Home

Education and International Development MA

London, Bloomsbury

Explore how education shapes, and is shaped by, global challenges such as inequality, poverty, conflict, climate change, and migration. The Education and International Development MA is an interdisciplinary course that critically examines the politics of development and the role of education in fostering social justice and sustainable futures, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries. Ideal for those from education, international relations, and social science backgrounds, the course equips you with the tools to understand policy, lead change, and critically engage with the evolving meanings and practices of development.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2026/27)
£14,200
£7,100
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)
£32,000
£16,000
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 academic year
2 academic years
5 academic years
Programme starts
September 2026
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 26 Jun 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 28 Aug 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of a second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or overseas qualification of an equivalent standard is required together with relevant experience in low or middle-income countries (normally a minimum of six months). Applicants should demonstrate commitment and genuine interest in issues relating to education and international development.

The English language level for this course is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

This course is suitable for international students on a Student visa – study must be full-time, face-to-face, starting September.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

This course equips you with the critical tools to understand and respond to the evolving role of education in a rapidly changing global landscape. As international development faces new challenges, from shifting geopolitical alliances and security concerns to funding realignments and climate-related crises; education remains a vital site of both contestation and transformation.

The course enables you to explore how education intersects with global policy, diplomacy, humanitarian response, and peacebuilding. It offers a rigorous foundation in theory, policy, and practice, alongside training in research methods and analysis - skills that are increasingly valued across sectors including international organisations, NGOs, government agencies, and research institutions.

There will be opportunities for you to be introduced to a number of key international development organisations involved in education and learn more about the nature of their work, as well as to find out about professional development opportunities. In previous years, students have organised career development events and benefited from volunteering opportunities via the Students' Union UCL Volunteering Service.

In a time of uncertainty and transformation in international development, this course prepares you not only to adapt, but to lead with critical insight, ethical awareness, and a commitment to social justice.

The course can be taken on campus, online (distance), or a combination of both (mixed mode). Please select the relevant mode of study at point of application. Note that distance and mixed mode options are not available to students applying for a student visa.

Who this course is for

This course is suited to professionals working in the formal and non-formal sectors in education and international development who would like to reflect and build on their experience in these areas, as well as to those looking to move into this area of work. It is also suited to those interested in carrying out research or future doctoral study.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

You will become part of an extraordinarily powerful learning community, which links research, policy and practice. You will join the Department of Education, Practice and Society, the well-established home of an interdisciplinary grouping bringing together high-quality teaching and research in the history, sociology and philosophy of education and international development. It houses the Centre for Education and International Development (CEID), which comprises a team of internationally recognised experts in international development, education, and international educational policy, and which has nurtured world leaders in educational practice and research for over 90 years.

You will benefit from the department's extensive experience and expertise in: education planning and policy; health; education in Africa, Asia and Latin America; education, equality and human rights; issues of gender, migration, displacement, race, sexuality, disability, and social class; and education in conflict, disasters and emergencies.

You will also benefit from being taught by leading researchers in the field and from engaging with international guest speakers who bring real-world insights from across education, development, and global governance. The course also fosters a vibrant, globally diverse learning community. Our alumni come from over 80 countries and go on to work in a wide range of international roles.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Graduates of this course are currently working across 30 different countries in a broad range of areas and sectors, both within the field of education and international development worldwide, and in other varied and diverse roles. Approximately 33% of graduates who have responded to graduate outcome surveys are currently engaged in teaching or other educational activities. They have been employed in education roles, in local and international NGOs, donor and multi-lateral agencies, national and local education departments, schools and universities. Some students continue on to doctoral study or to further postgraduate study. (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017-22)

A number of students are mid-career professionals (including teachers, ministry staff and NGO professionals), for whom the programme forms part of their wider professional development, providing access to more senior roles or to a change of career direction. (Information held by the department)

Employability

It is intended that you, by fully participating in the course, will develop the following:

  • the ability to reflect critically on a wide range of contemporary debates and issues concerning education and international development.
  • the knowledge of and understanding in the field of education and international development and the implications of published research in this area for their own practice.
  • the skills in oral presentation and discussion, critical reading and reflective and analytical writing.
  • an understanding of the processes entailed in research and the experience of conducting their own small scale research study.

Networking

During your time at UCL, you will be able to build networks with fellow students on this course and the other courses in the Education and International Development cluster, academic staff and alumni in the Centre for Education and International Development, as well as the broader UCL community.

Teaching and learning

Teaching on this course is designed to challenge assumptions, spark debate, and deepen your understanding of how education intersects with global development. You'll engage with a rich mix of critical perspectives and conceptual frameworks that help you make sense of your own experiences and professional practice.

Learning is interactive, collaborative, and varied, combining lectures, seminars, videos, workshops, group projects, participant-led presentations, online activities, and live webinars. This diversity of methods ensures that you not only absorb knowledge but also actively contribute to the learning community. 

Assessment on this course is designed to reflect the course’s emphasis on critical thinking, applied knowledge, and real-world relevance. It supports students in developing a broad range of academic and professional skills while ensuring that learning outcomes are meaningfully demonstrated.

Most modules include at least two assessment points, typically combining an oral component (such as a presentation or seminar contribution) with a written submission. This dual approach allows you to develop confidence in both verbal and written communication, and to engage with ideas in multiple formats.

You will complete a mix of individual and group assessments, reflecting the collaborative nature of work in education and development sectors. Assessment types vary across modules and may include:

  • discursive essays exploring key theoretical or policy debates
  • critical reflections on selected texts, journal articles, or case studies
  • project or research proposals that simulate real-world planning and design
  • oral or written exams that test your understanding
  • group presentations or collaborative assignments that foster teamwork and peer learning.

Assessments are intentionally resilient to AI-generated content, ensuring that students can confidently demonstrate their own learning, originality, and critical insight, skills that are highly valued by employers and essential for ethical academic practice.

The final 12,000-word dissertation is a capstone project that allows students to showcase their learning across the MA. It is designed to build research literacy and methodological confidence, guiding students through the full research process, from conceptualisation to analysis.

For each 30 credit taught module, students normally receive approximately 30 hours of direct teaching per term (either online or face-to-face), as well as 1 hour of tutorials. For a typical 10 week module, this would involve 3 hours of live teaching per module per week, not including the 1 hour assignment tutorials. Some full time students may choose to take 2 or 3 modules in one term, which would increase their weekly hours, and which would be considered by our team to be a very challenging workload. Others might opt to take one or more of our intensive modules. These are taught in term 3, and typically run in a condensed time frame, where all 30 of a module's live hours are delivered across 2 weeks. Students are themselves also expected to contribute 300 learning hours per module (a little over 37 days at 8 hours per day). This consists of your own self-directed study such as, preparation for classes and online learning activities, reading (individually and with other students), searching for new literature related to your area of interest, assignment preparation and completion. All students must also take the dissertation module, which runs across three terms, and includes a minimum of 10 hours of online webinars, delivered primarily in terms 1 and 2. These hours are not regular, and therefore attendance is optional, but is still highly encouraged.

Modules

The course is designed to give you the coherence of a Master's degree in the area of education and international development and some flexibility to design the degree that best meets your needs and accords with your interests as they relate to this field. The course consists of one compulsory module, a dissertation and three optional modules. You will be given the freedom to select one of the optional modules from the wider range of MA level modules relevant to this field offered across IOE/UCL subject to availability, if this in some way helps to develop their specialisation in education and/or international development. At least two optional modules must be chosen from within the Education and International Development cluster modules, but in practice most students will take all of their modules within the cluster.

The course is designed to give you the coherence of a Master's degree in the area of education and international development and some flexibility to design the degree that best meets your needs and accords with your interests as they relate to this field. The MA is designed to be completed over two years, and you can tailor your modules to either study consistently over that time, or to have intense study terms followed by terms off. The course consists of one compulsory module that you must take in the first year, a dissertation that you must take in your second year and three optional modules. You will be given the freedom to select ONE of the optional modules from the wider range of MA level modules relevant to this field offered across IOE/UCL subject to availability, if this in some way helps to develop their specialisation in education and/or international development. At least two optional modules must be chosen from within the Education and International Development cluster modules, but in practice most students will study all of their modules within this cluster.

The course is designed to give you the coherence of a Master's degree in the area of education and international development and some flexibility to design the degree that best meets your needs and accords with your interests as they relate to this field. The MA is designed to be completed within five years, and you can decide when to complete your modules in your degree. The course consists of one compulsory module that you must take in your first year, a dissertation that must be taken in your final year and three optional modules. You will be given the freedom to select ONE of the optional modules from the wider range of MA level modules relevant to this field offered across IOE/UCL subject to availability, but only if this in some way helps to develop their specialisation in education and/or international development. At least two optional modules must be chosen from within the Education and International Development cluster modules, but most students take all of their modules from within the cluster. 

Compulsory modules




Optional modules













Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MA in Education and International Development.

Fieldwork

You may choose to organise and undertake fieldwork in relation to their research for their dissertation, but this is not a requirement. If undertaken, fieldwork must be self-funded.

Accessibility

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

Visit us

All open days and events

—

Online - Open day

Social Sciences - Online taster sessions

—

If you are considering a Master’s degree in social sciences, we invite you to join our online taster sessions. Explore how research and critical thinking can drive meaningful global and societal change. Experience a lecture at the UCL Institute of Education. IOE ranks number 1 in the world for Education for 12 consecutive years (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025). You'll engage directly with our leading academics, and hear from current US students.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2026/27) £14,200 £7,100
Tuition fees (2026/27) £32,000 £16,000

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

Postgraduate Taught students benefit from a cohort guarantee, meaning that their tuition fees will not increase during the course of the programme, but UCL reserves the right to increase tuition fees to reflect any sums (including levies, taxes, or similar financial charges) that UCL is required to pay any governmental authority in connection with tuition fees.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Where the course is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of UK, a fee deposit will be charged at 2.5% of the first year fee.

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

For modular/flexible offer holders with a fee status classification of UK, a £350 deposit will be charged.

For modular/flexible offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a £500 deposit will be charged.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

You are responsible for covering any travel, accommodation, and other expenses involved in conducting research for their dissertation, and should account for these costs when planning your finances.

For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2025. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

GREAT Scholarship

Deadline: 7th May 2026
Value: £10,000 towards tuition fees (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this course of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Education and International Development at graduate level
  • why you want to study Education and International Development at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this course match what the course will deliver.

We place considerable value on the knowledge and experience that students bring with them to the course, and special consideration is given to those applicants who can demonstrate relevant work experience, even where these applicants do not meet the academic entry requirements. This kind of consideration is given specifically to those candidates who can demonstrate  a minimum of 6 months professional experience gained working in a relevant field in service of low income communities, or in a low or middle income country directly. Candidates who do not have such experience will instead be required to demonstrate a strong academic record.

Please make sure that your personal statement clearly outlines the nature and length of any relevant experience, or any relevant personal or academic background, particularly any experience that you have working in low or middle income country contexts. Please also note that this course requires a good working level of English, as it involves significant reading, writing and class engagement. English language waivers are therefore highly unlikely to be granted other than in truly exceptional circumstances. 

While we understand use of AI to check personal statements for grammar, please do not use generative AI to produce a form statement in support of your application. These are unlikely to distinguish you from other applicants using the same software.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate courses (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2026-2027

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Education, Practice and Society
Education, Practice and Society

ioe.ma.eid@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.