SOAS, University of London (The School of Oriental and African Studies)

Structure

All courses are compulsory:

• Microeconomics - 15PECC006 (0.4 Unit) - Term 1
• Capital markets, derivatives & corporate finance - 15PECC011 (0.4 Unit) - Term 1
• Financial systems and economic development - 15PECC036 (0.4 Unit) - Term 1
• Quantitative methods I - 15PECC008 (0.4 Unit) - Term 1
• Dissertation for MSc Economics programmes - 15PECC998 (0.8 Unit) - Full Year
• Macroeconomics - 15PECC005 (0.4 Unit) - Term 2
• International economics 2 - 15PECC019 (0.4 Unit) - Term 2
• Quantitative methods II - 15PECC045 (0.4 Unit) - Term 2
• Theory of financial institutions & policy - 15PECC021 (0.4 Unit) - Term 2

Programme Specification

• Programme Specification 2012/2013 (pdf; 92kb)

Teaching & Learning

Teaching & Learning

The courses are taught in seminar groups and lectures. The degrees are awarded on the basis of assessed coursework, examinations and the dissertation.

The MSc degrees are taught over a period of twelve months of full-time study within a structured programme. In the case of part-time study, the degrees will be taught over two years. Four modules are studied each year, with the dissertation normally being completed in the second year.

Lectures

Most courses involve a 50-minute lecture as a key component with linked tutorial classes.

Seminars

At Masters level there is particular emphasis on seminar work. Students make full-scale presentations and are expected to write papers that often require significant independent work.

Dissertation

Students are required to complete an 8,000-word dissertation in applied economics.

Learning Resources

SOAS Library

SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.

Pre Entry Reading

Preliminary Mathematics and Statistics Course

Our MSc programmes attract students with a wide range of backgrounds including many who have worked for a few years before coming to SOAS. Our popular quantitative courses are designed to be accessible to all of our students including those with a relatively small quantitative component in their first degree. Our well-received quantitative courses focus on applying basic methods used in empirical research. They equip students to carry out their own high quality empirical work and critically evaluate research, with relatively little emphasis on advanced econometric theory and mathematical proofs.

Our quantitative methods teaching begins with a three-week preliminary course in mathematics, statistics and computing.
The objective of the course is to review the basic quantitative skills assumed once formal teaching commences. This course is compulsory. Click here for further details.

Destinations

A postgraduate degree in Finance and Development from SOAS equips students with a range of important skills to continue in the field of research as well as a portfolio of widely transferable employability skills valued by a wide range of employers.  

These include numeracy, analytical thinking and general skills such as organisation and effective communication skills.  Graduates will develop their regional expertise and understanding of issues of development and the international financial market. In addition the study of Economics gives students particular problem solving skills
including: abstraction, analysis, quantification, strategic thinking and adaptability.

Postgraduate students from the SOAS MSc in Finance and Development have followed successful careers in both academic work and also in international banking and financial analysis, in national governments in many parts of the world, in international development agencies and in a range of non-government organisations. A postgraduate degree is a valuable experience that provides students with a body of work and a diverse range of skills that they can use to market themselves with when they graduate.

For more information about Graduate Destinations from this department, please visit the Careers Service website.

How to apply

How to apply

• How to Apply
• Online Application
• Funding options
• English language requirements
• Tuition Fees
• Admissions Contacts

Scholarships

For further information visit the Scholarships section