Global Prosperity

The world urgently needs leaders who can transcend current economic models – associated with great wealth as well as deep social and ecological dilemmas – and create viable alternatives. The Global Prosperity MSc equips students with new approaches to prosperity and its measurement, empowering them as international transition leaders.

Students understand the antecedents of today’s unsustainable economic cultures, from the history of economic growth, to inequality and the multinational corporation. They will master alternative measurements of prosperity such as the Social Progress Index while examining innovative pathways to prosperity (including the transition to renewable energy systems). There is also a focus on collective problem-solving methodologies from human-centred design (HCD) to Theory U.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of four core modules (60 credits), two optional modules (30 credits) and a dissertation (90 credits).

Core modules

• Pathways to Prosperity 1: Global Legacies
• Pathways to Prosperity 2: Global Futures
• Research Methods 1: Measuring Global Prosperity
• Research Methods 1: Problem-solving for Global Prosperity

Optional modules

Students choose two thematically compatible optional modules:

• Recommended:
• Transformative Entrepreneurship
• Other modules can be chosen more widely across UCL in, for example, engineering, global health, sustainable resources, energy, anthropology, economics, geography, history, philosophy.

Dissertation/report

All students undertake an independent research project leading to a dissertation (10,000 words). They will also be required to prepare a shorter article for publication.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through targeted and innovative learning methods, including lectures, case studies, policy papers, blogging, and a dissertation project, which may involve fieldwork and collaboration with partner organisations. IGP strives to integrate students into its core research community. Assessment is through coursework, presentations, a written examination and a dissertation. The programme is delivered through targeted and innovative learning methods, including lectures, case studies, policy papers, blogging, and a dissertation project, which may involve fieldwork and collaboration with partner organisations. IGP strives to integrate students into its core research community. Assessment is through coursework, presentations, a written examination and a dissertation.

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.