MSc Impact Evaluation for Global Development

Key details

MSC IMPACT EVALUATION FOR GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT

Start Year

2023

Attendance

Full Time

Award

Degree of Master of Science

Duration (years)

Do you have an interest in designing and implementing development projects and programmes? How about researching development effectiveness? Or would you like to develop and enhance your skills for undertaking rigorous, high quality impact evaluations?

Impact evaluation has become an important tool in development policy making. Multilateral and bilateral donor agencies and developing country governments are now committed to funding and utilising high quality impact evaluation, and taking this Master’s will support your career path.

You’ll get to grips with the basics of modern evidence-based policy-making and impact evaluation, including the contexts and practices of evaluation, research design and more advanced methods of quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Please note we are changing our name to the School of Global Development from 1 August 2023, as we mark our 50th Anniversary.

About

You’ll combine theory and practice through two specialist modules and acquire analytical skills that are important beyond impact evaluation. What’s more, you’ll be part of the School of International Development (Changing to Global Development from 1 August 2023), which has a world-class reputation for research in international development.

You can choose module options both from within our School and from other departments at UEA, giving you a unique range of choice and specialisation and providing you with the chance to tailor the course to your particular interests.

Lecturers who teach on this course have wide practical experience in impact evaluation. Many of them are international development economists, so you’ll benefit from their proficiency and know-how.

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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.

Assessment for Year 1

You’ll be assessed using a variety of methods, including presentations, essays and a dissertation. Further assessment methods will differ depending on the optional modules you choose.

You’ll also 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

Structure

At the heart of this Master’s programme are two unique modules.

Welfare and Evaluation in Development provides you with theoretical frameworks for evidence-based policy and a critical understanding of a broad range of issues relevant to impact evaluation and development. It reviews approaches to wellbeing and their practical application in terms of evaluating the effect of development interventions. It exposes you to cost-benefit analysis and considers policy and evaluation in practice looking at a range of sectors and contexts.

Applied Methods for Impact Evaluation provides you with a good basic knowledge of applied methods of impact evaluation that allows you to carry out high quality impact evaluations. For that purpose, it provides a comprehensive overview of the most important methods of impact evaluation. It provides instruction in and hands-on experience of the main quantitative and qualitative impact evaluation methods, through linked lectures and (computer) workshop/seminars.

You’ll also study Econometric Methods for Development. The aim of this introductory module is to introduce you to basic econometric theory and provide you with sufficient knowledge and practical skill for competent use of econometrics in empirical research. The module also enables you to understand and interpret econometric research results. By the end of the module, you'll 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 on Stata (a widely used econometrics software) and seminars.

There are a host of excellent optional modules to choose from, including Critical Issues in Development Practice, Microeconomics of Development, and Contemporary World Development.

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 be able to develop transferable skills such as articulating an argument both orally and in writing and presenting academic information in a lucid and cogent manner.

Independent study

You’ll read academic articles and book excerpts suggested by the academics and submit the 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.

A range of optional seminars and workshops are offered during this Master’s programme for the teaching and strengthening of your skills. Sessions to support learning – in particular essay and dissertation writing – occur throughout the year.

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Open Days

Assessment for Year 1

You’ll be assessed using a variety of methods, including presentations, essays and a dissertation. Further assessment methods will differ depending on the optional modules you choose.

You’ll also receive oral feedback on your arguments and ideas during seminars, which helps you develop skills in articulating an argument orally.

Compulsory Modules

ECONOMETRIC METHODS FOR DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-7025A

Credits 20

The aim of this introductory module is to introduce you to basic econometric theory and provide you with sufficient knowledge and practical skill for competent use of econometrics in empirical research. The module also enables you to understand and interpret econometric research results. By the end of the module you’ll 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 on Stata (widely used econometrics software) and seminars.

APPLIED METHODS FOR IMPACT EVALUATION

Code DEV-7037B

Credits 20

This module will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the most important methods of impact evaluation. For that purpose, it will provide you with instruction in and hands-on experiences of the main quantitative and qualitative impact evaluation methods, with an emphasis on the quantitative.

WELFARE AND EVALUATION IN DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-7038A

Credits 20

This module provides you with an introduction to the theory and practice of impact evaluation. The focus will be on issues around evidence-based policy making, approaches to wellbeing, and their practical application in terms of evaluating the effect of development interventions on the quality of people’s lives. The first part discusses the notion of evidence-based policy, introduces the students to the area of evaluation and reviews the role of programme theory in evaluation. The second part addresses the theory of welfare, with particular reference to poverty, inequality, and multi-dimensional ill-being as well as cost effectiveness. The third part considers policy and evaluation in practice looking at a range of sectors and contexts.

DISSERTATION

Code DEV-7056X

Credits 60

Production of a short (8000-12000 words) dissertation on an approved topic.

Optional B Modules

(20 credits)

RESEARCH TECHNIQUES AND ANALYSIS

Code DEV-7005A

Credits 20

The course lectures and seminars will include the following topics: • Development research & research ethics • Research design and method; sampling, questionnaire design, interviews • The role of qualitative methods in quantitative research and mixed methods • Participatory and action research • Design and implementation of household surveys on various topics, e.g. income, consumption, employment, health, nutrition, education, etc. Basic data processing and statistical analysis and presentation are shown based on tools such as Excel, SPSS and STATA.

MICROECONOMICS OF DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-7018A

Credits 20

The module provides the building blocks for microeconomic analysis of development. Topics include: • Poverty, inequality and welfare • Agricultural household production • Intra- household allocation • Risk, uncertainty and insurance • Markets and Institutions: credit • Markets and institutions: labour • Human capital : education, health and nutrition • Public goods, collective action • Institutions, transaction costs • Policy reforms • Household surveys and their analysis. The module consists of lectures, seminars and workshops. Students are assessed by essay and exam.

PERSPECTIVES ON GLOBALISATION

Code DEV-7028A

Credits 20

Globalisation refers to the increasingly interconnected nature of social life on our planet. It has been described as ‘the most important change in human history’. You will critically examine a number of key debates about globalisation: about what is driving the process, and about what impacts it is having – for example, on economic development, poverty and inequality, conflict, and the environment. This module takes an inter-disciplinary approach, presenting different conceptual frameworks within which contemporary globalisation is analysed.

Optional C Modules

(40 credits)

EDUCATIONAL POLICY AND PRACTICE FOR DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-7011B

Credits 20

The aim of this module is to help you understand and critically examine, policy-making processes and specific policies for educational development. You will discover the relationships between policy and practice in a range of international, national and local development contexts. Through this module you will explore different approaches to policy development and familiarise yourself with dominant global policy agendas in education - asking who makes or influences policy, and considering policies as socially situated documents, practices and processes. The module introduces you to educational policy-making to address a range of development challenges and how related strategies are enacted in practice; drawing on policy theory and ethnographic and school-based research, as well as practical sessions to critique policy-related writing, examine models of educational quality and curricula, and explore issues of school-related gender based violence.

MACROECONOMICS OF DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-7029B

Credits 20

This module will provide 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 will 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.

GLOBALISED AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEMS

Code DEV-7045B

Credits 20

The aim of this module is to understand how forces operating at the global scale affect food and agriculture. These forces include trends in farming and trade, environmental change, policy developments, and social movements. Food security is a central theme: we explore different ways food security is defined, and how it is contested internationally, considering global institutions like FAO, interest groups, and diverse policy agendas (e.g. food sufficiency, nutrition, sustainability). The module considers a range of issues currently affecting food and farming systems: environmental change, changing diets (more meat, processed foods), `post-production' concerns with food safety or farming’s impact on ecosystems, global agribusiness, agricultural innovation systems, and global-scale changes in food prices. Students will gain critical understanding of debates around these issues and of how different policy actors engage with them. These actors include firms, public R&D institutions, farmers' movements, and major donors and philanthropic organizations. An abiding concern is understanding impacts for the poor and vulnerable, particularly smallholder farmers, but also consumers in the North and South, and those involved in value chains. The module will help students develop a critical and inter-disciplinary understanding of key international policy debates that have relevance to agriculture.

September 2023 opportunities. Discover more

Open Days

Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. 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. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.

Entry Requirements

Degree classification

UK 2.1 or equivalent

Degree subject

Social Science

Additional entry requirements

Basic statistics skills are a requirement. A two-week long pre-sessional course is mandatory for all students to attend. This is designed to enhance and develop existing statistical skills to the required level. The cost is included in the overall fee for the course.

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. All applicants are required to have a statistical background.

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 two components only with 64 in the other two)

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