MSc Economics In KNUST

The aim of this one-year MSc Economics programme is to train professional for industry in both home and abroad. Aside the general MSc Economics pathway that the programme offers, students have the opportunity to opt for more specialized options in (i) Money, Banking and Finance, and (ii) Energy and Resource Economics. This implies that students will be able to graduate with (i) MSc Economics, (ii) MSc Economics (Money, Banking and Finance) option, and (iii) MSc Economics (Energy and Resource Economics) option.
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.
In particular, graduates from MSc Economics (Money, Banking and Finance) option which is aimed at training professionals with career aspirations in the banking and other financial services industry will graduate with a solid background in monetary theory, treasury management, banking regulations, risk management, corporate finance, investment analysis, financial problem solving, and IT skills in econometric and forecasting methods relevant for empirical investigations into banking and financial issues in the banking and other financial services industry. Those who opt for MSc Economics (Energy and Resource Economics) option which is aimed at training professionals with career aspirations in the energy and natural resources industry will graduate with a solid background in energy economics, resource economics, oil and gas economics, energyy markets and security, energy modelling, environmental economics and policy, energy, environment and sustainable development, electricity economics, among others. These areas are rapidly increasing in importance due to numerous related challenges, such as climate change, resource exhaustion, energy affordability and energy security.

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.

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. For the 2016-2017 academic year Ghanaian nationals will pay Eight Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHC8,000.00) as fees plus One Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHC1,000.00) for feeding. Fees for foreign nationals for the 2015/2016 academic year was 5,197.00 US dollars..

Course Structure

All students admitted to the MSc programme will follow the following six (6) core course in the first semester.

Microeconomics I
Microeconomics II
Macroeconomics I
Macroeconomics II
Quantitative Methods in Economics
Econometrics

In the second semester all students will follow the following two (2) core courses plus 4 electives.

Industrial Ethics
Research Methods in Economics

In the second semester students following the general MSc Economics general option will select four (4) courses from the following options.

Monetary Economics and Financial System
Corporate Finance and Investment
International Economics
Energy Economics
Environmental and Resource Economics
Public Sector Economics
Health Economics
Economics of Development

In the second semester students admitted to MSc Economics (Money, Banking and Finance) option will take the following four (4) courses

Monetary Economics and Financial System
Corporate Finance and Investment
Risk Management in Financial Institutions
Financial Services Regulation

In the second semester students admitted to MSc Economics (Energy and Resource Economics) option will take the following four (4) courses

Energy Economics
Environmental and Resource Economics
Energy Markets and Security
Economics of Electricity Industry OR Oil and Gas Economics

Research Component

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 31^st August of each year.

Internship

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.

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: [email protected]

Mode of Application

Sale of E-Vouchers/Forms for admission shall commence on 22^nd February, 2016.

First of all, candidates must purchase an eVoucher by paying an application fee of Two Hundred and Twenty Ghana Cedis (GH¢220.00) at the following banks: GCB, Ecobank and Unibank.
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.
Candidates should then proceed to online admissions website: httpss://admissions.knust.edu.gh/pgadmissionsnew/ and begin the application process.
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
Deadline for the submission of application forms is 30^th April, 2016.
Application forms submitted after the deadline will not be processed.
NB: 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.

Note:

Those intending to pursue Distance Learning Programmes should not purchase this form/eVouchers. You should contact Institute of Distance learning on 0247274661 or 0500482885