| UCAS code | 1234 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year full time |
| Entry year | 2025 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Economics |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online Programme Director: Dr Edwin Ip |
| Typical offer | 2:1 degree with honours in a quantitative discipline |
|---|---|
Overview
- For students looking to kick-start a career in development and critically understand some of the world's biggest challenges in development and how we can solve them.
- Designed by world-class development experts, our MSc Economics: Development Economics presents an exciting opportunity to prepare you for a fulfilling career in international organisations, social enterprises, government, think tanks or academia.
- Learn cutting-edge economic theories, econometrics and field research techniques, and apply them to understand important topics in development.
- Design your own development intervention or policy proposal under the supervision of our expert development economists.
- Receive feedback from development economists and professionals who’ve worked with international organisations such as the World Bank.
Business School of the Year
Times Higher Education Awards 2022
Triple accredited Business School
AMBA, AACSB, EQUIS
Receive personal guidance and support from an expert development economist
You will be assigned a development economist as your personal academic tutor
Opportunity to develop your policy or intervention proposal and present them to those who influenced real policies
Business School of the Year
Times Higher Education Awards 2022
Triple accredited Business School
AMBA, AACSB, EQUIS
Receive personal guidance and support from an expert development economist
You will be assigned a development economist as your personal academic tutor
Opportunity to develop your policy or intervention proposal and present them to those who influenced real policies
Entry requirements
Minimum 2:1 degree with honours in a quantitative discipline (e.g. economics, mathematics, statistics, physical sciences, engineering, computer science, finance). We also consider strong students from disciplines that have quantitative components (e.g. a quantitative social science, psychology, geography, life sciences, accounting, management) as well as medicine intercalators. Evidence of quantitative ability is required.
We do consider all applications where there is evidence of exceptional performance in modules relevant to the programme of study, significant relevant work experience or professional qualifications.
Prerequisites
In order to apply for the MSc Economics, you must be at least familiar with basic algebra, calculus, probability and statistics. Quantitative skills are especially important for those without prior Economics studies.
Note: A Level mathematics (or equivalent) may be acceptable as a minimum requirement, but if admitted, you will be encouraged to undertake some additional self-guided study prior to the start of the programme.
Entry requirements for international students
Please visit our entry requirements section for equivalencies from your country and further information on English language requirements.
Entry requirements for international students
English language requirements
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
Course content
This programme is available for study 12 months full-time over three terms and is University-based throughout this time. The taught components of the programme are delivered in the first two terms, leaving the third term and most of the summer to research, write and submit your dissertation. The programme in its entirety runs from September to September.
- During the programme you will study modules (including the dissertation) totalling 180 credits.
- Please note that programme structures may be subject to change.
- Descriptions of the individual modules are given in full on the Business School postgraduate module list.
Compulsory modules
Choose 150 credits of compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BEEM155 | Development Economics | 15 |
| BEEM100 | Macroeconomics | 15 |
| BEEM101 | Microeconomics | 15 |
| BEEM011 | Applied Econometrics 1 | 15 |
| BEEM152 | Behavioural Development Economics | 15 |
| BEEM103 | Optimisation Techniques for Economists | 15 |
| BEEM163 | Research in Practice: Study Design | 15 |
| BEEM124 | Dissertation | 45 |
Optional modules
Choose 30 credits of options.
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MSc Economics: Development Economics optional modules 24-25 | ||
| BEAM029 | Topics in Financial Economics | 15 |
| BEAM036 | Domestic and International Portfolio Management | 15 |
| BEAM042 | International Financial Management | 15 |
| BEMM071 | Leadership and Global Challenges | 15 |
| BEMM375 | Sustainable Tourism Management | 15 |
| BEEM125 | Experimental and Behavioural Economics | 15 |
| BEEM012 | Applied Econometrics 2 | 15 |
| BEEM157 | Behavioural Finance | 15 |
| BEEM154 | Economics of Public Finance | 15 |
| BEEM015 | Industrial Economics and Strategy | 15 |
| BEEM155 | Development Economics | 15 |
| BEE3076 | Environmental Economics and Sustainability | 15 |
| BEE3077 | Health Economics | 15 |
| BEE3072 | Econometrics: Cause and Effect | 15 |
Fees
2025/26 entry
UK fees per year:
£14,900 full-time
International fees per year:
£26,700 full-time
Scholarships
The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships*.
For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
*Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.
Teaching and research
In addition to lectures, seminars and tutorials that help you build technical and practical skills, our learning activities are designed to help consolidate your knowledge and skills as well as to help you apply them to real world problems.
You will also be assigned one of our expert development economists as your personal academic tutor who will offer you support and advice over the course of your study.
Other activities include special events where prominent economists and development specialists (e.g. former senior economist at the World Bank) are invited to inspire you with cutting-edge topics and developments in economics and development.
Moreover, our MSc students are invited to attend our departmental seminars, where leading economists from around the world disseminate latest research in different fields of economics.
Research-led teaching
University of Exeter Business School research was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.
We believe every student benefits from being taught by experts active in research and practice. You will discuss the very latest ideas, research discoveries and new technologies in seminars and in the field. All our academic staff are active in internationally-recognised scientific research across a wide range of topics.
Our programmes are designed to be flexible, whilst also giving you the opportunity to specialise if you wish. You will explore not only traditional economic models, but the latest application of economy theory including behavioural and experimental economics, giving you course content that is world-relevant.
Each programme draws upon the internationally rated research undertaken within the department, and the experience of our academics in developing economic policy at organisations such as the Bank of England, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the United Nations.
Economics research
We are a research-intensive faculty and our world-leading research is actively shaping the world around us, and we combine this with innovative teaching techniques, unique to our Business School. You can also participate in experiments contributing to this cutting-edge research through our state-of-the-art research laboratory FEELE (Finance and Economics Experimental Laboratory at Exeter).
You will be taught by internationally respected academics who are at the forefront of their research. We draw upon disciplines across the social sciences and give emphasis to the dynamic nature of enterprise, global connectivity and the management and leadership of the global challenges that lie ahead.
The Business School is home to the following research centres:
- Centre for Entrepreneurship
- Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
- Centre for Simulation, Analytics and Modelling (CSAM)
- Exeter Centre for Social Networks (ECSN)
- Exeter Centre for Leadership (ExCL)
- Exeter Sustainable Finance Centre (ESF)
- Initiative in the Digital Economy at Exeter (INDEX)
- Land, Environment, Economics and Policy Institute (LEEP)
- Research Methods Centre
- Tax Administration Research Centre (TARC)
- The Exeter Centre for Circular Economy (ECCE)
Careers
Our Master’s programmes are designed to prepare you for a successful career, wherever in the world you plan to work, and our Careers & Employability team will help you identify your career path and support your route to a fulfilling global career.
You will acquire rigorous analytical and statistical skills as an economist, and gain expertise and experience in applying these to tackle problems in development around the world. As such, our MSc in Economics: Development Economics will prepare you well for a career in international organisations (e.g. World Bank, UN), development agencies, not-for-profit organisations, social enterprises, government as well as academia (should you pursue a MRes/PhD following the programme).
Depending on your choices of optional modules, you could open doors to other careers and industries (e.g. finance, marketing, behavioural insights, tourism management).
Developing your skills and career prospects
The University of Exeter Business School provides a range of support to help you develop skills attractive to employers. Visit our postgraduate Business School careers service web page for more information.
Enhance your degree with Study Abroad opportunities
QTEM Programme*
After your first year of studies at Exeter, you can progress onto the QTEM Programme. QTEM aims to prepare students with excellent quantitative and analytical skills to support their future careers as decision makers leading the global business environment.
If you are accepted onto the QTEM Programme, you will spend an additional semester studying at one of the prestigious academic partners. This will be followed by a quantitatively focussed internship and participation in the QTEM Data Challenge which includes online data science and leadership courses as well real data analysis.
Students will be selected and nominated to QTEM by the University of Exeter Business School following a competitive internal application process. Places are limited so we recommend you register your interest before applying for your Masters.
*Open to high achieving students enrolled in the following University of Exeter Business School programmes: MSc Finance, MSc Finance and Investment, MSc Economics, MSc Financial Economics, and MSc Business Analytics.
For more information on QTEM and Double Degrees and other postgraduate study abroad opportunities, visit the Business School’s Study Abroad webpages.
