MSc Social Policy and Development MSc Social Policy and Development (Non-Governmental Organisations) (formerly MSc NGOs and Development)

About the MSc programme

The MSc Social Policy and Development programme is aimed at those who have work experience in developing countries and wish to acquire professional skills in the expanding field of social policy and development. The degree aims to develop an understanding of the theory and methodology of social policy and development, to allow deeper study in specialist development areas of particular interest to individual students and to strengthen analytical and organisational skills.

The first stream, Social Policy and Development, approaches social policy and development primarily from the perspective of government. The second stream, Social Policy and Development: Non-Governmental Organisations approaches the subject from the perspective of NGOs and wider civil society. Both streams share a common engagement with the core concepts and debates within social policy and development including the policy process, wellbeing, poverty and exclusion, global institutions and the aid system, sustainability and livelihoods, and rights and citizenship.

You will study in a comparative, international and multi-disciplinary environment, with staff who have expertise in Asia, Africa, Latin America and post-communist societies, and maintain research and advisory links with governments and key international development organisations.

Programme details

You can find the most up-to-date list of optional courses for MSc Social Policy and Development and MSc Social Policy and Development: Non-Governmental Organisations in the Programme Regulations section of the current School Calendar.

You must note however that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, some circumstances may cause the School to subsequently change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to circumstances outside of its control. You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee places on its courses. You should visit the School's Calendar, or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the Updated graduate course and programme information page.

Graduate destinations

Students who have graduated from this programme have gone on to work for:

• different UN agencies including UNDP, UNICEF and UNHCR
• a variety of small and large NGOs including Oxfam, Médecins Sans Frontières, International Red Cross, One World Action
• international or intergovernmental organisations such as the World Economic Forum, European Commission, World Bank
• consulting companies
• government ministries