(Graduate Diploma) Graduate Diploma
Economics
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Economics
Colchester Campus
Graduate Diploma
Full-time
Economics
DIPLL10009
25/09/2012
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
A degree with an overall grade of 2.2.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum component score of 5.5
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
To provide students with a knowledge of economic principles and an awareness of their application relevant to the scheme of study.
To provide students with the necessary skills of the main analytical methods used in economics.
To establish an awareness of the integration of theory, data, and analysis.
To allow students through the study of economics to acquire critical, analytical and research skills, problem-solving skills and transferable skills.
To provide students with a foundation for further studies in 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
A1: Knowledge of the fundamental principles of contemporary economics.
A2: Understanding of the application of economic reasoning to the study of relevant problems and policies
A3: Knowledge of the mathematical methods needed to articulate economic theory
A4: Knowledge of the empirical methods used for the analysis and evaluation of economic issues
Learning methods
Outcomes A1-A4 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.
Classes, and preparation for classes, provide the opportunity for students to develop their knowledge and understanding of the content of the courses.
Students are also assigned readings from textbooks, academic journal papers, unpublished research papers and on-line resources.
Assessment methods
Outcomes A1-A6 are assessed throughout the courses comprising the degree by means of written examinations with optional term papers.
Outcomes A1 and A6 are also assessed in certain courses through written tests.
The MSc dissertation (with a maximum length of 10000 words) provides a further opportunity to assess outcomes A1-A6
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Analyse a specified economic problem and choose the most appropriate methods for its solution
B2: Assess the relative merits of a range of theories, techniques and tools needed to articulate arguments and policies
B3: Formulate an economic argument
B4: Construct reasoned, informed and concise descriptions and assessments of ideas in contemporary economics
B5: Knowledge of the empirical methods used for the analysis and evaluation of economic issues
Learning methods
Skills B1-B5 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.
Assessment methods
Skills B1-B5 are assessed throughout the courses comprising the degree by means of written examinations with optional term papers.
Skills B1 and B5 are also assessed in certain courses through written tests.
The MSc dissertation provides a further opportunity to assess skills B1-B5
C: Practical skills
C1: Identify, select and gather information using relevant sources, including the library and online searches
C2: Take notes and organise ideas in a systematic fashion
C3: Present economic and/or historical ideas and arguments coherently in writing.
C4: Use and apply economic terminology and concepts
Learning methods
Skills C1-C4 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.
Assessment methods
Skills C1-C5 are assessed throughout the courses comprising the degree by means of written examinations with optional term papers.
The dissertation also provides a further opportunity to assess skills C1-C5.
Skills C1 and C2 are also informally assessed by student's preparation for each course.
Skill C5 is also assessed in certain courses through written tests.
Skill C6 is assessed through the dissertation.
D: Key skills
D1: Communication in writing, using appropriate terminology and technical language:
(a) the articulation of economic theories,
(b) the description of economic evidence,
(c) the critical assessment of economic arguments and policies
D3: Use of the mathematical techniques used to construct economic models and methods used to analyse economic data
D4: Application of economic reasoning to address problems involving a variety of economic phenomena
D6: 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; and
(c) recognise when he or she needs to learn more and appreciate the role of additional research
Learning methods
Students are guided in acquiring skills D1, D3, D4 and D6 through lectures, classes and individual advice from teachers.
These skills are further developed as students pursue the learning activities associated with their courses.
Students also have the opportunity to develop skills in working in groups through their participation in classes for courses, especially the applied ones.
Assessment methods
Skills D1-D4 are assessed throughout the courses comprising the degree by means of examinations with optional term papers or written tests.
The dissertation also provides a particular further means for an overall assessment of communication (D1), using IT (D2), problem-solving skills (D4), and self-learning (D6).