Africa
University of Cape Town — South Africa | #11 globally
Africa's highest-ranked university for Development Studies, with strong research across development, public policy, inequality and social transformation.
University of the Witwatersrand — South Africa | #25
A leading African research university with strengths across development, governance, social policy and political economy.
University of Ghana — Ghana | #51–100
A strong option for students looking to build expertise in African development and West African policy and economics.
University of Nairobi — Kenya | #101–150
Its location in Nairobi also places students close to one of Africa's largest concentrations of UN agencies, NGOs and international organisations.
Arab States
American University in Cairo — Egypt
One of the region's leading internationally oriented universities, with strong links to research and policy across the Middle East and Africa.
Asia & Pacific
National University of Singapore | #9 globally
Asia's highest-ranked university for Development Studies, offering a strong platform for exploring development, technology, urbanisation and regional policy.
Australian National University | #14
A leading choice for students interested in development across the Indo-Pacific, including climate, governance and international cooperation.
Jawaharlal Nehru University — India | #26
One of the world's strongest institutions for Development Studies, with a particularly valuable perspective on development in South Asia.
University of Tokyo — Japan | #29
A globally recognised research university offering a distinctive Asian perspective on development and international cooperation.
Europe
Europe dominates the global Development Studies ranking, with the UK particularly well represented.
University of Sussex — UK | #1 globally
Sussex has built one of the world's best-known development research communities and has held the top position in the QS ranking for years.
SOAS University of London — UK | #2
Particularly strong for students interested in development across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
University of Oxford — UK | #3
A globally recognised research environment spanning development economics, governance, public policy and international affairs.
London School of Economics and Political Science — UK | #4
An excellent fit for those interested in the intersection of development, economics, politics and public policy.
University of Manchester — UK | #5
A long-established centre for development research covering issues from poverty and governance to environmental change.
University of Cambridge — UK | #6
Strong interdisciplinary research across economics, politics, policy and global development.
Westminster University — UK | #6
Gain practical development expertise, connect with NGOs and international organisations, and build your global impact career from the heart of London. Currently a Fellowship Partner of Impactpool
Wageningen University & Research — Netherlands | #8
Particularly relevant for careers focused on food security, agriculture, climate change, sustainability and natural resources.
University College London — UK | #10
A strong international development option in the heart of London, one of the world's major hubs for NGOs, UN agencies and policy organisations.
North & Latin America
Harvard University — US | #7 globally
The highest-ranked university outside Europe, with extensive expertise across development economics, global health, public policy and international affairs.
University of California, Berkeley — US | #12
A multidisciplinary powerhouse spanning development economics, environmental policy and social sciences.
Columbia University — US | #13
Its New York location offers proximity to a huge international ecosystem of UN agencies, NGOs, foundations and policy organisations.
Cornell University — US | #15
Particularly strong for students interested in agriculture, food systems, sustainability and rural development.
Stanford University — US | #16
A compelling option for those interested in the intersection of development, technology, economics and policy.
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México — México | #17
One of Latin America's strongest universities for Development Studies, offering valuable regional expertise.
Your degree is only the beginning
A Development Studies degree can open doors, but your skills and experience will ultimately shape your career.
International organisations increasingly look for professionals who can combine development expertise with practical capabilities in areas such as programme management, data, climate, finance, monitoring and evaluation, digital transformation and policy. Impactpool's Impactpool Pulse 2026, based on responses from almost 2,800 professionals, highlights how competitive the international development job market has become — and why building a clear professional profile matters. Read the full findings here. If you're deciding what to study, explore 15 career profiles and skills that can help you succeed in international development.
And if you're looking for funding, start with our guide to development scholarships for international students.
The right degree can give you the foundation. Your experience, skills and motivation will determine where you take it.