BSc Economics and Finance with International Foundation Year - January Entry

Title:

Foundation Mathematics

Code:

IF0FM1

Convenor:

DR Rehana Bari

Summary:

This module provides an introduction to basic mathematical techniques to ensure that students can deal with arithmetic, algebra, trigonometry, differential and integral calculus to a standard which will support entry to an undergraduate degree programme. In statistics we cover contents such as representation and summary of data, probability, correlation and regression, binomial and normal distribution.

Assessment Method:

Exam 70%, Set exercise 10%, Class test 20%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Economics

Code:

IF0ECO

Convenor:

DR Vee Muruko-Jaezuruka

Summary:

This module introduces students to the basic principles of economics from the concepts of demand and supply and their influence on the prices of goods and the behaviour of firms, to the wider impacts on the national economy: economic growth, unemployment, inflation, and international trade.

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

An Introduction to Business and Management

Code:

IF0IBM

Convenor:

DR Meiko Murayama

Summary:

This module covers the fundamental theories in the domain of business and management.

Assessment Method:

Exam 50%, Report 20%, Class test 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

International English A

Code:

IF0IE1

Convenor:

MRS Leslie Lust

Summary:

The module will provide the necessary basis in English for study at undergraduate degree level. The focus of the module is on developing and applying skills in English for academic purposes. This module aims to develop the language skills of students who have already achieved an overall IELTS score of 5.5 or equivalent in Academic English. Delivery of the module is offered face-to-face and online.

This module is delivered at University of Reading and University of Reading Malaysia

Assessment Method:

Assignment 35%, Oral 35%, Class test 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Information Systems and Statistics

Code:

IF0ISS

Convenor:

DR James Appleby

Summary:

Information systems underpin every aspect of our daily life. An awareness of statistical analysis is key for understanding data. This module covers both of these important topics and helps you develop the key theoretical, practical and numerical skills to help you succeed in your future study in subjects across the University. 

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Assignment 16%, Class test 24%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Introductory Microeconomics

Code:

EC113

Convenor:

DR Carolyn Molesworth-St Aubyn

Summary:

To introduce students to the basic principles of microeconomics.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Class test 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Introductory Macroeconomics

Code:

EC114

Convenor:

DR Mark Guzman

Summary:

Introductory Macroeconomics is a first course in understanding what economists consider to be a nation’s economy.  It is designed to provide you with a general introduction to the basic concepts and models used by economists to comprehend the actual world in which you live and the general discussions found in the media and in political discourse.  

Assessment Method:

Exam 50%, Set exercise 20%, Class test 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Intermediate Mathematics for Economics

Code:

EC128

Convenor:

DR Fangya Xu

Summary:

This module builds on the introduction of mathematical techniques covered either in the Autumn term or before students began their economics programme.  It will present a further range of methods and their economic applications. Other modules in various economics programmes will make use of this material and provide further applications in their own context.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Oral 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Core Competencies in Economics

Code:

EC1CORE

Convenor:

PROF Sarah Jewell

Summary:

The module will introduce students to key academic skills and strategies that will support their undergraduate studies. Students will engage with a series of core competencies, including time management and independent learning, academic writing and referencing, and making effective use of feedback. The module will also explore a range of challenges frequently encountered by students along with coping strategies and advice on accessing the network of support available. There will also be opportunities for students to develop an understanding of how skills developed throughout their degree transfer to the workplace. 

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Introductory Securities and Markets

Code:

IC101

Convenor:

MR John Chessher

Summary:

This module is delivered at the University of Reading and the University of Reading Malaysia

The module is in two halves. In the first half (first five weeks of term), we cover financial institutions, credit risk, maturity transformation and liquidity. We also cover the economics of banking and types of money including cryptocurrencies and central bank digital currencies. In the second five weeks, we focus on sustainable finance and its important contribution to achieving Net-Zero by 2050. Thus this second part focussed on the role of the finance industry in mitigating climate change impact and also covers social issues relevant to corporates and financial companies such as diversity, equality of pay for equal work, salary and bonus differentials etc.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Class test 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Introductory Finance/Trading Simulation I

Code:

IC102

Convenor:

DR Gita Persand

Summary:

This module is delivered at University of Reading and University of Reading Malaysia.

This module aims to provide the student with an overview of the financial system. This will include an overview of the role that the financial system plays in the economy, a discussion of some of the main players in the system, the instruments they trade, and the trading prices. Part of the module will focus on capital markets and the private and public financial institutions participating in these markets. The remainder of the module covers the time value of money, longer-term securities like bonds, risky securities like stocks, and the way in which returns, and the values of real and financial assets relate to each other. The purpose of the trading simulation part of the module is to introduce students to computer simulation of securities dealing and spreadsheet modelling. Students are taught the relevant theory and will experience how this theory works in a virtual dealing environment.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Practical 10%, Project 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Introductory Quantitative Techniques for Business and Finance

Code:

IC104

Convenor:

DR Nikolaos Antypas

Summary:

This module introduces students to a range of quantitative techniques that are commonly applied in business, finance and management. 

This module is delivered at University of Reading and University of Reading Malaysia.

Assessment Method:

Exam 75%, Project 25%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Placement Support

Code:

EC130

Convenor:

MRS Purnima Darji

Summary:

This module provides students with general and specific placement and employability related skills.

Assessment Method:

n/a

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Intermediate Microeconomics

Code:

EC201

Convenor:

DR Minyan Zhu

Summary:

This module builds on material covered in introductory microeconomic courses and introduces students to some of the more advanced topics in microeconomic theory, including intertemporal choice, decision-making under risk, game theory, and general equilibrium theory.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Set exercise 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Intermediate Macroeconomics

Code:

EC202

Convenor:

DR Carl Singleton

Summary:

Intermediate Macroeconomics builds on concepts introduced in Principles of Macroeconomics.  It is designed to provide a more in-depth understanding of the fundamental principles and analytic concepts related to economic growth, inflation, unemployment and interest rates.  

Assessment Method:

Exam 50%, Set exercise 20%, Class test 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Corporate Finance

Code:

IC201

Convenor:

DR Dina Ghanma

Summary:

This module focusses on corporate value: its measurement, and its maximisation through corporate financial decisions, growth strategies, and governance practices. 

This module is delivered at the University of Reading and the University of Reading Malaysia

Assessment Method:

Exam 65%, Project 35%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Portfolio Management

Code:

IC204

Convenor:

DR Nikolaos Antypas

Summary:

The module examines the issues involved in understanding the investment market, constructing an optimal investment portfolio, evaluating the performance of that portfolio, and adjusting its composition through time.

This module is delivered at University of Reading and University of Reading Malaysia.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 10%, Oral 40%, Class test 50%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Introductory Econometrics for Finance

Code:

IC205

Convenor:

DR Lisa Schopohl

Summary:

This module introduces students to the econometric techniques that are used in the empirical finance literature. 

Assessment Method:

Exam 65%, Assignment 10%, Project 25%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Financial Modelling

Code:

IC212

Convenor:

DR Gita Persand

Summary:

This module is delivered at University of Reading and University of Reading Malaysia.

This module aims to put various finance theories, which were studied at Part 1 Introductory Finance, into practice with the use of Microsoft Excel functions, hence providing students with an opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge, when using Excel, to solve some real-life financial problems.

Assessment Method:

Project 60%, Class test 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Business Economics

Code:

EC208

Convenor:

DR Nigel Wadeson

Summary:

This module introduces a number of areas of business economics not covered in the industrial organisation module, with a concentration on theory. It requires reading from a variety of sources and so is suitable for students particularly interested in business economics.

Assessment Method:

Exam 80%, Assignment 20%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Economic Theory

Code:

EC221

Convenor:

DR Carolyn Molesworth-St Aubyn

Summary:

This module builds upon the previous microeconomic, macroeconomic, and mathematics courses studied. It is intended to introduce students to the basic concepts of economic modelling by applying previously learned economics in a more formal, structured way. In particular, students will learn what constitutes a formal model, how micro-foundations form the basis of modern macroeconomic models, and how to use formal mathematical models to answer economic questions and analyse real world policies. 

Assessment Method:

Exam 50%, Set exercise 25%, Class test 25%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Games and Economic Behaviour

Code:

EC224

Convenor:

DR Steven Bosworth

Summary:

This module uses an online platform to cover a range of topics in the economic curriculum interactively. Each week students will be active participants in one or more models of an economic phenomenon. These will be implemented as online games. By participating in the game-based versions of each model students will gain greater insight into the assumptions and mechanisms underlying models of economic behaviour. Lectures will also use the opportunity to highlight precisely where these models might break down. 

Assessment Method:

Report 50%, Class test 50%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Economics of Social Policy

Code:

EC238

Convenor:

DR Samantha Benvinda Rawlings

Summary:

The module concentrates on how economic analysis can be applied to the real-world problems faced by policy makers. Economic analysis is employed in a wide range of social policies, whether in Government, the third sector but also in private sector organisations. This module concentrates on social economic problems and the role of Government policy. Analysis requires techniques taken from both micro and macroeconomics. Social economics covers a wide range of issues and the topics chosen will vary from year to year, depending on the current focus of policy interest. But, in general, the module could cover poverty and inequality, housing, crime, health, education, labour markets and urban economics for example. Not all these topics will be covered each year.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 60%, Report 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Economic History

Code:

EC243

Convenor:

DR Andrew Primmer

Summary:

This module explains how the world economy got to be where it is today, focusing on significant periods of economic change from the commercial revolution of the medieval period through to the modern digital revolution.

Assessment Method:

Exam 70%, Assignment 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Trends in Finance

Code:

IC207

Convenor:

DR Antony Moore

Summary:

This module encourages students to contextualise current issues and debates in finance by placing them within the historical evolution of finance, and to develop and express their own ideas through coursework essays and in-class discussions.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 90%, Oral 10%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Programming for Finance

Code:

IC208

Convenor:

DR Vu Tran

Summary:

The module objective is to introduce the students to Object Oriented Programming using Python as the main programming language, and to use the learning outcomes for data processing and applications in Finance. It covers the basics of programming, including class, objects, datatypes, conditional statements and loops, processing data from files, receiving inputs and displaying relevant outputs. Students who complete this course should be able to write simple programming functions in Python, process data files including reading, and modifying and writing data to external files. Additionally, students should be able to read and write to Excel and CSV files, connect to databases, obtain and process data from the Web, as well as use Python for Finance and Econometrics.

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Sustainable Finance

Code:

IC209

Convenor:

DR Dina Ghanma

Summary:

This module covers the basics of Sustainable Finance, covering applications in financing and investment activities. The Environmental, Social and Governance factors are covered, and the relevant policies and international regulations are discussed. 

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

FX and International Debt Markets

Code:

IC211

Convenor:

MRS Gail Rolland

Summary:

In this module students will study the international debt markets, equipping them with the tools to analyse and compare products and determine trading and hedging strategies.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Practical 10%, Class test 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Financial Economics

Code:

EC349

Convenor:

DR Mark Guzman

Summary:

This module has two parts. The first part covers financial decision making in an idealised world with certainty and in a more complex world with uncertainty and market imperfections. The second part covers recent developments in financial markets and securities.

Assessment Method:

Exam 50%, Set exercise 25%, Class test 25%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Derivative Securities

Code:

IC317

Convenor:

DR Laima Spokeviciute

Summary:

From the 1970s to the present, derivatives markets are developing rapidly in terms of their market size and importance to the majority of market participants. Banks, corporations, governments and multi-national institutions utilize derivatives products either simple or complex ones to hedge risk and exploit opportunities. To understand the modern financial market and its practical applications, it’s inevitable to study derivatives. This module is an introduction to derivatives markets and instruments. We explore derivatives markets and their products mainly through theories and practical trading strategies. By the end of this module, you will be equipped with the essential knowledge to continue studying the advanced derivatives pricing model and practising trading with derivatives in your later module.

This module is delivered at the University of Reading and the University of Reading Malaysia

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Advanced Microeconomics

Code:

EC301

Convenor:

DR Steven Bosworth

Summary:

This module introduces decision and game theory and some of their economic applications.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Assignment 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Advanced Macroeconomics

Code:

EC302

Convenor:

DR Alexander Mihailov

Summary:

This module covers major theories of long-run economic growth and short-run economic fluctuations. It looks at issues such as what causes economies to grow, why some countries are richer than others, and what poorer nations can do to catch up. It then looks at alternative explanations for what causes economies to fluctuate in the short run and what role the government can, or should play, in smoothing out fluctuations.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Set exercise 20%, Project 20%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

International Economics

Code:

EC311

Convenor:

DR Hussein Hassan

Summary:

International economics is concerned with economic interactions among sovereign nations, in terms of trade in goods and services as well as investment in financial and real assets. It tries to answer questions such as: why do nations trade; what are the gains from trade; are such benefits fairly allocated across various social groups; should trade be free or protected; how much should trade and financial relations among nations be regulated, integrated, coordinated; why do monetary regimes and exchange rates matter; why do some nations tend to accumulate current account deficits and foreign debt whereas other are in surplus and are net lenders. Part of the module will apply the introduced theoretical concepts and models to the policy context of Brexit and EU integration.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Assignment 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Public Economics

Code:

EC314

Convenor:

DR Jade Siu

Summary:

This module provides students with the opportunity to explore the rationale for government intervention in the economy, to assess what the role of the government should be, and to analyse a wide range of policy issues.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 50%, Set exercise 50%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Development Economics

Code:

EC319

Convenor:

DR Samantha Benvinda Rawlings

Summary:

Development economics concerns the application of economic tools to the study of issues that are of particular importance to low-income countries. This module primarily focuses on the application of microeconomic theory to understanding causes and consequences of underdevelopment and it studies the behaviour of individuals, including their choices and constraints when markets are missing or incomplete. The module aims to equip students with an understanding of relevant economic theory, evidence, and implications for policy. Development economics is a broad field, so that the module will necessarily focus only on a selection of topics relevant for development. 

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Assignment 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Money and Banking

Code:

EC320

Convenor:

DR Christos Mavrodimitrakis

Summary:

 This module builds on Intermediate Macroeconomics to study the economics of money, banking, and financial markets. The module consists of two basic parts: Financial Markets and Institutions; and Central Banking and Monetary Policy; while the role of money is at the centre of the analysis. Both the Great Recession and the Covid-19 pandemic highlight the volatility of financial markets and demonstrate the importance of central banks to the health of the financial system and the economy. This volatility can hit financial consumers directly, leading to difficulty in getting loans, falling home values, declining retirement account values and jeopardising jobs. We discuss interest rates, their relation to bond prices and returns, and their determination. We extend the analysis of the bond market to explain changes in credit spreads and the term structure. We also look at the role of expectations in the stock market and explore what drives stock prices. Financial institutions are central in the workings of the economy. We will look at financial structure and at the business and process of banking. On central banking, we explore what central banks are trying to achieve; what motivates them; how the money supply is determined; what are the policy tools central banks have in their disposal; how monetary policy is being conducted. We further discuss how the quantity theory of money explains inflation in the long run and how theories of the demand for money have evolved; the role of expectations in monetary policy; and the transmission mechanisms through which monetary policy affects the aggregate economy.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Class test 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Economics of Labour

Code:

EC322

Convenor:

PROF Sarah Jewell

Summary:

This module concentrates on the more microeconomic aspects of the labour market. It contains both theoretical and applied components, with the idea to introduce and discuss some basic labour market theoretical models and how these can be applied to current policy issues of the labour market.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 50%, Project 50%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

The Economics of Sports and Games

Code:

EC325

Convenor:

PROF James Reade

Summary:

“Ask not what economics can do for sports - ask what sports can do for economics”.*

Sports can offer rare moments of clarity to social scientists within an otherwise complex real world.  The competitive environments within sport provide laboratories to study human behaviour, to test theories, and to observe the effects of policy.  For example, professional sports offer a rare glimpse of game theory in action, in a strictly controlled environment outside of the laboratory, and with participants who ought to be truly expert in strategic behaviour (e.g., penalty kicks in football, the serve in tennis, and picking a googly or slower ball in cricket).

This module also introduces students to the “Peculiar Economics of Professional Sports”** itself. We consider various sports and games from an economic perspective, as well as other markets related to sports, addressing questions such as:

Is the uncertainty of outcome hypothesis still relevant, or do we instead prefer to watch sports for thei surprise and suspence?

Are betting markets efficient or are there systematic biases that bettors could potentially profit from?

Is a major tournament, such as the Football World Cup or Olympic Games, ever economically beneficial to the host city and country? Or is hosting instead just a gift to the world (or a political gesture)?

*Quotation from Bar-Eli, Krumer and Morgulev in the Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics, December 2020.

**The title of a seminal article by Walter Neale in The Quarterly Journal of Economics, February 1964.

Assessment Method:

Exam 70%, Project 30%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Economics of Banking

Code:

EC327

Convenor:

MS Diya Abraham

Summary:

This module provides students with a guide to the economic theory of banking covering an introduction to the recent developments in academic research with a focus on the microeconomics of banking. The module will address important issues including the economic theory of bank financial intermediation pointing out the weaknesses in the banking sector, bank risks and strategies adopted by banks to address risks, economic assessment of the link between market structure, competition and stability in banking, the rationale for government intervention, and banking regulation. 

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Assignment 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Environmental Economics

Code:

EC334

Convenor:

DR Stefania Lovo

Summary:

The main focus of this course is on externalities resulting from human activity. These include among others climate change, pollution, natural resource depletion, and biodiversity loss. Topics will be shaped around two core areas: 

• Measuring externalities and their effects on human welfare.
• Designing and evaluating policy instruments to tackle negative externalities.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 50%, Class test 50%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Behavioural Economics

Code:

EC343

Convenor:

DR Joo Young Jeon

Summary:

This module offers students the opportunity to extend their understanding of how a broad range of economic decisions are made. Neoclassical economics is underpinned by numerous assumptions about how agents make decisions. Many decisions routinely observed are indeed at odds with classical economic theory. This module builds descriptively accurate models of decision making based on actually observed behaviour and aimed at including psychological intuitions about the drivers of such behaviour. While being descriptively more accurate, the models aspire at the same formal and mathematical rigour of classical models, thus constituting generalisations of the former. 

Assessment Method:

Assignment 50%, Class test 50%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Industrial Organisation

Code:

EC347

Convenor:

DR Joo Young Jeon

Summary:

This module presents a number of lessons from theoretical industrial economics for our understanding of corporate decision-making - such as price-setting, output-setting, investment in productive capacity, advertising, product differentiation, vertical integration and collusive behaviour. In this context, the role of industrial competition is emphasised and both the determinants of market structure and the imperatives for competition policy intervention are discussed.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Assignment 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Macroeconometrics

Code:

EC350

Convenor:

DR Shixuan Wang

Summary:

This module is one of two applied econometric modules which provide further development of econometric methods introduced in Parts 1 and 2.  EC350 focuses on techniques in the time series econometrics. This module is intended to teach students macroeconometrics, which focuses time series econometrics with applications on macroeconomic datasets. In addition students will develop their econometric software skills in R.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Project 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Dissertation

Code:

EC3DIS

Convenor:

DR Hussein Hassan

Summary:

The dissertation module involves an 8,000 word independent piece of research work which students carry out on a topic of their choice. While mostly working independently, students will receive one-on-one supervision with an academic in the Department.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 20%, Dissertation 80%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Financial Engineering

Code:

IC302

Convenor:

MR Mohammad Shehub Bin Hasan

Summary:

Financial Engineering is the application of engineering methods to finance for the design, analysis, and construction of financial contracts that meet the needs of investors and companies. This basic course of Financial Engineering provides an overview of the theory and practice of Financial Engineering, with emphasis on contract design, payoffs replication and application of simple derivatives pricing and hedging methodology to complex derivatives and structured products.

Assessment Method:

Exam 80%, Class test 20%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Management of Risk

Code:

IC303

Convenor:

DR Laima Spokeviciute

Summary:

This module introduces students to a set of techniques to measure and manage market and credit risks in banks. It also covers recent developments in bank regulation. Financial press articles are extensively used to provide context and show the relevance of the teaching material to current risk management issues. Popular portfolio risk models and stress testing frameworks used by risk managers and central banks are explored in detail. This course will help students develop those critical risk management skills that are now considered indispensable for anyone willing to undertake a career in the financial sector. 

This module is delivered at the University of Reading and the University of Reading Malaysia

Assessment Method:

Project 40%, Class test 60%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Private Equity and Venture Capital

Code:

IC309

Convenor:

DR Keith Arundale

Summary:

The objective of the Private Equity and Venture Capital module, which is delivered at the ICMA Centre, is to develop students’ appreciation of the practical aspects of investing by private equity and venture capital firms, understanding the dynamics between the venture capital investor and the entrepreneur, and also the practicalities of raising PE&VC funds from institutional investors. The focus of the module is on venture capital and high-growth ventures from the viewpoints of both the entrepreneur or management team and of the investing institution (general partner), although private equity as a whole is covered (including management buyout transactions) as well as the relationship between the private equity or venture capital firm and its own investors (limited partner institutions). This is a highly practical module; extensive use will be made of case studies and a group project in addition to guest seminars from invited experienced practitioners and entrepreneurs.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Assignment 40%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.