MSc Development Economics
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 1 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2023
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Course Overview
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.
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.
Study and Modules
Structure
This course is made up of a total of 180 credits:
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Compulsory and optional modules (120 credits)
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Dissertation (60 credits)
Two core modules are Micro and Macro Economics of Development. Microeconomics of Development provides you with sound building blocks for economic reasoning across core topics and questions of development. Some examples are: Why are people poor? How do we understand inequality? Do health and education matter for economic performance? How to understand the roles of markets, government, and various institutions? Who runs the household?
Macroeconomics of Development provides you with an understanding of macroeconomic theory and policy in developing countries. This will include an evaluation of alternative theories of economic growth and their policy implications, and an analysis of the macroeconomic effects of external shocks. By the end of the module, you’ll have a good understanding of modern theories of economic growth and open economy macroeconomics, and be able to apply those theories to economic policy issues in developing countries.
Another core module is Econometric Methods For Development aims to introduce you to econometrics and provide you with sufficient knowledge and practical skills for competent use of econometrics in empirical research, and to understand and interpret econometric results. By the end of the module, you will have acquired sufficient knowledge and skill to apply multivariate analysis of cross-sectional and time-series data to a wide range of macro- and micro-economic problems of development. In addition to lectures, the module includes computer workshops where STATA software is used and seminars.
A final core module is Economic Policy Analysis. In this module, you'll examine a selection of topics in applied development economics that are important for government policy – chosen from areas such as international trade, foreign investment, government taxation and spending, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), labour markets and employment, and health. You will look at the economic theory relevant to each topic, and how government policies have worked in practice, making use of contemporary examples and evidence.
A range of seminars and IT workshops are offered during your Master’s programme for the teaching and strengthening of your skills (e.g. STATA). Sessions to support learning – in particular essay and dissertation writing – occur throughout the year. Additional training in a wide range of professional skills used in international development is also provided.
The Behavioural and Experimental Development Economics Research Group
Research in the School of International Development addresses contemporary challenges in developing and transition economies via disciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches. Research is organised into a series of Research Groups. The Behavioural and Experimental Development Economics Research Group offers seminars and invites guest speakers on a regular basis.
Compulsory Modules
Optional B Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional C Modules
(Credits: 40)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.
Teaching and Learning
Teaching methods include mainly lectures and seminars. Your lectures go beyond the customary ‘chalk-and-talk’ approach, and include a range of interactive tasks and activities. The use of technology is also widespread, for example through visual representation of empirical evidence in international development (e.g. through statistical programs). Other examples include the use of online reading materials and lecture screencasts.
Through seminar group work and presentations, you'll also be able to develop transferable skills such as articulating an argument both orally and in writing and presenting academic information in a clear and cogent manner.
Independent study
You will read suggested state of the art academic articles and papers, submitting assignments as specified for each module. Your independent study gives you the chance to prepare for in-class sessions and assignments, and to concentrate on the areas that interest you the most.
Assessment
You'll be assessed using a variety of methods, including presentations, essays, exams and a dissertation. Further assessment methods will differ depending on the optional modules you choose.
You will receive oral feedback on your arguments and ideas during seminars, which helps you develop skills in articulating an argument orally.
You will 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 will typically receive written and oral 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.
Entry Requirements
- Degree Classification
- UK 2.1 or equivalent
- Degree Subject
- Social Science with a strong background in Economics.
- English 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
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.
Additional Information or 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.
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
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.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2023/24 are:
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UK Students: £9,650 (full time)
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International Students: £19,800 (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 £1,023 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.
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.
Employability
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.
Careers
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:
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International organisations
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Governmental and non-governmental organisations
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Local governments
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Private sector
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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.