Students with no previous training in economics are required to take economics as one of their foundation disciplines. In addition all students are required to take a course in research methods for the social sciences which provides a training appropriate for doctoral research and for professional practice. The first year courses are examined by means of written examinations towards the end of the first year. A pass in these examinations is a pre-requisite for progressing to the second year. Competence in this core course is tested by means of four assessed essays, two in each year.
Students normally spend the summer between the first and second years working on their thesis.
The topic is of their own choosing with the agreement and guidance of their supervisor, and the thesis should be not more than 30,000 words in length. It is submitted for examination towards the end of the second year. Also in the second year, students take two courses from an extensive list of options. This allows each students to explore specialist aspects of development studies, either to deepen knowledge of one of the foundation disciplines or to complement the topic of the thesis. Each option is examined by means of a written examination at the end of the second year.