Programme aims
- To provide students with a knowledge of advanced economic principles and an awareness of their application relevant to the scheme of study.
- To provide students with the necessary underlying skills of research methods used in economics.
- To establish a critical awareness of the integration of theory, data, and analysis.
- To provide students with an awareness of the nature of the economic research process.
- To prepare students for work as professional economists and for further academic study of economics.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A9: Knowledge of advanced economic principles at the forefront of contemporary economics
A10: Knowledge of a range of applications at the forefront of contemporary economics
A11: Knowledge and understanding of sources available for research
A12: Understanding of the relationships between theory and empirical research in economics
A13: Awareness of the significance of alternative theoretical and methodological approaches to economic analysis
A14: Knowledge of the core methods used to analyse economic data
A15: Applying academic learning outcomes in a work-related context.
Learning methods
Outcomes A9-A14 are acquired through lectures, classes, and related coursework.
Lectures are used to present material - ideas, data and arguments - in a clear and structured manner.
Lectures are also used to stimulate students‘ interest in learning economic research methods. These research methods are then practiced when writing term papers and the 3rd-year dissertation.
Classes and preparation for lectures and classes, provide an opportunity for students to develop their knowledge and understanding of the content of the courses.
Preparation for term papers, the 3rd-year dissertation and for examinations aids students in developing this knowledge and understanding.
Throughout, students are encouraged to engage in independent study.
Students are expected to extend and enhance the knowledge and understanding they acquire from lectures and classes by regularly consulting library materials relating to the course.
Term papers and the 3rd-year dissertation are particularly useful in developing A3.
The industrial placement will enable students to achieve A15
Assessment methods
Outcomes A9-A14 are assessed throughout the courses comprising the degree by means of written examinations alongside compulsory term papers and the 3rd-year dissertation.
Outcomes A9 and A14 are also assessed in certain courses through written tests.
Learning outcome A15 is assessed via a portfolio.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B5: Logically analyse a specified problem in economics and choose the most appropriate methods for its solution
B6: Exercise critical judgement in assessing the weights of competing theories and appraising their merits
B7: Formulate a coherent economic argument
B8: Construct reasoned, informed and concise descriptions and assessments of ideas at the forefront of contemporary economics
B9: Critically evaluate and interpret empirical evidence
B10: A capacity to connect subject-specific theory to practice in a work environment
Learning methods
Skills B5-B9 are acquired and enhanced primarily through the work that students do for their courses, although lectures provide a means for teachers to demonstrate these skills through example.
Student preparation involves the reading, interpretation and evaluation of the economics literature, including texts and research papers, and the analysis of empirical evidence.
Teachers provide feedback on student work through comment and discussion.
In addition, teachers engage students outside the classroom through office hours, appointments, and email.
The term papers and 3rd-year dissertation in particular are additionally used to develop a student’s mastery of the combined application of economic principles and empirical methods, as well as their analytical ability and understanding of the research process.
The industrial placement will enable students to achieve B10
Assessment methods
Skills B5-B9 are assessed throughout the courses comprising the degree by means of written examinations, alongside compulsory term papers and the 3rd-year dissertation.
Skills B5 and B9 are also assessed in certain courses through written tests
Skill B10 is assessed via the placement year portfolio.
C: Practical skills
C5: Identify, select and gather information using relevant sources, including the library and online searches
C6: Organise ideas in a systematic and critical fashion
C7: Present and critically assess advanced economic ideas and arguments coherently in writing
C8: Use and apply economic terminology and concepts
C9: Apply econometric techniques to the analysis of quantitative data and summarise the results
C10: Independently plan and undertake extended written work
C11: Communicate with a range of colleagues and clients in a working environment
Learning methods
Skills C5-C10 are acquired and enhanced primarily through the work that students do for their courses.
Lectures also provide a means of teachers demonstrating these skills through example.
Skill C9 is acquired to a greater degree in courses that focus on econometrics.
This skill is reinforced or supplemented depending on the optional courses taken.
Skill C10 is acquired through the work that the students do for term papers and the 3rd-year dissertation.
Skill C11 is developed in the industrial placement.
Assessment methods
Skills C5-C10 are assessed throughout the courses comprising the degree by means of written examinations with term papers.
Skills C5 and C6 are also informally assessed by student's preparation for each course.
Skill C9 is also assessed in certain courses through written tests.
Skill C10 is assessed through term papers and the 3rd-year dissertation.
Skill C11 is assessed via a portfolio.
D: Key skills
D5: Communication in writing, using appropriate terminology and technical language
D6: Production of a word-processed research papers and 3rd-year dissertation. Development of web-skills
D7: Use of mathematical techniques to construct economic models and the use of econometric methods to analyse economic data
D8: Application of economic reasoning to address problems involving a variety of economic phenomena
D9: Capacity to:
(a) organise and implement a plan of independent study,
(b) reflect on his or her own learning experience and adapt in response to feedback;
(c) recognise when he or she needs to learn more and appreciate the role of additional research
D10: Improve personal professional practice through a reflective approach within a work environment
Improve personal professional practice through a reflective approach within a work environment.
D11: Capacity to work in a team within a work environment
Learning methods
Students are guided in acquiring skills D5-D9 through lectures, classes and individual advice from teachers.
These skills are further developed as students pursue the learning activities associated with their courses.
Term papers and the 3rd-year dissertation enable students to acquire skill D2 and also assists them in acquiring skills D5, D8 and D9
Students also have the opportunity to develop skills in working in groups through their participation in classes for courses, especially the applied ones.
Skills D10 and D11 will be developed in the industrial placement year.
Assessment methods
Skills D5, D7, D8 and D9 are assessed throughout the courses comprising the degree by means of examinations with compulsory term papers or written tests.
Term papers and the 3rd-year dissertation also provides a particular further means for an overall assessment of communication (D5), using IT (D6), problem-solving skills (D8), and self-learning (D9).
Skills D10 and D11 are assessed in the placement year portfolio.