MSc DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS

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

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

While taught by specialised development economists, the MSc is housed in the multidisciplinary School of International Development. 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. 

About

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'll benefit from their learnings. 

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, DFID, Oxfam, Action Aid, 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 a more subtle understanding of development processes and more realistic policy analyses. 

It provides strong links with the MSc in Impact Evaluation taught within the same School; its two core modules may both be taken as optional modules. You can also take up to two out of your six taught modules from a long list of modules taught by political scientists, anthropologists, 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. 

After the Course

Upon completing your MSc, you will be equipped with a range of transferable skills, which means you can pursue a variety of exciting careers both in and beyond international development. 

You'll also be well qualified to enter a PhD programme with a view to continuing to an academic career both in the UK and overseas. 

Previous graduates have gone on to work at a range of national and international organisations, including: the British High Commission in Ghana, UNITAR in Japan, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, DFID, The World Bank, IPA, and PhD studies in development economics. 

Career destinations

A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.

A career in international development gives you a sound basis for a range of professions such as: 

• International organisations 

• Governmental and non-governmental organisations 

• Local governments 

• Private sector 

• PhD programmes 

Previous graduates have gone on to work at a range of national and international organisations, including: the British High Commission in Ghana, UNITAR in Japan, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, DFID, The World Bank, IPA, and PhD studies in development economics.