Economics and Global Development

Economics and global development is a combination that addresses one of the most important questions of our time: why some parts of the world are rich and others poor, and what can be done about it. Economics provides the analytical tools to understand how markets, institutions, and policies affect living standards, while global development studies examines the political, social, and historical dimensions of inequality between and within nations, drawing on disciplines including political science, sociology, anthropology, and history to understand the complex realities of developing economies.

At the School of Oriental and African Studies, you will study this combination in an institution with unparalleled expertise in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, the regions where global development challenges are most acute and where SOAS's teaching is most deeply grounded. You will develop both the quantitative and theoretical tools of economics and the broader interdisciplinary understanding of development, engaging with real case studies from across the Global South. The programme includes a foundation year and runs over three or four years full-time.

Graduates of economics and global development programmes pursue careers in international development organisations, the civil service, NGOs, think tanks, international finance institutions, and research. The combination of economic rigour and development expertise is particularly valued in roles concerned with poverty reduction, economic policy in developing countries, humanitarian response, and global governance. Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in development economics, international development, or public policy, where the foundational training this degree provides is a significant asset.