BA in Development Studies and Data Analytics

The BA(Econ) course is an interdisciplinary course that allows you to not only specialise in Economics but also supplement with other social science subjects such as philosophy, politics and sociology.

You have the flexibility to delve into technical units in Economics such as Econometrics and Mathematical Economics or combine Economics units covering inequality and climate change with social science units to develop a well-rounded understanding of social issues.

The Development Studies pathway is taught by experts in Economics, Politics, Sociology, Social Anthropology, and Social Statistics, and the course offers a rich and coherent basis for understanding the processes and solutions to the problems of development.

It is an interdisciplinary field of study concerned with the issues, problems and policy options facing the developing world, such as:

• inequality;
• poverty;
• hunger;
• wellbeing.

Data Analytics uses data, which can be numbers, text, sounds, images, memories or experiences; to study human behaviour and social environments.

We use it to ask questions about business environments, the ways they function and their impact. You will be able to understand and apply central concepts in Data Analytics, including the theory and method involved in using quantitative data in social science research.

You will also be able to take a critical approach to data sources and understand their strengths and weaknesses, and demonstrate to employers that you have skills in complex problem solving, research, and making sense of statistical information in the workplace.

After your first year, you can switch to a different pathway should you discover interests in other social sciences.

Special features

Leading research

World-leading research and teaching in economics has been at the heart of higher education in Manchester since the early days of the University.

Manchester professor William Stanley Jevons (1835 to 1882) helped build the foundations of modern economics.

Three winners of the Nobel Prize in Economics have worked at Manchester:

• Sir John Hicks (1904 to 1989) wrote his most important works on welfare economics during his time at Manchester.
• Sir Arthur Lewis (1915 to 1991) for his pioneering work in development economics.
• Joseph Stiglitz (Nobel Prize winner 2001) has led the Brooks World Poverty Institute.

We are proud to be a leading centre for economic research, scholarship and research-led teaching in all areas of the discipline, including microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, financial economics, environmental and resource economics, development economics and industrial/business economics.

Study abroad

You have an option to apply during your Year 1 to spend a semester in your Year 2 abroad. If you are successful, you will put together a package of course units at your host university in consultation with your Academic Exchange Advisor in Manchester.

Professional Experience Year Opportunity

You apply in year 1 to boost your employability through a paid Professional Experience Year.

If you meet the criteria, the Professional Experience Team and Careers Service will work with you to find a suitable placement in your 2nd year.

You will then complete your Professional Experience Year in the 3rd year extending your degree to four years, before returning to University to finish your final year.

Your degree title will be extended to include 'with Professional Experience', giving you the added advantage of relevant work experience when entering the competitive graduate jobs market.

Teaching and learning

Course units feature formal lectures supported by smaller tutorials or seminars where you explore the contents of lectures and recommended reading in greater depth.

Tutorials and seminars are key to improving your written and oral communication skills through group discussions, essay-writing, and presentations.

You are assigned an Academic Advisor who can advise you on selecting course units and career opportunities.

Coursework and assessment

The range of methods is designed to promote in-depth learning and understanding, including:

• essays, coursework and other mid-term evaluations that allow the development of and feedback on your knowledge and understanding;
• dissertations promote the development of argument and understanding of academic material and test how you work independently;
• presentations or group projects promote the development of teamwork.

Course content for year 1

Year 1 gives you a broad introduction to Economics and Social Sciences. This will help you decide what to study in Years 2 and 3.

In Year 1, you would take 120 credits overall made up of:

• 40 credits of Economics;
• 20 credits of either Introductory or Advanced Mathematics/Statistics (depending on your A-level qualifications or equivalent);
• 10 credits of an introductory unit in Social Sciences;
• 40 credits from a list of Social Sciences optional units;
• Remaining 10 credits from Economics or Social Sciences, or Study Skills.

At the end of your Year 1, you would have an option to switch to a different pathway.

Course content for year 2

In Year 2 you study your chosen pathway in-depth and take 120 credits over the year.

Single pathway

If you specialise in one pathway, you can take a maximum of 80 credits in that single pathway and up to 40 credits from other pathways from the BA(Econ).

Joint pathway

If you specialise in a joint pathway, you also take a maximum of 80 credits in any one pathway, but you have the freedom to split these between the two disciplines depending on what you would like to study.

To specialise in Development Studies, you will be taking compulsory units in Development Economics, as well as a 20-credit optional Social Sciences unit on a topic of development, such as the Politics of Development or Political and Economic Anthropology (the list is subject to change). You will also be taking compulsory units in Data Analytics which include survey designs and statistical models.

Free choice units

You can also take up to 20 credits from across the University. For example:

• Study a language and improve your career prospects.
• Go beyond the boundaries of your degree with University College for Interdisciplinary Learning
• Expand your business and entrepreneurship skills with Business and Management for all Programmes

Course content for year 3

In Year 3 you take 120 credits depending on your chosen pathway.

Single pathway

If you choose to specialise in a single pathway such as Development Studies, you will choose, you can take a minimum of 80 credits in that single area and up to 40 credits from other pathways from the BA (Econ).

Joint pathway

If you specialise in a joint pathway, you will choose a selection of modules in each of the two pathways to fulfil your credit requirements. You will also have an option to do a Development Studies Dissertation where you will be working with a supervisor from either Economics, Politics or Sociology to develop your own thesis.

Free choice units

You can also take up to 20 credits from across the University. For example:

• Study a language and improve your career prospects.
• Go beyond the boundaries of your degree with University College for Interdisciplinary Learning
• Expand your business and entrepreneurship skills with Business and Management for all Programmes

Course content for year 4

If you are selected to take up the Professional Experience opportunity in Year 3, then you will take Year 3 Course Content in Year 4.

We have an excellent reputation for employability, and we are currently the joint-most targeted university by top graduate recruiters in the UK.

Graduates pursue a variety of careers including government, charities, consultancy, civil service, finance, marketing, accountancy, teaching, the law and postgraduate study. Recent examples include:

• Ernst and Young;
• PricewaterhouseCoopers;
• Grant Thornton;
• Bank of New York;
• Credit Suisse;
• National Audit Office;
• Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Department of Health; FSA; Government Economics Service; and
• the BBC.

The University has its own dedicated Careers Service that you would have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate. At Manchester, you will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability.

We work with students and the careers service to embed employability into our courses through specific careers and networking events.

You can also boost your employability by choosing course units in Year 2 from the University College for Interdisciplinary Learning.