Master of Science
MSc Development Finance
Year of entry: 2027
Duration: 1 year
Due to high demand for this course, we operate a staged admissions process with multiple selection deadlines throughout the year, to maintain a fair and transparent approach.
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Fees and funding
Fees
For entry in the academic year beginning September 2027, the tuition fees are as follows:
-
MSc (full-time)
UK students (per annum): £16,000
International, including EU, students (per annum): £33,100
The fees quoted above are fully inclusive of tuition, administration and computational costs.
Fees for entry are subject to yearly review. The University reserves the right to increase your tuition fee by up to 7% each year for courses lasting more than one year, including to reflect rising costs associated with delivering our educational and wider student experience. Postgraduate fees information .
Always contact the admissions team if you are unsure which fee applies to your qualification award and method of attendance.
International student CAS deposit
Self-funded international applicants are required to pay a deposit of £2500 towards their tuition fees before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. Some applicants will be required to pay a higher deposit. More information on tuition fee deposits .
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
We know that student finance can be complicated. The links below provide further information to help guide you.
- Learn more about - student finance options for UK students .
- Learn more about - fees and finance for international students .
- Graduates of The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University can receive a 10% discount on their master's degree tuition fees as part of our Manchester Alumni Loyalty Discount scheme.
Course unit details:
ICTs & Socio-Economic Development
| Unit code | MGDI60701 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 15 |
| Unit level | FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
| Offered by | Global Development Institute |
| Available as a free choice unit? | Yes |
Overview
The unit is structured around 10 interconnected topics:
1. Understanding ICTs and Socio-Economic Development
2. Foundations of ICTs and Socio-Economic Development
3. Implementing ICT4D
4. ICTs and Economic Growth
5. ICTs, Poverty and Livelihoods
6. Mobiles and Development
7. ICTs and Social Development
8. e-Governance and Development
9. ICTs and Environmental Sustainability
10. The Future of ICT4D
Aims
The unit aims to explore different ways in which information and communication technologies can contribute to socio-economic development (ICT4D), but places this exploration within broader theoretical and policy-level frameworks of understanding. It builds on GDI's research strengths and reputation in "digital development".
Teaching and learning methods
Each week’s activities will include a mix of lecturer presentation, case study analysis, and student activities and exercises.
Students are expected to engage with e-learning materials provided via VLE to support learning. These include session handouts with cases and exercises; links to further case study and research materials; and online discussion, work and chat spaces.
The course unit is participative, encouraging students to share knowledge and experience. It is also practical, encouraging students to apply models and theory to real-world case studies.
Knowledge and understanding
On completion of this unit successful students will be able to:
-analyse the generic contribution of ICTs to socio-economic development
-identify key roles, challenges and questions in the application of ICTs to specific development goals
Intellectual skills
On completion of this unit successful students will be able to:
-apply critical conceptual frameworks to analyse both ICT4D case studies and, where relevant, their own experience of ICTs in development projects
-analyse the role of policy, strategy and operational interventions in promoting effective developmental use of ICTs
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Written assignment (inc essay) | 100% |
- Written assignment (3,000 words)
Feedback methods
Formative: 1 page outline submitted in Nov/Dec – written comments given.
Summative: written comments
Recommended reading
Adera, E. et al (eds) (2014) ICT Pathways to Poverty Reduction, Practical Action Publishing, Rugby, UK.
Chib, A. et al (eds) (2015) Impact of Information Society Research in the Global South, Springer, Singapore.
Elder, L. et al (eds) (2013) Connecting ICTs to Development, Anthem Press, London.
Heeks, R. (2009) The ICT4D 2.0 Manifesto: Where Next for ICTs and International Development?, Development Informatics Working Paper no.42, CDI, University of Manchester, UK.
Heeks, R. (2014) ICT4D 2016, Development Informatics Working Paper no.59, CDI, University of Manchester, UK.
Heeks, R. (2020) ICT4D 3.0? Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries
Heeks, R. (2018) Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D), Routledge, Abingdon, UK
World Bank (2016) Digital Dividends, World Bank, Washington, DC
Series sources:
Various (1987 onwards) Information Technology for Development journal
Various (2000 onwards) Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries journal
Various (2003 onwards) Information Technologies and International Development journal
Various (1998 onwards) Development Informatics Working Paper Series, Centre for Development Informatics, University of Manchester, UK.
https://www.gdi.manchester.ac.uk/research/publications/di/
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 30 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 120 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Richard Duncombe | Unit coordinator |
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