37 PhD programmes in International Development in Europe

The School of Life, Health and Chemical Science at The Open University UK has a strong track record of engagement with Global Health and Development Research projects.

The International Environment and Development Studies programme of the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) is at the heart of the university's mandate with its focus on global challenges related to environmental and climate change, sustainable food production and natural resources management and the governance implications for people's rights and well-being.

Future Rural Africa is an interdisciplinary collaborative research center involving geographers, anthropologists, political scientists, agroeconomists, soil scientists and ecologists from the University of Bonn and the University of Cologne.

The Development Studies programme offered by Swansea University enables doctoral researchers to pursue a substantial project led by their own passions and interests. It represents a highly respected qualification which can present a pathway to a career in academia, or widen their scope for employment in fields such as education, government or the private sector.

Uneven development between countries can be attributed to structural differences in how their economies are organised and depend on each other. This Economics of Development and Structural Change programme is offered at The Open University UK.

Our research in the States, Political Systems and Development degree at The Open University UK seeks to shed light on how states as drivers and agents of development, while also exploring  alternative political systems that challenge the prevailing development paradigms. 

The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) transforms the knowledge, action and leadership needed for more equitable and sustainable development globally, through our world-class research, learning and teaching at the University of Sussex.

Develop a deep understanding of complex processes of social, political and economic change, and produce original research on international development themes. Learn more at the International Development programme from London School of Economics and Political Science.

The PhD in International Education and Development at the University of Sussex gives you the opportunity to develop specialist knowledge in the field of development and education and to hone advanced research skills in methodologies appropriate for contexts in low-income countries.

Political Economy of Development (Joint Degree with BRAC University) at SOAS University of London offers doctoral training in the fields of development studies, development economics, the politics of development, and related fields, resulting in a PhD in the Political Economy of Development. 

The Sustainability programme offered by Anglia Ruskin University explores sustainability challenges through research into socio-ecological systems, systems change, governance, community engagement, and the factors that shape sustainable futures.

The Development Studies with Reference to Emerging Economies programme offered by King's College London investigates economic, social, political, and environmental transformations in emerging economies and the Global South through critical, interdisciplinary research.

The Global Human Development program of the University College Dublin is part of the Human Development Initiative (HDI). HDI aims to promote and foster development education, produce quality research in partnership with southern universities and raise awareness of contemporary development issues through various outreach programmes.

Through the Development Studies course from the University of Cambridge all students will take a compulsory Research Methods course in the first year. Students are also encouraged to attend a wide range of seminars and other events organised by the Centre of Development Studies and departments throughout the University, such as the Social Sciences Research Methods Centre.

The Inclusive Innovation and Development degree at The Open University UK carries out interdisciplinary research in science, technology and innovation systems, social inclusion and global justice, politics and policy of development and development management.

There are complex connections between conflict, security, and development. The securitisation and militarisation of various global regions, and aspects of everyday life, intersect with and impact many development issues. This Conflict, Security and Development phd programme is offered at The Open University UK.

Emerging life science technologies can transform healthcare and improve well-being in developing countries. This Health Systems and Development programme is offered at The Open University UK.