MSc in Economics for Development

About the course

The course seeks to cultivate the analytical and critical skills relevant to economic development, in particular those needed to assess alternative approaches to policy. It provides the rigorous quantitative training that development work now requires, helping you develop the ability to access, process and interpret a variety of data. It aims to provide the research tools and approaches needed for those who wish to proceed to doctoral research in development economics.

The course aims to provide intensive supervision of a minimum of three tutorial essays and to match the supervision of the compulsory dissertation with students’ research interests.

The contents and structure of the MSc aim to reflect developments in the economics profession, with a combination of quantitative methods, economic theory and modelling, empirical analysis and review of policy options and outcomes.

Course structure

This section provides an overview of the course structure, while details of the individual course components are provided below.

As a student on this course, you will be invited to attend the optional Pre-Sessional Mathematics course which takes place in the week before induction week. This course provides a foundation of maths and statistics which are vital for following the theory and quantitative methods lectures in the first term. It is also an important initial bonding experience for the cohort. While this course is optional, the department urges all students to attend it – even students who consider that they possess strong mathematical skills will find that there are essential topics that are not covered in the undergraduate degree. There is also an online introduction that provides the basic background in matrix algebra which is essential to the lectures in Econometrics. Again, this introduction is essential background to follow the lectures in Econometrics, especially for students who have only covered basic econometrics in scalar notation.

In the first term, you will take courses in economic theory (split between macroeconomics, microeconomics and international trade), and quantitative methods (ie econometrics). The second term is made up of econometric methods and development economics.

A central component of the course is a dissertation written on a subject which you choose in consultation with your supervisor, and which is submitted in the third term. More information on the structure of the course is available via the departmental website’s course page (See Information about the department offering this course below).

The course is taught through lectures and classes and, for the development modules, student presentations. The quantitative methods course also includes hands-on training in the use of specialist statistical software. Class sizes are small – usually between five and 30 students – encouraging active participation and enabling students to learn from each other.

During the course you will be required to complete a number of problem sets and write essays for individual supervisors (the tutorial system). This system is used to build critical and analytical skills and is particularly beneficial to students from a different background of instruction.

Around 65% - 75% of your time will be spent on lectures and guided study, with the remaining 25% - 35% devoted to self-directed work, much of which will be spent on your dissertation.

You will have the opportunity to attend a wide range of public seminars organised within both ODID and the Economics Department, in particular the seminars run by the Centre for the Study of African Economies. Beyond the immediate degree, Oxford offers a great variety of events, including seminars and lectures by distinguished academics and policy-makers in related fields.

Core components

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You will take three core courses and submit a dissertation.

Option modules

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You will take four or five development economics topics from a series of at least eight.

Course details

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As a graduate student, you will have access to the University's wide range of resources including libraries, museums, galleries, digital resources and IT services.

The Bodleian Libraries is the largest library system in the UK. It includes the main Bodleian Library and libraries across Oxford, including major research libraries and faculty, department and institute libraries. Together, the Libraries hold more than 13 million printed items, provide access to e-journals, and contain outstanding special collections including rare books and manuscripts, classical papyri, maps, music, art and printed ephemera.

The University's IT Services is available to all students to support with core university IT systems and tools, as well as many other services and facilities. IT Services also offers a range of IT learning courses for students to support with learning and research, as well as guidance on what technology to bring with you as a new student at Oxford.

Libraries

In addition to the world-class resources held by the main the Bodleian Library, readers also benefit from access to the wider Bodleian Libraries group which includes the Social Sciences Library. This is nearby and offers study spaces, discussion rooms, printing and IT facilities and research support. It has considerable print and digital strengths in development studies and a specialist librarian on staff. As alumni of the University, students can sign up for continued access to a number of electronic resources as well access online journals through JSTOR.

IT support

You will have access to high-quality IT facilities and econometric and data-analysis software. Most students choose to bring their own laptop computers and to use these for data analysis, but ODID provides hot-desking areas with desktop computers and printing, as well as wireless internet access. Technical support is available through ODID and the Economics Department, your college and the University’s IT Services, which also offers training courses. Course materials are available online via Canvas, the University’s Virtual Learning Environment.

Departmental facilities

Teaching takes place in seminar rooms in Queen Elizabeth House or in the Manor Road Building. In Queen Elizabeth House there is a common room area where students from all the department's courses can gather. Light lunches in the Cafeteria are available during term. The Manor Road Building also offers a cafeteria and common room for students' use.

The number of places and average number of applicants for this course are shown below. For a breakdown of admission statistics by department, please refer to our published graduate admissions statistics.

Places in 2027-28	c. 31
Applications/year*	283

*Three-year average (applications for entry in 2024-25 to 2026-27)

Entry requirements

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For entry in 2027-28

The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown. You can use our guidance to help you evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive.

Some contextual data provided through the application form may be considered during the assessment and selection process to better understand the context of your achievements.

Please be aware that any studentships or funded projects that are related to this course may have different or additional requirements and you should read any studentship information carefully before applying.

Degree-level qualifications

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:

a first-class or a very strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in economics.

However, entrance to the course is very competitive and most successful applicants have a first-class degree or the equivalent.

Applicants whose first degree contains little or no economics cannot be considered for this course. The minimum requirement is the equivalent of two years of full-time study at university level of economics courses (please note that courses in finance, planning, business, management and other similar subjects do not count as economics courses). Some mathematical and quantitative ability is essential for this course.

If your first degree contains too little economics for the MSc, but you nonetheless wish to study development at Oxford, you may wish to consider the two-year MPhil in Economics or the two-year MPhil in Development Studies.

For applicants with a bachelor's degree from the USA, the minimum overall GPA that is normally required to meet the undergraduate-level requirement is 3.6 out of 4.0. However, selection of candidates also depends on other factors in your application and most successful applicants have GPA scores of 3.7 or higher.

If your degree is not from the UK, we recommend that you visit our International Qualifications page for guidance on the qualifications and grades that would usually be considered to meet the University’s minimum entry requirements.

GRE General Test scores

If you do not hold, or will not shortly hold, a UK or Republic of Ireland undergraduate or postgraduate degree, you must submit the results of a GRE Test obtained within the last 5 years. Applicants from UK and Republic of Ireland universities may also choose to submit a GRE score. There is no specified minimum GRE score, and these scores are only used to provide useful comparative information in the admissions process, especially for students coming from non-UK institutions.

Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience

Relevant experience in developing countries is desirable but is not at all essential.
An ability to work both independently and in groups is essential.
Publications are not expected or required for admission, but any can be listed on the CV.

English language proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University's higher level. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement. The minimum scores required to meet the University's higher level are detailed in the table below.

Minimum scores required to meet the University's higher level requirement
Test	Minimum overall score	Minimum score per component
IELTS Academic (Institution code: 0713)	7.5	7.0
TOEFL iBT* including the 'Home Edition' (Institution code: 0490)	110	Listening: 22 Reading: 24 Speaking: 25 Writing: 24
C1 Advanced^†	191	185
C2 Proficiency^‡	191	185
Oxford Test of English Advanced	165	155

*Changes to the TOEFL iBT test are being introduced on 21 January 2026. The University will not accept TOEFL tests taken from that date to meet the English language condition until a review of the revised test has been completed. Our Application Guide provides full details of the tests we accept.

^†Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)
^‡Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)

Your test must have been taken no more than two years before the start date of your course. Our Application Guide provides further information about the English language test requirement.

Declaring extenuating circumstances

If your ability to meet the entry requirements has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (eg you were awarded an unclassified/ungraded degree) or any other exceptional personal circumstance (eg other illness or bereavement), please refer to the guidance on extenuating circumstances in the Application Guide for information about how to declare this so that your application can be considered appropriately.

Funding and costs

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For entry in the 2027-28 academic year, the collegiate University expects to offer over 1,200 full or partial graduate scholarships across a wide range of graduate courses.

If you apply by this course's January deadline and receive a course offer, your application will then be considered for Oxford scholarships. For the majority of Oxford scholarships, your application will automatically be assessed against the eligibility criteria, without needing to make a separate application. There are further Oxford scholarships available which have additional eligibility criteria and where you are required to submit a separate application. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential.

To ensure that you are considered for Oxford scholarships that require a separate application, for which you may be eligible, use our fees, funding and scholarship search tool to identify these opportunities and find out how to apply. Alongside Oxford scholarships, you should also consider other opportunities for which you may be eligible including a range of external funding, loan schemes for postgraduate study and any other scholarships which may also still be available after the January deadline as listed on our fees, funding and scholarship search tool.

Details of college-specific funding opportunities can also be found on many individual college websites. To access this information, first select a college from the list of colleges that accept students for this course. Next, navigate to the Contact details section of the college page, where a direct link to the college's funding information will usually be provided.

For the majority of college scholarships, it doesn’t matter which college, if any, you state a preference for in your application. If another college is able to offer you a scholarship, your application can be moved to that college if you accept the scholarship. Some college scholarships may require you to state a preference for that college when you apply, so check the eligibility requirements carefully.

Further information about funding opportunities for this course can be found on the Oxford Department of International Development website.

In addition to your course fees and any additional course-specific costs, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.

Living costs for full-time study

For the 2027-28 academic year, the range of likely living costs for a single, full-time student is between £1,475 and £2,175 for each month spent in Oxford. We provide the cost per month so you can multiply up by the number of months you expect to live in Oxford. Depending on your circumstances, you may also need to budget for the costs of a student visa and immigration health surcharge and/or living costs for family members or other dependants that you plan to bring with you to Oxford (if dependant visa eligibility criteria are met).

Further information about living costs

The current economic climate and periods of high national inflation in recent years make it harder to estimate potential changes to the cost of living over the next few years. For study in Oxford beyond the 2027-28 academic year, it is suggested that you budget for potential increases in living expenses of around 3% each year – although this rate may vary depending on the national economic situation.

A breakdown of likely living costs for one month during the 2027-28 academic year are shown below. These costs are based on a single, full-time graduate student, with no dependants, living in Oxford.

Likely living costs for one month in Oxford during the 2027-28 academic year
Expense	Lower range	Upper range
Food	£325	£560
Accommodation	£880	£1,025
Personal items	£165	£320
Social activities	£50	£135
Study costs	£35	£95
Other	£20	£40
Total	£1,475	£2,175

For information about how these figures have been calculated as well as tables showing the likely living costs for nine and twelve months, please refer to the living costs page of our website.

College preference

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Before you apply

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Completing your application

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Contact details

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Fee status	Annual Course fees
Home	£33,940
Overseas	£43,150

MSc in Economics for Development

Full time

Application deadlines

About the course

Course structure

Core components

Option modules

Course details

Official course title

Award

Course code

Libraries

IT support

Departmental facilities

Entry requirements

Degree-level qualifications

GRE General Test scores

Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience

English language proficiency

Declaring extenuating circumstances

Financial Declaration

Disclosure of criminal convictions

Funding and costs

Fees for the 2027-28 academic year at the University of Oxford

Fee status

Annual Course fees

What do course fees cover?

How long do I need to pay course fees?

Where can I find more information about fees?

Living costs for full-time study

Further information about living costs

College preference

Before you apply

Completing your application

Contact details

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MSc in Economics for Development

Full time

Application deadlines

About the course

Course structure

Core components

Core course: Economic theory

Core course: Quantitative methods

Core course: Development Economics

Dissertation

Option modules

Typical options

Course details

Course title and award

Attendance

Resources to support your study

Supervision

Assessment

Graduate destinations

Information about the department offering this course

Number of places and applications

Changes to this course

Entry requirements

Proven and potential academic excellence

References

Supporting documents

Performance at interview

Offer conditions for successful applications

Other factors governing whether places can be offered

Funding and costs

Funding

Annual course fees

Additional course costs

Living costs

College preference

Your college preference

Colleges accepting applications for this course

Before you apply

Getting started

Application fee waivers

Do I need to contact anyone before I apply?

How to start or continue an application

Completing your application

Instructions for completing the application form

Referees (three overall, at least two, but ideally all of which must be academic)

Official transcript(s)

Personal statement (a minimum of 500 words up to a maximum of 1,000 words)

Written work (Two essays, a minimum of 2,000 words to a maximum of 4,000 words each)

GRE General Test results

After you've submitted your application

Contact details

Course-related enquiries

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