Educational Planning, Economics and International Development MA

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The Educational Planning, Economics and International Development MA will provide students with the relevant knowledge, understanding and skills to work in educational planning, policy, management and administration in the context of international development. The programme focuses on issues affecting low and middle income contexts.

About this degree

This programme provides students with an opportunity to identify the interconnections between society and the economy, and the implications for educational planning, whilst applying economic principles to educational planning issues. It will also provide the opportunity to critique the ways in which economic analysis and evidence are applied to education policy issues, giving students an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of various approaches to educational planning in low and middle income contexts.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of three core modules (90 credits), one optional module (usually 30 credits or two modules at 15 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits), or two optional modules (60 credits) and a report (30 credits).

_{Compulsory modules}

• Economic Perspectives of Education Policy
• Education and International Development: Concepts, Theories and Issues
• Planning for Education and Development

_{Optional modules}

Modules are chosen from a wide range across the UCL IOE Master's-level offering. These include a range of statistical analysis modules and a wide range of education and development modules, including for example:

• Education and Development in Asia
• Education, Conflict and Fragility
• Impact Evaluation Methods
• Educational Testing
• Introduction to Regression Analysis

Visit the UCL Institute of Education website for more information, including module descriptions, which can be seen by clicking on the module title.

_{Dissertation/report}

All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in either a report of 10,000 words or a dissertation of 20,000 words.

Teaching and learning

This programme is delivered by lectures, participant-led presentations, discussions based on selected readings, inputs by guest speakers, group work and debates. Some modules are available through online learning and may be studied remotely. Assessment is through coursework assignments and the dissertation/report.

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.

Funding

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

Careers

Graduates are currently working in a variety of roles in aid agencies, UN institutions, government departments, international NGOs, research centres and think tanks. Some graduates go on to work in social entrepreneurship or in development consultancy, while others proceed to doctoral study, some winning competitive scholarships and being published in international journals. 

A number of students are mid-career professionals (including teachers, ministry staff and NGO professionals), for whom the programme forms part of their wider professional development, providing access to more senior roles or to a change of career direction.

Employability

The degree provides an excellent platform from which to pursue and develop a career which draws on the analytic skills and techniques required for educational planning and economic analysis in the context of international development. The programme encourages critical reflection on the application of economic theory and planning tools to 'planning problems' including those relating to project design and evaluation, which have wide application in development practice, research and consultancy. In employment terms, students benefit from the international reputation of the institution and staff at UCL as well as the diverse international perspectives of fellow students and the central location in one of the world's most dynamic and connected cities.

Why study this degree at UCL?

UCL Institute of Education has an outstanding and well-established reputation in the field of education and international development. This specialist programme focused on the application of economic theory and principles to issues of educational planning within the broader area of education and development is unique.

Students benefit from teaching by staff with international research reputations in the fields of education and development, within a world-leading institution in policy-oriented research in the field.

The programme offers opportunities to interact and network with: fellow students currently or formerly employed across the education and development sectors; internationally renowned researchers; and with guest speakers including practitioners and policy-makers.  

UCL is located in central London, close to key UK government institutions, think tanks, NGOs, donor organisations and other key actors in the field of international development.

Department: Education, Practice & Society

Applications

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £75 for online applications and £100 for paper applications. Further information can be found at: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/application.

Who can apply?

This programme is suited to people who work or would like to work with bilateral and multilateral aid organisations, in the non-formal sector or in government departments concerned with education and international development. Applicants should have experience in low or middle income contexts as their work will include analysis developed in relation to such contexts.

Application deadlines

30 May 2019

For more information see our Applications page.

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What are we looking for?

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

• why you want to study Educational Planning, Economics and International Development at graduate level
• why you want to study Educational Planning, Economics and International Development at UCL
• what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
• how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
• where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

• Your experience in low or middle income countries relating to the field(s) of education (and educational planning), economics and/or international development. 

Visit the Educational Planning, Economics and International Development MA page on the University College London website for more details!