Course description
The BEconSc-Economics programme is a quantitative economics degree designed for students who have already decided to become economics specialists. Naturally these students have a strong mathematical background and intend to advance their knowledge to become modern and skilled economists, able to proceed to postgraduate training in the best universities or in renowned organisations in the private or public sector. Modern professional economists need to have a clear understanding of economic principles in order to recognise and model relevant economic problems, and they need to be equipped with mathematical and econometric tools in order to solve and analyse such problems. The BEconSc-Economics degree provides students with the required training by having at its core a compulsory stream of courses in economic principles, mathematical modelling and econometric techniques. Further, the compulsory core is supplemented with additional courses in several areas of specialisation within economics. The academic year at Manchester is divided into two semesters and successfully completed courses provide students with 10 or 20 credits towards completion of the degree. Typically a 10 credit course is completed within a semester while a 20 credit course is spread over the entire academic year. For a successful graduation, students on the BEconSc-Economics programme are required to complete 120 credits in each of the three academic years of study. Each year must be completed before proceeding to the next one. We encourage students to split the workload evenly over the academic year, so that typically six courses are studied in each semester.
Module details
The distinctive feature of the BEconSc-Economics is a structured programme which combines core modules in economics with the opportunity of further specialisation in areas of particular interest to students. This development of expertise is facilitated through the following pathways:
Econometrics and Mathematical Economics: this will suit those with excellent mathematical and statistical skills acquired the first and second year, who wish to pursue advanced quantitative options in the third year, those interested in postgraduate training and research in economics and econometrics;
Finance: this is a popular option for students looking to work in the city, those who have a particular interest in financial and monetary issues, and those interested in postgraduate training and research in economics and finance;
International and Monetary Economics: this is aimed at students interested in international trading issues, e.g., the EU, development and globalisation, or those with an interest in monetary economics;
Business Economics and Applied Microeconomics: this encompasses the study of the structure of organisations and markets, labour markets, as well as management science and managerial economics;
Comparative Economics: this will be attractive to students who wish to study alternative views on economics and alternative economic systems;
Economic History: this area is based on courses provided by economic historians and will suit those who wish to understand the historical background to modern economics.
Course content for year 1
In the first year, 70 credits of compulsory units ensure core training in microeconomics and macroeconomics, in mathematics and statistics for economists, and further in computer and study skills supplemented with an introduction to applied economics. Beyond this students are largely free to choose 50 credits to widen their understanding of social or political issues, study languages, supplement their mathematical understanding, or target chosen pathways.
Course content for year 2
In the second year, 80 credits of course units reinforce the understanding of micro and macroeconomic principles, mathematical economics, and students are introduced to basic econometric tools. The remaining 40 credits of course units are chosen in light the pathways to be pursued in the third year.
Course content for year 3
In the final year, 60 credits of course units round off your understanding of economic principles as well as advancing your skills in econometrics and/or mathematical economics. The remaining 60 credits are earned by pursuing your chosen specialist pathways, though 20 credits can be acquired by following interests outside those pathways.
Career opportunities
The career opportunities for trained economists are extremely good. A recent survey showed that economics graduates had the second highest average salary a decade after graduation (being topped only by clinical dentists). BEconSc-Economics graduates have further competitive advantages. They are equipped with excellent quantitative skills requested and appreciated by employers, and which are essential for postgraduate training. This indicates the two directions where BEconSc-Economics graduates head after leaving the University Of Manchester: Pursue economics either in their chosen profession or in a course of further study; Or, move away from pure economics into related fields where a solid foundation of economics is essential, such as accountancy, actuarial science, management training, banking and finance, and consultancy.
