Global Development

Global development is a discipline concerned with the economic, political and historical processes that shape living standards, opportunities and power across the world. It asks why some countries and communities are wealthy while others face poverty and insecurity, how the legacies of colonialism and unequal exchange continue to shape the present, and what policies, institutions and forms of collective action can address today's most pressing global challenges. It is an inherently interdisciplinary field, drawing on economics, political science, sociology, history and geography to build a picture of global inequality that is both analytically rigorous and policy-relevant.

At Queen Mary, this four-year full-time programme combines academic study with a sandwich year and work placement, giving you direct professional experience in a development-relevant context. QMUL's location in East London gives you proximity to a range of international development organisations, NGOs, research institutes and policy bodies, many of which provide placement and networking opportunities. You will engage with the economic, political and historical legacies of inequality, developing the analytical skills to understand their causes and the creative thinking to engage with solutions.

Across the programme you will study the theory and practice of development, engaging with debates about aid, trade, debt, governance, health, education and the environment as they relate to global inequality and human wellbeing. You will develop strong research and analytical skills alongside the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly.

Graduates move into international development organisations, NGOs, the civil service, international financial institutions, humanitarian agencies, policy research, journalism, business and the charitable sector. Postgraduate study in development studies, international relations, economics or public policy is a natural progression for those who want to develop their expertise further.