BSc Economics and Finance with International Foundation Year - September Entry

Title:

Mathematics for Finance, Economics and Business

Code:

EC0MEB

Convenor:

DR Rehana Bari

Summary:

To provide a solid grounding in the key elements of pure mathematics and statistics to a good A-level standard for students approaching a degree in economics, finance, management or business.

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:

Academic Skills

Code:

IF0ACA

Convenor:

MISS Natalie Drake

Summary:

The module aims to help students develop their academic study skills in order to be successful on the International Foundation Programme and as undergraduates. Course content will be delivered through a combination of lectures and practical workshops as well as online delivery to include screenscasts, narrated powerpoints, live sessions and discussion boards. Students can successfully complete the module on campus or remotely.

Assessment Method:

Exam 30%, Assignment 30%, Oral 20%, Report 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:

EC0ECO

Convenor:

DR Maria Asensio

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:

Exam 60%, Assignment 10%, 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:

International English A

Code:

IF0IE1

Convenor:

MRS Amanda Fava-Verde

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:

Exam 50%, Assignment 15%, Oral 5%, Portfolio 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:

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:

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:

MM0IBM

Convenor:

DR Denise Tsang

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:

Introductory Microeconomics

Code:

EC113

Convenor:

PROF Marina Della Giusta

Summary:

To introduce students to the basic principles of microeconomics.

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:

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 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:

Introductory Quantitative Methods in Economics and Business 2 and Study Skills

Code:

EC120

Convenor:

PROF Simonetta Longhi

Summary:

This module extends the use of standard statistical techniques acquired in ‘Introductory Quantitative Methods 1’ and develops basic study and employability skills.

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:

Introductory Mathematics for Economics 2

Code:

EC121

Convenor:

DR Fangya Xu

Summary:

This module extends the knowledge of mathematical concepts and techniques gained through ‘EC116 Introductory mathematics for economics 1’. Reference is made in compulsory taught modules for single degree programmes in the Department of Economics.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Assignment 10%, 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:

Core Competencies in Economics

Code:

EC1CORE

Convenor:

DR Neha Hui

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:

PROF Brian Scott-Quinn

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 70%, Practical 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:

Introductory Quantitative Techniques for Business and Finance

Code:

IC104

Convenor:

DR Nikoloas 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:

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 Mark Guzman

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 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:

Introductory Econometrics

Code:

EC204

Convenor:

DR Hussein Hassan

Summary:

This module is primarily designed to give students a general understanding of basic econometrics with an emphasis on the interpretation of basic linear regression results and their relevance in economic analysis. It is linked closely to EC205, which is a natural follow-on.

The module will also help students understand key elements involved in career development and help access relevant work experience and internships while at university.

Assessment Method:

Exam 60%, Project 20%, 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:

Intermediate Mathematics for Economics

Code:

EC206

Convenor:

DR Christos Mavrodimitrakis

Summary:

The module will make use of the introduction to mathematical techniques covered in Part 1 and present a further range of methods and their economic applications. Other core and elective modules in the various Economics programmes will make use of this material and provide further applications in their own context.

Assessment Method:

Exam 80%, Assignment 5%, Class test 15%

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:

MISS Dina Ghanma

Summary:

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

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:

Portfolio Management

Code:

IC204

Convenor:

DR Nikoloas 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:

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:

Financial Economics

Code:

EC349

Convenor:

DR Fangya Xu

Summary:

This module aims to provide a rigorous coverage of the economic reasoning underpinning much of modern finance including portfolio theory and asset pricing. It will apply neoclassical financial analysis both as intellectual contributions in their own and as a set of guidelines to financial decision making in the more complex world of uncertainty and market imperfections. It will also discuss the organisation of a modern financial system highlighting the role of financial intermediaries, such as banks, facing market imperfections. 

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/Trading Simulation III

Code:

IC301

Convenor:

DR Yueting Cui

Summary:

This module is designed to combine theoretical and practical approaches to derivatives. The objectives of the module are the following: first, to give students an overview of the main derivative securities and markets; second, to provide an understanding of derivatives pricing; third, to give an overview of hedging and trading strategies; and fourth, to show how to apply theoretical models and strategies presented in class through exercises, examples and case studies.

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.