MSc DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS
MSC DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS
You’ll be taught by a team of internationally respected development economists with a vast amount of 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 and underdevelopment, to identify effective policies. International development organisations and agencies (for example, theWorld Bank, IMF, DFID, Oxfam, Action Aid, WIDER) increasingly recognise the need for these skills and this programme provides a sound foundation in contemporary development economics.
It’s unique because it integrates methods, research findings and new insights from behavioural and experimental economics.Compared to traditional development economics courses you’ll acquire more subtle understanding of development processes and more realistic policy analyses.
It provides strong links with theMScin Impact Evaluation taught within the same 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, specialists on natural resource, gender, and education.
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’d like to pursue a PhD in development.
About
Explore the complexity of economic development with an approach that’s both analytically rigorous and problem and policy oriented.
On this MSc you’ll learn to apply rigorous economic analyses to real-world problems like poverty and underdevelopment to identify effective policies. Importantly, you’ll integrate methods, research findings and new insights from behavioural and experimental economics. While taught by specialised development economists, the MSc is housed in the multi/interdisciplinary School of International Development. This gives you the chance to take two taught modules from a choice taught by political scientists, anthropologists, specialists on natural resource, gender, and education – making this course a fascinating and rewarding choice.

WHATEVER YOU LOVE, GO FURTHER

Ask an Academic
- SHARE
- Facebook
- Twitter
- LinkedIn
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.After the Course
Upon completing your MA, you’ll 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.
Career destinations
A career in international development can take you in all kinds of directions such as international organisations, governmental and non-governmental organisations, local governments, private sector and PhD programmes.
Previous graduates have gone on to work for the British High Commission in Ghana, UNITAR in Japan, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, and PhD studies in related fields.

WHATEVER YOU LOVE, GO FURTHER

Ask an Academic
Assessment for Year 1
You’ll be assessed using a variety of methods, including presentations, essays, exams and an optional dissertation. Further assessment methods will differ depending on the optional modules you choose.
You’ll receive oral feedback on your arguments and ideas during seminars, which helps you develop skills in articulating an argument orally.
You’ll also be encouraged to prepare essay plans or outlines in advance of essay deadlines, and to discuss these with the relevant lecturer during their office hours or by email. In addition, you’ll typically receive oral and/or written feedback on an initial coursework assignment well in advance of your deadline for the main coursework assignment.
Finally, the dissertation enables you to develop specific research skills such as conducting research using primary and secondary data, researching specific topics and questions, thinking critically, and linking theoretical concepts to practical issues.
Assessment for Year 1
You’ll be assessed using a variety of methods, including presentations, essays, exams and an optional dissertation. Further assessment methods will differ depending on the optional modules you choose.
You’ll receive oral feedback on your arguments and ideas during seminars, which helps you develop skills in articulating an argument orally.
You’ll also be encouraged to prepare essay plans or outlines in advance of essay deadlines, and to discuss these with the relevant lecturer during their office hours or by email. In addition, you’ll typically receive oral and/or written feedback on an initial coursework assignment well in advance of your deadline for the main coursework assignment.
Finally, the dissertation enables you to develop specific research skills such as conducting research using primary and secondary data, researching specific topics and questions, thinking critically, and linking theoretical concepts to practical issues.
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.Entry Requirements
Degree classification
2.1 or equivalentDegree subject
Social Science with a strong background in Economics.Additional entry requirements
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 course in Mathematics and Statistics for Economists in the fortnight preceding the Masters programme in September. 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. For entry in September 2020 this course will commence on 9 September and registration will take place on 8 September 2020.
Students for whom english is a foreign language
We welcome applications from students whose first language is not English. To ensure such students benefit from postgraduate study, we require evidence of proficiency in English. Our usual entry requirements are as follows:
-
IELTS: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in only two components with 6.0 in the others)
-
PTE (Pearson): 64 (minimum 59 in only two components with 64 in the others)
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
Other tests, including Cambridge English exams and the Trinity Integrated Skills in English are also accepted by the university. The full list of accepted tests can be found here: Accepted English Language Tests
INTO University of East Anglia
If you do not meet the academic requirements for this course, you may be able to study one of the International Graduate Diploma programmes offered by our partner INTO UEA. These programmes guarantee progression to selected masters degrees if students achieve the appropriate grade. For more details please click here:
International Graduate Diploma in International Development
INTO UEA also run pre-sessional courses which can be taken prior to the start of your course. For further information and to see if you qualify please contact intopre-sessional@uea.ac.uk
Intakes
This course is open to UK, EU and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.

WHATEVER YOU LOVE, GO FURTHER

Ask an Academic
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2021/22 are:
-
UK Students: £8,600 (full time)
-
International Students: £17,600 (full time)
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
We estimate living expenses at £1,015 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course related costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of additional course-related costs.

WHATEVER YOU LOVE, GO FURTHER

Ask an Academic
How to Apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
Further Information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.

WHATEVER YOU LOVE, GO FURTHER

Ask an Academic

WHATEVER YOU LOVE, GO FURTHER

Ask an Academic
Course Variants
Related Courses
-
MA Agriculture and Rural Development
-
MSC Climate Change and International Development
-
MSC Environment and International Development
-
MA Gender Analysis in International Development
-
MSC Impact Evaluation for International Development
-
MA Conflict, Governance and International Development
-
MA International Social Development
-
MA Media and International Development
-
MA Education and Development
-
MA Globalisation Business and Sustainable Development (Part Time)
-
MA International Development
Not quite right? Search for other courses below: