You will take courses in economic theory (macroeconomics, microeconomics and international trade), quantitative methods (ie econometrics) and development economics. The latter consists of a series of at least eight modules covering different topics; students typically follow four or five of the modules offered. With the approval of the Course Director, one topic from the Development Economics course may be substituted with an appropriate option course from the MPhil in Development Studies, MSc in Global Governance & Diplomacy, MSc in Migration Studies, or MSc in Refugee & Forced Migration Studies.

A central component of the course is a 10,000-word dissertation, written on a subject which you choose in consultation with your supervisor and with the agreement of your Course Director.

Approximately one third of MSc graduates proceed to doctoral research in economics, usually two to three in Oxford, either immediately or after work experience in the field. Graduates from the MSc have also pursued doctoral study at other leading universities and have gone on to distinguished academic careers, including at top universities around the world.

Beyond academia, significant numbers of course alumni are also now working in the major international financial institutions such as the World Bank, the IMF and the UN organisation, as well as in the UK’s Department for International Development. Many others work in the international NGO sector and for major consultancies.

A number of students on the course are also regularly accepted onto the Overseas Development Institute's Fellowship scheme; in recent years an average of 3-4 students were offered places.