Comparative Economics and Policy

This Master's programme is an applied, policy-oriented programme reflecting SSEES's leading-edge expertise in comparative economics. The programme is centred around the economics and economic policy of emerging markets, viewed through the prism of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, but relevant to the emerging economies and societies of South and South East Asia, the Middle East and North Africa as well as Latin America.

The programme focuses on the development experiences of the 28 nations that have emerged from the former Soviet bloc in Europe and Asia. Students analyse the impact of institutional reforms on diverse outcomes, including economic performance, socio-economic development, financial integration, democratisation, innovation and entrepreneurship, and internationalisation.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of three core modules (60 credits), a choice of a further one of three core modules (15 credits), optional modules (45 credits), and a research dissertation (60 credits).

Core modules

60 credits of compulsory core modules:

• International Macroeconomic Policy
• Quantitative Methods
• Advanced Quantitative Methods

Optional modules

60 credits of optional courses, including at least one policy related module. Options may include:

• Public Choice-Private Interest
• Economics of Health and Population
• Trade and FDI Policy with reference to Eastern Europe
• Economic Development and Policies
• Corporate Finance and Investment in Emerging Markets
• Financial Development
• Informal Practices in Post-Communist Societies
• Political Economy of International Business
• The Economics of Property Rights
• Corporate Governance
• Language modules offered by SSEES

Dissertation/report

All MA students undertake an independent research project, which culminates in a dissertation of 10,000–12,000 words.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, presentations, laboratory sessions and workshops. Students will be assessed by a variety of methods: unseen examinations, long essays, course work and the research dissertation.

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Applicants are usually expected to have studied one term of both microeconomics and macroeconomics in their undergraduate degree.