Poverty reduction is the ultimate measure of development effectiveness. Gain the knowledge and skills to engage professionally with the design, implementation, and assessment of national and international efforts to reduce poverty in this Masters in Poverty and Development.

Through an interdisciplinary lens, you’ll gain a sound understanding of the main theories of development and poverty reduction in development, and a solid grounding in the concepts and skills needed to engage in debates on poverty and development.

Who is the degree for?

We welcome applicants with a broad range of career trajectories. Successful applicants will have some practical experience in development alongside an interest in critical academic enquiry. Most MA Poverty and Development students are experienced professionals, having worked in government, NGOs, bilateral and multilateral donor and lending agencies, UN programmes, the private sector, or civil society organisations. Many students join the course after a period of voluntary work or an internship.

Assessment criteria

You’ll be assessed through term papers, coursework assignments, presentations, exams, practical exercises, and a 10,000-word dissertation.

Career opportunities

IDS postgraduates have gone on to work as ministers in national governments, high-level officials in development organisations, civil servants, leaders of civil society organisations and high-profile academics at universities across the world. They are all working to define and solve some of the most pressing global challenges. Some also go on to work in academic research.

Recent IDS students have gone on to jobs including:

• assistant to child protection, UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency)
• monitoring and evaluation specialist, Aga Khan Foundation Canada
• consultant, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.

Some of our graduates have also continued their research as PhD students.