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BSc Economics and Finance

  • UCAS code
    LN13
  • Typical offer
    ABB
  • Year of entry
    2023/24
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  3 Years
  • Year of entry
    2023/24
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  3 Years

Study modern economics and its applications to financial markets with our BSc Economics and Finance degree.

This three-year course will provide a rigorous foundation of economics and financial systems. Learn to apply economic theories to real-life problems in financial markets.

  • How do investors make their investment decisions?
  • Why did the financial crisis of 2007-2008 happen?
  • What can be done to prevent the next financial crisis?

You will engage with specialist topics including:

  • financial economics
  • financial modelling
  • corporate finance.

The programme will equip you with analytical skills, decision-making skills, and advanced financial techniques for a successful career in the financial services sector as a banker, investment analyst, advisor, economist, or other related roles.

Access to real-world facilities

You will learn advanced analytical methods using relevant industry-specific software and data sources such as simulation software, Bloomberg, and Thompson Reuters.

Moreover, you will have opportunities to practise your knowledge in asset pricing and risk management by participating in the CME Group University Trading Challenge under the guidance of our academics, who are experts in the field.

Interdisciplinary study

Your studies will cover a range of topics, including:

  • Financial economics
  • Microeconomics
  • Macroeconomics
  • Derivative securities/trading simulation
  • Financial modelling/trading simulation
  • Portfolio management
  • Corporate finance.

Optional modules will bring your studies to life and relate to life outside the classroom, with interactive modules.

  • Fintech and Cryptocurrencies asks how and why firms are implementing blockchain technology in their day-to-day business, as well as addressing the challenges they face.  You will also learn about the nature of popular cryptocurrencies and their governance.
  • Economics of Banking explores the weaknesses in the banking sector, the strategies adopted by banks to address risks, and the rationale for government intervention in the financial sector and banking regulation.
  • Economics of Sport and Games dissects how competitive and controlled environments within sport can provide laboratories to study human behaviour, test theories, and observe the impacts of policy.

Your learning environment

Our research in the Department of Economics has real-world applications and has informed policy decisions by governments, major multinational organisations, and agencies such as the UN and the World Bank.

Financial markets experts from the University's ICMA Centre in Henley Business School will guide you in your learning.

At Reading, our researchers are addressing some of the key issues of the twenty-first century, such as the future role of fintech and sustainable economic growth:

  • Dr Andrew Urquhart is Professor of Finance and Financial Technology at the ICMA Centre, Henley Business School. He is a leading international expert on Cryptocurrencies and organiser of the major Cryptocurrency Research Conference every year.
  • Dr Tho Pham is carrying out research on the influence of social media on people and outcomes, such as voting results.
  • Dr James Reade combines his interests in sports and econometrics to understand what drives people's economic behaviour, as well as understanding the world of sports economics and finance.

What you study throughout your degree will be aligned with our research clusters, keeping you up to date with the latest developments in economics and finance. Your learning is complemented by guest speakers from outside the University and the student-led Economics Society and Finance Society.

As well as lectures, you'll participate in small-group tutorials, enabling you to discuss and analyse both theory and practise through case studies, group presentations and open debate.

Supporting your learning

The Department of Economics will support your learning in several ways:

  • Economics Surgeries offer one-to-one appointments with staff, allowing you to discuss the topics you've studied and get help with specific study skills.
  • Conversations with Economists provide the opportunity for you to discuss an economic issue in the news with staff and other students from across the Department in a relaxed and informal setting.
  • The Economics Society and Finance Society are student-led bodies that you can join. They arrange social events for students, careers-focused events, and discussions with economists and financiers on a range of topical matters.

Work placements with BSc Economics and Finance

Enhance your employability and build your network by applying for work placements during your degree. You can also extend your single honours degree by a year by incorporating a one-year placement into your degree programme. We have a dedicated placement coordinator who can provide advice and support in your search for a placement.

Previous students from the Department of Economics have undertaken placements with:

  • Bank of England
  • Lloyds Bank
  • Beazley Group Insurance company
  • Grant Thornton
  • YouLend
  • William and Co Accountancy
  • Office of Budgetary Responsibility
  • Treasury.

Study Abroad

As part of your degree, you can apply to study for a year or term abroad at one of our partner universities in Australia, Canada, the USA, or across Europe. Visit our Study Abroad website for more information.

Overview

Study modern economics and its applications to financial markets with our BSc Economics and Finance degree.

This three-year course will provide a rigorous foundation of economics and financial systems. Learn to apply economic theories to real-life problems in financial markets.

  • How do investors make their investment decisions?
  • Why did the financial crisis of 2007-2008 happen?
  • What can be done to prevent the next financial crisis?

You will engage with specialist topics including:

  • financial economics
  • financial modelling
  • corporate finance.

The programme will equip you with analytical skills, decision-making skills, and advanced financial techniques for a successful career in the financial services sector as a banker, investment analyst, advisor, economist, or other related roles.

Access to real-world facilities

You will learn advanced analytical methods using relevant industry-specific software and data sources such as simulation software, Bloomberg, and Thompson Reuters.

Moreover, you will have opportunities to practise your knowledge in asset pricing and risk management by participating in the CME Group University Trading Challenge under the guidance of our academics, who are experts in the field.

Interdisciplinary study

Your studies will cover a range of topics, including:

  • Financial economics
  • Microeconomics
  • Macroeconomics
  • Derivative securities/trading simulation
  • Financial modelling/trading simulation
  • Portfolio management
  • Corporate finance.

Optional modules will bring your studies to life and relate to life outside the classroom, with interactive modules.

  • Fintech and Cryptocurrencies asks how and why firms are implementing blockchain technology in their day-to-day business, as well as addressing the challenges they face.  You will also learn about the nature of popular cryptocurrencies and their governance.
  • Economics of Banking explores the weaknesses in the banking sector, the strategies adopted by banks to address risks, and the rationale for government intervention in the financial sector and banking regulation.
  • Economics of Sport and Games dissects how competitive and controlled environments within sport can provide laboratories to study human behaviour, test theories, and observe the impacts of policy.

Learning

Your learning environment

Our research in the Department of Economics has real-world applications and has informed policy decisions by governments, major multinational organisations, and agencies such as the UN and the World Bank.

Financial markets experts from the University's ICMA Centre in Henley Business School will guide you in your learning.

At Reading, our researchers are addressing some of the key issues of the twenty-first century, such as the future role of fintech and sustainable economic growth:

  • Dr Andrew Urquhart is Professor of Finance and Financial Technology at the ICMA Centre, Henley Business School. He is a leading international expert on Cryptocurrencies and organiser of the major Cryptocurrency Research Conference every year.
  • Dr Tho Pham is carrying out research on the influence of social media on people and outcomes, such as voting results.
  • Dr James Reade combines his interests in sports and econometrics to understand what drives people's economic behaviour, as well as understanding the world of sports economics and finance.

What you study throughout your degree will be aligned with our research clusters, keeping you up to date with the latest developments in economics and finance. Your learning is complemented by guest speakers from outside the University and the student-led Economics Society and Finance Society.

As well as lectures, you'll participate in small-group tutorials, enabling you to discuss and analyse both theory and practise through case studies, group presentations and open debate.

Supporting your learning

The Department of Economics will support your learning in several ways:

  • Economics Surgeries offer one-to-one appointments with staff, allowing you to discuss the topics you've studied and get help with specific study skills.
  • Conversations with Economists provide the opportunity for you to discuss an economic issue in the news with staff and other students from across the Department in a relaxed and informal setting.
  • The Economics Society and Finance Society are student-led bodies that you can join. They arrange social events for students, careers-focused events, and discussions with economists and financiers on a range of topical matters.

Work placements with BSc Economics and Finance

Enhance your employability and build your network by applying for work placements during your degree. You can also extend your single honours degree by a year by incorporating a one-year placement into your degree programme. We have a dedicated placement coordinator who can provide advice and support in your search for a placement.

Previous students from the Department of Economics have undertaken placements with:

  • Bank of England
  • Lloyds Bank
  • Beazley Group Insurance company
  • Grant Thornton
  • YouLend
  • William and Co Accountancy
  • Office of Budgetary Responsibility
  • Treasury.

Study Abroad

As part of your degree, you can apply to study for a year or term abroad at one of our partner universities in Australia, Canada, the USA, or across Europe. Visit our Study Abroad website for more information.

Entry requirements A Level ABB

Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.

Typical offer

ABB including A level or AS level Mathematics at grade B.

International Baccalaureate

32 points overall, including 5 in standard level Maths and 4 in standard level English

GCSE

GCSE English at grade B (5)

Extended Project Qualification

In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.

BTEC Extended Diploma

Not accepted, unless studied alongside A level Maths. The BTEC Extended Diploma cannot be accepted to cover the Maths subject-specific requirement.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students

For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.

  • Learn more about our International Foundation programme

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

  • Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Structure

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Compulsory modules include:

X

Module details


Title:

Introductory Microeconomics

Code:

EC113

Convenor:

DR Vivien Burrows

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.

X

Module details


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.

X

Module details


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.

X

Module details


Title:

Core Competencies in Economics

Code:

EC1CORE

Convenor:

DR Carl Singleton

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.

X

Module details


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.

X

Module details


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.

X

Module details


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.

Code Module Convenor
EC113 Introductory Microeconomics DR Vivien Burrows
EC114 Introductory Macroeconomics DR Mark Guzman
EC128 Intermediate Mathematics for Economics DR Fangya Xu
EC1CORE Core Competencies in Economics DR Carl Singleton
IC101 Introductory Securities and Markets MR John Chessher
IC102 Introductory Finance/Trading Simulation I DR Gita Persand
IC104 Introductory Quantitative Techniques for Business and Finance DR Nikoloas Antypas

These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Compulsory modules include:

X

Module details


Title:

Intermediate Microeconomics

Code:

EC201

Convenor:

DR Carolyn Molesworth-St Aubyn

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.

X

Module details


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 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.

X

Module details


Title:

Intermediate Mathematics for Economics

Code:

EC206

Convenor:

DR Christos Mavrodimitrakis

Summary:

This module complements the corresponding Part 2 intermediate modules on micro- and macroeconomics, along with econometrics, by developing the necessary mathematical tools used to describe economic phenomena; and econometric techniques. It does so by building on Part 1 introductory mathematics modules, EC116 and EC121, respectively. In particular, you need to be familiar with and adapt in the use of techniques in the areas of differentiation of functions of a single variable and of several variables, optimisation, integration, and elementary matrix algebra.

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.

X

Module details


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 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.

X

Module details


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.

X

Module details


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.

X

Module details


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.

Code Module Convenor
EC201 Intermediate Microeconomics DR Carolyn Molesworth-St Aubyn
EC202 Intermediate Macroeconomics DR Mark Guzman
EC206 Intermediate Mathematics for Economics DR Christos Mavrodimitrakis
IC201 Corporate Finance MISS Dina Ghanma
IC204 Portfolio Management DR Nikoloas Antypas
IC205 Introductory Econometrics for Finance DR Lisa Schopohl
IC212 Financial Modelling DR Gita Persand

These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Compulsory modules include:

X

Module details


Title:

Financial Economics

Code:

EC349

Convenor:

DR Fangya Xu

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.

X

Module details


Title:

Derivative Securities

Code:

IC317

Convenor:

DR Yueting Cui

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.

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.

Code Module Convenor
EC349 Financial Economics DR Fangya Xu
IC317 Derivative Securities DR Yueting Cui

Optional modules include:

X

Module details


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.

X

Module details


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.

X

Module details


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.

X

Module details


Title:

Public Economics

Code:

EC314

Convenor:

DR Vivien Burrows

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.

X

Module details


Title:

Urban Economics

Code:

EC317

Convenor:

DR Vivien Burrows

Summary:

The module introduces students to key topics in urban economics. We will examine some of the main economic theories and models that are used to study cities and their development, and explore a range of problems that affect cities and policies that can be used to address them. 

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.

X

Module details


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 (though not necessarily exclusively) 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. 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.

X

Module details


Title:

Money and Banking

Code:

EC320

Convenor:

DR Christos Mavrodimitrakis

Summary:

This module is designed to provide you with an in-depth understanding on three parts: 1) financial markets (direct finance), 2) financial intermediaries (indirect finance), and 3) the conduct of monetary policy. In the first part, we will cover interest rate, bonds, and stocks. In the second part, we will focus on financial institutions, mainly commercial banks. In the third part, we will discuss central banks, money supply process, and monetary policy. By the end of this module students should have a clear understanding of the common financial assets, banking system and the central bank - as well as the interrelationship between these institutions and monetary policy, interest rates, and inflation.

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.

X

Module details


Title:

Economics of Labour

Code:

EC322

Convenor:

DR 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.

X

Module details


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.

X

Module details


Title:

Economics of Banking

Code:

EC327

Convenor:

DR Tho Pham

Summary:

This module provides students with a guide to the economic theory of banking coveringan 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.

X

Module details


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.

X

Module details


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.

X

Module details


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.

X

Module details


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.

X

Module details


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.

X

Module details


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.

X

Module details


Title:

Management of Risk

Code:

IC303

Convenor:

DR Ivan Sangiorgi

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. 

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.

X

Module details


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.

Code Module Convenor
EC301 Advanced Microeconomics DR Steven Bosworth
EC302 Advanced Macroeconomics DR Alexander Mihailov
EC311 International Economics DR Hussein Hassan
EC314 Public Economics DR Vivien Burrows
EC317 Urban Economics DR Vivien Burrows
EC319 Development Economics DR Samantha Benvinda Rawlings
EC320 Money and Banking DR Christos Mavrodimitrakis
EC322 Economics of Labour DR Sarah Jewell
EC325 The Economics of Sports and Games PROF James Reade
EC327 Economics of Banking DR Tho Pham
EC334 Environmental Economics DR Stefania Lovo
EC343 Behavioural Economics DR Joo Young Jeon
EC347 Industrial Organisation DR Joo Young Jeon
EC350 Macroeconometrics DR Shixuan Wang
EC3DIS Dissertation DR Hussein Hassan
IC302 Financial Engineering MR Mohammad Shehub Bin Hasan
IC303 Management of Risk DR Ivan Sangiorgi
IC309 Private Equity and Venture Capital DR Keith Arundale

These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250*

New international students: £24,500

*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Careers

Graduates will be trained as economists with particular knowledge of financial markets, enabling them to pursue careers across a wide range of fields, both within and outside the financial sector.

Overall, 92% of graduates from Economics are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation.[1] Recent graduates have secured roles as economists with the Government Economic Service or consultancies such as PwC and KPMG. Others have entered related and non-related careers in finance, business, marketing, publishing, PR and media.

[1] Based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2022, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20; includes first degree Economics responders.

BSc Economics and Finance

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