Curious about studying International Sustainable Development MScat Loughborough University? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
MSc - Master of Science
Loughborough University London
Part Time
Sep 2027
4 Year
Climate change, disasters and inequality are among many urgent global challenges on the international development agenda. There's a growing need for practitioners with critical perspectives and robust practical skills who can help communities and organisations respond efficiently and sensitively to current and future problems. Co-led by the Water, Engineering and Development Centre from our Midlands campus, this programme has a strong focus on disaster response and resilience, particularly in relation to the Global South. It’s practice-led – so you’ll graduate ready for hands-on work in the areas that interest you most. Practical skills for a demanding field Alongside theoretical inquiry, you’ll learn by doing – building your programme management and research skillset. Deepen your expertise in topics like the politics of violence, international security, and strategies and challenges in the world order, with continually refreshed content reflecting current issues and challenges. Taught by leading academics, you’ll hear real-world insights from experienced practitioners from organisations like UNICEF, Refugee Councils, the Commonwealth Secretariat, Community Based and Consultancy Organisations. Plus, you’ll have the chance to sharpen your professional skills on an industry-led collaborative project or international field trip. Loughborough London is part of the SHIFT innovation district and based near the UNICEF UK offices on East Bank. So it’s the ideal place to network and find partners for the collaborative elements of the course.
The aims of this module are to: Explore the links between developmental interventions and the reduction (and creation) of disaster risks. Introduce developmental practitioners to sustainable Disaster Risk Management (DRM) activities (structural and non-structural) worldwide.
The aims of this module are to give the student the opportunity to study a subject, business problem or research question in depth and to research the issues surrounding the subject or background to the problem. The module will equip the student with the relevant skills, knowledge and understanding to embark on their individual research project and they will be guided through the three options available to them to complete their dissertation: A desk based research project that could be set by an organisation or could be a subject of the student's choice. A project that involves collection of primary data from within an organisation or based on lab and/or field experiments, A full professional placement within an organisation during which time they will complete a project as part of their role in agreement with the organisation (subject to a suitable placement position being obtained).
The aim of this module is to critically examine and understand key theories and debates associated with the field of international development. The module aims to deconstruct the epistemological underpinnings informing dominant theories of development and examine how they translate into the practice of international and sustainable development as seen amongst key stakeholders such as UN agencies, national governments, companies, civil society organisations and social movements. This module examines the growing critique of development and explores the diversity of thought reflected in the epistemologies of the South. By further assessing how colonial history, patriarchy and capitalism have influenced discourses and practices of development this module seeks to complexify and nuance our understandings of theories of development and actors of change.
The aims of this module are to: enable students to become familiar with a comprehensive range of research methods and techniques relevant to the investigation of international development practices as well as social change and social justice policies and mobilizations; generate insight and understanding of how different methodologies dialogue with different epistemological perspectives, aligned to specific research paradigms or philosophies.
The aims of this module are to explore and analyse evolving policy and practice in the management of development programmes in low and middle-income countries, considering factors such as effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, equity and potential outcomes.
The aims of this module are to understand opportunities and constraints associated with urbanisation and simultaneous transitioning to a low-carbon economy by many countries. Using Sustainable Development Goals as a framework, the module will take a 'whole system perspective, discussing technological, social, political, cultural, environmental, and economic aspects of sustainability and resilience in the context of broader urban and development issues.
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Winner: Facilities
