Africa and International Development MSc
Awards: MSc
Study modes: Full-time
Funding opportunities
Programme website: Africa and International Development
The MSc Africa and International Development offers a unique opportunity to acquire a combination of interdisciplinary and regional expertise of Africa with a critical knowledge of international development theory, policy and practice.
Our Master’s students have the opportunity to join the inclusive group of world-class scholars that make up Edinburgh's Centre of African Studies (CAS), an internationally recognised hub for research and teaching on Africa. We are one of the oldest and largest African Studies centres in Europe, and we pride ourselves on undertaking a diverse range of cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research. Drawing on this, we enable students to reach their full potential by challenging them to explore issues and debates in a supportive and inclusive environment, and to develop their own analytical and research expertise.
How will I learn?
This MSc encourages you to critically explore current issues in the context of Africa, including:
- development
- social change
- governance
- inclusive growth
- natural resources
Africa is a vibrant continent, abundant with natural and human resources as well as great cultural, ecological and economic diversity. While the continent still faces multidimensional challenges, it also actively shapes current narratives on development, as exemplified by the phenomenal rise of digital technologies.
At the end of the programme, you will have a deep understanding of:
- development dynamics and their implications for diverse societies in Africa
- how international thinking and politics shape various aspects of development policy and research within and outside the region
The programme is available on a full-time basis over one year. There is flexibility in course options, allowing you to pursue the knowledge and skills most relevant to you.
Core courses
Our three carefully designed core courses ensure that you acquire the knowledge foundations and professional skills required to work professionally in the field of international development:
- Politics and Theories of International Development
- International Development: Research Design and Practice
- Governance, Poverty and Development in Africa
Option courses
You will choose from a range of option courses, allowing you to develop a specialised profile as a development professional. Among other courses, available option courses may include:
- Key Skills in Development Practice
- Resource, Politics and Development
- Displacement and Development
- Conflict, Security and Development
For an indication of the complete range of available courses, see Programme structure 2024/2025 (but note this is for the current academic year - the programme structure may vary slightly in future years, depending on staff availability).
Dissertation
You will build specialist research and analytical skills through a dissertation-length research project. You will investigate a topic of your choice in depth under the supervision of an academic member of staff.
You can complete your dissertation either through:
- independent study (including the option to work on a faculty-based project), using the rich resources offered by the University library
or
- a placement-based dissertation
Placement-based dissertation
The placement-based dissertation option aims to offer you the opportunity to work on your dissertation within the context of a workplace of your choosing, subject to Programme Director and Placement Adviser approval.
The placement will generally consists of eight weeks of research with a host organisation in the UK or overseas, from our network of contacts which includes:
- NGOs and charities
- social enterprises
- think-tanks
- government bodies
Your placement can be completed either in-person, remotely, or in a hybrid format. You will have the option to arrange your own placement, subject to university approval.
Please note that a placement-based dissertation is not guaranteed as part of this programme and will be assigned based on competitive applications during Semester 1.
Find out more about the placement-based dissertation option:
(Revised 7 November 2024 to mention the option of a faculty-based project in the dissertation section)
Find out more about compulsory and optional courses
We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.
Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSc | Africa and International Development | 1 Year | Full-time | Programme structure 2024/25 |
Learning outcomes for this programme include:
- knowledge of academic and policy debates about development interventions in Africa
- critical understanding of theories, concepts and the practice of development in Africa
- detailed knowledge of case studies examining specific aspects of international development
- ability to negotiate the challenges of inter- and multi-disciplinary research drawing in particular on political science, human geography, history and social-cultural anthropology
- ability to critically evaluate and analyse empirical evidence on the implementation of development projects and policies
- ability to apply the critical analysis in writing, discussion and oral presentations as well as group exercises
- ability to conduct independent empirical research in Africa drawing on a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods
- a critical understanding of the challenges and realities of work in the field of international development
With a multidisciplinary grasp of issues in regional and international development, many of our graduates have secured work as professionals with:
- charities and non-governmental organisations
- development agencies
- the public sector/government
- think-tanks
- advocacy groups
- international institutions
- international consultancy firms
- research or academic institutes
The Centre of African Studies is the leading centre of African Studies in Europe. All academic staff are research-active in Africa and bring their cutting-edge research expertise to their teaching. The Centre of African Studies participates actively in Africa-focused events in Edinburgh, such as:
- panels highlighting contemporary African authors at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, the world's largest book festival
- Africa in Motion, the UK's largest African film festival
International Development as presented on the programme is concerned with the pursuit of 'good change' – but who gets to decide what that 'good change' is? and how it should happen? We explore these issues while deepening your regional expertise on Africa, in all its socio-cultural, political and economic diversity. Through the dissertation you will have the opportunity to then focus in depth on a topic of your choosing.
(Revised 7 November 2024 to provide more information about The Centre of African Studies and the MSc Africa and International Development)
These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.
A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent.
Students from China
This degree is Band C.
International qualifications
Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:
English language requirements
Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.
English language tests
We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:
- IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
- TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
- C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
- Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
- PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
- Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 6 in each component.
Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.
Degrees taught and assessed in English
We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:
We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).
If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.
Find out more about our language requirements:
Application fee
A non-refundable application fee of £50 must be paid after you submit your application. Your application will not be processed until we have received your application fee.
If you are accepted for the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program, we will waive the application fees to enable you to apply. To request a fee waiver, please email:
Tuition fees
Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSc | Africa and International Development | 1 Year | Full-time | Tuition fees |
Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.
Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:
- borrowing money
- taking out a loan
- family support
- personal savings
- income from work
- employer sponsorship
- scholarships
Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study
Scholarships
International students from Africa are eligible for these scholarships:
Chevening Scholarships
Chevening Scholarships are the UK government's global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign, Development and Commonwealth Office (FCDO) and partner organisations.
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships support students from developing Commonwealth countries who would not otherwise be able to study in the United Kingdom.
Nyerere Scholarship
Nyerere Scholarship provides funding for a talented Tanzanian student to follow in Julius Nyerere’s footsteps and study at the University of Edinburgh. The scholarship offers a one-year postgraduate scholarship for a student domiciled in Tanzania to study the MSc in Africa and International Development.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program scholarships Scholarships are available for the MSc Africa and International Development programme. The postgraduate study scholarships for the 2025/26 academic year will accept applications from 1st October 2024 at 10:00 AM until 8th November 2024 at 5:00 PM (UK Time). Applicants must be residents and citizens or hold refugee status in a Sub-Saharan African country.
Visit the Mastercard Foundation website to find out more information and to how to apply:
If the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is the only scholarship you are interested in applying for at the University of Edinburgh, please apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program scholarship only. If you receive a scholarship offer from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, you can then apply for the academic programme.
UK government postgraduate loans
If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.
The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:
- your programme
- the duration of your studies
- your residency status.
Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.
(Revised 7 November 2024 to add Chevening Scholarships and Commonwealth Shared Scholarships. Revised to update information about Nyerere Scholarship.)
Other funding opportunities
Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:
- Postgraduate Admissions Team
- Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4086
- Contact: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
- Programme Director, Dr Thomas Molony
- Contact: Thomas.Molony@ed.ac.uk
- Graduate School of Social & Political Science
- Chrystal Macmillan Building
- 15A George Square
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9LD
- Programme: Africa and International Development
- School: Social & Political Science
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Applying
Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.
MSc Africa and International Development - 1 Year (Full-time)
Programme start date | Application deadline |
---|---|
8 September 2025 | 30 June 2025 |
If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.
References are not usually required for applications to this programme.
Application fee
A non-refundable application fee of £50 must be paid after you submit your application. Your application will not be processed until we have received your application fee.
Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:
Further information
- Postgraduate Admissions Team
- Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4086
- Contact: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
- Programme Director, Dr Thomas Molony
- Contact: Thomas.Molony@ed.ac.uk
- Graduate School of Social & Political Science
- Chrystal Macmillan Building
- 15A George Square
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9LD
- Programme: Africa and International Development
- School: Social & Political Science
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences