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Economics for Development, MSc
University of Oxford, Social Sciences
- Development & Social Policy and Planning
- Economics
Quick facts
| Country: | United Kingdom | Duration: | 9 Months |
| City: | Oxford | Start Date: | September |
| Educational Form: |
| Languages: | English |
| Education Variants: |
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| Application Deadline: | November, January and March | ||
| Annual Tuition Fee: | € 14328 - € 18902 (non-EEA) | ||
Programme Description
The MSc is a taught graduate degree in development economics with strong emphasis on bring methods of modern economic analysis to development theory and policy. It aims to prepare students for further academic research and for work as professional economists on development issues in international agencies, governments or the private sector by providing the rigorous training in economic analysis and quantitative techniques that research and applied work in the development field now requires.
At the practical level, the course seeks to equip graduates with a range of skills. These include:
* The application of the tools of modern economic analysis to issues of development policy
* The use of quantitative and statistical techniques for policy analysis and evaluation in a development context
* The capacity to evaluate critically different approaches to development analysis and policy
* The ability to communicate effectively with researchers, policymakers and practitioners in the field, to develop their capacity to work with and advise governments and development institutions on development problems
- Contents
- Requirements
- More
Contents
The course is taken in one year. It is registered with the UK Economic and Social Research Council as a Research Training Degree and is a recognized entry route into the doctoral progamme at Oxford. Candidates progressing to the doctoral programme are expected to achieve a Distinction in the final examinations and will normally be required to take further coursework as PRS students. A good previous degree, in economics or in a related discipline with a strong concentration in economics, and an aptitude for theory and quantitative methods, is a requirement for admission to the course. With increasing competition for places, a first class or equivalent degree at the undergraduate level is now essential.
The course normally admits 25-30 students. It is taught through a combination of lectures, classes and essay writing with individual supervisors. The tutorial system (writing essays for the supervisor) is used to build critical and analytical skills, and is particularly beneficial to students from a different background of instruction (typically these comprise over three-quarters of the MSc student population).
There are weekly classes and lectures in economic theory (split between macro and microeconomics) and econometrics, and a sequence of elective development modules taught by lectures, seminars and student presentations. The quantitative methods course includes hands-on training in the use of specialist statistical software. Specific issues in development economics cover such topics as poverty, inequality, education, health, rural development, political economy institutions, risk, globalisation, corruption and macroeconomic management. Students receive further teaching from individual supervision.
A central component of the course is a 10,000 word Extended Essay written on a subject chosen by the student in consultation with the supervisor, and agreed with the Course Director. The MSc examination at the end of the summer term has three written papers (Theory, Quantitative Methods and Development Economics); the Extended Essay is assigned one quarter of the weight of the final result.
The M.Sc. has establish a reputation for quality in both research and policy circles:
* The external examiner has consistently commented on the quality of the extended essays and on the coverage and level of material examined in the economic theory and quantitative methods papers.
* Several Extended Essays have been published in academic journals.
* Graduates of the MSc are well received by the job market: for instance, the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) regularly takes MSc students for overseas postings, and graduates have been employed in international institutions working on development. Significant numbers of M.Sc. graduates now work in the Department for International Development and in the major international financial institutions (World Bank, IMF, UN organization).
* Two to three graduates each year are accepted to read for the DPhil. in economics at Oxford, and some return after a few years of work experience to start on doctoral work
You are normally required to take an English Proficiency Test if you come from a non-English speaking country.
Most European Universities recognise the IELTS test.
More informationRequirements
A student wishing to read for the MSc in Economics for Development has to be admitted first by the Queen Elizabeth House Graduate Studies Committee and the Graduate Economics Committee, and then by a College.
At least a good upper second class honours degree in economics from a British university (or its equivalent elsewhere) is normally required, together with some evidence of ability in quantitative analysis. However, entrance is very competitive and most successful applicants have a first class degree or its equivalent (such as a 3.8 GPA in the USA).
Students who have not completed a degree from a British University at the time of application are required to submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. Relevant experience in developing countries is highly desirable. It is essential for applicants to apply early, and respect the deadlines. Please refer to the Graduate Studies Prospectus for information on gathered field deadlines, and higher lever language requirements.
A good command of English (both written and spoken) is essential. Candidates whose first language is not English are required to provide evidence of proficiency in English (eg by taking the TOEFL or IELTS test).
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