
Please note the course details apply to 2025 entry. Details for 2026 entry for our postgraduate courses will be published from mid-October 2025.
Please note the course details apply to 2025 entry. Details for 2026 entry for our postgraduate courses will be published from mid-October 2025.
This Emerging Economies and International Development MSc is an interdisciplinary social science degree in international development with a unique focus on middle-income countries. It explores what we can learn from the experiences and development models of these emerging powers.
During this Emerging Economies and International Development MSc, you’ll combine distinct disciplinary training on subjects like development theory and practice, poverty and inequality, gender, and social policy with applied case studies on specific middle-income countries and regions. It’s your opportunity to explore key questions relating to international development. You’ll learn why some countries grow fast while others stagnate, and why some countries are more equal than others. You’ll study the development strategies that exist at national and international levels, and explore the historical developments that influence contemporary problems and solutions. You’ll discover how the world is reconfigured by changes in geopolitical relations and question whether economic growth is the main development goal or problem. By focusing on middle-income countries, you’ll get the chance to think through successes and failures, problems and solutions of a world that actively seeks social, political and economic change. The multidisciplinary syllabus of this Emerging Economies and International Development MSc straddles a range of disciplines including politics, anthropology, sociology, economics, and history. The curriculum provides intellectual perspectives from both emerging and advanced economies and is taught by a truly diverse teaching body of experts from across the world. To begin, you will build your knowledge of development theory and practice relevant to middle-income countries. You’ll develop your research skills and gain a wider understanding of specific topics of analysis, such as social justice, inequalities, labour, trade and markets, institutions and politics. You will also get the opportunity to explore your perspective of development through a list of optional modules. You’re invited to mix and match modules that cover research methods, development topics, development practice and specific regions to specialise further. When you study this Emerging Economies and International Development MSc, you’ll join a dynamic and innovative department that works closely with students to develop expertise in the field of international development and in middle-income countries that can be particularly attractive to the labour market. And thanks to our location in the heart of London, you can benefit from our close links with NGOs, think tanks, charities, and research organisations, as well as other Universities and the cultural sector. You will graduate with a deeper knowledge of key contemporary issues, regional expertise, an understanding of research methods and a range of critical skills that you can apply in the development sector. Would you prefer to focus more on the political economy of emerging markets, including states, markets and the institutional basis of growth? If so, take a look at our Political Economy of Emerging Markets MSc.
Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.
Waterloo campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties
Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.
King's is regulated by the Office for Students
A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree
If you have a lower degree classification, or a degree in an unrelated subject, your application may be considered if you can demonstrate significant relevant work experience, or offer a related graduate qualification (such as a Masters or PGDip).
Bachelor's degree with 2:1 honours in such related subjects as international development, politics, economics or other social science or regional studies.
You will also be considered if you have professional development-related work experience.
To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You are usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.
Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test. This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree (of at least three years duration), a postgraduate taught degree (of at least one year), or a PhD in a majority English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date.
For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.
Applications must be made online using King’s Apply, the Admissions portal, and a non-refundable application fee of £130 applies.
Due to the large volume of applications, this programme operates a partial “gathered-field” approach to decision making for applicants who meet our advertised academic entry requirements. This means that for some of these applicants, a decision may not be reached until after February and where possible, will be made by May. You will be informed via King’s Apply if your application is being held.
As part of the evaluation of your application you might be asked to attend an online or telephone interview.
You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:
Personal Statement | Yes | Please submit a one-page (maximum) personal statement with your application, explaining why you wish to apply for this programme and why you feel it matches your interests, academic background and, if relevant, your career plans and what you feel you would bring to the course and fellow students. Please include details of your previous exposure to the subject of emerging economies, eg through coursework on your undergraduate degree, language studies, career interests, time spent in a relevant country etc. |
---|---|---|
Previous Academic Study | Yes | A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents. |
References | Yes | One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago. In some cases, we may request an additional reference from you. |
Other | Optional | You may wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of your application. |
Curious to find out more? Access on-demand content including taster lectures and talks, and meet our current staff and students on our subject hub page.
We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment.
For every 15-credit module we will typically provide 20 hours of lectures and/or seminars, and we will expect you to undertake 130 hours of independent study. For your dissertation, you will usually have ten two hour long sessions and five one-to-one or group consultations with supervisors. To complement this, you should undertake approximately 590 hours of independent study and project work.
Module | Lectures, seminars and feedback | Self-study |
---|---|---|
Per 15-credit taught module | Typically 20 hours. | 130 hours (some modules may involve lab work or e-learning which would require less self-guided learning). |
Dissertation module | Usually 10 – 2 x hours long sessions and 5 one-to-one or group consultation with supervisors. | 590 hours of self-study and project work. |
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Location
This course is primarily taught at the King’s College London Strand and Waterloo Campuses. Our location in the heart of London brings outstanding advantages. You can enjoy excellent academic, social and cultural opportunities and wide-ranging access to library and archival resources.
Your performance on taught modules in the Department of International Development will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written/practical examinations. Forms of assessment may typically include individual essays, oral group presentations or group reports. The dissertation module is assessed by a proposal and a 12,000-word dissertation.
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totaling 180 credits.
Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totaling 180 credits. You are required to take the following modules:
You must also take at least one 15-credit worth research methods related module, out of the following four:
In addition, you are required to take the remaining credits from a wide range of options that may typically include:
Up to 30 credits from departments across the university, including the possibility of taking a language module, subject to approvals (the external modules would normally be included in the required number of credits for the programme, 180 credits). Part-time students should plan to take two required modules in their first year worth 30 credits, at least one research methods related module worth 15 credits from the list above plus 30 credits of optional modules. During their second year, students will take the required Dissertation module worth 60 credits and 45 credits worth of optional modules to make up 180 credits in total. Part-time students may also take a maximum of 30 credits of optional modules from other departments, one module per year, including a modern language option, subject to approvals. The external modules would normally be included in the required number of credits for the programme, 180 credits.
King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.
Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.
As an Emerging Economies and International Development MSc graduate, you will be equipped with a combination of research training, development practice skills and subject knowledge that can be applied in a number of international development roles as well as in national policy.
The expertise and skills you learn in this programme are very attractive to the labour market and will enhance your employability in the development sector, both within the UK and other OECD countries, as well as within emerging economies.
But you’ll also be able to use your transferable skills in a number of alternative careers, such as in consultancy organisations, in private sector companies with global operations, or in policymaking.
Graduates of the Emerging Economies and International Development MSc have gone on to work in:
Curious to find out more? Access on-demand content including taster lectures and talks, and meet our current staff and students on our subject hub page.
Where can a degree like this take you? Hear from 2020 graduate Sairam Subramanian:
As a consultant I advise on international development projects funded by ADB / DFID / DFAT / IFC / CSRs in thematic areas of agricultural value chains, entrepreneurship, women empowerment and youth development. As a novelist I'm providing voice to sustainability issues through the genre of crime fiction. King's gave me the international perspective on wicked development issues as well as a superior flair for analytics writing. It definitely boosted my professional profile and ability to participate in contemporary international development issues.
I would say keep an open mind, absorb every moment at Kings as a sponge and break all self created barriers to your ambitions.
Full time: £14,500 per year (2025/26)
Part time: £7,250 per year (2025/26)
Full time: £31,600 per year (2025/26)
Part time: £15,800 per year (2025/26)
These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.
If you receive an offer for this programme, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. Deposit payments are credited towards the total tuition fee payment.
The Home deposit is £500. The International deposit is £2000.
If you are a current undergraduate King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary this academic year, you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.
Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.
In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:
To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.
During this Emerging Economies and International Development MSc, you’ll combine distinct disciplinary training on subjects like development theory and practice, poverty and inequality, gender, and social policy with applied case studies on specific middle-income countries and regions. It’s your opportunity to explore key questions relating to international development. You’ll learn why some countries grow fast while others stagnate, and why some countries are more equal than others. You’ll study the development strategies that exist at national and international levels, and explore the historical developments that influence contemporary problems and solutions. You’ll discover how the world is reconfigured by changes in geopolitical relations and question whether economic growth is the main development goal or problem. By focusing on middle-income countries, you’ll get the chance to think through successes and failures, problems and solutions of a world that actively seeks social, political and economic change. The multidisciplinary syllabus of this Emerging Economies and International Development MSc straddles a range of disciplines including politics, anthropology, sociology, economics, and history. The curriculum provides intellectual perspectives from both emerging and advanced economies and is taught by a truly diverse teaching body of experts from across the world. To begin, you will build your knowledge of development theory and practice relevant to middle-income countries. You’ll develop your research skills and gain a wider understanding of specific topics of analysis, such as social justice, inequalities, labour, trade and markets, institutions and politics. You will also get the opportunity to explore your perspective of development through a list of optional modules. You’re invited to mix and match modules that cover research methods, development topics, development practice and specific regions to specialise further. When you study this Emerging Economies and International Development MSc, you’ll join a dynamic and innovative department that works closely with students to develop expertise in the field of international development and in middle-income countries that can be particularly attractive to the labour market. And thanks to our location in the heart of London, you can benefit from our close links with NGOs, think tanks, charities, and research organisations, as well as other Universities and the cultural sector. You will graduate with a deeper knowledge of key contemporary issues, regional expertise, an understanding of research methods and a range of critical skills that you can apply in the development sector. Would you prefer to focus more on the political economy of emerging markets, including states, markets and the institutional basis of growth? If so, take a look at our Political Economy of Emerging Markets MSc.
Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.
Waterloo campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties
Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.
King's is regulated by the Office for Students
A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree
If you have a lower degree classification, or a degree in an unrelated subject, your application may be considered if you can demonstrate significant relevant work experience, or offer a related graduate qualification (such as a Masters or PGDip).
Bachelor's degree with 2:1 honours in such related subjects as international development, politics, economics or other social science or regional studies.
You will also be considered if you have professional development-related work experience.
To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You are usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.
Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test. This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree (of at least three years duration), a postgraduate taught degree (of at least one year), or a PhD in a majority English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date.
For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.
Applications must be made online using King’s Apply, the Admissions portal, and a non-refundable application fee of £130 applies.
Due to the large volume of applications, this programme operates a partial “gathered-field” approach to decision making for applicants who meet our advertised academic entry requirements. This means that for some of these applicants, a decision may not be reached until after February and where possible, will be made by May. You will be informed via King’s Apply if your application is being held.
As part of the evaluation of your application you might be asked to attend an online or telephone interview.
You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:
Personal Statement | Yes | Please submit a one-page (maximum) personal statement with your application, explaining why you wish to apply for this programme and why you feel it matches your interests, academic background and, if relevant, your career plans and what you feel you would bring to the course and fellow students. Please include details of your previous exposure to the subject of emerging economies, eg through coursework on your undergraduate degree, language studies, career interests, time spent in a relevant country etc. |
---|---|---|
Previous Academic Study | Yes | A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents. |
References | Yes | One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago. In some cases, we may request an additional reference from you. |
Other | Optional | You may wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of your application. |
Curious to find out more? Access on-demand content including taster lectures and talks, and meet our current staff and students on our subject hub page.
We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment.
For every 15-credit module we will typically provide 20 hours of lectures and/or seminars, and we will expect you to undertake 130 hours of independent study. For your dissertation, you will usually have ten two hour long sessions and five one-to-one or group consultations with supervisors. To complement this, you should undertake approximately 590 hours of independent study and project work.
Module | Lectures, seminars and feedback | Self-study |
---|---|---|
Per 15-credit taught module | Typically 20 hours. | 130 hours (some modules may involve lab work or e-learning which would require less self-guided learning). |
Dissertation module | Usually 10 – 2 x hours long sessions and 5 one-to-one or group consultation with supervisors. | 590 hours of self-study and project work. |
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Location
This course is primarily taught at the King’s College London Strand and Waterloo Campuses. Our location in the heart of London brings outstanding advantages. You can enjoy excellent academic, social and cultural opportunities and wide-ranging access to library and archival resources.
Your performance on taught modules in the Department of International Development will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written/practical examinations. Forms of assessment may typically include individual essays, oral group presentations or group reports. The dissertation module is assessed by a proposal and a 12,000-word dissertation.
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totaling 180 credits.
Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totaling 180 credits. You are required to take the following modules:
You must also take at least one 15-credit worth research methods related module, out of the following four:
In addition, you are required to take the remaining credits from a wide range of options that may typically include:
Up to 30 credits from departments across the university, including the possibility of taking a language module, subject to approvals (the external modules would normally be included in the required number of credits for the programme, 180 credits). Part-time students should plan to take two required modules in their first year worth 30 credits, at least one research methods related module worth 15 credits from the list above plus 30 credits of optional modules. During their second year, students will take the required Dissertation module worth 60 credits and 45 credits worth of optional modules to make up 180 credits in total. Part-time students may also take a maximum of 30 credits of optional modules from other departments, one module per year, including a modern language option, subject to approvals. The external modules would normally be included in the required number of credits for the programme, 180 credits.
King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.
Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.
As an Emerging Economies and International Development MSc graduate, you will be equipped with a combination of research training, development practice skills and subject knowledge that can be applied in a number of international development roles as well as in national policy.
The expertise and skills you learn in this programme are very attractive to the labour market and will enhance your employability in the development sector, both within the UK and other OECD countries, as well as within emerging economies.
But you’ll also be able to use your transferable skills in a number of alternative careers, such as in consultancy organisations, in private sector companies with global operations, or in policymaking.
Graduates of the Emerging Economies and International Development MSc have gone on to work in:
Curious to find out more? Access on-demand content including taster lectures and talks, and meet our current staff and students on our subject hub page.
Where can a degree like this take you? Hear from 2020 graduate Sairam Subramanian:
As a consultant I advise on international development projects funded by ADB / DFID / DFAT / IFC / CSRs in thematic areas of agricultural value chains, entrepreneurship, women empowerment and youth development. As a novelist I'm providing voice to sustainability issues through the genre of crime fiction. King's gave me the international perspective on wicked development issues as well as a superior flair for analytics writing. It definitely boosted my professional profile and ability to participate in contemporary international development issues.
I would say keep an open mind, absorb every moment at Kings as a sponge and break all self created barriers to your ambitions.
Full time: £14,500 per year (2025/26)
Part time: £7,250 per year (2025/26)
Full time: £31,600 per year (2025/26)
Part time: £15,800 per year (2025/26)
These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.
If you receive an offer for this programme, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. Deposit payments are credited towards the total tuition fee payment.
The Home deposit is £500. The International deposit is £2000.
If you are a current undergraduate King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary this academic year, you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.
Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.
In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:
To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.
We encourage you to apply as early as possible so that there is sufficient time for your application to be assessed and we may need to request further information from you during the application process.
The final application deadlines for this programme are:
· Overseas (international) fee status: 25 July 2025 (23:59 UK time)
· Home fee status: 25 August 2025 (23:59 UK time)
If the programme becomes full before the final application deadlines stated above, we will close the programme to further applications. Please note, you will not be eligible for an application fee refund if we are unable to process further offers because places are filled and we close the course before the final application deadline.
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