Development Finance
Entry requirements
Normally a good undergraduate honours degree (high 2:2 or above), or equivalent from a university outside the UK. Applicants who have relevant career experience are also welcome to apply.
Your undergraduate degree should include a significant element of economics/accounting or finance. Strong applicants with little or no training in economics may be admitted, provided you attend a pre-sessional economics course.
Students may join immediately after their undergraduate degree, or after some years of employment to enhance career prospects by acquiring further skills.
Your personal statement
Your personal statement needs to demonstrate that you understand what the course is about, your motivation for studying, and what you would like to get out of your studies. You may reflect on paid or unpaid experience in the field to help support your personal statement.
Please tell us about your interest in development finance issues, and the role of finance in international development.
Months of entry
September
Course content
Explore key issues and challenges in finance for economic development in developing countries with our MSc Development Finance master’s degree.
Study at the UK’s leading university for environmental and ethical performance (the University of Reading is ranked 1st in the People and Planet University League, 2023/24).
You will examine the key issues in development finance, and conduct analysis of financial markets in emerging economies, financial sector reform, and policies and institutions, to promote financial inclusion.
Choose MSc Development Finance at the University of Reading. You will:
- join the highest ranking UK university, and one of the top 20 universities in the world, for Agriculture and Forestry (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2023). We are the only UK university ranked in the top 50.
- explore key issues within the field of development finance and microenterprise finance, against the background of major perspectives on development and macroeconomic policy.
- investigate specialist areas within the financial services sector as well as other topics relating to development.
Joining this programme means you’ll also be joining the Graduate Institute of International Development, Agriculture and Economics in our School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, where we are committed to empowering change through our teaching and research. Our academics tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues across their respective fields of expertise, and our mission is to make a difference in the context of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Information for international students
For a list of requirements by country, please visit our Country-Specific Information page.
IELTS: 6.5 overall with no element less than 5.5 (or equivalent)
Language requirements
Applicants may need to provide evidence of their ability to study in English (if required by UK Visa and Immigration). Our online list of English language tests and qualifications is routinely updated, so please check to see if you already have an acceptable qualification or test, and for the most recent changes to language requirements.
If you have any questions about your evidence of English language proficiency, please email pgadmissions@reading.ac.uk.
Pre-sessional English language programme
If you need to improve your English language score, you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.
Fees and funding
You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.
The Graduate Institute of International Development, Agriculture and Economics also offers a number of scholarships.
Qualification, course duration and attendance options
- MSc
- part time24 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- full time12 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
Course contact details
- Name
- Global Recruitment Team
- student.recruitment@reading.ac.uk