- UCAS course code
- L900
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Bachelor of Arts (BAEcon)
BAEcon Development Studies
In-depth study into the problems and options faced by the developing world.
Duration: 3 or 4 years
Year of entry: 2025
UCAS course code: L900 / Institution code: M20
- Key features:
Study abroad
Industrial experience
- Typical A-level offer: AAA including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: ABB including specific subjects
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: BBB including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 36 points overall with 6,6,6 at HL, including specific subjects
Fees and funding
Fees
Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £29,500 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.
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
Scholarships and bursaries, including the Manchester Bursary , are available to eligible home/EU students.
Some undergraduate UK students will receive bursaries of up to £2,000 per year, in addition to the government package of maintenance grants.
You can get information and advice on student finance to help you manage your money.
Course unit details:
Development Studies Dissertation
| Unit code | ECON30910 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 20 |
| Unit level | Level 3 |
| Teaching period(s) | Full year |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
A dissertation provides students with an organizing focus for their final year. Defining, researching and writing a dissertation can be one of the most satisfying and interesting experiences of an undergraduate student. Producing a dissertation should help students learn how to define a researchable problem, to decide upon appropriate sources, and to develop a sustained argument. In addition, dissertations reinforce and extend analytic skills. Defining, researching and writing a dissertation will help students develop valuable skills such as time management, initiative in deciding upon and locating relevant primary and secondary sources, problem-solving, developing a capacity for independent work, communicating effectively in writing, and working with some primary sources.
A student who writes a development studies dissertation will be able to: (i) develop deep knowledge about their chosen topic; (ii) develop intellectual independence; (iii) learn to define a researchable problem; (iv) learn to decide upon appropriate secondary and primary sources; (v) deploy the scholarly apparatus of bibliography and footnotes effectively; (vi) learn to develop a sustained argument; (vii) develop analytic skills; (viii) learn to meet deadlines; (ix) learn to communicate effectively in writing; (x) learn to deploy information from secondary sources as well as some primary sources.
Pre/co-requisites
This course unit is available to BA Econ Development Studies pathway only
Aims
A dissertation provides students with an organizing focus for their final year. Defining, researching and writing a dissertation can be one of the most satisfying and interesting experiences of an undergraduate student. Producing a dissertation should help students learn how to define a researchable problem, to decide upon appropriate sources, and to develop a sustained argument. In addition, dissertations reinforce and extend analytic skills. Defining, researching and writing a dissertation will help students develop valuable skills such as time management, initiative in deciding upon and locating relevant primary and secondary sources, problem-solving, developing a capacity for independent work, communicating effectively in writing, and working with some primary sources.
Learning outcomes
A student who writes a development studies dissertation will be able to:
- Develop deep knowledge about their chosen topic.
- Develop intellectual independence.
- Learn to define a researchable problem.
- Learn to decide upon appropriate secondary and primary sources.
- Deploy the scholarly apparatus of bibliography and footnotes effectively.
- Learn to develop a sustained argument.
- Develop analytic skills.
- Learn to meet deadlines.
- Learn to communicate effectively in writing.
- Learn to deploy information from secondary sources as well as some primary sources.
Syllabus
Provisional
In undertaking a dissertation, a student will have the opportunity to develop intellectual independence while specializing in depth in a topic of interest. This can be any suitable topic related to the field of development studies. The choice of the topic will be determined by the student in consultation with a supervisor.
Teaching and learning methods
Individual study under the guidance of dissertation supervisors.
Employability skills
- Analytical skills
- Synthesis and analysis of data and information. Critical reflection and evaluation.
- Project management
- Time management.
- Research
- Conducting, planning and reporting on independent research.
- Written communication
- Other
- Using library, electronic and online resources.
Assessment methods
10% Dissertation proposal
90% 8000 word dissertation
Feedback methods
- Office hours.
Recommended reading
- May, T. (1997) Social research: Issues, methods and processes, Open University Press.
- Robson, C. (1993) Real world research: A resource for social scientists and practitioner-researchers, Oxford University Press.
- Wallimann, N. (2001) Your research project: A step-by-step guide for the first-time researcher, Sage.
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Alessia Isopi | Unit coordinator |