Hi everybody,

I am an italian student and I would like to work in the field of international development.

I want to take a master degree in development economics next year. As I already have a bachelor and Italian master degree in development studies, I want to specialise a bit more in development economics.
My choice is between SOAS and Sussex University (MSc in development economics in both schools). My professors also suggested me to apply for Oxford, but I discarded this idea for a few reasons (as I am foreign I should pass the GRE and I have no time for that, + the fact that I wish to apply for PhD in the same place in which I will take my master and being admitted at a PhD in Oxford is too difficult....)..+ I don't think it's easy to get a place in Oxford!

So, I am in front of a dilemma: SOAS or Sussex university?
I am actually doing a PhD in Italy on the topic of rural development in India, so SOAS could be a good choice because I guess they have a lot of materials on that topic.
On one hand, Sussex seems to have a stronger reputation in the field of development. On the other hand, the famous place in Sussex is IDS, which doesn't teach development economics (my master would be in the faculty of economics).
In general, Sussex seems to be more well-known, but SOAs programme are more interesting and I guess the atmosphere is better too.

Which school do you think is better? Or more valuable in terms of CV? From what you heard, which one holds a better reputation?

thanks to everybody for taking the time to read this!,-)

I'd plump for SOAS. SOAS has an international rep, and is part of the University of London. I don't know about Sussex's rep, so I can't compare. You'll also in smack bang in the middle of the information hub with the SOAS library, British Library and other UL colleges at your disposal.

However, you have to take into account who your supervisor will be; don't base your choices on reputation alone.

Am I reading right...you're already doing a PhD in Italy? Are you planning on a second PhD, or are you transferring?

Thanks for your reply Missspacey!

The fact is that I already decided to go to SOAS but then... as I am currently working as a volunteer at FAO in Rome, I am hearing more and more often people speaking about the Institute of Development Studies in Sussex university... some of my supervisors studied there, and we are actively collaborating with them... this means that they are really involved in development! On the other hand, I wouldn't take my master in that famous institute, but in another department! That's why I am not sure about choosing Sussex...
The point you made on the possibility of accessing information sources is also good...

My university in Italy allows people to take a double PhD, i.e. you are supervised by two universities and in three years (and only one thesis :) ) you can take this doube title from both universities... Actually I should check if UK universities would allow me to do it!

Help anyone?

for example, the fact that Sussex is ranked higher than SOAS in the Times university ranking means that Sussex is better... or not?

The answer to this ultimately depends on how much weight you place on rankings. International students seem absolutely obsessed with rankings...

Remember rankings aren't going to reflect the quality of your supervision, facilities, etc. You can only really make an informed choice by visiting both uni's and speaking to potential supervisors.

What happens next year if SOAS is higher than Sussex?? But you chose Sussex because the previous year they were higher...

hi there. i know both of them. sussex has a very good reputation in international development, and a really nice international community. SOAS is a much smaller university, but also good in that field.
maybe you should think about the location as well. SOAS is in central london, brighton is a different world, much more relaxed. but it depends on what you prefer.
Tamas

Hi lafeecarabine,

Not sure if you will ever get this message.

But I would be very interested to know what you chose in the end. SOAS or Sussex? And why?

I have to make the same choice now (got an offer for SOAS, Sussex, East Anglia and Manchester for Masters in development economics) and have the same doubts and questions than you 4 years ago...

All the best.