Masters in economics - profile evaluation please..

[wtvr]

Hi, everyone, I would really appreciate your opinions and advice. I'm looking to apply for a masters in development economics and keep my options open for a phd. Here is my profile:

Type of Undergrad: London School of Economics, going into my third and final year

Major: BSc Economics

Undergrad GPA: Being a british student I don't know about my GPA, but my grades are noted below.

GRE: Haven't taken yet.

Math courses:
Mathematical Methods (Calculus and Linear Algebra) - B+
Statistics - A
Econometrics - B+

Econ courses:
Economics (first year) - B+
Microeconomics I - B
Macroeconomics - High A

Interests : development

I want either UK or US but where can I realistically apply with these grades? I don't think there are that many development programs either.

Any advice will be very much appreciated....

Thanks in advance!

[Lokayot]

US doesn't have that many renowned masters program. You will have to get a masters degree before you can apply for the US PhD programs (and have a realistic chance of getting in).

Canadian masters program would be a good stepping stone for PhD's but there are hardly any development economics masters program. Your best bet would probably be England.

[elcapitano]

If you're heading for a 1st then you've got a good chance anywhere. A good 2:1 will reduce you're options a little depending on what you want.

Assuming you're mainly about the Master's. If you have lots of Money and you might be heading for a 1st you might want to check out Oxford's MSc in Development Economics or stay at LSE for their MSc. Otherwise, I think Sussex might be good for you. In Canada UBC have a few people working on development so you could check them out (plus it's really cheap and you have a much better shot at funding).

PhD wise, I think Lokayots right to say that you'll need a Masters for study in the US. Most UK universities have some funding for UK Masters students who intend to continue to PhD; you'll need a bit of a premium on the standard entry requirements to have a chance at it.

[wtvr]

Thanks guys. I thought about the Oxford development masters but if I apply this year with these grades do I have any chance of being accepted? Would they give me a conditional offer do you think? I know that the program is very competitive. I assumed they only accepted people with As in everything.

[Lokayot]

I would think that Oxford Development masters is less competitive than the normal masters, but still competitive enough. I don't know much about the British Schools so I can't comment further on those. As elcapitano said, Canadian master's programs have better funding and are cheaper as well. You should apply to these programs to keep your options open. It would help, if for instance, you don't get into the Oxford Development masters.

[michaelmas]

Sussex is taught with somewhat less technical rigour, even for a European department.

What aspect of development do you want to study? Trade or financial capital flows? Macroeconomic aspect? Social development? Growth?

Many pure Msc economics programs in the UK offer good coursework in these areas. Perhaps you don't need a specialised degree in development economics as at Oxford (with no disrespect for that program).

[Canuckonomist]

Originally Posted by elcapitano

In Canada UBC have a few people working on development so you could check them out (plus it's really cheap and you have a much better shot at funding).

I'll mention what I mentioned in a previous thread, and that's that one may have a better shot at funding from UBC over lets say, being an international at LSE, but the other three, U of T, Queen's and UWO will likely give a better shot at any kind of funding. To even really stellar students, UBC's funding is spotty at the master's level.

[Lokayot]

At UBC you can earn $10k if you are full time T.A. That will cover your tuition and part of your living cost. But yes you would probably have to contribute some money yourself. There are a few big scholarships ($16K I think), but they are..very few in number.

[asianeconomist]

If I understand correctly, you're not intending to continue to a PhD.

IMHO, if that's the case, then brand repute of the program should be a major consideration for you.

Previous posters have already mentioned Oxford and Sussex. Sussex IDS is really good for Industry. The DESTIN courses at LSE also offer good employability. Cambridge has its MPhil in Development Studies.

In USA, Harvard's MPA/ID will fit your interests well. Also, if your real intention is to work for IGOs, then MA in International Relations from places like JHU SAIS might not be a bad idea.

[michaelmas]

For the record, I was referring to Sussex econ department. The Sussex IDS is a totally different thing. As I said, at Sussex, they teach development economics at a level close to intermediate, slightly above. But the IDS department is renowned for excellency in general development studies. When it comes to studying development in the UK, most professionals seem to recommend Sussex IDS.