(MSc) Master of Science
Applied Economics and Data Analysis
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Economics
Colchester Campus
Masters
Part-time
None
MSC L11024
28/11/2012
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 advanced economic principles and an awareness of their application relevant to the scheme of study.
To provide students with the necessary skills of the main research methods used in economics.
To establish a critical awareness of the integration of theory, data, and analysis.
To provide students with an advanced understanding of the nature of the economic research process.
To provide students with the advanced knowledge and skills to enable them to proceed to independent, self-directed research.
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
A1: Knowledge of advanced principles at the forefront of contemporary applied economics
A2: Knowledge of a range of applications at the forefront of contemporary economics
A3: Understanding of the key strategies of economic research
A4: Understanding of the relationships between theory and empirical research in economics
A5: Awareness of the significance of alternative theoretical and methodological approaches to economic analysis
A6: Knowledge of the core methods used to analyse economic data
Learning methods
Outcomes A1-A6 are acquired through lectures, classes, and related coursework.
The development of the dissertation in consultation with a supervisor provides an additional opportunity for the acquisition of outcomes A1-A6.
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 lectures and classes, provide an opportunity for students to develop their knowledge and understanding of the content of the courses.
The dissertation provides an opportunity for students to develop their knowledge and understanding further through undertaking a piece of independent, though supervised, advanced research.
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
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: Logically analyse a specified problem in economics and choose the most appropriate methods for its solution
B2: Exercise critical judgement in assessing the weights of competing theories and appraising their merits
B3: Formulate a coherent economic argument
B4: Construct reasoned, informed and concise descriptions and assessments of ideas at the forefront of contemporary applied economics
B5: Critically analyse, evaluate and interpret empirical evidence
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.
The dissertation is 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 complete research process.
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: Organise ideas in a systematic and critical fashion
C3: Present and critically assess advanced economic ideas and arguments coherently in writing
C4: Use and apply economic terminology and concepts
C5: Apply econometric techniques to the analysis of quantitative data and summarise the results
C6: Plan and undertake an independent though supervised piece of research
Learning methods
Skills C1-C5 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 C5 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 C6 is acquired through the work that the students do for the dissertation.
The dissertation is additionally used to provide an opportunity for students to acquire skills C1-C5.
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
D2: Production of a word-processed research dissertation. Development of web-skills.
D3: Use of mathematical techniques to construct economic models and the use of econometric methods to analyse economic data
D4: Application of economic reasoning to address complex issues involving economic phenomena
D5: N/A
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, D2, 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.
The dissertation enables students to acquire skill D2 and also assists them in acquiring skills D1, D3, D4 and D6.
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, D2, D3, D4 and D6 are assessed throughout the courses comprising the degree by means of examinations with optional term papers.
The dissertation also provides a further means for an overall assessment of communication (D1), using IT (D2), problem-solving skills (D4), and self-learning (D6).