UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

Centre for Development Studies
Department of Economics, part of Faculty of Law, Business and Social Sciences

Programmes

CDS Development-oriented

CDS Finance-oriented

CEFS

MSc in Economic Development

About the programme

The MSc in Economic Development is designed for

  • those intending to pursue careers in teaching and/or research in the general field of economic development or the specialist areas offered as elective subjects; 
  • government officials wishing to expand their knowledge of various aspects of economic development;
  • those working in this subject area in international agencies or in other organisations concerned with economic development.

The diploma option

The Diploma in Economic Development places less emphasis on research training than does the MSc programme, but will, nonetheless, provide a thorough grounding in the policy issues and techniques of analysis in this area, and will be appropriate for a range of career options in the development field.

A note on entry requirements and target students

The MSc Economic Development is for students who hold an Economics degree or have a good background in Economics. Those who do not have such a background but intend to pursue further studies in the area of Development are advised to apply for admission to the MSc Development Studies, or the MSc Management (Development Policy), depending on their interests. 

Programme structure

Students take three compulsory courses and select three elective courses from the list below. MSc candidates also write a 12,000-15,000 word Dissertation. Students are required to attend the course - Research Methods and Dissertation Training - in preparation for writing the dissertation.  Course outlines can be found on the Course index page.

Compulsory courses

Semester 1

Dissertation Training and Research Methods (compulsory)

Compulsory courses

Elective courses

Semester 2

Dissertation Training and Research Methods continues (compulsory)

Compulsory courses

Elective courses

April - September

Semester 2 electives from other departments

In semester 2, and to some extent in semester 1, students may take courses offered by other departments as listed below, provided that they are not scheduled at the same time as compulsory courses.  Availability will depend on sufficient student numbers.

Department of Economic and Social History

  • Banking History
  • Business History
  • China in the International Economy
  • Economic Growth in the Twentieth Century (semester 1)
  • Economic History of East Asia and Japan Since 1945 
  • European Integration since 1945
  • International Economic Relations since 1945
  • USA since 1945

 Department of Politics

  • Applying Gender Analyses (semester 1)
  • Contemporary Chinese Politics
  • Democratisation in Central and Eastern Europe
  • Engendering Theory and Practice of International Development (semester 1)
  • The EU in International Politics
  • The Foreign Policy of the United States
  • International Cooperation
  • Political Legitimacy and Post-Modern Governance
  • Politics of Gender in Development
  • Theories of Distributive Justice
  • Transnational Politics: Non-State Actors and Global Governance

 Department of Central and Eastern European Studies

  • Changing State and Society in Central Europe
  • Gender and Identity in Soviet and Post-Soviet Russia
  • Post-Soviet Russia: Renegotiating Global and Local Identities
  • Social Transformation in Eastern Europe
  • State and Society under Communism: Social and Economic Frameworks (semester 1)
  • Statehood and Nationality in Central and Eastern Europe
  • Thematic Issues in Russian, Central and East European Studies (semester 1)

Students may choose other relevant postgraduate courses subject to approval.