Master of Economics
Duration
2 Years
Mode of study
Online (approximately 80% asynchronous & 20% synchronous)
Academic school
School of Business & EconomicsProgramme overview
The Master of Economics is a flexible, fully online postgraduate programme designed to develop highly skilled and innovative economists who can generate and apply advanced economic knowledge to real development, policy, business and research challenges. The Programme blends advanced economic theory, quantitative methods, econometrics, research methodology, policy analysis and specialised applied economics. It prepares learners to interpret complex economic data, design evidence-based interventions, undertake applied research and communicate findings to decision-makers in Kenya, Africa and global contexts. Learners may pursue a named specialisation pathway or complete electives across different areas leading to the Master of Economics award, subject to Programme regulations.
Expected outcomes
Entry requirements
Applicants must meet the general postgraduate admission criteria and any of the following Programme requirements:
- A Second-Class Honours, Upper Division in Economics or a closely related discipline from the Open University of Kenya or another accredited university.
- Second Class Honours, Lower Division in Economics or a closely related discipline, plus either a relevant postgraduate diploma or at least two years of professional or academic experience in economics, finance or related fields.
- Equivalent qualifications approved by Senate.
- Additional qualifications may be considered by Senate through Recognition of Prior Learning, relevant experience or demonstrated competencies.
Programme structure
Programme Structure
The Programme follows a two-year pathway comprising coursework, examinations, specialisation electives and a research thesis. Learners complete eight core courses during Year One, three specialisation/elective courses during Year Two and a research thesis component covering proposal writing, data analysis and report writing.
- Year 1, Semester 1: Core courses: Advanced Microeconomics Theory, Quantitative Techniques, Corporate Finance and Investment, Behavioural Economics (12 credits)
- Year 1, Semester 2: Core courses: Advanced Macroeconomic Theory, Economic Research Methodology, Econometrics, Project Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (12 credits)
- Year 2, Semester 1: Three elective courses from a selected specialisation pathway; research thesis proposal writing (21 credits)
- Year 2, Semester 2: Research thesis: data analysis, report writing and defence processes
- Total: Minimum 12 courses, 45 credit hours and 675 instructional hours (45 credits)
Specialisation Pathways
The Programme offers eleven specialisation pathways designed to respond to emerging labour-market, development and policy needs:
- Agricultural Economics: Agricultural production, markets, food systems, agribusiness and value chains
- Energy Economics: Energy markets, production, renewable energy, planning, policy and regulation
- Transport Economics: Transport theory, infrastructure investment, planning, policy and sustainable transportation
- Health Economics: Health financing, health systems, pharmaceutical economics and public health economics
- International Economics: International trade theory, trade in goods and services, globalization, development and international finance
- Environmental and Climate Change Economics: Green and circular economy, resource economics, environmental management and climate resilience
- Development Economics: Development theory, poverty, inequality, institutions, governance, population and migration
- Behavioural Economics: Institutional behaviour, nudges, incentives, experiments, game theory and behavioural finance
- Computational Economics: Computational methods, microeconometrics, macroeconometrics and machine learning economics
- Financial Economics: Finance theory, financial modelling, investment analysis, portfolio management and financial markets
- Public Policy Economics: Policy analysis and design, econometrics for policy evaluation, public sector economics and policy simulation
Programme Courses
Learners select specialisation/elective courses from the approved specialisation pathways, subject to Programme regulations and course availability.
Assessment methods
Learners will be assessed through content-embedded quizzes, continuous assessment tests and tasks, end-of-semester examinations, essays and research papers, project-based assessments, oral presentations and defences, portfolio assessment, peer assessment and self-assessment.
- Continuous Assessment: Coursework, assignments, practical activities, quizzes, research papers, portfolio tasks and continuous assessment tests: 50%
- End-of-Course Examination: End-of-semester examination or approved final project assessment: 50%
- Pass Mark: The pass mark in any course is 50%.
- Academic Integrity: Assignments, research papers and projects are subject to plagiarism checks, originality declarations and work authentication processes.
Global careers
Career Prospects
Graduates may pursue or advance careers in areas such as:
- Economic policy analysis, planning and advisory services;
- Macroeconomic modelling, forecasting and data analysis;
- Public finance, fiscal policy and regulatory analysis;
- Development economics, poverty analysis and programme evaluation;
- Financial economics, investment analysis and market research;
- International trade, regional integration and global finance;
- Climate, environment, energy, transport, agricultural and health economics;
- Monitoring, evaluation, impact assessment and policy research;
- Academia, research institutions, think tanks, consultancy and development organisations.
Application hub
Typical duration
Delivery mode
Online (approximately 80% asynchronous & 20% synchronous)
Fees
≈ USD 1,587+10% Intl.
View full fee structureAccreditation info
Fully accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and recognised globally for digital-first excellence.
School of Business & Economics
Related programmes
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Location
Nairobi, Kenya