Development is not just about increasing growth and political and social rights. It’s about creating self-sustaining institutions that liberate societies from low-level deprivation traps by increasing productivity, freedom, and cooperative interdependence. The MSc in Development Management gives you the theory and practical tools to drive such transformations forward by enabling you to understand why some societies have succeeded and others have failed.
The programme is built around a theory-led approach to the role of institutions and organisations in development, using both classical institutional theory and new institutional economics. We delve into the role of institutions in explaining the comparative statics of development (why some countries are rich and others poor), as well as comparative dynamics (the development process per se across different countries and regions).
Students pursuing the Applied Development Economics stream will focus on development economic policy in their optional courses and dissertation.
A distinctive feature of the programme is the Development Management Project, a team-based consulting exercise for real-world, public, private, and non-profit organisations, such as the World Bank, Oxfam, PricewaterhouseCoopers, GIZ, CARE, Save the Children, UNICEF, or the Emerging Markets Group.
Discover more about our students and department.
Formed in 1990, our department provides a focus for postgraduate teaching and research on the processes of social, political and economic development and change.
We’re proud of LSE’s reputation as one of the top universities in the world for development studies. Our academics and researchers explore the causes of poverty, social exclusion, economic stagnation, humanitarian crises and human security. We look at why and how some late developing countries have succeeded in overcoming these problems while others have not or have seen their progress derailed by disasters and conflicts.
Currently, we offer six taught MSc programmes and a stimulating research programme – with research projects across Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.
Teaching staff, who have considerable experience living and working in the developing world, engage in policy-relevant research and consultancy with international development agencies and non-government organisations. Research within the department spans several broad themes .
Our study programmes attract talented students from all over the world. Graduates find rewarding careers in a wide variety of government, non-government, UN, academic and private-sector organisations.
Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in any discipline, with social science or humanities an advantage.
Please select your country from the dropdown list below to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.
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The English language requirement for this programme is Higher . Read more about our English language requirements .
Competition for places at LSE is strong. So, even if you meet the minimum entry requirements, this doesn't guarantee you an offer of a place.
However, please don’t feel deterred from applying – we want to hear from all suitably qualified students. Think carefully about how you can put together the strongest possible application to help you stand out.