MSc Development Economics and Policy

Course description

MSc Development Economics and Policy provides training in contemporary economic theory, applied economics and quantitative methods relevant to developing and transitional economies.

Run jointly by the Global Development Institute (GDI) and the School of Social Sciences (SoSS), it is especially appropriate if you're seeking to practice as a development economist in government, the private sector, a multilateral organisation or an NGO.

In addition to studying four compulsory course units, you'll have the opportunity to specialise in particular areas of the subject via four optional course units and a dissertation.

The theory course units provide a thorough training in both contemporary macro- and micro-development theory. Applied and optional course units offer you an opportunity to understand development problems and policy prescriptions within both global and national economic contexts.

The quantitative course units, which include an applied development project, enable you to test theories through the use of data sets and provide training in standard econometrics techniques and up-to-date econometrics software packages.

You'll also undertake independent research between June and September in the form of an approved dissertation.

Aims

You will:

• understand the leading applied economics and development economics journals;
• understand the main economic models and key indicators from which development policies are derived and offer a critique of underlying theories;
• through the preparation of a dissertation and/or the applied development economics project, explore the relationship between theory and practice, test theories through the use of actual data sets, and demonstrate familiarity with standard econometric techniques and appropriate econometric software packages;
• demonstrate the skills demanded of an academic researcher in development economics or a staff advisor in a government department, non-government organisation or commercial organisation;
• undertake independent research, as evidenced by the completion of a dissertation.

Teaching and learning

Part-time students complete the course over 24 months. There are no evening or weekend course units available; you should, therefore, discuss course requirements with the Programme Director and seek approval from your employer. Timetabling information is usually available from late August. You can discuss course unit choices during induction week with the Programme Director.

Coursework and assessment

The taught elements of the course, carrying 120 credits overall, is continuously assessed by a variety of methods (eg project-based reports, essays), involving largely individual submissions, but also elements of group work.

Career opportunities

Teaching and research at the Global Development Institute covers a wide variety of topics and as a result our students can be found in a range of jobs and careers.

Our teaching aims to support students from all backgrounds to acquire valuable knowledge, skills and attributes to achieve their educational and professional goals. It includes regular contributions from researchers and practitioners with a view to equip our students to make a positive difference in their chosen sphere.

We require a UK Honours degree with a First or Upper Second (2.1) classification or the overseas equivalent in a Economics or a related discipline. Candidates should demonstrate a background in microeconomics, macroeconomics and statistics (up to at least intermediate level) and achieve scores of 2.1 or above in relevant modules. When assessing your academic record we take into account the grades you have achieved and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.