Program Overview

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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.

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.

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.

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.

Modules

• 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
  • 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.
  • BEAM029 | Topics in Financial Economics | 15
  • BEAM036 | Domestic and International Portfolio Management | 15
  • BEAM042 | International Financial Management | 15
  • BEE3072 | Econometrics: Cause and Effect | 15
  • BEE3076 | Environmental Economics and Sustainability | 15
  • BEE3077 | Health Economics | 15
  • BEEM012 | Applied Econometrics 2 | 15
  • BEEM015 | Industrial Economics and Strategy | 15
  • BEEM125 | Experimental and Behavioural Economics | 15
  • BEEM154 | Economics of Public Finance | 15
  • BEEM155 | Development Economics | 15
  • BEEM157 | Behavioural Finance | 15
  • BEMM071 | Leadership and Global Challenges | 15
  • BEMM375 | Sustainable Tourism Management | 15
  • BEEM162 | Environmental Economics and Sustainability | 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.

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.

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).

Enhance your degree with Study Abroad opportunities

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.