Masters Decision

[u/FragrantPop3781]

Hi everyone, I’m having trouble deciding whether to accept this Masters offer or wait. So for context I have an Economics bachelors degree from a relatively good University in the UK (University of Nottingham) and initially wanted to break into finance so i did internships and picked modules with that in mind. However since graduating I felt my values didn’t align well with finance and banking so I’ve been swaying towards international development as it something i feel a lot more passionate about. I know having a masters open up a lot of doors so I decided to apply to a masters program at SOAS University of London because I really liked the modules they offer, the have a study tour program which seems really interesting and they also have a partnership with the world bank so there’s a possible opportunity to do a remote internship with the world banks after the program. Initially I was very keen on this program but since receiving my offer I’m having a few doubts. I know that your most recent degree matters more to employers so I’m worried that it will weaken my educational background in comparison to going to high ranking universities such as UCL, LSE or imperial. My grades could probably get me into those universities but they are insanely expensive (for the relevant degrees) so I cannot afford them, there are a few scholarships my my university grades aren’t exceptional so I don’t know if that is achievable + I’d have to wait until next year. I know SOAS is a respectable university and I’m grateful to have gotten the offer but I’m just a little unsure about future employability prospects. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[u/bushbandit1]

Are you aware that the sector has collapsed? You’d be getting a degree with a likelihood that you will not get a job at the other end. There’s hundreds of thousands unemployed humanitarian and development professionals at the moment all applying for the same jobs (and many applying for roles significantly below their current experience level just to get a shot at employment). So coming in with just a masters and no experience, you’d be applying against everyone else. I’d suggest going a different direction if it’s not too late to change.

[u/FragrantPop3781 → u/bushbandit1]

Thank you for your reply. I am aware, I’m hoping to gain experience alongside my masters as it’s part time. I’m aware that the sector has become very difficult but it’s not impossible, I’m hoping to work in civil service until the right opportunity arises.

[u/antizana → u/FragrantPop3781]

Right but keep in mind you as a recent grad are competing with people with 5-15 years experience who are also trying to find employment. Civil service isn’t exactly easy to get into either

[u/Accomplished_Bee6491]

If the course you applied to is Development Studies with SOAS, I suggest that you don't waste your time studying it. I have worked 8 years in the sector and it has collapsed pretty badly. You would have a better chance to work at Development Banks and you should consider studying a more specific and technical course. Your finance/banking background can help get you a foot in. Feel free to DM me. I have worked with the World Bank and can provide some advice.

[u/leelach48]

I agree with the above comment. Also, having hard finance/econ skills will make you so much more desirable to an IO down the road than an any coursework in international development. I know quite a few people who have done capstone projects or remote internships with the WB, it got them absolutely nowhere. If I were you, I would gain a few years of work experience in finance. Even if you don’t absolutely love it, it will be so much easier to transition to an IO later than the other way around.

[u/Neat_Firefighter_806]

I would not choose SOAS for a degree. I don't think that university has been relevant in a while.

Frankly, I agree with what other people said here: either do another technical or economics degree, or do a super-specific degree. So, like health care, education, or climate change development, to name a few, because specialization is the way to go now.

Also, another frank opinion: UK education for master's is going down the drain too. I did part of my master's degree (my degree is global and requires me to go to multiple countries) in the UK. It was the most demoralizing part of my degree because of the educational standards they have.

[u/Dapper-Comparison-11]

I texted a bunch of people on LinkedIn who went to SOAS. They are all struggling to get jobs. Plus, I heard their admin sucks. Why don’t you work and gain experience first?

[u/JauntyAngle]

Economics is 100% fine as a masters for international development work, arguably one of the better ones. It sets you up for work in all the 'economic growth' stuff (trade, investment, infrastructure etc), market development and private sector development, agriculture (from an investment and agricultural economics side) Public Financial Management, and general policy work. Economics can also be an entry point into particular sectors that are relevant in development, like health care finance and energy economics.