发展研究所

Explore the challenges of power relations, participation and citizen engagement, and what it means to facilitate change processes in pursuit of social justice.

Designed for experienced practitioners and social activists, the MA combines coursework with work-based learning and action research.

You will critically reflect on your own practice, deepen and enrich it by learning about different concepts and debates related to power, participation and social change. Further, you will develop your analysis and facilitation skills to engage critically and constructively with change processes at various levels.

A core component of this degree is the four-month period of work-based action learning for which students attach themselves to a host organisation or social process. Students examine their own practice and that of the host, and seek to apply their learning to the benefit of the host.

Who is the degree for?

Successful applicants will have some practical experience in development alongside an interest in critical academic enquiry. We welcome applicants with a broad range of career trajectories. Students come from a wide range of professional backgrounds, including community organisations, NGOs, social movements, governments, businesses and consultancy firms. They work on diverse issues such as agriculture, health, HIV-AIDS, natural resources, climate change, youth, gender, community development, education, governance, communication, planning, evaluation and policy-making, among others.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed through term papers, coursework assignments, presentations, practical exercises, an action research group project, and a 15,000-word synthesis paper.

Careers

IDS postgraduates have gone on to work in:

• conservation, agriculture and food
• finance and state ministries
• UN agencies such as UNESCO
• government departments such as DFID
• NGOs including ActionAid.

They are all working to define and solve some of the most pressing global challenges. Some also go on to work in academic research.

Graduate destinations

Recent IDS students have gone on to jobs including:

• project manager, European Women’s Lobby
• campaigner, Greenpeace
• project assistant, International Organisation for Migration.