rural and environmental sociology

Parfait M Eloundou-Enyegue

Concentrations: Development Sociology: development sociology; methods of social research; population and development; state, economy, and society
Research Interests: population and development; sociology of education; demography of inequality and social change

Elias Friedman

Concentrations: Development Sociology: state, economy, and society
Research Interests: Social movements, globalization, development, political sociology, work, and theory

Sarah Carissa Giroux

Campus: Ithaca - (Divisional Member)
Concentrations: Development Sociology: population and development
Research Interests: Methods of Social Research. Population and Development, Demography

Jenny Elaine Goldstein

Research Interests: political ecology; critical development studies; ecological history; science and technology studies; food and agriculture; Southeast Asia

Mario Herrero Acosta

Concentrations: Development Sociology: rural and environmental sociology
Research Interests: Food systems, sustainability, environmental analysis, global change, scenarios, climate mitigation and adaptation, multi-scale methods for systems analysis, systems evolution and transitions, role of innovation in development

Thomas A Hirschl

Research Interests: social stratification; research methods and statistics; state and local demography

Tristan Ivory

Research Interests: International Migration Labor and Employment Relations Race and Ethnicity Social Mobility Stratification and Inequality Global and Transnational Sociology Demography Comparative and Historical Sociology Qualitative Methods Africana Studies

Neema Kudva

Research Interests: Community-based planning and development, Infrastructure and International planning, Social policy, Sustainability, Mobility

Lori Leonard

Concentrations: Development Sociology: methods of social research; state, economy, and society
Research Interests: Lori Leonard has a background in public health, and her work focuses on issues in medical sociology, gender studies, and the anthropology of policy. She is interested in the ways policies, planned improvement projects, changes in the natural world, and human responses to these events shape social and cultural life
Concentrations: Development Sociology: methods of social research; rural and environmental sociology; state, economy, and society
Research Interests: Sustainability; food systems; spatial data science; human-environment systems

Fouad M. Makki

Concentrations: Development Sociology: development sociology; methods of social research; state, economy, and society
Research Interests: sociology of development; classical and contemporary social theory; international political economy; historical sociology of modernity

Scott J Peters

Research Interests: sustainable and community development; civic professionalism

Sharon L. Sassler

Concentrations: Development Sociology: development sociology; population and development
Research Interests: social demography; union formation (marriage, cohabitation); immigrant adaptation; racial and ethnic differentiation; young adult transitions

John W. Sipple

Concentrations: Development Sociology: development sociology; methods of social research; population and development; rural and environmental sociology
Research Interests: sociology of education, rural studies, inequality studies

Richard C. Stedman

Research Interests: linkages between social and ecological systems; natural resource and community interactions; natural resources; environmental sociology

Kurt B Waldman

Concentrations: Development Sociology: methods of social research; rural and environmental sociology
Research Interests: Behavioral Science, Environmental Psychology, Sustainability, Agricultural Development, Judgment, and Decision-Making

Mildred Elaine Warner

Concentrations: Development Sociology: development sociology; state, economy, and society
Research Interests: community development, economic development, state and local government policy

Marina A. Welker

Research Interests: International development, corporations, tobacco, extractive industries, Southeast Asia

Steven A Wolf

Concentrations: Development Sociology: development sociology; rural and environmental sociology; state, economy, and society
Research Interests: environmental and natural resource sociology; environmental governance; multifunctional agricultural and forest development; institutional analysis of innovation

Wendy W. Wolford

Concentrations: Development Sociology: development sociology; methods of social research; rural and environmental sociology; state, economy, and society
Research Interests: political economy of development; social and economic geography; political ecology; land tenure; agrarian studies

John Aloysius Zinda

Research Interests: Environmental Sociology, Development and Globalization, Contemporary China, Rural Livelihoods, Community, Agriculture, Land Use Change, Qualitative Methods, Spatial Data Analysis, Mixed Methods

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Development Studies PhD Thesis

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The Bartlett Development Planning Unit

Development Planning PhD theses

Discover a selection of Development Planning PhD theses from our students at The Bartlett Development Planning Unit from 2018 to 2023.

Sender, Hannah (2023) Extending displacement: Young residents’ experiences of living in expectation of ongoing place-based rupture in Central Beqaa, Lebanon. Doctoral thesis, UCL (University College London).

Markowitz, Ariana (2022) Making Dangerous Places: Toward a Feminist Methodology Amid Extreme and Chronic Urban Violence. Doctoral thesis, UCL (University College London).

Bobbins, Kerry Leigh (2021) Legacies, uncertainties and ownership: green infrastructure as practice in Johannesburg, South Africa. Doctoral thesis, UCL (University College London).

Chichizola Ramirez, Bruno Enrico (2020) Development, interculturalidad and power: translating an NGO-led development intervention in the Peruvian Andes. Doctoral thesis, UCL (University College London).

Lambert, Rita (2019) Cartographic Calculation and Coordination in the Urbanisation of the Peripheral Slopes of Lima. Doctoral thesis, UCL (University College London).

Brown, Donald (2018) Small places, big problems: Planning healthy environments in emerging African towns - the case of Karonga Town, Malawi. Doctoral thesis, UCL (University College London).

Are you interested in studying a Development Planning MPhil/PhD at UCL?

Discover more about the course and the career opportunities it could unlock by visiting the Development Planning MPhil/PhD webpage.

Discover more

Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies

College of Liberal Arts
Graduate Degree Programs

Description

The Ph.D. Development Studies program aims to provide advanced knowledge and skills to teachers, researchers, and development specialists who choose a career in policy development, planning and administration. The program emphasizes an understanding of contemporary development challenges that is rooted in a historical perspective, situated within local, national, regional and global realities, and informed by multi-disciplinary theoretical approaches. The objective of the program is to produce scholars and practitioners ably equipped to systemically examine development processes, institutions and outcomes so that they contribute to evidence-based development interventions.

The Ph.D. Development Studies program is available in both standard and research tracks. Under the standard track, students enroll in 48 units of coursework, take a comprehensive examination, and submit and orally defend a dissertation proposal and the completed dissertation.

The research track is intended for those with a demonstrated research track record and/or superior credentials as an executive in development-related work. It is offered to respond to the educational needs of accomplished individuals in government, business, the academe, and non-government organizations. The program involves a full-time, three-year residency in which the student takes a total of 60 units, consisting of 18 units of coursework, 30 units of directed research, and 12 units of doctoral dissertation work.

Course Requirements

Basic Courses 15 units Major Courses 18 units Electives 15 units Dissertation 12 units Total 60 units

The student will have a core department from which 18 units of the major courses will be drawn. If the department cannot offer the required 6 courses, the student will be authorized to enroll in other courses offered by the other departments. The elective courses can be taken from other departments.

Basic Courses (15 units)

Foundations of Social Science Research (DVS522P) Philosophy of Social Science including Theory Building (DVS525P) Development Theories, Policies and Practices (DVS530P) Seminar on the Philippine Development Challenges of the 21st Century (DVS820P) Seminar on the Philippine Development Experience (DVS823P)

Major Courses (18 units)

Development Administration (DVS531P) Poverty and Public Policy in Development (DVS551P) Policy Analysis (DVS552P) Management of Innovative Programs (DVS581P) Planning and Management of Rural Education (DVS582P) Program Evaluation (DVS583P) Sociology/Anthropology of Development (DVS590P) Culture, Economy and Politics (DVS591P) Foundations of Organizational Psychology (DVS680P) Organization Development (DVS681P) Social Psychology (DVS682P) Sikolohiyang Pilipino (DVS683P) Advanced Microeconomics (DVS741P) Advanced Macroeconomics (DVS742P) Econometrics (DVS743P) Development Education (DVS744P) Public Sector Economics (DVS745P) International Economics (DVS750P) Development Economics (DVS753P) Theories of the State & Political Development (DVS760P) Philippine Historiography I (DVS801P) Philippine Historiography II (DVS802P) Problems in the Interpretation of Philippine History (DVS803P) Contemporary Problems in Philippine Government and Politics (DVS804P) Seminar in Philippine History (DVS824P) Seminar on Contemporary Philippine History (DVS825P) Practicum – Social Laboratory (DVS840P) Dissertation Research Seminar (DVS910P) Thesis Writing (DVS951-DVS965P) 12 units

Elective Courses (15 units)

Philippine Legislature & its Development Role (DVS560P) Advanced Course on the Philippine Executive System (DVS561P) Political Parties in the Philippines (DVS562P) Cultural and Social Forces in Asia (DVS592P) Class, Status, and Power (DVS594P) Community Organizations & Community Development (DVS595P) Urban and Rural Sociology (DVS596P) Health and Development (DVS597P) Social Issues in the Philippine Society (DVS598P) E-Governance (DVS599P) Gender Issues (DVS602P) Environmental Policy (DVS631P) Organization and Public Policy (DVS684P) Social Psychology of Organizations (DVS685P) Political Economy (DVS755P) Power and Society (DVS761P) Government & Politics of East & Southeast Asia (DVS806P) Seminar on Contemporary Social Movements in the Philippines (DVS817P) Seminar on the History of Social Movements In the Philippines (DVS826P) Seminar on Constitutional and Political Ideals in Significant Political C Conjunctures (DVS827P) Industrial Development Seminar (DVS829P)

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54 Best Development Studies Dissertation Topics Ideas & Samples

Are you looking for research proposal topics on development studies? We’ve got this range of development studies dissertation topics that can help in carrying out your research logically. The list is prepared after thorough research on the emerging trends and the approaches that have influenced development studies. These topics can aid you in covering up your undergrad and master’s degree in the field of tourism , advertising , marketing , or digital marketing .

Best Development Studies Dissertation Topics for Masters and Undergraduate Students

Here is the list of best Development studies dissertation topics for college students:

To study the relationship between education and success – a survey analysis
To analyze the waste management program to improve the living standard.
Impact of social media in the development of Human rights.
To study the impact of Agriculture on women empowerment.
To analyze the evolution of social media and how it has influenced socialization.
To explore the development of digital marketing and how it has influenced overall business development.
The development in tourism and its impact on the countries that attract tourists.
To evaluate the development changes in gender policies.
What do you understand by community development?
What are the effects of socio-economic infrastructure on Rural development?
What are the latest developments in the Agriculture field?
How do you the change in the development of the education system effective for students?
How is Agriculture development affecting economic growth?
The development of gender equality in the education field.
What is the latest development in the role of women?
To analyze the development in Human rights.
Evaluating the new business strategies.
To explore the Geographical developments and how it has influenced the areas of land.
To study the evolution of disaster risk management.
What is the difference between old and developed architecture?
To study the latest changes in the human resource field.
To study the role of mediators in financial disputes between nations.
How does cultural awareness help you close the deals?
To examine the challenges faced by companies in enforcing international patent laws.
To study the need for management to measure sustainable development in rich countries.
To explore the causes and impacts of political stress on the development of nations.
To examine the role of SMEs in community development.
How does technological innovation shape the labor market in emerging economies?
To build International institutions for environmental protection.
To analyze the development in the field of computer science.
To analyze innovative science studies – a literature review.
Impact of Covis’19 in developing countries.
The effects of Covid’19 on the whole world.
What was the reason behind covid’19?
The new studies related to Covid’19 .
To study the Era of global development – a literature review.
To carry out a study to analyze the act of unionization in nations.
An analysis of the effects of explaining international intelligence corporation.
To study the development of entrepreneurship policy.
Impact of foreign investment in developing countries.
To promote peace developing ideas in countries to provide people with a good life.
To analyze the development in the lifestyle of people.
What is the impact of promoting Human rights, and how does it provide people with different opportunities?
What are the developing strategies for good meal consumption?
How do promote multicultural business partnerships?
To evaluate the business development opportunities for multinational businesses.
To study the stress in International marketing and how it contributed to the growth of businesses in the global market.
What are the effects of HIV and Aids in developing countries?
How do you explain the economic policy in developing countries?
What are the new business strategies?

Above is the best-selected development studies dissertation topics list pick any one of your choices and start dissertation writing.

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Doctoral study in Development Studies

Why study with us.

We were placed in the top 100 in the world for Development Studies in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020.

As a doctoral candidate, you'll benefit from: financial support for research expenses through PReSS funding; high-calibre supervision practices; and the networks and expertise of our world-class academic researchers.

Research opportunities

We welcome PhD research proposals in areas such as:

Community-driven development
Gender, health and education
Migration and displacement
Land policies and land grabbing
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Post-disaster response and recovery
Tourism and development

We look forward to your contribution to the intellectual life and research profile of Development Studies.

A tight-knit team of high-calibre researchers work in Development Studies at the University of Auckland.

Current research topics

"Land exclusions, livelihood transitions and gendered responses in Cambodia" | Supervised by Professor Andreas Neef and Associate Professor Yvonne Underhill-Sem
"Policy space, climate change and migration: The case of the Cook Islands" | Supervised by Associate Professor Yvonne Underhill-Sem
"Understanding local environmental governance: The case of wildlife refuges in Taiwan" | Supervised by Professor Andreas Neef and Dr Jesse Hession Grayman
"Inscriptional practices and social formations of development in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia" | Supervised by Dr Jesse Hession Grayman and Dr Mark Busse
"Intersection of foreign trade and development assistance: New Zealand’s engagement in Thailand's and Sri Lanka's dairy sector" | Supervised by Professor Andreas Neef and Dr Jesse Hession Grayman

Scholarships and awards

There are several scholarships you may be eligible for when you decide to pursue your PhD in Development Studies:

University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarships
Faculty of Arts Doctoral Scholarship

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Mphil/phd in development studies.

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Key information

Home student fees (full-time) : £4,860 per year Home student fees (part-time) : £2,430 per year Overseas student fees (full-time) : £22,490 per year Overseas student fees (part-time) : £11,245 per year

Please note that fees go up each year. See research fees for further details.

We normally require a 2.1 bachelor's degree plus a Masters degree with a Merit classification in a Social Science plus one reference. In exceptional cases we may accept applicants who do not meet these criteria if they show evidence of a strong Masters degree and/or appropriate level of relevant work experience. International applicants should also see Doctoral School English language requirements .

Identifying a supervisor

Potential applicants are advised to personally discuss their (draft) research proposal with (a) potential supervisor(s) (see departmental staff list ) and sound their willingness to supervise. This significantly increases the chance of a successful admission application.

Course overview

Study our on-campus MPhil/PhD in Development Studies at SOAS to realise your potential to tackle global injustice and transform the world with your research impact.

As a PhD researcher, you’ll join a renowned globally diverse research community with access to research and teaching opportunities, as well as a substantial series of seminars presented by leading development professionals and practitioners.

The Department currently has over 70 research students, working on a range of research topics in many parts of Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. We are particularly interested in potential research students who wish to work in one of the main Departmental Research Clusters , specifically:

Agrarian Change and Development
Labour, Activism and Global Development
Violence, Conflict and Peace
Migration, Mobility and Development
Environment

SOAS research students are encouraged to attend weekly training sessions to introduce them to a number of practical techniques and vocational skills utilised within the development profession, seminars on topics relevant to Development Studies and, where appropriate, post-experience workshops.

See the list of completed PhDs

Why study MPhil/PhD Development Studies at SOAS?

SOAS is ranked 2nd in the world for Development Studies (QS World University Rankings 2023)

Students are expected to upgrade from MPhil to PhD status after their first year. It is expected that you will meet your assigned Supervisor in your first week at SOAS, and that, in consultation with your Supervisor, you will choose one other academics to serve on your research committee.

During the module of your first year, you are required to attend the Department’s Postgraduate Research Training Seminar. These sessions will provide you with the essential training in research methodology and will assist you in getting started: specifically, they will assist you in writing the constituent components of the ‘upgrade paper’ that you have to submit and defend in a viva in Term 3 of your first year.

Given the wealth of training resources in research methods and other theoretically and empirically relevant postgraduate modules across the Faculty and in other Faculties at SOAS, students are strongly encouraged to audit modules.

Additional modules can be invaluable, especially for conceptual or area specific issues or topics, as ways to supplement the training imparted in the MPhil Seminars. The supervisor and the student will discuss at the beginning of the year the most suitable portfolio of training and modules in relation to the topic of the thesis, its main research questions and the setting in which the research will be conducted.

Schedule after year 1

Once students have passed their upgrade, they should immediately proceed with designing the details of the empirical work and organising the drafts written in the module of the first year. As most Development Studies students will embark on fieldwork in their second year, it is important to keep the 3-year time limit in mind, and to not postpone writing chapters until after the completion of fieldwork.

Any writing done during that period will save crucial time on return.

Ordinarily, a student would then adhere to the following writing up schedule:

Terms 4, 5 and 6

Fieldwork, and beginning of data processing as well as drawing up of chapter templates.

Summer holidays of the second year, terms 7 and 8

Data analysis and back to literature review to revise initial chapters and producing a full final draft.

Reviewing the first draft, complete any required rewriting, and submission of dissertation. There is a possibility of continuation of writing-up after term 9 but the thesis will have to be submitted in any case before the end of the 4th year. This will be the final deadline although the thesis is expected to be finished within three years of full-time active research.

Important notice

The information on the website reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. The modules are indicative options of the content students can expect and are/have been previously taught as part of these programmes.

However, this information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.

Teaching and learning

All MPhil/PhD students have a supervisory committee, comprising their main supervisor, and one other academic staff member. In the first year, PhD students will have regular formal tutorials during term time with their main supervisor, working towards the production of their upgrade paper and viva at the end of the academic year.

Supervision

Supervision during the 2nd year (usually the fieldwork year) will often by through email and Skype (whilst students are away in the field), and in person if they return to the UK during this period. In the final year, tutorials are arranged around the writing-up of thesis chapters. Outside the formal supervision tutorials, all research students are encouraged to chat with their supervisors to discuss issues as they arise.

Weekly research seminars

In addition to the individual tutorials with their supervisors, all research students are required to attend and participate in the weekly research seminars, which provide training and skills in specific research methods. They may also take specific taught masters options where relevant to their particular research.

SOAS Library

SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.

Scholarships

Title	Deadline date

Fees and funding

Fees for 2023/24 entrants per academic year.

	Home students	Overseas students
Full-time	£4,860	£21,630
Part-time	£2,430	£10,815

Please note that fees go up each year. See research fees for further details.

A degree from the Department of Development Studies at SOAS will further develop your understanding of the world and how society is organised, with specific focus on violence and conflict, the role of aid, refugees and forced migration. Graduates leave with a range of transferable skills, including critical thinking, analytical skills and cultural awareness.

Recent graduates have been hired by:

Amnesty International
BBC World Service
British Embassy Brussels
Department for International Development
Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)
Embassy of Japan
Government of Pakistan
Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
International Labour Organization (ILO)
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
National Health and Medical Research Council
Overseas Development Institute
Royal Norwegian Embassy
Save the Children UK
The World Bank
Thinking Beyond Borders
US Department of State
UN World Food Programme
UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Find out about our Careers Service.

Professor Michael Jennings

Development in Africa, NGOs, Religion and Development, Non-state actors and development, History of development, Governance, Volunteerism.

SOAS Voices

The 2024 uprising in Bangladesh: More than just quota reform

SOAS student Md Rafid Hossain explains the Bangladesh students’ movement for the reform of the quota system in government jobs, and why violent repression from the state has caused it to escalate into a broader demand for accountability and justice.

What Yorgos Lanthimos' 'Poor Things' has to say about female sexual desire and the commodification of bodies

Postgraduate student Valentina Frassa explores how Yorgos Lanthimos's critically acclaimed film 'Poor Things' provides commentary on pressing socio-economic issues of our time and contributes to ongoing debates around female empowerment and the commodification of women's bodies.

Pick your weapon: Reflections on the radical black woman and the black liberation struggle

Postgraduate student Megan Morgan reflects upon the makings of the radical Black woman and the fight for Black liberation.

Poverty, disasters and human trafficking: Unravelling the connection

New research highlights the invisible challenges faced by communities post-disaster, which creates an environment conducive to exploitation.

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PhD in Development Studies

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Alternative English language qualifications

Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

LanguageCert Academic SELT

LanguageCert International ESOL SELT

Pearson PTE Academic

TOEFL (iBT)

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GCSE or IGCSE

Ghana Senior Secondary School Certificate

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)

Indian School Certificate (Standard XII)

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)

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Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) 1119/GCE O-level

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Our supervisors

Prof Jeremy Allouche

Dr Marina Apgar

Dr Seife Ayele

Dr Inka Barnett

Dr Gerald Bloom

Prof Danny Burns

Dr Lidia Cabral

Mr Terry Cannon

Dr Deepta Chopra

Dr Stephen Devereux

Dr Ayako Ebata

Mr Jerker Edstrom

Ms Becky Faith

Dr Dominic Glover

Dr Martin Greeley

Dr Jaideep Gupte