Find a supervisor
Search through a list of available supervisors.
Key information
Award:
MPhil
PhD
Study mode:
Full time
Part time
Campus:
Strand Campus
Duration:
3-4 years full-time or 6-7 years part-time.
Overview
The Department of International Development (DID) at King's has a different agenda to traditional development studies in the UK and wider afield. It specifically focuses on locally-driven development in 'emerging economies' and the Global South more generally. Growth rates and global power balances are changing rapidly, giving rise to new questions about the global economy, national development and the promotion of sustainable and equitable growth. We seek to understand the sources of successful development and the major development challenges many countries continue to face by exploring context-specific economic, social and political change rather than applying prescriptive models of development.
We have six research groups:
- Climate, Environment, and Uneven Development
- Global Capitalism, Power & Uneven Development
- Global Production, Finance, and Labour
- Inequalities, Vulnerabilities, and Development Policy
- Social Justice
- Technology, Innovation, and Economic Development
Our research expertise spans political science, sociology, social anthropology, development economics, history, geography and management. We have strong regional expertise and collaborations in Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, SE Asia, China and India.
Information is current, but staff members can change.
Course Detail
Our doctoral students challenge conventional understandings of development, particularly by drawing on the perspectives of actors, institutions and ideas in the Global South. They work with our staff who have expertise in political science, development economics, political economy, sociology, anthropology, management studies and development studies. Our supervisors accept original projects that explore how development processes occur in different ways and at different scales and levels, from global to local to familial.
The work of our doctoral students seeks to understand theoretical, empirical or methodological gaps in their chosen area. Under the guidance of their supervisor each student is encouraged to acquire disciplinary training relevant to their research question, and to develop an enquiring appreciation of what other disciplines may bring to their field of study.
Admissions tutor
1. Application Procedure
Before applying, please read carefully the information about our research interests, and make sure that your research topic falls within one of these areas. Applicants need to contact a potential supervisor before applying. To identify a supervisor please see our Research Portal.
If you have been awarded Funding but are still looking for a supervisor, please contact the admissions tutor, Dr Devika Dutt. The admissions tutor will advise whether your research can, in principle, be carried out with us.
2. Personal Statement and Supporting Information
You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:
| Development Studies Checklist | ||
|---|---|---|
| Personal Statement | Yes |
A personal statement is required. This can be entered directly into the online application form (maximum 4,000 characters) or uploaded as an attachment to the online application form (maximum 2 pages). You should outline your reasons for pursuing further research. |
| Research Proposal | Yes |
The proposal (3-5 pages in length) should explain in some detail precisely the field of study that you want to contribute to and current research gaps, what you want to do and how you propose to do it. For advice on how to write a winning application, please visit the research courses page. |
| 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. |
| Other | Optional |
You may also wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of your application. |
3. Course Intake
Not fixed.
4. Application Closing Date
We encourage you to apply as early as possible so that there is sufficient time for your application to be assessed. We may need to request further information from you during the application process.
The final application deadlines are detailed below; on these dates, the programme will close at 23:59 (UK time) and we will open for the corresponding intake in 2025 soon after the same intake has passed in 2024.
- February 2024 entry – 20 October 2023 for Overseas fee status and 20 November 2023 for Home fee status
- October 2024 entry – 26 July 2024 for Overseas fee status and 26 August 2024 for Home fee status
- February 2025 entry – 20 October 2024 for Overseas fee status and 20 November 2024 for Home fee status
Please note that funding deadlines may be earlier than the application deadlines listed above.
UK Tuition Fees 2024/25
Full time tuition fees: £6,936 per year
Part time tuition fees: £3,468 per year
International Tuition Fees 2024/25
Full time tuition fees: £26,070 per year
Part time tuition fees: £13,035 per year
UK Tuition Fees 2025/26
Full time tuition fees: £7,500 per year
Part time tuition fees: £3,750 per year
International Tuition Fees 2025/26
Full time tuition fees: £28,000 per year
Part time tuition fees: £14,000 per year
These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King's terms and conditions.
Base campus
Strand Campus
Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.
Study environment
The Department is located on the Stand Campus right in the heart of London, next door to Somerset House and the Courtauld Institute of Art. The Maughan Library is situated a short walk away close to the Royal Courts of Justice, while both the British Library and Senate House Library are a short walk away.
Postgraduate training
Students will join one of our three research groups (Poverty, Inequality & Inclusive Growth; Social Justice; Political Economy & Institutions) and are expected to play an active role in that community of interest. Students can attend MA lectures, subject to the agreement of the relevant teacher. Students can also participate in the induction and training programmes offered by the College, which is part of the London Interdisciplinary Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (LISS DTP) supported by the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council.
Student Destinations
Graduates from this programme are well-suited for academic employment, in addition to private sector consulting organisations, NGO’s, and government employment both in the UK and internationally.
UK requirements
-
A Master's degree is usually required.
-
In exceptional circumstances only, a Bachelor's degree with 1st class or high 2:1 honours.
Equivalent International qualifications
English language requirements
English language band:
B
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.
1. Application Procedure
Before applying, please read carefully the information about our research interests, and make sure that your research topic falls within one of these areas. Applicants need to contact a potential supervisor before applying. To identify a supervisor please see our Research Portal.
If you have been awarded Funding but are still looking for a supervisor, please contact the admissions tutor, Dr Devika Dutt. The admissions tutor will advise whether your research can, in principle, be carried out with us.
2. Personal Statement and Supporting Information
You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:
| Development Studies Checklist | ||
|---|---|---|
| Personal Statement | Yes |
A personal statement is required. This can be entered directly into the online application form (maximum 4,000 characters) or uploaded as an attachment to the online application form (maximum 2 pages). You should outline your reasons for pursuing further research. |
| Research Proposal | Yes |
The proposal (3-5 pages in length) should explain in some detail precisely the field of study that you want to contribute to and current research gaps, what you want to do and how you propose to do it. For advice on how to write a winning application, please visit the research courses page. |
| 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. |
| Other | Optional |
You may also wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of your application. |
3. Course Intake
Not fixed.
4. Application Closing Date
We encourage you to apply as early as possible so that there is sufficient time for your application to be assessed. We may need to request further information from you during the application process.
The final application deadlines are detailed below; on these dates, the programme will close at 23:59 (UK time) and we will open for the corresponding intake in 2025 soon after the same intake has passed in 2024.
- February 2024 entry – 20 October 2023 for Overseas fee status and 20 November 2023 for Home fee status
- October 2024 entry – 26 July 2024 for Overseas fee status and 26 August 2024 for Home fee status
- February 2025 entry – 20 October 2024 for Overseas fee status and 20 November 2024 for Home fee status
Please note that funding deadlines may be earlier than the application deadlines listed above.
UK Tuition Fees 2024/25
Full time tuition fees: £6,936 per year
Part time tuition fees: £3,468 per year
International Tuition Fees 2024/25
Full time tuition fees: £26,070 per year
Part time tuition fees: £13,035 per year
UK Tuition Fees 2025/26
Full time tuition fees: £7,500 per year
Part time tuition fees: £3,750 per year
International Tuition Fees 2025/26
Full time tuition fees: £28,000 per year
Part time tuition fees: £14,000 per year
These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King's terms and conditions.
Base campus
Strand Campus
Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.
Study environment
The Department is located on the Stand Campus right in the heart of London, next door to Somerset House and the Courtauld Institute of Art. The Maughan Library is situated a short walk away close to the Royal Courts of Justice, while both the British Library and Senate House Library are a short walk away.
Postgraduate training
Students will join one of our three research groups (Poverty, Inequality & Inclusive Growth; Social Justice; Political Economy & Institutions) and are expected to play an active role in that community of interest. Students can attend MA lectures, subject to the agreement of the relevant teacher. Students can also participate in the induction and training programmes offered by the College, which is part of the London Interdisciplinary Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (LISS DTP) supported by the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council.
Student Destinations
Graduates from this programme are well-suited for academic employment, in addition to private sector consulting organisations, NGO’s, and government employment both in the UK and internationally.
UK requirements
-
A Master's degree is usually required.
-
In exceptional circumstances only, a Bachelor's degree with 1st class or high 2:1 honours.
Equivalent International qualifications
English language requirements
English language band:
B
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.
Key information
Award:
MPhil
PhD
Study mode:
Full time
Part time
Campus:
Strand Campus
Duration:
3-4 years full-time or 6-7 years part-time.
Contact us
For more information regarding our courses please contact us using the details below
Find out more about our King's accommodation
Discover your accommodation options and explore our residences.
Chat to students and staff
Chat to current students and staff to find out about life at King's.
Connect with a King’s Advisor
Want to know more about studying at King's? We're here to help.
Learning in London
King's is right in the heart of the capital.