MSc International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies

London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London

The MSc International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies programme focuses on understanding the dynamics of humanitarian and complex emergencies as well as providing a solid foundation in development issues such as poverty reduction, wealth creation and the expansion of human capabilities.

This is a flexible programme that provides you with academically rigorous graduate-level interdisciplinary training in the fields of international development and humanitarianism. While the core course, Key Issues in Development Studies, and Managing Humanitarianism provide an excellent overview of the key issues and debates in international development, 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 work in a small team on a current policy issue for a humanitarian, development or emergency based organisation. Past clients 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 the real world of organisations and practitioners is an excellent experience which will boost your employability.

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 lecturers, senior lecturers, readers, associate professors and professors. Many departments now also employ guest teachers and visiting members of staff, LSE teaching fellows and graduate teaching assistants who are usually doctoral research students and in the majority of cases, teach on undergraduate courses only.

Assessment

All taught courses are required to include formative coursework which is unassessed. It is designed to help prepare you for summative assessment which counts towards the course mark and to the degree award. LSE uses a range of formative assessment, such as essays, problem sets, case studies, reports, quizzes, mock exams and many others. Summative assessment may be conducted during the course or by final examination at the end of the course.

Careers

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.