Skip to main content
Students having a chat outside
Graduate (Taught)
Application code:L9U2
Department of International Development

MSc International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies

Explore the key issues and debates in international humanitarian emergencies, while undertaking a humanitarian consultancy project for real-world organisations.
Explore the MSc International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies at LSE

Overview

Introduction

The MSc in International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies provides a solid foundation in humanitarian issues such as the nature of vulnerability, the drivers and management of international emergency responses and a broad range of development issues.

This programme provides you with academically rigorous graduate-level interdisciplinary training in the fields of humanitarianism, emergencies and international development. The core and semi core courses provide an excellent overview of the key issues and debates in the practice of humanitarian action, optional courses enable you to shape your studies to your own needs and interests.

A valuable part of the programme is the humanitarian consultancy project, where you’ll work in a small team on a current policy issue for a humanitarian, development, or emergency-based organisation.

Previous clients involved in the project have included UNICEF, UNHCR, the UK Disasters Emergency Committee, DFID, International Alert, the ICRC, MSF, NATO, the UK Army, and Save the Children. This exposure to real-world organisations is an excellent experience and can boost your employability.

Recent graduates from the MSc have secured promising professional careers in public, private and voluntary agencies, dealing with development and humanitarian problems at both national and international levels.

Entry requirements

Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in any discipline, with social science or humanities an advantage.

Please select your country from the dropdown list below to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

Overseas

English language requirements

The English language requirement for this programme is Higher. Read more about our English language requirements.

Competition for places at LSE is strong. So, even if you meet the minimum entry requirements, this does not guarantee you an offer of a place.

However, please don’t feel deterred from applying – we want to hear from all suitably qualified students. Think carefully about how you can put together the strongest possible application to help you stand out from other students.

Programme content

You'll take three compulsory courses and complete a dissertation of up to 10,000 words. You'll select courses from options in Anthropology, Development Studies, Gender, Government, Management, Methodology and Health Policy.

Year 1

Students who choose to concentrate their electives and dissertation in a certain topic area may elect to have a specialism in "African Development” and “Population Studies” 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.

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

Why study with us

Discover more about our students and department.

Meet the department

Formed in 1990, our department provides a focus for postgraduate teaching and research on the processes of social, political and economic development and change.

We’re proud of LSE’s reputation as one of the top universities in the world for development studies. Our academics and researchers explore the causes of poverty, social exclusion, economic stagnation, humanitarian crises and human security. We look at why and how some late developing countries have succeeded in overcoming these problems while others have not or have seen their progress derailed by disasters and conflicts.

Currently, we offer six taught MSc programmes and a stimulating research programme – with research projects across Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.

Teaching staff, who have considerable experience living and working in the developing world, engage in policy-relevant research and consultancy with international development agencies and non-government organisations. Research within the department spans several broad themes.

Our study programmes attract talented students from all over the world. Graduates find rewarding careers in a wide variety of government, non-government, UN, academic and private-sector organisations.

Your application

Overview

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

We carefully consider each application and take into account all the information included on your application form, such as your:

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

See further information on supporting documents.

You may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. See our English language requirements.

354
Applications
89
Intake
4:1
2023 Ratio

Fees and funding

The table of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes.

You're charged a fee for your programme. At LSE, your tuition 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 doesn't cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

Home

£18,300

Home student fee (2025/26)

For this programme, the tuition fee is different for home and overseas students depending on their fee status.

Learning and assessment

How you learn

Graduate destinations

Overview

Recent graduates have secured promising professional careers in public, private and voluntary agencies dealing with development and humanitarian problems at both national and international levels.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Median salary of our postgraduate students 15 months after graduating:

£32,000

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

Government, Public Sector and Policy
Education, Teaching and Research
Health and Social Care
Consultancy
Financial and Professional Services
This data is drawn from the 2021/22 Graduate Outcomes Survey, run by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and in full-time employment.

Find out more

Explore LSE

Student life

Discover our campus and student services
Welcome at LSE

Student support

Find out more about our academic guidance, advice and pastoral care
A group of students sitting with an advisor at a LSE LIFE session

Accommodation

Explore the accommodation services we offer to our students
Two students taking part in Action for Happiness held in LSE Residences during London Wellbeing Week 2020.

Meet, visit and discover LSE

Attend our in-person events or explore LSE from home
Campus tour guide during a campus tour for prospective students.