Master's · Oxford Economics
Oxford's MSc in Economics for Development is a nine-month, full-time taught course for 2027-28. The page asks for a first-class or very strong upper second-class degree in economics, says applicants whose first degree contains little or no economics cannot be considered, and that finance, business and management courses do not count towards the two years of economics required. GRE results are required without a UK or Irish degree, and the deadline is 26 January 2027.
2027-28 entry · Official information
Taken from the University of Oxford graduate course page for the MSc in Economics for Development and read on 2 November 2026. The page describes 2027-28 entry; confirm every date and rule on the page before you rely on it.
The minimum is a first-class or very strong upper second-class degree with honours in economics. Applicants whose first degree contains little or no economics cannot be considered; the minimum is the equivalent of two years of full-time university-level study of economics courses.
The page says courses in finance, planning, business, management and other similar subjects do not count as economics courses.
Entrance is very competitive and most successful applicants have a first-class degree or the equivalent. For US degrees the minimum GPA normally required is 3.6 out of 4.0, and most successful applicants have 3.7 or higher.
Applicants who do not hold, or will not shortly hold, a UK or Republic of Ireland degree must submit GRE results obtained within the last five years. There is no specified minimum score.
Applicants submit two pieces of written work from their most recent qualification, each between 2,000 and 4,000 words, written in English. Multi-authored works are not acceptable.
The final deadline for 2027-28 entry is 12:00 midday UK time on Tuesday 26 January 2027. The expected start date is 27 September 2027.
Official sources
Read on 2 November 2026 on the University of Oxford graduate course page for the MSc in Economics for Development, which describes 2027-28 entry. The module lists, the department's own pages, the Application Guide, the fee and living-cost sections, the college information and the graduate destinations were not read and are not stated.
Fit
The decisive rule is about the content of your first degree. The readings below mix Oxford's wording with Avandy's judgment, and the labels say which is which.
This is the profile the page describes. The course combines quantitative methods, economic theory and modelling, empirical analysis and review of policy options and outcomes.
The page says these subjects do not count as economics courses. If your degree is mainly in them, count the genuine economics courses against the two-year equivalent before deciding.
The page suggests the two-year MPhil in Economics or the two-year MPhil in Development Studies as options if you want to study development at Oxford but your degree contains too little economics for the MSc.
Decision
The page describes the course as preparation for further academic research or for work as a professional development economist in international agencies, governments or the private sector.
The course aims to provide research tools for those who wish to proceed to doctoral research in development economics, and the rigorous quantitative training that development work now requires.
The course aims to provide intensive supervision of a minimum of three tutorial essays and to match dissertation supervision to your research interests.
Decide which route you are on before you write the statement, because the page says the statement should indicate the areas of study that interest you and how the MSc might contribute to your career plans.
Application
The page lists a statement, two essays, references and, for some applicants, the GRE.
Between 500 and 1,000 words, indicating the areas of study that interest you and how the MSc might contribute to your career plans. It is assessed on your interest in development economics, including academic interest in development, previous background in developing countries and/or the breadth of your preparation.
Each between 2,000 and 4,000 words, from your most recent qualification: economic essays, term-papers or extracts from a longer piece such as a thesis. If you submit an extract, say where it comes from, and do not submit more than one extract from the same piece.
Choose essays that show economic analysis and analytic writing in English, because the page says the submissions let the committee assess both. If your last qualification set no essays, the page suggests writing fresh academic work.
Planning
This page describes the 2027-28 cycle, the cycle now open. The dates and rules here belong to that cycle only.
Count your economics courses against the two-year equivalent, decide whether the GRE applies to you, choose two essays, brief three referees (academic references are required) and draft the statement. Re-read the page before submitting, because Oxford can change a course page.
Support
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with the University of Oxford or any of its departments. Support sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the published requirements of each course. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Yes, or the equivalent of two years of full-time university-level economics courses. The page says applicants whose first degree contains little or no economics cannot be considered.
No. The page says courses in finance, planning, business, management and other similar subjects do not count as economics courses.
Applicants who do not hold, or will not shortly hold, a UK or Republic of Ireland degree must submit GRE results from the last five years. There is no specified minimum score.
A personal statement of 500 to 1,000 words and two pieces of written work of between 2,000 and 4,000 words each, from your most recent qualification.
12:00 midday UK time on Tuesday 26 January 2027.
Students and families
Tell us about your degree, your grades, your relevant experience and the master's courses you are weighing. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare the application.
