SOAS University of London

Overview

The Joint MPhil/PhD in Applied Development Economics at SOAS University of London delves into the impact of economic concepts, institutions, and policy decisions on development outcomes, particularly concerning unemployment, inequality, and wellbeing across Africa. This programme promotes research in heterodox economics and political economy, enabling students to engage in rigorous and policy-relevant doctoral work.

What you'll study

This research degree progresses from MPhil to PhD, allowing students to collaborate closely with supervisors to craft a research proposal, conduct fieldwork, and generate written research outputs.

Typical stages

• MPhil stage: Students develop and refine their research proposal, engage in initial reading, and establish their methodology, completing necessary milestones along the way.
• PhD stage: Focus shifts to conducting the main research project, with further milestones including formal progress evaluations and thesis submission.

Research themes (examples)

• Unemployment and labour markets: Investigate unemployment in post-apartheid South Africa through the lenses of political economy or micro-economics.
• Rethinking economic paradigms in Africa: Explore the emergence and establishment of economic ideas, influenced by heterodox and feminist scholarship.
• Applied development questions: Connect economic processes such as policy regimes and institutions to real-world outcomes like wellbeing and daily life.

Research outputs

• Thesis: Submit an MPhil dissertation and/or PhD thesis according to the joint programme's requirements.
• Academic engagement: Participate in seminars, research training, and programme events as scheduled by the universities.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

• A 2:1 bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) along with a Master’s degree in a relevant field and one reference are typically required.
• In exceptional cases, applicants lacking certain criteria may still be considered if they can demonstrate a strong Master’s degree and/or relevant work experience.

English language requirements

• IELTS (Academic): Overall 6.5
• TOEFL iBT: 100 (or equivalent)
• PTE Academic: 70

Application documents (typical)

• Completed application form
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Statement of purpose/research proposal (as required by the joint programme)
• Reference (as required)
• English test results (if applicable)

Career prospects

Graduates of the MPhil/PhD in Applied Development Economics can pursue various career paths in academia, government, NGOs, and international organizations, focusing on policy analysis, research, and development practice aimed at addressing economic challenges in diverse contexts.