ObjectivesTo 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.
Entry requirementsEntry Qualifications A good undergraduate degree in economics or a related discipline that has already been awarded, or in the case of students in the final year of their degree, that is anticipated. For British students a good first degree means an upper second class honours degree. More mature students need only satisfy the University that their background is suitable for a higher degree by virtue of other forms of training. For non-native speakers of English either a TOEFL score of 540 or an IELTS score of 6.0 is required. For candidates who are not yet ready to proceed directly to an economics MSc we offer a qualifying year which provides students with an opportunity to equip themselves for entry the following year.
Academic titleMSc Financial and Business Economics
Course description
Course Description
The MSc in Financial and Business Economics concentrates on those aspects of economics related to finance and business.
Modules and Options
The lists of modules below represent the range of options available for each year of study. This may not be a complete list of the options you will study, and may be subject to change, so please contact the department for further details.
Stage 1
APPLICATIONS OF DATA ANALYSIS
Compulsory: ECONOMETRIC METHODS AND APPLICATIONS
Compulsory: ECONOMICS OF FINANCIAL MARKETS
Compulsory: MATHEMATICAL METHODS
Compulsory: THEORY OF INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATION
Compulsory: TOPICS IN FINANCIAL ECONOMICS
Core: MSC DISSERTATION
CORPORATE FINANCE
DERIVATIVE SECURITIES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THEORY
ECONOMICS OF ORGANISATIONAL MANAGEMENT
EMPIRICAL METHODS OF ECONOMICS AND FINANCE
ESTIMATION AND INFERENCE IN ECONOMETRICS
GAME THEORY AND APPLICATIONS
INTERNATIONAL FINANCE
INTERNATIONAL TRADE THEORY
MACROECONOMICS
MICROECONOMICS
PANEL DATA METHODS
TIME SERIES ECONOMETRICS
TOPICS IN LABOUR ECONOMICS
TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT
Teaching and Assessment Methods
A: Knowledge and Understanding
Learning Outcomes
A1 : Knowledge of advanced economic principles at the forefront of financial and business economics
A2 : Knowledge of a range of applications at the forefront of financial and business 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.
Teaching 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/Cognitive Skills
Learning Outcomes
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 financial and business economics
B5 : Critically evaluate and interpret empirical evidence
Teaching 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
Learning Outcomes
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 advanced 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
Teaching 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
Learning Outcomes
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 : Application of economic reasoning to address complex issues involving economic phenomena
Teaching Methods
Students are guided in acquiring skills D1-D5 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, D4 and D5. 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-D5 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 (D5).