MSc Development Finance

Postgraduate Entry Requirements

Application fee: £60

Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution with a minimum overall score of 60% or equivalent.

English language proficiency:

• IELTS: A minimum overall score of 7.0 with no individual component below 6.5.
• TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 100.
• PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 76.
• Some postgraduate programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.

The University of Manchester offers a range of scholarships to support international students in funding their education and making their academic journey more accessible. These scholarships are designed to reward academic excellence, support students from diverse backgrounds, and help ease the financial challenges of studying abroad.

Global Futures Scholarship: The Global Futures Scholarship is a prestigious award for international students who demonstrate academic excellence and potential. This scholarship offers a £5,000 contribution towards tuition fees, providing financial assistance for undergraduate and postgraduate students. This scholarship is open to students from specific countries and disciplines, so it is essential to check eligibility criteria and deadlines.

Manchester Master’s Bursary: The Manchester Master’s Bursary is a financial aid program aimed at helping postgraduate students who come from lower-income backgrounds. This bursary offers support for UK, EU, and international students who wish to pursue a master’s degree at the university. The bursary can cover a significant portion of tuition fees and is awarded based on financial need.

Subject-Specific Scholarships: Many departments at the University of Manchester offer subject-specific scholarships for students enrolling in their programs. For example, students applying for programs in engineering, business, life sciences, and the arts may be eligible for additional funding based on academic performance and their future potential. These scholarships are often offered to high-achieving students who demonstrate exceptional skills and dedication to their field of study.

Chevening Scholarships: The Chevening Scholarship is a fully-funded award provided by the UK government, open to outstanding international students from over 160 countries. The scholarship covers tuition fees, living costs, travel expenses, and other related costs. The University of Manchester is a proud participant in this global program and welcomes applications from students wishing to pursue a master's degree in a variety of disciplines.

Commonwealth Scholarships: The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission offers fully funded scholarships for international students from Commonwealth countries. These scholarships support students pursuing postgraduate studies in fields such as engineering, health sciences, and education. They cover the full cost of tuition fees, travel, and living expenses during the duration of the program.

Regional Scholarships: The university also offers regional scholarships for students from specific countries or regions, including Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. These scholarships are designed to make studying at the University of Manchester more accessible to students from these regions and offer both partial and full financial support depending on the scholarship type.

Graduates of the MSc Development Finance program from the University of Manchester are well-prepared for a wide range of career opportunities in the global development finance sector. The program equips students with the analytical, financial, and policy-making skills needed to address the financial challenges faced by developing countries. With expertise in development finance, students can pursue various roles in international organizations, financial institutions, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Development Finance Specialist: Graduates can work as specialists in development finance, providing expertise to international financial institutions such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), or regional development banks. These roles involve designing and evaluating financial products and strategies to support economic growth and poverty reduction in developing countries.

Investment Analyst (Development Sector): Graduates can become investment analysts, working for impact investing firms, private equity firms, or development banks. They assess potential investment opportunities that can drive sustainable development in emerging markets, analyzing the financial viability and socio-economic impact of projects in sectors such as infrastructure, renewable energy, and agriculture.

Microfinance Manager: Many graduates choose to work in the microfinance sector, managing microfinance institutions (MFIs) or working with NGOs that provide financial services to underserved populations. They may develop and implement lending programs, assess financial risk, and support the growth of microenterprises in developing regions.

Policy Advisor: Graduates can become policy advisors for government agencies, development ministries, or international organizations, contributing to the development of financial policies that promote economic growth, poverty reduction, and financial inclusion. They may work on issues such as financial regulation, access to credit, and infrastructure financing.

Project Manager (Development Projects): Graduates can take on roles as project managers, overseeing large-scale development finance projects aimed at improving infrastructure, health, education, and social services. These positions often involve coordinating with government officials, international donors, and private sector partners to ensure the successful implementation of projects.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Manager: With their background in development finance, graduates can work for multinational corporations in CSR roles, where they are responsible for managing the company's social investment strategies. They focus on aligning business operations with development goals, particularly in areas such as poverty alleviation and environmental sustainability.

Financial Consultant for Development: Graduates can become financial consultants, providing expert advice to governments, NGOs, or private companies on how to raise and allocate financial resources effectively in the development sector. This could include advising on the structuring of financial products, improving access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), or optimizing project financing strategies.

Economic Development Officer: Graduates can work for local or national governments, assisting in the design and implementation of policies aimed at promoting economic development. They might focus on creating financing solutions for infrastructure projects, supporting small businesses, or attracting investment to underserved regions.

Sustainable Finance Specialist: With the growing importance of sustainability in development finance, graduates can work as specialists in sustainable finance. They may assess and promote financial products that contribute to environmental conservation, such as green bonds, sustainable infrastructure, and financing for clean energy projects.

Risk Analyst (Development Finance): Graduates can work as risk analysts, identifying and mitigating financial risks associated with development finance projects. They analyze factors such as currency fluctuations, political instability, and environmental risks, helping organizations make informed decisions regarding investments and financial commitments.