Development Studies SOAS or Sussex (or Manchester)

Hi Pratyeka,

We have exactly the same interest (poverty and rural development) and concern while mine is IDS vs LSE vs Manchester vs Edinburgh. I suggest you to choose IDS as it has extensive networks of researchers and there are lot of routine discussions and seminars going on there. In my humble opinion, I believe studying at IDS balance both quantitative and qualitative perspectives while at SOAS it is quite economic heavy, apart from their tendencies to 'leftist'.

I have met IDS graduates, most of them are pioneers in development, creating new approaches in participatory development. I have met Emeritus Professor of IDS Robert Chambers during his visit to my office yesterday, He suggested me to opt IDS as there would be myriads of opportunities to meet researcher from many backgrounds and lot of career opportunities too.

Hi Pratyeka,

We have exactly the same interest (poverty and rural development) and concern while mine is IDS vs LSE vs Manchester vs Edinburgh. I suggest you to choose IDS as it has extensive networks of researchers and there are lot of routine discussions and seminars going on there. In my humble opinion, I believe studying at IDS balance both quantitative and qualitative perspectives while at SOAS it is quite economic heavy, apart from their tendencies to 'leftist'.

I have met IDS graduates, most of them are pioneers in development, creating new approaches in participatory development. I have met Emeritus Professor of IDS Robert Chambers during his visit to my office yesterday, He suggested me to opt IDS as there would be myriads of opportunities to meet researcher from many backgrounds and lot of career opportunities too.

I have received unconditional offers from both SOAS and Sussex for the MA in Development Studies.

I have still not decided which one accept. On one hand, SOAS is a more specialised institution for the study of Asia and Sub Saharan Africa which are my focus areas. On the other hand, the IDS is currently considered the best development studies department and beside the theorical classes, the programme is more likely to promote the student's practical skills.

I am also concerned about living in London. The cost of life would be extremely expensive but being a big city, it would be easier to find a traineeship there than in Brighton.

I am also still waiting for the answer from Manchester where I applied for the MA International Development: Poverty, Inequality and Development. Here, the strong point of the programme is a period of field-work which would be a good way to gain experience.

My interests are in inequality and rural development and regarding my future career prospective, it would both be interested in research and in working for international institutions. Hence, I wonder which university would be more in line with those topics and my expectations?

Any advice is welcome!