Minimum entry requirements for MSc Health and International Development

Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in any discipline.

Competition for places at the School is high. This means that even if you meet the minimum entry requirement, this does not guarantee you an offer of admission.

If you have studied or are studying outside of the UK then have a look at our Information for International Students to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students and want to recruit students with the very best academic merit, potential and motivation, irrespective of their background.

We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account all the information presented on your application form, including your:

- academic achievement (including predicted and achieved grades)
- statement of academic purpose
- two academic references
- CV

See further information on supporting documents

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency, although you do not need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE. See our English language requirements.

When to apply

Applications for this programme are considered on a rolling basis, meaning the programme will close once it becomes full. There is no fixed deadline by which you need to apply, however, to be considered for any LSE funding opportunity, you must have submitted your application and all supporting documents by the funding deadline. See the fees and funding section for more details. 

Please note: The policy on intercalating onto the MSc Health and International Development programme is:

- Students on a US medical degree are always qualified to apply

- Students who will have completed no more than two years of a UK medical degree on beginning a prospective MSc at LSE are not typically qualified to apply 

- Students who will have completed at least three years of a UK medical degree on beginning a prospective MSc at LSE are qualified to apply

- Students on non-UK/US medical degrees should contact Graduate Admissions in the first instance

Every graduate student is charged a fee for their programme.

The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It does not cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

Tuition fees 2024/25 for MSc Health and International Development

Home students: £17,424 
Overseas students: £27,480

The Table of Fees shows the latest tuition amounts for all programmes offered by the School.

Fee status

The amount of tuition fees you will need to pay, and any financial support you are eligible for, will depend on whether you are classified as a home or overseas student, otherwise known as your fee status. LSE assesses your fee status based on guidelines provided by the Department of Education.

Further information about fee status classification.

Fee reduction

Students who completed undergraduate study at LSE and are beginning taught graduate study at the School are eligible for a fee reduction of around 10 per cent of the fee.

Scholarships and other funding

The School recognises that the cost of living in London may be higher than in your home town or country, and we provide generous scholarships each year to home and overseas students.

This programme is eligible for needs-based awards from LSE, including the Graduate Support Scheme, Master's Awards, and Anniversary Scholarships. 

Students may also apply for the Wellcome Award MSc in Health and International Development scholarship. This scholarship, awarded to up to two students each year, covers the full fees for the programme and provides the recipient with a stipend to put towards living costs. This scholarship is awarded on the basis of both financial need and academic merit.

For students who plan to do the MSc Health and International Development with a Population Studies specialism, nominations may be made to the Population Investigation Committee (PIC) Masters Studentship Scheme in Population Studies. 

Selection for any funding opportunity is based on receipt of an offer for a place and submitting a Graduate Financial Support application, before the funding deadline. Funding deadline for needs-based awards from LSE: 25 April 2024.

In addition to our needs-based awards, LSE also makes available scholarships for students from specific regions of the world and awards for students studying specific subject areas. Find out more about financial support.

The Wellcome Award

LSE is pleased to offer the Wellcome Award for the academic year 2024/25 on the MSc Health and International Development programme. The value of this scholarship is £34,596. 

Deadline: 25 April 2024.

Government tuition fee loans and external funding

A postgraduate loan is available from the UK government for eligible students studying for a first master’s programme, to help with fees and living costs. Some other governments and organisations also offer tuition fee loan schemes.

Find out more about tuition fee loans

Further information

Fees and funding opportunities

This will cover the full fees for the programme and the remainder can be used for living costs.

The amount remaining for living costs will vary depending on fee classification.

LSE is an international community, with over 140 nationalities represented amongst its student body. We celebrate this diversity through everything we do.  

If you are applying to LSE from outside of the UK then take a look at our Information for International students. 

1) Take a note of the UK qualifications we require for your programme of interest (found in the ‘Entry requirements’ section of this page). 

2) Go to the International Students section of our website. 

3) Select your country. 

4) Select ‘Graduate entry requirements’ and scroll until you arrive at the information about your local/national qualification. Compare the stated UK entry requirements listed on this page with the local/national entry requirement listed on your country specific page.

Part-time study
Part time study is only available for students who do not require a student visa.

 

You will take the compulsory courses Key Issues in Development Studies and Key Issues in Global Health and Development, and will choose two courses focusing on health and development. You will also choose further optional courses from a wide range, either within International Development or from other departments and institutes within the School such as Geography and Environment, Health Policy, Social Policy and Psychological and Behavioural Science.

In addition, you will complete an unassessed course on the research process, in preparation for the dissertation, an independent research project on an approved international development topic of your choice.

(* denotes half unit)  

Key Issues in Development Studies*
Provides an overview of the key issues and debates in international development, featuring lectures from leading LSE experts on subjects such as climate change, conflict, poverty, the financial crisis, demography and democratisation, among other topics.

Key Issues in Global Health and Development*
Provides an up-to-date and comprehensive account of demographic change and population trends in lower income countries by looking at recent changes in fertility, mortality and migration.

Research Design and Dissertation in International Development
Combines a dissertation (an independent research project of 10,000 words on an approved topic of your choice within health and development studies) with supporting lectures on research methods and the use of research in development practice.

Cutting Edge Issues in Development Thinking and Practice (unassessed)
This non-assessed course introduces students to the practical world of development which will facilitate their career paths and prepare them for the consultancy project, and introduce students to the interface between policy practice and development academia.

Courses to the value of one unit from a range of options

Two from the following half unit courses:

Critical Perspectives on Global Health and Development*
Concerned with inter-relationships between challenges to human health and health systems in the developing world and their socio-economic, cultural, historic and political context.

Global Health Challenges: Epidemics, Disease, and Public Health Response*
Looks at the relationship of population change and global health, and follows a multidisciplinary approach by integrating demography, public health and epidemiology.

International Development Consultancy Project*
You will gain practical experience of dealing with current policy issues and best practice in the fields of humanitarian assistance or international development by working on a consultancy team project for an external client.

Population, Health and Development: Evidence and Projections*
Overviews key methods used for planning in population and development.

Sexual and Reproductive Health Programmes: Design, Implementation and Evaluation*
Deals with the effectiveness of sexual and reproductive health programmes, especially those that deliver services.

Health, conflict and crises*
The course examines the politics and experiences of crisis and their humanitarian health responses, and explores the ways in which conflict and disasters impact population health, health systems, medical research, as well as national and international and politics.

Foundations of Applied Econometrics for Economic Development Policy*
Course with the aim of  preparing a broad range of students to consume and critically engage with quantitative analysis for international development

To find the most up-to-date list of optional courses please visit the relevant School Calendar page.

You must note, however, that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that 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 events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.

You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. 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.

Students who choose to concentrate their electives and dissertation in a certain topic area may elect to have a specialism in "African Development”, “Population Studies” or "Applied Development Economics" attached to their degree certificate and transcripts. To obtain the specialism indication, students must meet the criteria below.

African Development: students must take African Development (DV418) and African Political Economy (DV435). Further to this, their dissertation topic must be approved as being appropriate for this specialism.

Population Studies: students must take two courses from the following: Global Health Challenges: Epidemics, Disease, and Public Health Response (DV444); Population Analysis: Methods and Models (MY476); and Population, Health and Development: Evidence and Projections (DV456). Further to this, their dissertation topic must be approved as being appropriate for this specialism.

Applied Development Economics: students must take three courses from the following: Economic Development Policy I (DV490); Economic Development Policy II (DV491); Economic Development Policy III (DV492); and Foundations of Applied Econometrics for Economic Development Policy (DV494). Further to this, their dissertation topic must be approved as being appropriate for this specialism.

If no such election is made, the degree certificate will state “Development Management” without further specification.

Contact hours and independent study

Within your programme you will take a number of courses, often including half unit courses and full unit courses. In half unit courses, on average, you can expect 20-30 contact hours in total and for full unit courses, on average, you can expect 40-60 contact hours in total. This includes sessions such as lectures, classes, seminars or workshops. Hours vary according to courses and you can view indicative details in the Calendar within the Teaching section of each course guide.

You are also expected to complete independent study outside of class time. This varies depending on the programme, but requires you to manage the majority of your study time yourself, by engaging in activities such as reading, note-taking, thinking and research.

Teaching methods

LSE is internationally recognised for its teaching and research and therefore employs a rich variety of teaching staff with a range of experience and status. Courses may be taught by individual members of faculty, such as assistant professors, associate professors and professors. Many departments now also employ guest teachers and visiting members of staff, LSE fellows and graduate teaching assistants who are usually doctoral research students and in the majority of cases, teach on undergraduate courses only. You can view indicative details for the teacher responsible for each course in the relevant course guide.

The programme is taught through a combination of lectures and seminar discussions.

Assessment

This programme is assessed using a combination of coursework, written examinations and a dissertation. An indication of the formative coursework and summative assessment for each course can be found in the relevant course guide.

Academic support

You will also be assigned an academic mentor who will be available for guidance and advice on academic or personal concerns.

There are many opportunities to extend your learning outside the classroom and complement your academic studies at LSE. LSE LIFE is the School’s centre for academic, personal and professional development. Some of the services on offer include: guidance and hands-on practice of the key skills you will need to do well at LSE: effective reading, academic writing and critical thinking; workshops related to how to adapt to new or difficult situations, including development of skills for leadership, study/work/life balance and preparing for the world of work; and advice and practice on working in study groups and on cross-cultural communication and teamwork.

LSE is committed to enabling all students to achieve their full potential and the School’s Disability and Wellbeing Service provides a free, confidential service to all LSE students and is a first point of contact for all disabled students.

Through the Language Centre, you can access English language support both before you start at LSE and during your studies. Our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programme focuses on the skills required to perform in an English speaking academic environment across the core subject areas you will encounter during your time at LSE.

We’re here to help and support you throughout your time at LSE, whether you need help with your academic studies, support with your welfare and wellbeing or simply to develop on a personal and professional level.

Whatever your query, big or small, there are a range of people you can speak to who will be happy to help.  

Department librarians – they will be able to help you navigate the library and maximise its resources during your studies. 

Accommodation service – they can offer advice on living in halls and offer guidance on private accommodation related queries.

Class teachers and seminar leaders – they will be able to assist with queries relating to specific courses. 

Disability and Wellbeing Service – they are experts in long-term health conditions, sensory impairments, mental health and specific learning difficulties. They offer confidential and free services such as student counselling, a peer support scheme and arranging exam adjustments. They run groups and workshops. 

IT help – support is available 24 hours a day to assist with all your technology queries.  

LSE Faith Centre – this is home to LSE's diverse religious activities and transformational interfaith leadership programmes, as well as a space for worship, prayer and quiet reflection. It includes Islamic prayer rooms and a main space for worship. It is also a space for wellbeing classes on campus and is open to all students and staff from all faiths and none.  

Language Centre – the Centre specialises in offering language courses targeted to the needs of students and practitioners in the social sciences. We offer pre-course English for Academic Purposes programmes; English language support during your studies; modern language courses in nine languages; proofreading, translation and document authentication; and language learning community activities.

LSE Careers ­– with the help of LSE Careers, you can make the most of the opportunities that London has to offer. Whatever your career plans, LSE Careers will work with you, connecting you to opportunities and experiences from internships and volunteering to networking events and employer and alumni insights. 

LSE Library – founded in 1896, the British Library of Political and Economic Science is the major international library of the social sciences. It stays open late, has lots of excellent resources and is a great place to study. As an LSE student, you’ll have access to a number of other academic libraries in Greater London and nationwide. 

LSE LIFE – this is where you should go to develop skills you’ll use as a student and beyond. The centre runs talks and workshops on skills you’ll find useful in the classroom; offers one-to-one sessions with study advisers who can help you with reading, making notes, writing, research and exam revision; and provides drop-in sessions for academic and personal support. (See ‘Teaching and assessment’). 

LSE Students’ Union (LSESU) – they offer academic, personal and financial advice and funding. 

PhD Academy – this is available for PhD students, wherever they are, to take part in interdisciplinary events and other professional development activities and access all the services related to their registration. 

Sardinia House Dental Practice – this offers discounted private dental services to LSE students. 

St Philips Medical Centre – based in Pethwick-Lawrence House, the Centre provides NHS Primary Care services to registered patients.

Student Services Centre – our staff here can answer general queries and can point you in the direction of other LSE services.  

Student advisers – we have a Deputy Head of Student Services (Advice and Policy) and an Adviser to Women Students who can help with academic and pastoral matters.

As a student at LSE you’ll be based at our central London campus. Find out what our campus and London have to offer you on academic, social and career perspective. 

Student societies and activities

Your time at LSE is not just about studying, there are plenty of ways to get involved in extracurricular activities. From joining one of over 200 societies, or starting your own society, to volunteering for a local charity, or attending a public lecture by a world-leading figure, there is a lot to choose from. 

The campus 

LSE is based on one campus in the centre of London. Despite the busy feel of the surrounding area, many of the streets around campus are pedestrianised, meaning the campus feels like a real community. 

Life in London 

London is an exciting, vibrant and colourful city. It's also an academic city, with more than 400,000 university students. Whatever your interests or appetite you will find something to suit your palate and pocket in this truly international capital. Make the most of career opportunities and social activities, theatre, museums, music and more. 

Want to find out more? Read why we think London is a fantastic student city, find out about key sights, places and experiences for new Londoners. Don't fear, London doesn't have to be super expensive: hear about London on a budget. 

Sameer Bhutani

MSc Health and International Development

I graduated from the University of San Francisco with a Bachelor's in Biology and minors in Chemistry, Heath Studies, and Neuroscience. I am taking the MSc Health and International Development programme to expand my understanding of health. As someone who wants to become a physician, a majority of my education has been focused on science and the technical side of health. The programme allows me to get outside of that box and learn about health on a more holistic level. What I enjoy most about this programme are the diverse lecture and class options in various disciplines and access to the Humanitarian Consultancy Project. As a new student, this programme has allowed me to quickly get hands on experiences in areas that interest me professionally and academically.

Kirsty Fuller

MSc Health and International Development

I am a mature student with a background in modern languages. I co-founded a consumer and cultural insight agency which I co-led for the best part of 20 years. My experience to date has been primarily in business, working with large multinational clients and co- leading an agency team of over 300 people. I decided to take a break from business and chose to undertake an MSc in Health and International Development for two reasons.

The first is the desire to study and develop a better understanding of the challenges of the developing world. The second is related to my role as a trustee of a recently formed charity working with adolescent girls. I wanted to become better informed about health and development issues in order to provide a higher level of strategic support.

I am enjoying the exposure to fresh perspectives on economic and human development and to the multi-faceted  dimensions of health. I like to be challenged and intellectually stimulated and this is an environment which offers both. There is also a wealth of opportunities to attend lectures by eminent external speakers and to be inspired to develop personal interests and lines of enquiry which will culminate in a dissertation. There is considerable flexibility in course choices which allows for a master's tailored to you.  I have been exploring everything from the legacy of colonialism, to the significance of the demographic transition to the future of the WHO and much more besides. It is going to be an enriching year.

Extensive background reading is not essential, but the following are some introductory texts that you may wish to look at before commencing the programme.

• P Farmer, J Y Kim, A Kleinman and M Basilico Reimagining global health: an introduction (Univ of California Press 2013).
• T Dyson Population and Development: the demographic transition (Zed, 2010)
• M Merson, R E Black and A Mills Global health: diseases, programs, systems and policies (Jones & Bartlett Learning 2012)
• Deaton, The Great Escape: Health, Wealth and the Origins of Inequality (Princeton University Press, 2013).
• A Sen, Development as Freedom (Anchor, 1999).

Students in the Department come from a wide range of international and professional backgrounds. Graduates from the Department of International Development go on to work for a wide range of employers including NGOs, INGOs, government, the private sector and research institutions.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Support for your career

Many leading organisations give careers presentations at the School during the year, and LSE Careers has a wide range of resources available to assist students in their job search. Find out more about the support available to students through LSE Careers.

Annie Bliss
MSc Health and International Development (2018)

"I completed my MSc in Health and International Development in 2018. Two days later, I started my current role at Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) as Communications and Policy Officer. It's been both very interesting and validating to see the skills and knowledge I gained during the course being put into practical application – particularly those relating to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), demography and global disparities and barriers in access to health care. For example, when drafting reports, position and policy papers and participating in High-level UN meetings, I see my work directly contributing to the formulation of the policy I was studying just months before! The varied nature of the course allowed me to discover which areas I am most interested and help balance a heavy and varied workload in my current role. I can definitely say that the course helped me get this job and has informed my success within the role."

Sophie Rawe
MSc Health and International Development (2018)

"Since finishing my masters in Health and International Development at LSE I have taken up the position of Programme Officer for the Great Lakes region (DRC and Burundi) . Our programming focuses on improving education access and quality  for the most marginalised children in the most hard to reach places using a community based approach. My masters was key in helping me get to grips with the complexities of working within the humanitarian and development sector."

Contact LSE's Graduate Admissions Team
Applications and admissions are processed centrally by the school. For any enquiries about the application process and admissions, including documentation, qualifications and VISA status please contact Graduate Admissions or use the Knowledge Base to ask your question. 
Quick response: When can I hear about my application?  |  Can I get a fee waiver?  |  What do I need to apply for your MSc’s?

Contact the Department of International Development
For programme and course related enquiries please contact the department's administrators: intdev.enquiries@lse.ac.uk. Please state your student/application number if relevant. Please first check our FAQs page for answers to questions. 
Quick response: How many hours of study is involved?   | Can I do the programme part-time?  |  What can I expect from the course selection process?

LSE ID Student Ambassadors
The LSE International Development Student Ambassadors are a group of current students who provide mentorship to incoming offer holders. You can reach out to our Ambassadors via our intdev.mentors@lse.ac.uk. Please include the name of the Student Ambassador you would like to connect with in the subject line. You can read student experience blog posts from our students here. 

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