MSc Economics and Management of Rural Development: The University of Manchester

MSc International Development: Economics and Management of Rural Development

Course description

This programme focuses on the analysis of management, planning and policy-making issues in rural development. It integrates the study of economics with that of organisational and institutional aspects of effective management, and addresses key policy issues in rural development. The programme is intended for social science graduates or for those involved in policy-making, planning or managing activities in rural areas of less developed countries - including government officials, employees of parastatal organisations, the staff of bilateral and multilateral development agencies and those working for non-governmental organisations.

Module details

Core course units typically include:

• Perspectives on Development
• Development Research
• Economics for Rural Development,
• Agriculture in Economic Development or Planning and Managing Development

Optional course units may include:

• Civil Society and Public Action
• Poverty and Development: Concepts, Analysis and the International Poverty Agenda
• ICTs and Socio-Economic Development
• Environment and Development
• Micro Finance
• Development Macroeconomics
• Trade Theory and Development
• Planning and Managing Development
• Economics of Environmental Policy
• Economic Analysis for Developing Countries
• Global Institutions, Trade Rules and Development
• Climate Change, Disasters and Urban Poverty
• Conservation and Development
• Poverty, Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction in Context
• Agriculture in Economic Development
• Economy, Ecology and the Environment
• Water and Sanitation Planning and Policy in Developing Countries
• Environmental Evaluation

Availability of course units may vary from year to year.

Career opportunities

This programme is intended for graduates in any of the social sciences and with a strong interest in understanding processes of change, transition and social and economic development; or mid-career professionals working in the voluntary, private, or public sectors. The programme is well suited to those involved in policy formulation and implementation, advocacy, and management of development projects and programmes. Career prospects are wide-ranging, including research, teaching and administration in civil society organisations, NGOs, government, and the private sector.

IDPM has a large and diverse postgraduate population, including a large number of students from outside the UK (85% of their students are drawn from outside the UK, particularly from Africa, Asia and Western Europe, but also reaching out to Latin America, the Middle East, North America and the Pacific). Many of their alumni have gone on to prestigious careers in the public service or in the NGO/charitable and private sectors, as policy officers, managers, consultants or development practitioners - while others have pursued further academic study leading to a PhD and academic careers. Since its foundation, IDPM has trained over 7000 individuals from 170 different countries.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview:

Applicants should have a good first degree (minimum 2:1 or equivalent).

Admission of candidates who do not meet this criterion may be approved if satisfactory evidence of postgraduate study, research or professional experience can be provided.

English language:

Applicants whose first language is not English should meet the following language requirements:

• an IELTS Test score of 7.0 or more overall with a minimum writing score of 7
• or a TOEFL Test (Paper-based) score of 600 or more with a minimum score in Test of Written English of 5
• or a TOEFL Test (Computer-based) score of 250 or more with a minimum essay rating of 5
• or a TOEFL Test (Internet based) score of 100 or more with a minimum writing score of 25
• an NCUK PMP EAP Grade A

Applicants whose language of academic instruction for at least 1 year has been English may be exempted from this requirement, at the discretion of the Institute.