EC363-6-SP-CO:
Labour Economics
PLEASE NOTE: This module is inactive. Visit the Module Directory to view modules and variants offered during the current academic year.
2025/26
Economics
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 6
Inactive
Monday 12 January 2026
Friday 20 March 2026
15
20 August 2024
Requisites for this module
EC202
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
This course investigates the determination of labour market outcomes (wages and employment) and discusses why and how differences across individuals may occur. In the beginning of the course we develop the basic analytical tools necessary for understanding wage and employment formation, and discuss what makes the labour market an important and a special type of market.
After this, the basic models are extended to analyse how and why labour market outcomes differ across groups and over time, in particular in terms of the increased inequality of wages and the convergence of male and female market outcomes. Throughout the course, practical examples are used to highlight the applicability of labour economics to current issues and policies.
The aim of the course is to apply economic analysis to the determination of wages and employment. Emphasis is placed both on the acquisition of analytical tools and on knowledge of how labour markets have changed in recent years.
By the end of the course students should be able to use economic analysis to understand the reasons for and significance of recent trends in the labour market and to evaluate particular policy interventions. Students will demonstrate their written communication skills in completing the term paper for the course.
No additional information available.
Two 1-hour lectures per week in one term and an additional 5 hours of class/seminar sessions.
Feedback for this module will occur through class meetings where we will go over the answers to problem sets and where you will be able to ask questions about your own method of solution; answers that will be posted on the website for the module that will give you written guidance on the appropriate method to approach the problems, assignments, and tests; and office hours where any additional questions can be addressed. You should be sure that you use these methods to understand how to improve your own performance. For modules including a term paper, the term paper will be returned with individualised feedback that addresses what the marking criteria are and how you could improve your own work.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Exam |
Main exam: In-Person, Open Book, 120 minutes during Summer (Main Period)
|
| Exam |
Reassessment Main exam: In-Person, Open Book, 120 minutes during September (Reassessment Period)
|
Additional coursework information
One formative assessment, consists of a short problem set. Participation in the formative assessment is compulsory: failure to do so is evidence of unsatisfactory academic progress.
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Elif Kubilay, email: elif.kubilay@essex.ac.uk.
Lectures & classes: Dr Elif Kubilay
For further information, send an email message to ueco@essex.ac.uk.
Yes
Yes
No
Dr Sanna Piritta Nurmikko-Metsola
University of Surrey
Senior Lecturer in Economics
Available via Moodle
Of 30 hours, 26 (86.7%) hours available to students:
4 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
Economics
* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.
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