MSc Development Economics (Part Time)

Explore the complexity of economic development with an approach that is analytically rigorous, problem-solving, and policy oriented.

On this MSc, you will learn to apply rigorous economic analyses to real-world problems, like poverty, inequality, and macroeconomic instability. Importantly, you will integrate methods and new insights from behavioural and experimental economics.

The MSc is housed in the multidisciplinary School of International Development, and is taught by specialised development economists. This gives you the chance to take two taught modules from a wide range of modules taught by political scientists, anthropologists, experts in environmental studies, gender, and education – making this course a fascinating and rewarding choice.

This degree follows the same programme as its full-time equivalent but is spread over two years.

You will be taught by a team of internationally respected development economists with very strong experience in the field. Specifically, the use of experimental and behavioural economics puts this group in the forefront of innovative development research internationally – and you will benefit from the findings of their research.

The programme applies rigorous economic analyses to real-world problems, like poverty, inequality, and macroeconomic instability to identify effective policy solutions. International development organisations and agencies (like the World Bank, IMF, the UK government's Department for International Development, Oxfam, Action Aid, and WIDER) recognise the need for these skills.

It is unique because it integrates methods, research findings and new insights from behavioural and experimental economics. Compared to traditional development economics courses you will acquire more subtle understanding of development processes and more realistic policy analyses.

It provides strong links with the MSc in Impact Evaluation, which is also taught within the School – its two core modules may both be taken as optional modules if you wish to do so. You can also take up to two out of your six taught modules from a long list of modules taught by political scientists, anthropologists, and experts in environmental studies, gender, and education, among others.

This degree provides excellent employability prospects, with graduates employed in both development and non-development organisations, including international organisations, academia, NGOs, government ministries and the private sector. It also provides solid grounding if you would like to pursue a PhD in development economics.

Students need to have: 2.1 or equivalent in Social Science with a strong background in Economics. Applicants should normally have a good undergraduate degree from a recognised higher education institution. The University will also take into account the employment experience of applicants where relevant. September Pre-Sessional Courses All applicants are expected to attend an introductory online full-time course in Mathematics and Statistics for Economists in the fortnight preceding the Masters programme. This course is compulsory and incorporates the techniques of calculus and matrix algebra; in addition, students are introduced to the econometric software package which will be used in their MSc programme.