Course information

Length

1 year full-time or 2 years part-time

Course overview

This programme will not be accepting applications for 2024 onwards.

How can (and should) we talk about the challenges and possibilities for development in the 21st century? This degree examines how 21st century ‘development’ has become a site of struggle, one where new forms of politics and theory have emerged.

Why study MA Politics, Development and the Global South

  • This degree responds to a need for a fresh, innovative approach to the study and pursuit of development, which has grown from major changes in recent decades – for example the emergence of new geopolitical powers on the international stage, growing challenges to neoliberal dogmas, heightened concern with increasing global inequality, and the recognition of the danger of ecological devastation.
  • You’ll study the Global South as a producer of theory, and as a site where novel forms of political struggle are emerging. You’ll gain an understanding of the relationship between discourses of development and specific issues, such as gender, ecology and sexuality.
  • You’ll learn from scholars with an international reputation across a diverse range of research and area specialisms including Latin America, India, China, Japan, the Middle East and Africa.
  • Alongside the compulsory modules, you’ll also gain insight into development as a career through a series of industry and activist seminars. You’ll have the opportunity to shape the speakers, format and content of these events to explore different facets of development, such as politics, activism, policy, journalism, charities, consultancy and NGOs.

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Mr Francisco Carballo.

What you'll study

In this innovative and interdisciplinary course of study you’ll be able to explore:

  • The defining features of contemporary forms of capitalism
  • The emergence of geopolitical powers over the past 20 years
  • The interplay between informal and illegal economies
  • The connections between violence, politics and religion
  • Patterns of immigration worldwide
  • The slum as a fundamental site of the contemporary world
  • The current debates on globalisation from below
  • The prospects for radical politics

There will also be the opportunity to get involved in a student-led speaker and event series, where you’ll be encouraged to approach industry partners including journalists, activists, senior staff in NGOs, politicians, and public intellectuals, who can offer different perspectives and expose you to current debates in the professional community.

Compulsory modules

Module title Credits
Development for the 21st Century 30 credits
Decolonising Knowledge: Debates in Human Science 30 credits
Dissertation 60 credits

Option modules

You’ll also choose 60 credits of options from a wide range of courses available through the Department of Politics and International Relations and other departments at Goldsmiths, including Anthropology, History, Media and Communications, and Sociology.

Optional modules lists are produced annually by the Department, and recent modules have included:

Module title Credits
Counter-Mapping: The Politics of Space 30 credits
Theories of International Relations 30 credits
Politics of Human Rights 15 credits
Islam, Revolution, and Empire 15 credits
Comparative Political Thought 15 credits
Art, War, Terror 15 Credits
Experts and Economies 15 credits
Psychopolitics 15 credits
Global Capitalism: Theory and History 30 credits
The Political Economy of the Anthropocene 30 credits
Borders and Migration 15 credits
Race Critical Theory and Social Justice 30 credits
Gender Affect and the Body 30 credits
Learning from Social Movements 30 credits
The Postcolonial City: Migration, Society, and Culture in London 30 credits

Assessment

Assessment consists of coursework, extended essays, reports, presentations, practice based projects or essays/logs, group projects, reflective essays, and seen and unseen written examinations.

Download the programme specification.

Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.

Entry requirements

You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least upper second class standard in a relevant/related subject. 

You might also be considered for some programmes if you aren’t a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field, but have relevant experience and can show that you have the ability to work at postgraduate level.

International qualifications

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.

Fees, funding & scholarships

To find out more about your fees, please check our postgraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.

Additional costs

In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.

There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.

Funding opportunities

Find out more about postgraduate fees and explore funding opportunities. If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an application deadline.

How to apply

You apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system. 

Before submitting your application you’ll need to have:

  • Details of your academic qualifications
  • The email address of your referee who we can request a reference from, or alternatively a copy of your academic reference
  • Copies of your educational transcripts or certificates
  • personal statement – this can either be uploaded as a Word Document or PDF, or completed online. Please see our guidance on writing a postgraduate statement

You'll be able to save your progress at any point and return to your application by logging in using your username/email and password.

When to apply

We accept applications from October for students wanting to start the following September. 

We encourage you to complete your application as early as possible, even if you haven't finished your current programme of study. It's very common to be offered a place that is conditional on you achieving a particular qualification. 

Late applications will only be considered if there are spaces available.

If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an earlier application deadline.

Selection process

Admission to many programmes is by interview, unless you live outside the UK. Occasionally, we'll make candidates an offer of a place on the basis of their application and qualifications alone.

Find out more about applying.

Careers

You’ll consider a range of debates and approaches that are pertinent to the development sector, and so this is an ideal programme for anyone thinking of pursuing a career in this area – whether you’re interested in working for high profile charities, grass-roots organisations, social enterprises, or global activism.

It’s also an ideal foundation for a career in research or policy, or if you’re thinking of pursuing a research degree in the future.

Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths.

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