Global Prosperity MSc

About this degree

The 21st century is a critical moment for humanity. From climate change to global pandemics, livelihood security and human wellbeing is under threat around the world. Existing economic structures, extractive systems and patterns of consumption are exceeding planetary limits. With GDP oriented growth failing to increase the welfare of millions of people, many communities remain isolated from the models of economic prosperity generated in the 20th century.

The Global Prosperity MSc argues that in order to address these interconnected challenges, we must fundamentally reconceptualize what prosperity means and how it is designed and delivered. Students on this programme will unpack this premise by critically exploring how the economic, political and institutional roots of today’s global challenges have informed current modes of social prosperity thinking. In assessing the legacies of these paradigms, you will explore a range of methods and experimental case studies aimed at addressing extant global challenges through the process of co-design and the decentralisation of older more hegemonic paradigms of prosperity. Students will critically deconstruct current solutions to global challenges and explore models for enacting and co-designing positive and inclusive change for livelihoods around the world.

This MSc offers an explicitly transdisciplinary learning experience. You will be situated within a diverse network of IGP-led initiatives with industry leaders, businesses and citizen scientists. Through these networks, you will not only be taught cutting-edge social science methods and theories but will be offered real practical experiences through direct engagement with the kinds of future initiatives needed to address current global challenges. The programme draws particular originality from world-leading research into heterodox forms of inclusive and sustainable prosperity generated by the IGP and its ongoing engaged work with multiple stakeholders in the UK, Lebanon and Kenya. These initiatives include regional Prosperity Collaborations in the UK, Lebanon and Kenya (PROCOL) and the Fast Forward 2030 (FF2030) network for young entrepreneurs. Through these initiatives you will be integrated into projects that are prototyping and designing new futures built upon the notions of equality and inclusivity in design, access and decision making.

Global Prosperity MSc is a dynamic, novel transdisciplinary degree that links students with communities of practice in order to generate new pathways to social prosperity. In doing so, students will be trained as the next generation of sustainability managers, policy-makers, entrepreneurs, critical thinkers, researchers and artists who are able to draw on these ideas in their daily practice – both as the ‘responsible citizens’ envisaged in the SDGs – and as future change-makers working through their selected careers to generate and co-design a diversity of prosperous futures.

The Global Prosperity MSc prepares you to become one of a new generation of global leaders. The programme challenges current economic and social models that have generated both astonishing levels of wealth as well as deep social and ecological dilemmas. Through your study you will examine possible solutions to contemporary global challenges and explore how much-needed economic, social and political transformations can be enacted to deliver sustainable prosperity.

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Prospective students must demonstrate commitment to engage with complex global challenges across a range of disciplines. Applicants with significant work experience in government, business, civil society or social entrepreneurship and/or postgraduate training are strongly encouraged to apply.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 3

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

As a student at the Institute for Global Prosperity (IGP) you will join a wider network of both past and future alumni. Alumni are actively encouraged to engage in the life and community of the institute beyond their degree programme. Our alumni often go into major roles in government, business and the third sector thus becoming future partners and collaborators. We run regular alumni events throughout each academic year, allowing current students to engage with alumni and to build on this growing network of change makers. On graduation we expect students to become an active part of this lively alumni network and to engage with and mentor future students, providing essential career inspiration, advice and opportunities. Recent cases include: