Institute of Development Studies

MA Poverty and Development

Poverty reduction is the ultimate measure of development effectiveness. This one-year MA programme is designed to examine thinking, policy and practice on vulnerability and poverty. It provides students with the knowledge and skills to engage professionally with the design, implementation and assessment of national and international efforts to reduce poverty.

At the end of the course students will be able to approach issues in poverty reduction and development with confidence, having gained:

• knowledge of the main theories, concepts and debates of development in their historical and contemporary context with specialised knowledge on poverty reduction.
• a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge.
• the ability to engage in an informed and critical way with other professionals from diverse social science backgrounds concerned with poverty reduction and development.
• the ability to use commonly applied research methods and skills, drawing on both qualitative and quantitative methods.

Entry Requirements

A good honours degree in a social science discipline, and work experience in development-related work. The minimum acceptable level of English language competence is grade 7 overall and not less than 6.5 in each section of the IELTS test (or equivalent).

How to apply and Fees 

Further Information: Contact: Programme Officer, James Prescott.
Phone +44 (0)1273 915647 Email: j.prescott@ids.ac.uk

Related IDS Publications: Poverty and Development Disciplinary Perspectives

• Brock, K., Cornwall, A. and Gaventa, J. (2001) 'Power, Knowledge and Political Spaces in the Framing of Poverty Policy', IDS Working Paper 143, Brighton: IDS
• Baulch, B. (1996) 'Poverty, Policy and Aid', IDS Bulletin 27.1, Brighton: IDS

Related IDS Publications: Ideas in Development

• Haddad, L. and Knowles, C. (2007) 'Reinventing Development Research', IDS Bulletin 38.2, Brighton: IDS
• Gaventa, J. (2006) 'Finding the Spaces for Change: A Power Analysis in Power, Exploring Power for Change', IDS Bulletin 37.6, Brighton: IDS
• Pettit, J. and Wheeler, J. (2005) 'Developing Rights?', IDS Bulletin 36.1, Brighton: IDS
• Kabeer, N. (2005) Inclusive Citizenship: Meanings and Expressions, London: Zed Books
• Keeley, J, and Scoones, I (2003) Understanding Environmental Policy Processes: Cases from Africa, London: Earthscan