Economics and Finance for Development MSc at University of Bradford

Overview

This course will provide you with a systematic understanding of economic approaches to development and in particular, the role of finance and financial institutions. Students will be able to evaluate the merits of the various mechanisms of financing development and to understand the bases for financial policy.

During the course you will develop the skills required for the analysis of development issues, and to understand the interlinkages between statistics and econometrics, and develop expertise on international trade and exchange rate policies and related economic matters. Additionally, students have the opportunity to study a range of options covering project and programme management, public policy, and development policy.

Learning and assessment

Most teaching is lecture or group-based for modules, while individual supervisors provide specialist guidance during dissertation writing (starting in Semester 2). Hence, as the programmes progresses, the main learning method gradually becomes more individualised and student-centred.

The programme starts with an intensive induction week to develop your learning and personal development planning skills and to provide an introduction to IT and library resources. Additional group and one to one support is provided for you if you require it. You are introduced to academic writing, research and analytical skills as part of the preparation for writing your dissertation.

To ensure the systematic development of knowledge of key subjects, modules are assessed by a variety of assessments in addition to essays and formal examinations. Group work, where the assessment may be based on a report or a presentation, provides you with both team work experience and practice in different ways of expressing arguments and information. Some modules may also use problem-solving exercises or ask you to develop a portfolio of your work. Please see the appendix for further details.

Career prospects

On completion of this qualification, you may go on to work in an economics or finance policy capacity in government, the private sector, in development agencies (e.g. regional or national development banks) or in the third sector in a capacity relating to economics and finance (e.g. microfinance or enterprise support and development).