International Development (Global Studies) (Research)

1st in the world for Development Studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)

Join our lively community of doctoral researchers and address some of the most important current issues in international development.

Our PhD is among the most diverse in the world, in terms of supervisors and students, and topics being researched. All our doctoral projects engage with the global challenges that face societies across the world today. You’ll work with a range of experts from across the natural and social sciences whose cutting-edge original research has made a significant impact on individuals, institutions and societies around the world.

In the School of Global Studies, we host one of the UK’s largest doctoral research communities in International Development, and here students have a voice and an identity!

Areas of study
Our research interests are in fields such as:

• environment, resources and mobilisation

• gender, sexuality and conflict

• human rights and welfare

• humanitarian design and citizen aid

• markets, labour and finance

• migration and mobility.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.