MSc in Project Planning and Development Project Analysis

About the programme

The programme of study leading to the degree of MSc in Project Planning and Development Policy Analysis is designed for:

• those intending to pursue careers as project planners and development policy analysts;
• the professional planning staff of Ministries concerned with the design and implementation of development projects and policies and their integration into development programmes;
• those working in project planning and development policy analysis in international agencies or academic and research institutes.

The diploma option

The Diploma in Project Planning and Development Policy Analysis 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 fields of planning and development policy.

A note on entry requirements and target students

The MSc Project Planning and Development Policy Analysis is for students who hold an Economics degree or have a strong background in Economics, though applicants with other backgrounds, particularly in technical subjects such as Engineering or in subjects such as Management, may also be considered.

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

• Economic Appraisal of Development Projects
• Project Planning, Appraisal and Implementation
• Quantitative Methods for Planning - Forecasting  

Semester 1 

Research Methods and Dissertation Training (compulsory)

Compulsory courses

• Project Planning, Appraisal and Implementation
• Quantitative Methods for Planning - Forecasting

Elective courses

• Basic Econometrics
• Economics of Inequality and Deprivation
• Environmental Economics
• Growth and Development
• International Macro Economics and Policy
• International Trade
• Money, Finance and Growth
• Theory and Principles of Sustainability

Semester 2

Research Methods and Dissertation Training continued (compulsory)

Compulsory courses

• Economic Appraisal of Development Projects 
  

Elective courses

• Advanced Econometrics
• Aid and Development
• Development Policy
• Financial Institutions and Markets in Developing Countries
• Foreign Direct Investment and Development
• Globalisation, Trade and Economic Development
• The IMF, World Bank and Economic Growth
• International Finance and Money
• Policies for Sustainability and Development
• Poverty: Concept, Analysis and Policies
• Public Finance

April - September

• Examinations
• Dissertation

Semester 2 electives from other departments

Semester 2 and sometimes semester 1 courses may be taken from the following range offered by other departments provided that the timetable does not conflict with the arrangements for compulsory courses. Availability will depend on sufficient student numbers.

Department of Central and Eastern European Studies

• Changing State and Society in Central Europe
• 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)

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

Students may choose other relevant postgraduate courses subject to approval.