Africa and International Development MSc

Level: Postgraduate taught

Subject: International Development

Year of entry: 2026

Study options

Mode of study

On campus

Full-time
  • MSc | 1 year | Start date: September 2026

Key facts

School

School of Social and Political Science

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Study location

Central Area

Accreditation

Not available

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About the degree programme

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.

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.

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

Study options

The programme is available on a full-time basis over one year.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees by award and duration

Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year.

Full-time

Graduate discount

If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.

Find out how to receive your graduate discount

Deposit

You do not have to pay a deposit to secure your place on this programme.

Costs

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that you might spend £1,167 to £2,330 per month if you are a single student.

Living costs include:

  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel, clothes, books and stationery
  • recreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)

Living costs

Accommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.

University postgraduate accommodation options and costs

Funding opportunities

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 Scholarships are available for this programme. Applicants must be citizens of an African country and residents in an African country. Applications from refugees and displaced people who have left their African home country to live elsewhere on the continent are welcome.  

For more information on how and when to apply, please visit:  

Search for other funding opportunities

You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.

Postgraduate funding opportunities

These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027-28 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2026.

Qualifications

A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent.

International qualifications

To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list.

English language requirements

You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.

This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.

You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:

  • an English language test
  • a degree that was taught and assessed in English
  • certain professional qualifications

English language tests we accept

We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher:

  • 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.
  • Oxford ELLT: total 8 with at least 6 in each component.
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 155 with at least 135 in each component.
How old your English language tests can be
Tests no more than two years old

The following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:

  • IELTS Academic
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)
  • Trinity ISE
  • Oxford ELLT
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced
Tests no more than three and a half years old

All other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality.   

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We 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.

UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

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).

Approved universities in non-MESC

How old your degree can be

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.

This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country.

Find out more about our English language requirements

Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.

English language requirements

What you will study

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.

This MSc encourages you to critically explore current issues in the context of Africa, including:

  • development
  • social change
  • governance
  • inclusive growth
  • natural resources

There is flexibility in course options, allowing you to pursue the knowledge and skills most relevant to you.

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 consist 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.

Find out more about the placement-based dissertation option:

Compulsory 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
  • Gender and Development
  • Business and International Development

Find courses for this programme

Find out what courses you can study on this programme and how each of them are taught and assessed.

The courses on offer may change from year to year, but the course information will give you an idea of what to expect on this programme.

Full-time

We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Teaching and assessment

Learning outcomes

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

Support for your studies

You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.

We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.  

How we support you

Our academic staff

The Centre of African Studies

The Centre of African Studies (CAS) 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. 

CAS was ranked first in the UK among University Departments that teach development studies for the overall quality and breadth of our research (REF2021).

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

Centre of African Studies at the School of Social and Political Science

 

CAS provides an impressive number of professors and staff with knowledge and experience in working on diverse topics across the continent. For myself, it was important that I could learn from professors who could speak from their personal and research experiences in Africa, rather than just reading about it

Tefsi MSc Africa and International Development

Career opportunities

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

Professional links

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.

Further study

After completing this programme, you may wish to consider applying for a PhD or other research programme.

Applying for research degrees

Moving on to a PhD (advice from the University's Careers Service)

Graduate profiles

Hammed Kayode Alabi (MSc Africa and International Development, graduated 2021) has been named winner of the Being Edinburgh alumni award 2025 – an annual honour celebrating a member of the University’s alumni community who brings the institution’s values to life through their actions and impact on the world.

Hammed: Being Edinburgh alumni award 2025

Henry Anumudu (MSc Africa and International Development, graduated 2022)  has been named winner of the Being Edinburgh alumni award 2023. Henry is a former Mastercard Foundation scholar at the University. Since graduating, he has shown commitment to creating educational opportunities for children from low-income communities, and established the not-for-profit organisation Sharing Life Africa, supporting thousands of young people to get the most out of their education. 

Henry: Being Edinburgh alumni award 2023

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. 

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. 

With the Careers Service, you can: 

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions 

Visit the Careers Service website 

How to apply

You apply online for this programme. After you read the application guidance, select your preferred programme, then choose 'Start your application' to begin.

If you are considering applying to more than one programme, you should be aware that we cannot consider more than 5 applications from the same applicant.

When to apply

Programme start date Application deadline
14 September 2026 29 June 2026

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible so that we have enough time to process your application. This is particularly important if you are also applying for funding or will require a visa. Applications may close earlier than published deadlines if there is exceptionally high demand.

For an application to be reviewed, it must be a complete application by the application deadline with all supporting documentation uploaded, including your transcripts.

If you already have evidence that you meet the English language entry requirements, such as via an approved English language test, please upload this evidence at the time of your application. If you have not already met your English language requirements, we will still review your application and issue a decision providing it is otherwise complete.

Application fee

A non-refundable application fee of £50 is payable before your application can be considered.

You must pay this once you have submitted your online application and have received your UUN (universal username). Please allow a few days to receive your UUN. 

The application fee must be paid within 7 days of submission of your application. If you do not make the payment within this time period, your application will not be processed.

Payment should be made by credit or debit card using the ePay online payment system (all major cards accepted). 

Application Fee Payment

If you have any questions or are unable to pay using the ePay online payment system, please contact PGApplicationFee.sps@ed.ac.uk 

If your application is made unsuccessful due to non-payment of the application fee, but you now wish to pay and reactivate your application, please contact us at PGApplicationFee.sps@ed.ac.uk and we will consider your request. 

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:

What you need to apply

As part of your online application, you will need to provide: 

You will also need to submit some or all of the following supporting documents:

When you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide.

References

You do not need to provide a reference when you submit your application for this programme.

There may be certain circumstances when a reference will be required, for example if we need to verify work experience. If that is the case, we will contact you after we have reviewed your application to request a reference.

Apply

Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for.

After you apply

Once you have applied for this programme, you will be able to track the progress of your application and accept or decline any offers.

Checking the status of your application

We will notify you by email once we have made a decision. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it might take a while until you hear from us.

Receiving our decision

What to do if you receive an offer:

What our students say

I love the experiences that my course mates share in classes and have allowed me to see things more from other people’s perspective. I think I enjoyed the programme because of the critical analysis of contemporary issues on the continent (Africa) and in-depth reading and research. 

Hammed MSc Africa and International Development, graduated 2021

Our community

Postgraduate community

The postgraduate students at CAS form a dynamic group, all studying different topics and countries but linked by their interest in Africa. Our postgraduate students are integral to our community. Alongside our Masters students, many of our PhD researchers are affiliated to research projects, regularly present at international conferences and publish in top international journals. Several have also won awards for their research. 

Senior research students are often involved in course planning and teaching, which helps in equipping them for future academic careers. Our research graduates are highly employable, many remain in academia, some become researchers in Africa and elsewhere and all develop skills which allow them to work anywhere in the world.

We encourage our Masters and PhD students to engage in academic and extra-curricular events organised by CAS, and to also organise events themselves.

Students looking at the camera and smiling.
‘Potluck’ dinner, March 2025 - Africa and International Development 2025 cohort
Students standing outside at graduation ceremony.
Graduation - Africa and International Development 2024 cohort

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:

  • apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programme
  • accept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 July
  • study at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in September

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

We also offer accommodation options for couples and families.

Accommodation for couples and families

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.

Societies

Sport Clubs

The city of Edinburgh

Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life. 

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include: 

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustments

Health and wellbeing support services 

Disability and Learning Support

General enquiries

Postgraduate Admissions Team

Graduate School of Social & Political Science
Chrystal Macmillan Building
15A George Square
Central Campus
Edinburgh
EH8 9LD

futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
Phone:+44 (0)131 650 4086

Academic contact

Dr Hazel Gray

Programme Director

  • School of Social and Political Science
  • College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
  • University of Edinburgh

Contact details

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