Business

Master of Economics in Policy and Management

The Master of Economics in Policy and Management provides advanced training in economic policy, economic management, public finance, and development economics. Students learn economic policy analysis, macroeconomic management, public finance, development economics, and project evaluation. The programme is designed for economics graduates and professionals seeking advanced economic policy and management qualifications.

Students develop advanced competencies in economic policy analysis, macroeconomic management, public finance, development economics, project evaluation, and economic research. The curriculum covers microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, economic policy analysis, public finance, development economics, research methods, and a research thesis. Practical skills are developed through policy analysis projects and case studies.

Economic policy and management expertise is critical for Kenya's development. Government, central banks, research institutions, and development organisations require trained economists with policy and management skills. Kenya's economic challenges and development agenda create demand for economic policy expertise. The programme addresses the demand for advanced economic policy and management training.

The programme combines classroom lectures with policy analysis projects, case studies, and research. Students study economic theory, analyse policy issues, examine development challenges, and conduct research. Teaching methods include lectures, policy analysis workshops, case studies, and research supervision. The programme emphasises analytical skills, policy competence, and research skills.

Graduates find employment as economic policy analysts, economists, economic managers, or development consultants in government, central banks, research institutions, development organisations, and private sector. The master's degree supports careers in economic policy, public finance, and development management.

This programme is ideal for economics graduates and professionals seeking advanced economic policy and management qualifications. The programme provides advanced skills for economic policy analysis, economic management, and development practice.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 155,850
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Master

What you study

10 subjects

Microeconomic Theory
Macroeconomic Theory
Economic Policy Analysis
Public Finance and Taxation
Development Economics
Project Evaluation and Appraisal
Research Methods
International Trade and Finance
Monetary Economics
Thesis Research

Modules

8 in the programme

Microeconomic Theory and Policy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced microeconomic theory covering consumer theory, producer theory, market structures, welfare economics, and microeconomic policy applications.
Macroeconomic Theory and Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced macroeconomic theory covering economic growth, business cycles, inflation, unemployment, and macroeconomic management and stabilisation.
Economic Policy Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Economic policy analysis covering policy evaluation methods, cost-benefit analysis, policy impact assessment, and evidence-based policy making.
Research Methods and Quantitative Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methods covering research design, econometric methods, data analysis, and quantitative techniques for economic research.
Public Finance and Taxation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Public finance covering government revenue and expenditure, taxation theory and practice, fiscal policy, and public debt management.
Development Economics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Development economics covering economic development theories, poverty, inequality, growth, and development strategies for developing economies.
International Trade and Monetary Economics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
International trade covering trade theory, trade policy, and regional integration, and monetary economics covering monetary policy and financial systems.
Thesis Research and Defence
Year 2Semester 16 creditsCore
A research thesis on an economics policy and management topic, demonstrating research competence and contributing to economic knowledge.

Specialisations

Economic Policy Analysis
Focus on policy evaluation methods, cost-benefit analysis, policy impact assessment, and evidence-based policy making.
Public Finance
Focus on government revenue and expenditure, taxation, fiscal policy, and public debt management.
Development Economics
Focus on economic development theories, poverty, inequality, growth, and development strategies.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on economic theory with afternoon policy analysis workshops and research work. Students study microeconomic and macroeconomic theory, analyse economic policy issues, examine development challenges, and conduct research. Policy analysis workshops involve analysing real-world policy issues and developing evidence-based recommendations. The programme emphasises analytical skills, policy competence, and research skills for economic policy and management.

The trade offs

In its favour

Economic policy skills are in demand in government, development organisations, and private sector.
Combines economic theory with policy analysis and management, providing versatile skills.
Offered at Machakos University, a growing public university with a business and economics school.

Against it

The programme is offered at only one university, limiting accessibility.
Specific fee data is not publicly available; estimate based on comparable programmes.
Requires strong quantitative and analytical skills, which may be challenging for some students.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 331 business courses

Public156k to 156k

156k at Machakos University156k at Machakos University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

Machakos 155,850/yr (intracolleges). Private unverified for Economics program.

HELB loans are available for eligible Kenyan students. Machakos University may offer institutional scholarships for qualifying students. Government and development organisations may offer economics-focused scholarships.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in master's programmes at chartered universities

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

Alternative entry: Bachelor's degree with at least Second Class Honours (Upper Division) from a recognised institution. Candidates with Second Class Honours (Lower Division) must have at least 2 years of relevant work experience.

How you are assessed

3 components

Coursework and Examinations
Written examination40% of the mark
Coursework assessments, written examinations, and quantitative assignments evaluating understanding of economic theory and policy.
Policy Analysis Projects
Project30% of the mark
Policy analysis projects, research papers, and case study assignments evaluating policy analysis and research skills.
Thesis Defence
Project30% of the mark
A research thesis demonstrating research competence in economics policy and management, defended before an examination panel.

Accreditation

Machakos University is chartered by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The Master's programme is accredited by CUE.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Machakos University is chartered by CUE. Master's programme accredited by CUE.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Economic Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Analyses economic policy issues in government, research institutions, or development organisations, providing evidence-based policy recommendations.
Economist
Moderate demand
Works as an economist in government, central bank, or private sector, analysing economic trends, forecasting, and advising on economic decisions.
Development Consultant
Moderate demand
Provides consulting services on development projects, economic planning, and policy evaluation for development organisations and government.
Public Finance Manager
Moderate demand
Manages public finance functions in government or public institutions, overseeing budgets, fiscal policy, and financial management.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates find employment as economic policy analysts, economists, and development consultants in government, central banks, research institutions, and development organisations, with opportunities for policy advisory and management roles.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Economics is just about money and finance.
Economics covers resource allocation, decision-making, policy analysis, development, trade, and social welfare, not just money and finance.
Economic policy is only for government.
Economic policy skills are valuable in private sector, development organisations, research institutions, and consulting, not just government.
An economics degree guarantees a job in banking.
While economics graduates work in banking, the degree opens diverse career paths including policy analysis, development, research, consulting, and management.
Economic policy is too theoretical to be practical.
Economic policy directly affects taxation, inflation, employment, trade, and development, making it highly practical and impactful.