People who don't like "mass migration" often say it's bad for the economy, while other people say migrants make everyone richer. We'll try to sort out the evidence, studying the effects on the migrants and on both the sending and receiving countries. We'll also look, from an economic perspective, at the reality and speed of migrant integration. There will time to talk about the special situations of asylum-seekers and highly skilled migrants. And there will be ample time to discuss the complex issues of justice. Expect lively but respectful debates - and come out of the class with a clearer understanding of the facts and arguments about an especially controversial issue.
Migration, Economics, and Integration
This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings which take place in Oxford.
Overview
Programme details
Courses starts: 26 Feb 2026
Week 1: Facts and disputed facts about migration
Week 2: Economics of migration: who gains, who loses?
Week 3: Special situations: asylum-seekers, elite migration, family separation
Week 4: Integration, change, and time
Week 5: Let's talk about justice
Recommended reading
All weekly class students may become borrowing members of the Rewley House Continuing Education Library for the duration of their course. Prospective students whose courses have not yet started are welcome to use the Library for reference. More information can be found on the Library website.
There is a Guide for Weekly Class students which will give you further information.
Preparatory reading
- Is Global Equality the Enemy of National Equality? / Rodrik, Dani
Certification
Digital badge
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be issued with an official digital badge from the Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford. After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download your digital badge. You will be able to add your badge to your email signature and share it on social media if you choose to do so. In order to be issued with your badge, you will need to have attended at least 80% of the course.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course fee | £180.00 |
Funding
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:
Tutor
Mr Edward Hadas
Edward Hadas is a Departmental Tutor in Political Economy in the Department for Continuing Education. He also teaches philosophy, economics, and social theory to visiting American undergraduates. He is the author of Money, Finance, Reality, Morality (2022) and Counsels of Imperfection: Thinking through Catholic Social Teaching (2020).
Course aims
This course aims to provide a balanced introduction to the economics of migration
Course objectives:
Students will look at the available data on the economic effects of migration on migrants, and also on the sending and receiving countries.
Students will learn about the most contested claims about the practical issues involved in different types of migration.
Students will discuss the justice of different approaches to migration.
Teaching methods
The class will be a mixture of lecture and discussion.
Learning outcomes
- Students will learn how to look at migration economics from different perspectives.
- Students will learn about the complexity of the debates about integration of migrants into receiving countries' economies.
- Students will learn about leading views of justice relative to migration.
Assessment methods
This course is non-accredited, so there are no assessments.
Application
Please use the 'Book now' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form (Word) or enrolment form (Pdf).
Level and demands
The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at first year undergraduate level.