MPhil in Development Studies

M Phil in Development Studies

The two-year teaching program at GIDS leads to an MPhil degree in development studies. It aims to help students shape their thinking on development issues, equipping them with a broad lens with which to study the complexities of the development process. Starting with theory, history, and concepts, the program focuses on engaging students in critical thinking to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the theoretical, empirical, and policy dimensions of development. It also aims to enhance the analytical skills necessary to explore the interconnected streams of and range of options for innovative approaches to promoting equitable and sustainable development. The program equips students to work as policymakers, administrators, researchers, teachers, and activists in:

• Government institutions
• Multilateral and bilateral development agencies
• National and international NGOs
• Private-sector firms
• Teaching and research institutions

The MPhil program is structured around four core areas of study, which, together with a variety of elective courses, form the interdisciplinary framework of a student’s field of interest. The two-year program’s teaching component is run over two semesters in the first year. The core courses in the first semester are designed to provide students with a firm grounding in development concepts, theories, and approaches in their historical and contemporary setting. The elective courses offered in the second semester serve to link related disciplines to development approaches, allowing students to specialize in particular areas of interest. The second year of the MPhil program is focused on the writing of a research thesis and may include fieldwork.

GIDS takes advantage of existing faculty expertise at the Lahore School of Economics and provide teaching across the departments of the School with core courses being taught at the Institute. The optional courses are shared with other Master’s degree courses at the Lahore School, enabling students to explore current issues from varying academic perspectives.

Click here for more detail on courses offered during the program.