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Start date
Duration
1 year
Attendance mode
Full-time or part-time
Location
On Campus
Fees

Home: £12,220
International: £25,320

Course code
PGTF0186
Entry requirements

We will consider all applications with 2:2 (or international equivalent) or higher. In addition to degree classification we take into account other elements of the application such as supporting statement. References are optional, but can help build a stronger application if you fall below the 2:2 requirement or have non-traditional qualifications.

 

See international entry requirements and English language requirements

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The MSc Economic Policy offers solid training in the fundamental principles of economic policy, grounding them in the evolution of economic theory and policy practice. It provides a platform for critical analysis and discussion of policy design and evaluation methods linked to real-world problems, without requiring a first degree in Economics for enrolment.

You will explore government actions and strategies designed to achieve policy objectives under specific political and socio-economic conditions. The programme addresses key policy challenges, including climate change and green finance, industrial competitiveness and structural transformation, poverty and inequality, corruption and ineffective states, and labour market and social protection policies, among other concerns.

Optional regional modules offer students an opportunity to delve into regional policy challenges, aligning with the established tradition of SOAS Economics. Moreover, participants can specialise in one of three areas: 1) Economic Policy and International Finance, 2) Economic Policy and the Environment, and 3) Economic Policy and Institutions. 

Why study MSc Economic Policy  at SOAS?

  • We are ranked 27th in the UK for economics (QS World University Rankings 2024)
  • We are top 20 in the UK for student satisfaction with teaching (Complete University Guide 2023)
  • We are top 40 in the UK for economics (Complete University Guide 2023)
  • SOAS is ranked 6th in the UK for employment outcomes (QS World University Rankings 2023)

Global Partnerships

Programme participants are eligible to apply for a co-supervised dissertation, collaborating with members of the Economics department and leading experts from international organisations. Such organisations include the World Bank, the International Trade Centre (ITC), the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

In addition, this programme is offered as part of a dual master's degree with Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). Through the dual Master's, students can spend the first year studying at SAIS and the second year at SOAS or vice versa and gain a Master's award from each institution. 

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The MSc Economic Policy is a taught Master’s degree. It consists of 180 credits, made up of eight taught modules, four compulsory modules and four optional (Guided Options) modules, each worth 15 credits taught over 10 or 20 weeks. In addition, a 10,000-word research project accounts for 60 credits. The modules are  delivered through lectures, classes, seminars and tutorials. The programme structure shows which modules are compulsory and which are optional.

As a rough guide, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study such as reading and research, preparing coursework, revising for examinations and so on. Also included is class time, for example, lectures, seminars and other classes. Some subjects may have more class time than others – a typical example of this is language acquisition modules.

At SOAS, most postgraduate modules have a one-hour lecture and a one-hour seminar every week, but this may vary.

Important notice

The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. If you are a current student you can find structure information on the previous year link at the top of the page or through your Department. 

Please read the important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.

Core

Compulsory

Guided options List A

Minimum of 45 credits to be selected from List A

Guided options List B

Up to 15 credits to be selected from List B

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Research Project

The modules are taught in seminar groups and lectures. The degree is awarded on the basis of assessed coursework, examinations and the dissertation. The MSc is taught over a period of 12-months of full-time study within a structured programme. In case of part-time study, the degree will be taught over two or three years.

For a two year study, four modules are studied each year, with the dissertation normally being completed in the second year, while the number of modules taken is decided in consultation with the programme convenor for a three year study.

Contact hours

All Masters programmes consist of 180 credits, made up of taught modules of 30 or 15 credits, taught over 10 or 20 weeks, and a dissertation/research project of 60 credits. The programme structure shows which modules are compulsory and which optional.

As a rough guide, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study, including reading and research, preparing coursework, revising for examinations and so on. It will also include class time, which may include lectures, seminars and other classes. Some subjects, such as learning a language, have more class time than others.

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Economics graduates leave SOAS with a solid grounding in statistical skills and an ability to think laterally, take a global perspective, and employ critical reasoning.

Recent graduates from the Department of Economics have been hired by:

  • Bain & Co
  • Bank of America
  • Cabinet Office
  • Deloitte
  • Ernst & Young
  • KPMG
  • NHS England
  • Foreign and Commonwealth Office
  • Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
  • HSBC
  • National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, New Delhi
  • UK Civil Service
  • United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  • University of Bayreuth
  • HM Treasury
  • Department for International Development
  • PwC
  • UNDP
  • King’s Investment Fund
  • Foreign and Commonwealth Office
  • The World Bank
  • EY
  • British Chamber of Commerce
  • Oxfam
  • RBS

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