Programme specification 2016/2017
SOAS, University of London
The following information forms the programme specification at SOAS, University
of London. It gives definitive information relating to a programme of study and is
written for a public audience, particularly prospective and current students. It is
also used for other purposes such as initial programme approval, and is therefore
produced at the start of the programme development process. Once approved, it
forms the base-line information for all statements relating to the programme and is
updated as approved amendments are made.
CORE INFORMATION
Programme title
Final award
Intermediate awards
Mode of attendance
UCAS code
Professional body accreditation
Date specification created/updated
Political Economy of Development
MSc
N/a
Full or part-time (over two or three years)
N/A
N/A
August 2016
WHY CHOOSE THIS PROGRAMME?
Why study at SOAS?
SOAS is unique as the only higher
education institution in the UK
specialising in the study of Asia, Africa
and the Middle East. The School also has
the largest concentration of specialist
faculty concerned with the study of these
areas at any university in the world.
SOAS is consistently ranked among the
top higher education institutions in the
UK and the world and it also offers a
friendly, vibrant environment for students
in a diverse and close-knit community.
What is special about this programme?
This is a unique MSc that caters to
students who want to concentrate on a
broader mix of topics than is typically
available in a Masters Economics degree,
such as institutional economics, political
economy, topics in economic theory and
regional economic development in Asia
and Africa. It will appeal both to students
who have done a lot of economics and
want to specialize in particular areas and
to students who have previously done a
half-degree in Economics and want to
study development in an Economics
department.
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Who would it suit?
Graduates of Masters programmes in the
Department of Economics at SOAS have
followed successful careers in
international banking and finance, in
national governments in many parts of
the world, in international development
agencies and in a range of nongovernmental organisations. Many
students also go on to do research in
development at the PhD level.
SOAS MSc graduates have been very
successful in gaining highly competitive
Overseas Development Institute (ODI)
fellowships which have allowed them to
work in government agencies in countries
ranging from Mozambique to Papua New
Guinea.
Students take eight modules in Growth
and Development, the Political Economy
of Institutions, Research Methods (two
modules) and four other electives, as well
as an 8,000 word dissertation on an
approved topic relating to economic
development.
Assessment is largely by 70% exam (two
hours in May/June), and 30% coursework
(one essay per course).
Programme structure
Assessment summary
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
SOAS has general minimum entrance requirements for registration for a postgraduate
taught degree and these can be viewed at
http://www.soas.ac.uk/admissions/pg/howtoapply/
Minimum upper second class hours degree (or equivalent) in Economics. Applicants
without a first degree in Economics may be admitted to the Diploma in Economics in
the first instance. Satisfactory completion of the Diploma, at a level acceptable to the
School, may allow students to take the MSc in the following year. All students must
complete the Basic Mathematics and Statistics course which is taught over three
weeks in August/September.
PROGRAMME AIMS
What will this programme give the student an opportunity to achieve?
1. Application of advanced economic principles to the design of economic policy
and analysis of issues relating to economic development
2. To teach postgraduates the technical and analytical skills to qualify them to
practice as professional development practitioners
3. To enable practising professional economists to improve and update their
skills and knowledge of development economics
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PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES
What will the student learn?
Knowledge
1. A deeper and more critical knowledge of growth and development, the
political economy of institutions and research methods appropriate for
research on the political economy of development
2. An awareness of data problems specific to particular developing regions
3. An ability to analyse data from one or more developing regions using the
appropriate statistical and econometric methods
4. Identification of the scholarly literature on economic development and the
political economy of different developing countries and regions
5. Understand heterodox ideas about economic growth and development and
evaluate explanations from competing methodologies for specific economic
events
Intellectual (thinking) skills
1. Development of qualitative and quantitative research methods skills
appropriate for applied research in economic development and knowledge of
limitations
2. Engagement with a range of contemporary economic theories and
interpretations
3. The ability to contribute to current policy debates concerning the political
economy of growth and development and institutional strategies in
developing countries
4. The ability to formulate research questions and carry out independent
research
Subject-based practical skills
1. Ability to retrieve, sift and select information for a variety of electronic,
published and ‘gray’ sources. Students with the necessary language skills are
encouraged to explore non-English language sources where appropriate
2. An ability to engage in debate and discussion in seminars, including
presenting seminar papers and listening to and discussing ideas introduced
during seminars
3. Research techniques including searching for data and material in a wide
variety of libraries and electronic databases
4. The ability to conduct independent research on a topic in economic
development
Transferable skills
1. Structure and communicate ideas effectively both orally and in writing
2. Use a wide range of written and digital materials, available in a large number
of libraries and research institutes of a kind they will not have used as
undergraduates
3. Present material orally
4. Ability to engage in meetings by presenting, discussing, and constructively
critiquing ideas introduced during meetings
5. Knowledge of how to retrieve, sift, select, analyse and synthesise information
from a variety of sources.
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PROGRAMME STRUCTURE AND REQUIREMENTS FOR GAINING AN
AWARD
How will the student’s study be structured? How will they achieve an award?
Structure, duration and requirements for gaining an award
SOAS has standard requirements relating to the structure and duration of taught
postgraduate programmes and for the award and classification of these programmes.
Details can be found at
http://www.soas.ac.uk/registry/degreeregulations/file60379.pdf
Programme structure diagram
Below is a structure diagram for this programme.
Level Year Course
Course title
Credit
(CATS
of
code
points)
study
7
1
15PECC007 Growth and
18
Development
7
1
15PECC020 Political
18
Economy of
Institutions
7
1
15PECC039 Statistical
18
Research
Techniques
7
1
15PECC040 Research
18
Methods
AND
Four courses
18
from list below
AND
7
1
15PECC998 Dissertation for 36
MSc Economics
Programme
Status
Notes
Compulsory
Compulsory
Compulsory
Compulsory
Core
On an
approved topic
on
development
economics
The availability of optional/elective courses may vary in a given academic session due
to factors such as staff absence and student numbers. For an up to date list of
courses running in a given academic session please refer to the degree structures as
listed on the SOAS website for the degree programmes taught by each Department.
List of options (all level 7, all year 1, all 18 credits)
 15PECC005 Microeconomics
 15PECC006 Macroeconomics
 15PECC008 Quantitative Methods 1
 15PECC045 Quantitative Methods 2
 15PECC011 Capital Markets, Derivatives and Corporate Finance
 15PECH006 History of Economic Analysis
 15PECC018 International Trade and Investment
 15PECC019 International Finance
 15PECC021 Theory of Financial Institutions and Policy
 15PECC036 Financial Systems and Economic Development
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



15PECC048 Economics of Environment and Development
15PECC049 Political Economy of Agriculture & Food
15PECC047 Marxist Political Economy & World Development
Plus regional modules: South Asia a, South Asia b, Middle East 1, Middle
East 2, Asia Pacific 1, Asia Pacific 2, Africa 1, Africa 2
Note: Not all modules may run every year and some modules may require as a
precondition other modules being taken
TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT
What methods will be used to achieve the learning outcomes?
Knowledge
Learning outcomes as above acquired in the following ways:
1-3 Through four compulsory modules on growth and development, the political
economy of institutions and research methods. Students are required to attend all
classes, hand in assessed work, pass examinations and do an assessed data-based
project
4 Through four further modules chosen from theoretical and applied economics,
institutional economics, political economy and specialized regional courses
5 Through a wide range of critical lectures/seminars and access to heterodox as well
as orthodox recommended reading in every module
Assessment of the above is through unseen examinations, long essays, course work
and a dissertation
Intellectual (thinking) skills
Learning outcomes as above acquired in the following ways:
1 Through two compulsory modules in research methods
2-3 Through all the courses offered in the programme. All courses will introduce
theory and data that needs to be assessed critically and will demonstrate how
conflicting interpretations can arise from the same information.
4 Through carrying out independent research under supervision for the 8,000 word
assessed dissertation
Assessment of the above is through unseen examinations, long essays, course work
and a dissertation
Subject-based practical skills
Learning outcomes as above acquired in the following ways:
1 Through practical exercises and projects in Research Methods modules
2 Through regular seminar presentations and discussions
3-4 Through the carrying out of assessed independent research
Assessment of the above is through unseen examinations, long essays, course work
and a dissertation
Transferable skills
Learning outcomes as above acquired in the following ways:
1 Through seminar presentations, discussions and essays
2 Through essays and in the assessed dissertation
3-4 Through classroom participation in tutorials and seminars
5 Through research for assessed essays and dissertations
Assessment of the above is through unseen examinations, long essays, course work
and a dissertation
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REFERENCE POINTS
What has been the basis for the design of this programme?
1. School learning and teaching strategy
2. Staff research and lessons of consultancies and other practical development
work done by core course teaching staff for government and international
organizations in relevant fields.
3. QAA framework for higher education qualifications
4. Student feedback.
5. SOAS centennial mission statement
QUALITY ASSURANCE AND ENHANCEMENT
SOAS has internal procedures to assure the quality of provision to be offered to
students and to enhance the quality in the light of experience following delivery,
taking into account the input of external experts and students. The procedures are set
out in the School’s Quality Assurance Handbook and can be viewed at
http://www.soas.ac.uk/add/qualityassurance/quality-assurance-handbook/.
SOAS is also subject to periodic external review from bodies such as the Quality
Assurance Agency for Higher Education and relevant professional and statutory
regulatory bodies.
The procedures described in the Quality Assurance Handbook are in place to provide
a high quality student experience for those choosing to study at SOAS, and student
input and evaluation of their experiences is greatly valued. Students make an input to
the ongoing development of their programmes, and the environment in which they
operate, in a number of ways, including:
 formal student evaluation as part of the annual programme review;
 student representation on School committees at various levels (through the
Students’ Union) where many relevant issues are discussed;
 student representation at regular department meetings
FURTHER INFORMATION
 SOAS Vision and Strategy Statement;
 Postgraduate Handbooks;
 Departmental website
 Programme webpages
 Quality Assurance Handbook;
 UCAS website;
 QAA website;
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