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Postgraduate Masters Master of Science Comprehensive

MSc Economics Policy Modelling

How to Apply

About This Programme

The MSc Economic Policy Modelling is a taught graduate programme of the School of Economics, run by the Department of Data Science and Economic Policy. It trains economists to build and apply mathematical and econometric models to identified economic and public policy issues, and to recommend policy actions that promote economic growth and development and reduce poverty and inequality in Ghana.

The curriculum runs over two semesters. The first semester combines microeconomic analysis, quantitative methods for economic modellers, economic policy models, public policy modelling and applied microeconometrics with one elective. The second semester covers macroeconomic analysis, economic policy modelling, applied macroeconometrics, research methods for economic modellers and computational economics, together with the compulsory Academic Writing course and one further elective. The electives allow students to specialise in health, agricultural, environmental, international trade, monetary or fiscal policy modelling.

Delivery blends lectures with competence-based training and problem-based learning. For most courses students work on case studies that require them to demonstrate the knowledge and skills acquired, through a mixture of individual and group assignments, and the teaching approach is student-centred and built around group work on open-ended problems. Most courses involve hands-on application of recommended computing and modelling software - the choice of packages has been broadened to include R and Python - using existing quantitative data, and students are also taught techniques for quantifying qualitative data.

Programme Aim

Aim(s)

The programme aims at building capacity in the application of mathematical and econometric models and techniques for analysing identified economic and public policy issues and recommending policy actions for the promotion of economic growth and development, and reduction of poverty and inequalities in Ghana.

Programme Objectives

Objective(s)

Equip students with the requisite knowledge and skills for building and applying relevant mathematical and econometric models and techniques for analysing interrelationships among the various economic sectors.

The Economic Policy Modelling Unit of the University of Cape Coast was launched on 25th June 2007 to build capacity in the application of mathematical and econometric models and techniques to the analysis of economic and public policy issues in Ghana. The Unit grew out of a collaboration between the University of Cape Coast and the Centre for Economic Policy of the University of Hull, supported by a British Academy grant for the project "Macroeconomics Evaluation and Sustainable Development".

The need for the programme was confirmed at a meeting held at the University of Cape Coast in April 2005 with representatives of the National Development Planning Commission, the Bank of Ghana, the Ministry of Finance and the Ghana Statistical Service, all of which identified a shortage of personnel able to build and apply economic models for national policy analysis. The programme is now run by the Department of Data Science and Economic Policy of the School of Economics.

Entry Requirements

The MSc/MPhil in Economic Policy Modelling is a graduate level programme. Individuals who wish to be admitted into the programme must obtain a minimum of Second Class Lower in programmes related to Economics, Statistics, Mathematics, Finance, or any other related programme.

People with degrees below Second Class Lower must provide proof of three years working experience in a related field and pass an admission interview.

Individuals with professional certificates from legally recognised professional bodies related to the fields stated above must also provide proof of three years working experience and pass an admission interview.

Graduation Requirements

  1. Course Requirements: A candidate for the BCom (Accounting) degree must pass all courses taken, meet Inter-Faculty course requirements.
  2. Credit Requirements: A candidate must accumulate a minimum of 140 credits (including Advance Credits).
  3. Additional Requirements: The candidate must attain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 1.0. In addition, the candidate must have settled financial and other obligations to the university.

Employment Prospects of Graduates

Students who graduate with a graduate degree in Economic Policy Modelling are likely to work in:

  1. Policy making organisations and institutions such as the National Development Planning Commission, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Bank of Ghana.
  2. International organisations such as the United Nations, the Economic Commission for Africa, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the African Development Bank.
  3. Financial institutions across the country and the world over.
  4. Non-governmental organisations, public policy think tanks and economic research institutions.
1 year

Post First Degree Entry

Level 800