International Development in the Americas MSc

London, Bloomsbury

Interested in understanding the most pressing global development challenges and how these play out in the Americas? Join this one-year immersion to acquire the theoretical insights and practical skills needed to address the challenges of reducing inequalities while building prosperous, socially just and environmentally sustainable societies. You’ll link theory with practice by exploring emblematic case studies and influencing policy papers from the Americas and beyond – so you’re ready to work in the United Nations, NGOs, government, think tanks, charities and the media.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£16,000
£8,000
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£33,000
£16,500
Duration
1 calendar year
2 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

Entry requirements

Normally an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. A basic reading competence in Spanish, French or Portuguese is useful but not essential.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 4

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.

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 explores the most important development challenges we face today, including inequality, sustainability and forced displacement. It combines theoretical and practical training to prepare ‘agents of change’ capable of shaping the international development agenda.

You will study the most influential theories of development and receive practical training on the frameworks and tools currently used to design, manage and evaluate development interventions. 

Focus will be on the main challenges faced such as:

  • Reducing economic and social inequalities
  • Achieving sustainability and environmental justice.
  • Promoting inclusive economic growth
  • Addressing migration and forced displacement.

As part of your studies, you will have a strong introduction to social science methods and the principles of policy analysis.

Who this course is for

We aim to attract a diverse cohort of people from different backgrounds and experiences who nevertheless share a deep interest in understanding some of the most pressing global development issues and how these play out in the Americas.

 We welcome social science and humanities graduates and applicants with other qualifications that have gained development-related work experience in government, NGOs, international organisations, and media.

What this course will give you

The UCL Institute of the Americas offers the largest teaching portfolio for the study of Canada, the Caribbean, Latin America and the United States in the UK. Being multidisciplinary, you will be taught by experts on social sciences and modern history all under one roof. 

Students in the Institute benefit from:

  • Teaching by world-leading scholars at the cutting edge of research that was ranked 1st in Area Studies and Impact in the REF 2021.
  • Close relationships with cultural and diplomatic organisations in the Americas
  • Links with businesses and NGOs with interests in North America and Latin America.
  • Invitation to Institute’s Seminar Series which regularly feature experts from Latin America and the Caribbean, or who work on the region. 

The foundation of your career

Upon completing this degree, you will have skills well suited for jobs in sectors such as:

  • Development sector worldwide.
  • Government institutions (UK and Latin America), United Nations agencies and Think Tanks.
  • NGOs and Charitable organisations.
  • Media and journalism.

Some of our MSc graduates have also successfully gone on to PhD studies in top universities in the UK and the US.

“Studying at the Institute of Americas was a crucial stepping stone in my career, and I certainly would not be where I am today without the support and guidance from the wonderful faculty at UCL.”

Joonsoo Yi, alumnus 2016-2017

Employability

Graduates will have acquired transferable skills attractive to employers in a wide range of businesses and sectors:

  • Theoretical and critical analysis.
  • Writing and communication skills.
  • Development practice skills.
  • Policy analysis.
  • Time management.
  • IT skills.

You will also learn to solve problems and issues and to build positive working relationships. 

Networking

Students benefit from a wide range of networking opportunities to enhance their future careers both in the academic and policy/development sectors.

The Institute of the Americas hosts many events for leading scholars, activists, and policymakers. We also have close connections with government institutions, NGOs, think tanks, and media organisations throughout the Americas.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, independent reading and research, seminar discussions and research skills training.

Assessment is through essays, term papers, presentations, analytical exercises, academic posters, book reviews and the dissertation.

Contact time takes various forms:

  • Lectures.
  • Seminars.
  • Visits to relevant organisations / museums.
  • Dissertation/Project supervision.
  • Assessment feedback sessions.

The credit value of the module indicates the total learning hours you will spend to achieve its learning outcomes. One credit is often equated to 10 hours of notional learning, which includes all contact time, self-directed study, and assessment.

For full-time students, typical contact hours are around 7- 8-hours of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials per teaching week per module. Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.

In term three and the summer period students will be completing their own dissertation research, keeping regular contact with their dissertation supervisors.

Modules

The core module of the programme introduces students to the main themes of development theory, policy, and practice. You will also take a module in research methods for the social sciences that includes sessions on research design, qualitative and quantitative methods, and fieldwork ethics and preparation. These modules will set the foundations for the whole Master's, preparing you for further topics and your research dissertation.

In terms one and two, you will select modules of further substantive-subject options from a broader range of modules. You will explore key topics concerning the politics and history of the Americas that intersect with development processes shaping the region. During term two, you will also prepare your research project proposal, giving continuity to activities in your research methods module.

In term three, you will fully develop your research dissertation in consultation with a specifically designated dissertation supervisor. Many of our Master's students undertake fieldwork in order to carry out research for their dissertation projects.

Part-time students will split the taught modules between year 1 and year 2. The core module will be taken in year 1, the research skills module is usually taken in year 1, the dissertation is taken in year 2.

All part-time students must complete a minimum of 60 credits in their first year. These include any core modules that need to be taken in year 1.

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 MSc in International Development in the Americas.

Fieldwork

Many of our Master's students undertake fieldwork in order to carry out research for their dissertation projects.

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.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £16,000 £8,000
Tuition fees (2025/26) £33,000 £16,500

Additional costs

For Full-time and Part-time offer holders a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

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

There may be travel costs associated with fieldwork and it is the student's responsibility to cover these expenses. The institute may be able to offer some funds towards the costs of the fieldwork. These funds are awarded on a competitive basis on the criteria of academic performance to date, the quality of the research proposal and the importance of fieldwork for completing the research.

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

Funding opportunities at the Institute of the Americas can be found here.

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

Aziz Foundation Scholarships in Social and Historical Sciences

Value: Full tuition fees (equivalent to 1yr full-time) (1yr)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

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.

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to elaborate on your reasons for applying to this programme and how your interests match what the programme will deliver. 

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

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

Please note that some funding schemes have an earlier application deadline; please view the Funding section for further details.

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

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