Specialisation Population, Poverty and Social Development: Institute of Social Studies

Educational requirements:

• BA degree in social science, from a recognised university, at least class 2.2 or B, preferably class 2.1. Check ISS website for specific requirements.

Professional experience required:

• A minimum of 2 years of professional experience relevant to PPSD is normally expected and is a preference for admission

Language requirements:

• TOEFL (minimum score: Overall 580); IELTS (minimum score: Overall 6.5), Other tests, like ALIGU and Michigan, are also recognised. Applicants need to demonstrate a level at least equivalent to the TOEFL/IELTS requirements

Objectives:

• PPSD is an interdisciplinary programme that integrates theory and methods from economics, population studies, anthropology, sociology and human ecology, to explore the historical and contemporary forces that affect the welfare of populations in the face of global economic change.

Subjects:

• Population dynamics in social development; development strategies and the rural poor; environment, population and sustainable development; politics of reproduction; children, youth and development; social policy analysis; world economy, rural livelihoods and the environment.

Modes of instruction:

• The courses combine lectures and tutorials with individual and group work. Seminars, practical work, study visits, discussions with practitioners. The programme concludes with the writing of a research paper.