MSc Economics

MSc Economics

The aim of this one-year MSc Economics programme is to train professional for industry in both home and abroad. The rationale of the programme is to develop competences in three core courses: macroeconomics, microeconomics and econometrics at the advanced level plus a host of relevant electives. This will not only serve as good preparatory grounds for those who aim at pursuing economics to the MPhil/PhD level, but will provide them with the requisite skills that have become increasingly important for modern day industry.

 The MSc Economics programme is designed to train students in specialized economics for both the public and private sectors. In particular it aims at [1] providing strong foundation for students who intend to specialise in economics for careers in both public and private sectors, and [2] providing some research skills to students who may be interested in taking research positions in research institutions. 

Admission Requirements

The MSc. Economics is an advanced degree programme in the Economic Sciences focusing on training both Ghanaian and Foreign nationals for industry both at home and abroad. The entry requirements for admission to the programme for both Ghanaians and foreign nationals are as follows:

Applicants must hold a good Bachelor’s degree, preferably Second Class (Lower Division) or better from a recognized tertiary institution in the following disciplines: BA/BSc Economics, BA/BSc Economics (with Finance, Mathematics, Statistics, Geography, Law, Sociology, Political Science, and History etc.); Bachelor of Business Administration, BSc Mathematics/Statistics/Engineering /Physics/Actuarial Science/ Environmental Science/ Land Economy/Natural Resource Management; BA/BSc Geography/Geography and Resource Development/Geography and Rural Development/Geography and Regional Planning; BA/BSc Development Studies; and related disciplines. Applicants without Bachelor’s degree must have a Master’s degree from a recognised tertiary institution in any of the disciplines listed above. Admission is subject to passing an entrance examination and interview. Ghanaian applicants must have completed their national service at the time of enrollment.

Graduation Requirements

(i). Subject Requirements: Assessment of individual taught courses in the MSc. Business Economics programme will be based on written examinations (both continuous assessments and end-of-semester examinations). The student must pass all required courses. The pass mark for each taught course is 50%.

(ii). Credit Requirements: The student must register and obtain credit hours of not less than 45.

(iii). Other equivalent requirements: Achieve a minimum cumulative weighted average mark of 55%.

(iv). Any additional requirements for graduation: Candidates must pass the MSc Business Economics thesis (to be examined by internal examiners). The pass mark for the thesis is 50%. Additionally, the candidate must pass an oral examination (before an oral examination committee).

Duration

The full duration of the programme will be one-year, comprising two semesters of coursework (August – December; Semester I and January – May; Semester II) and a period for internship and dissertation write up (June – August).

Lecture Hours (Weekends)

• Saturdays: 8am - 4pm
• Sundays: 8am - 4pm

Date of Commencement

The programme began in the 2014-2015 academic year.

Fees

The programme is fee paying. Total fees for both Ghanaian and Foreign nationals are determined by the University annually. 

 

Components of the programme:

(a) Core course (s): 

1. ECON 561: Microeconomics I
2. ECON 563: Microeconomics II
3. ECON 565: Macroeconomics I
4. ECON 567: Macroeconomics II
5. ECON 579: Quantitative Methods in Economics
6. ECON 571: Econometrics
7. ECON 582: Applied Econometrics
8. ECON 580: Research Methods in Economics

(b) Elective course (s): 

1. ECON 554: Public Sector Economics
2. ECON 564: International Trade and Policy
3. ECON 566: Monetary Economics and Financial System
4. ECON 556: Economic Policy Analysis
5. ECON 568: International Finance
6. ECON 572: Corporate Finance and Investment
7. ECON 574: Energy Economics
8. ECON 578: Environmental Economics and Policy

(c) Research Component

ECON 590: MSc Thesis

Students enrolled in the MSc programme will write their dissertation between June and August. The length of the dissertation should be in the range of 6,000 – 8,000 words. The final date for submission of the dissertation for students who wish to be considered for the Special Congregation in November-December will be 31st August of each year.

(d) Practical training, industrial attachment, internship, clinical experience, etc.

One novelty of this programme is the internship component designed specifically for those students who are not formally employed. Such students will be required to undertake an internship with relevant organizations/institutions as part of the requirements for graduation. The minimum required duration of the internship will be one month, and a fee will be charged for this.

 

Semester-by-semester structure:

Year 1, Semester 1

Microeconomics I

Microeconomics II

Macroeconomics I

Macroeconomics II

Quantitative Methods in Economics

Econometrics

 

Year 1, Semester 2

Applied Econometrics

Research Methods in Economics

Plus four (4) elective courses to be selected from the following:

Monetary Economics and Financial System

Corporate Finance and Investment

Energy Economics

Environmental Economics and Policy

Public Sector Economics

International Finance

International Trade and Policy

Economic Policy and Analysis

Research Component:

Thesis

 

Assessment and Requirements for Graduation

Assessment of individual taught courses in the programme will be based on written examinations (both continuous assessment and end of semester examinations). Continuous assessment and end of semester examinations will constitute 40% and 60% respectively. The pass mark for each taught course and the dissertation is 50%.

Students enrolled in the programme will require a minimum of 45 credits, for graduation. This will comprise two semesters of coursework followed by a dissertation. Like most graduate programmes at KNUST students should have passed all registered taught courses and the dissertation, and achieved a minimum cumulative weighted average (CWA) of 55 before graduation. Students requiring internship for graduation should have completed this as well.

Enquiries: msceconomics.knust@gmail.com

Mode of Application (KUMASI CENTRE ONLY)

1. First of all, candidates must purchase an eVoucher by paying an application fee at the following banks: GCB or Ecobank.
2. Upon payment of the application fee, candidates will receive an eVoucher containing an application number and PIN that will grant access to the online admissions portal.
3. Candidates should then proceed to online admissions website: https://apps.knust.edu.gh/admissions/ and begin the application process.
4. Once the process has been completed, candidates must print out 3 copies of the completed application form from the portal and submit them (by post) to the School of Graduate Studies along with all relevant documents (Photocopies of Certificates, Recommendation Letters, and (Transcript for those attending KNUST for the first time)) to the following address:

The Secretary
School of Graduate Studies
KNUST
Kumasi-Ghana

Only candidates who successfully gain admission will be notified subsequently.

All International Applicants must apply online. International applicants who are admitted will be required to pay an application fee of USD 200.00 before registration.

Please contact the Department of Economics for further details on 0322497532\0322062100

Note:

Those intending to pursue the programme in ACCRA should not purchase this form/eVouchers. You should contact Institute of Distance learning on 0247274661 or 0500482885 OR follow the following procedure:

 

Mode of Application (ACCRA CENTRE ONLY)

Purchase of online application e-voucher from Ecobank, HFC Bank, GCB Bank and Fidelity Bank, and APPLY ONLINE.

E-vouchers may also be purchased by banker’s draft payable to the IDL-KNUST from the following IDL Centres:

v  KUMASI: The office of the director, Institute of Distance Learning New Examination Block, KNUST Campus, Tel : 0247274661 or 0500482885

v  ACCRA-KNUST: Accra City Campus, ACCRA; contact Luke Tel: 0542-482-876; Mrs. Joy Amankwa-0506069094

v  SUNYANI: University of Energy and Natural Resources; contact Mr. Alfred Appiah, Tel: 0500482877

v  HO: Ho polytechnic, contact-Elvis Emmanuel Aboagye- Tel: 0277854467 or 0500482873

v  TAKORADI: Takoradi Polytechnic; contact Mr. Opintan-Baah Tel: 0500482883

v  TARKWA: African Mining Services, Ghana; contact Mr. Kenneth Twumasi, Tel: 0247845460 or 0501261054

v  KOFORIDUA: Gratis Foundation; contact Mr. Foster Ofori, Tel: 0244811805 or Fedelia, Tel: 0500482874

v  TAMALE: Tamale Polytechnic; contact Dr. Abubakari Abdul-Razak, Tel 0500482879

v  BOLGATANGA: Bolgatanga Secondary School; contact Mr. Zoogar Mukase, Tel: 0500482880

v  WA CENTRE: Jihann Training College; contact Mr. Dominic Wanaa, Tel: 0500482878

v  CAPE COAST: Cape Coast Polytechnic, contact Mr. K.A. Simpson, Tel: 0500482882

v  AKOSOMBO: contact Mr. Moses A. Korda, Tel: 0244449499

Applicants should follow carefully the instructions on the e-voucher

PLEASE NOTE:

1. During the Sale of Forms, all applicants are to visit http://admissions.knust.edu.gh  (admission portal) and complete an ONLINE APPLICATION using an e-voucher purchased from designated banks or IDL Centres. Applicants Must ensure That They Purchase Distance Learning Forms not Regular KNUST School Forms To Avoid Complication.
2. Two copies of the online application should be printed and posted to THE DIRECTOR, IDL, KNUST, Kumasi, together with all relevant certificates and other required documents
3. Applicants must include in their application forms, the certified true copies of their certificates and 2 referees’ report
4. Only results and/or documents of provided by applicants at the time of submission of their applications shall be considered for admission.