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Educational Planning, Economics and International Development MA

London, Bloomsbury

Are you looking to develop your career in education policy, planning, and analysis with a global perspective? Are you excited to gain or strengthen skills in economic analysis and evidence-based evaluation used by policymakers, practitioners, and researchers for educational projects and programs? Are you planning to work in international organizations, government, think tanks, consultancy, research, or social entrepreneurship in the field of education and international development? The MA in Educational Planning, Economics, and International Development is a unique program that brings economic perspectives to educational planning and analysis with a global outlook.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£13,500
£6,750
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£29,800
£14,900
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 27 Jun 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 29 Aug 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

Normally a minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an equivalent overseas qualification is required. Relevant experience living/working in a low or middle-income context/country and relating to educational planning, economics of education and/or international development is normally required. Applicants who do not meet these criteria may occasionally be considered on the basis of an excellent personal statement.

The English language level for this programme 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 programme 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 programme provides students with an opportunity to understand and critique the interconnections between education, society and the economy and their implications for educational planning. It provides opportunities to develop the skills of programme design and evaluation, including through the application of analytic tools such as theories of change and evaluation frameworks. 

The application of economic principles to educational planning issues is a core focus of the programme. The programme provides opportunities to critique the ways in which evidence is employed in education policy analysis, including by international organisations and national authorities. It focuses on educational planning in low and middle income contexts specifically, where resource scarcity may be especially acute; attending to the linkages between education and wider social and economic development in these contexts.

Each year students select from a wide range of optional modules, including, for those interested in developing these skills, modules in statistical analysis and quantitative research methods, which in previous years have included regression analysis and impact evaluation methods.

The programme 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 programme is suited to people who work with or are interested to work with bilateral and multilateral aid organisations, NGOs, consultancies, think-tanks, research organisations, social enterprises or government departments concerned with education and international development. Applicants should have experience in low or middle income contexts as their work will include analysis developed in relation to such contexts.

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

What this course will give you

IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society has an outstanding and well-established reputation in the field of education and international development. This specialist programme focused on the application of economic theory and principles to issues of educational planning within the broader area of education and development is unique.

Students benefit from teaching by staff with international research reputations in the fields of education and development, within a world-leading institution in policy-oriented research in the field.

The programme offers opportunities to interact and network with: fellow students currently or formerly employed across the education and development sectors; internationally renowned researchers; and with guest speakers including practitioners and policy-makers.  

UCL is located in central London, close to key UK government institutions, think tanks, NGOs, donor organisations and other key actors in the field of international development.

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

The foundation of your career

Graduates are currently working in a variety of roles in aid agencies, UN institutions, government departments, international NGOs, research centres and think tanks. Some graduates go on to work in social entrepreneurship or in development consultancy, while others proceed to doctoral study, some winning competitive scholarships and being published in international journals.

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.

Employability

The degree provides an excellent platform from which to pursue and develop a career which draws on the analytic skills and techniques required for educational planning and economic analysis globally. The programme encourages critical reflection on the application of economic theory and planning tools to 'planning problems' including those relating to project design and evaluation, which have wide application in development practice, research and consultancy. In employment terms, students benefit from the international reputation of the institution and staff at UCL as well as the diverse international perspectives of fellow students and the central location in one of the world's most dynamic and connected cities.

Networking

During your time at UCL, you will be able to build networks with fellow students on this programme and the other programmes in the Education and International Development cluster, with academic staff at the Centre for Education and International Development, as well as the broader UCL community. There are also wider networking opportunities through our alumni networks and invited speaker seminars which extend across the education and development sector.

Teaching and learning

This programme is delivered by lectures, seminars, participant-led presentations, discussions based on selected readings, inputs by guest speakers, group work and debates. Many modules, including the compulsory modules, are available through online learning and may be studied remotely.

The programme includes assessment of presentations, coursework assignments and of a dissertation.

For each 30 credit taught module students are expected to contribute approximately 300 learning hours (a little over 37 days at 8 hours per day). Typically, direct teaching/contact time accounts for 30 hours, assignment tutorial(s) 1 hour, and the remaining hours consist of self-directed study such as, preparation for classes and online learning activities, reading, group work and assignment preparation and completion.

Modules

You will need to undertake modules to the value of 180 credits, completing the programme within one calendar year, September to September.

The programme consists of three compulsory modules (90 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits) plus 30 credits of optional modules (either one 30 credit module or two 15 credit modules). The programme can be studied on campus, online (distance) or a combination of both (mixed mode).

Please select your mode of study at point of application.

Distance and mixed mode options are not available to students applying for a Student Visa (international students.)

You will need to undertake modules to the value of 180 credits, completing the programme within two calendar years, September to September.

You will need to select modules to the value of 90 credits in each year.

The programme consists of three compulsory modules (90 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits) plus 30 credits of optional modules (either one 30 credit module or two 15 credit modules). The programme can be studied on campus, online (distance) or a combination of both (mixed mode).

You must select the Dissertation module in your second and final year of study.

Please select your mode of study at point of application.

Distance and mixed mode options are not available to students applying for a Student Visa (international students.)

You will need to undertake modules to the value of 180 credits split over a maximum of 5 years.

The programme consists of three compulsory modules (90 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits) plus 30 credits of optional modules (either one 30 credit module or two 15 credit modules). The programme can be studied on campus, online (distance) or a combination of both (mixed mode).

Please select your mode of study at point of application.

Distance and mixed mode options are not available to students applying for a Student Visa (international students.)

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 Educational Planning, Economics and International Development.

Fieldwork

Students may opt to conduct fieldwork research as part of their dissertation research but this is not required. If students undertake fieldwork, it must be self-funded

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Education and International Development

Are you passionate about shaping global contemporary practice and policy? We welcome you to book your place at our Virtual Open Event. You will meet our Programme Leaders, hear about the programmes you are interested in and have the chance to ask any questions you might have. These sessions are free and open to all. Be part of a world-leading centre for research and teaching working to make a difference in the world.

Watch on demand event

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £13,500 £6,750
Tuition fees (2025/26) £29,800 £14,900

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme 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 a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

For flexible/modular offer holders a £500 fee deposit will be charged.

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

Students should take into account any travel, accommodation and expenses involved in their dissertation. If students undertake fieldwork (this is not required), it must be self-funded.

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 £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. 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

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme (CSSS)

Deadline: 12 December 2024
Value: Full fees, flights, stipend, and other allowances (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

GREAT Scholarship

Deadline:8 May 2025
Value: £10,000 towards tuition fees (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

IOE-Clarke Scholarships

Deadline: 5 May 2025
Value: Tuition fees, return flights and stipend (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

IOE-ISH Centenary Masters Scholarships

Deadline: 5 May 2025
Value: Tuition fees and accommodation at International Students House (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: 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 programme 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 Educational Planning, Economics and International Development at graduate level
  • why you want to study Educational Planning, Economics and International Development at UCL
  • 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 programme match what the programme will deliver.  Please write this in your own words.

Please make sure that your personal statement also clearly explains your experience in low or middle income countries relating to the field(s) of education (and educational planning), economics and/or international development.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (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: 2025-2026

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Education, Practice and Society
Education, Practice and Society

c.rolleston@ucl.ac.uk

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