Economics |
www.essex.ac.uk/economics | E
admit@essex.ac.uk | T +44 (0)1206 873666
Economics modules
Full-year modules
Introduction to Economics Introduction to Quantitative Economics
Methods in Economic Analysis
Macroeconomics Microeconomics The World Economy in Historical Perspective
Half-year modules
Economic Policy Applications International Trade Institutions and Policy International Financial Institutions and Policy Financial Instruments and Capital Markets
Financial Innovations and Monetary Policy
Mathematical Economics Econometric Methods Management of New Technology Economics of Organisational Management Microeconomics (advanced)
Macroeconomics (advanced)
Economics of the European Union Economics of Transition Economic Development in a Global Perspective Environmental Economics Public Economics Economic Change in a Historical Perspective Labour Economics
Economics of Negotiations Theory of Monopoly and Regulation
Market Structure and Strategic Behaviour International Trade Economic Analysis of Asset Markets
Economics of Bond and Derivatives Markets
Forecasting for Business and Economics
Not all modules may be offered every year.
108 | Undergraduate Prospectus 2012
understanding to a range of real-world applications, including international trade and finance, government policies and the organisation of firms, markets and industries.
You need not have studied economics before beginning the course, though if you are doing so, the standard of your performance is important to gain admission. Likewise, you may be asked to achieve a high standard of performance in other relevant subjects that will signal your future success in economics – ‘relevant’ subjects are those with an academic focus, such as mathematics or history, including humanities (eg English literature), social sciences (eg politics), sciences (eg psychology) and law.
What matters most in preparing to study economics is showing that you can achieve a high academic standard, rather than the particular subjects studied. An inquiring, and critical mind, a willingness to accept challenges, an interest in research and in logical argument, all provide good signals of likely future success in an economics course.
Students sometimes worry about the level of mathematics in economics. There is no doubt that modern economics does require some facility in mathematics but no more than that of which any reasonably well educated person is capable. Economics, as a problem-solving subject, commonly uses mathematical tools as an efficient and precise way to construct logical arguments. More important than your mathematics background on entry to the University is your willingness to acquire the tools you will need as part of the course. You will then learn how to use these tools in the study of economic problems.
We welcome students from across the world, with many different qualifications, cultures and academic backgrounds. Starting from this diversity, in your first
Ranked sixth in the UK for student satisfaction.
year of study you may find yourself focusing on those areas needed to bring you to a similar level with your fellow economics students. You will then continue into the remaining years of your course equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge needed for an in-depth understanding of economics and its applications.
Equipped with your knowledge of economic theory and quantitative methods, you will go into the second and final years of your course to use these tools to explore economic applications in-depth. You will also have the option to further develop your skills in economic analysis, mathematical economics and econometrics.
How are learning and
teaching organised? Teaching is arranged to allow you a lot of freedom in how you organise your learning experience. In the large first- and second-year modules (typically with over 150 students in each), there are two lecture hours per week attended by everyone taking the module. Here, your lecturer presents a general overview of the subject and will guide you on the priorities for each topic. Also, each week, you will attend a class (with 10 to 15 other students) to discuss issues arising from the lectures or to solve exercises related to the lectures. In your more specialist and advanced options, the distinction between lectures and classes is less obvious because teaching takes the form of seminars in which you will be encouraged to participate directly.
You will encounter a distinctive learning experience in your final-year research project, supervised individually by a member of staff. Your research will begin towards the end of your second year, when you choose a topic (either from an approved list or one you propose yourself – each student has a unique topic). Then, in consultation with your supervisor, you will complete your project – in the form of a dissertation – shortly before you finish your course.
Work experience Many economics students gain work experience during the summer vacations at the end of the first and second years of study. Summer internships (in which
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172 |
Page 173 |
Page 174 |
Page 175 |
Page 176 |
Page 177 |
Page 178 |
Page 179 |
Page 180 |
Page 181 |
Page 182 |
Page 183 |
Page 184 |
Page 185 |
Page 186 |
Page 187 |
Page 188 |
Page 189 |
Page 190 |
Page 191 |
Page 192 |
Page 193 |
Page 194 |
Page 195 |
Page 196 |
Page 197 |
Page 198 |
Page 199 |
Page 200 |
Page 201 |
Page 202 |
Page 203 |
Page 204 |
Page 205 |
Page 206 |
Page 207 |
Page 208 |
Page 209 |
Page 210 |
Page 211 |
Page 212 |
Page 213 |
Page 214 |
Page 215 |
Page 216 |
Page 217 |
Page 218 |
Page 219 |
Page 220 |
Page 221 |
Page 222 |
Page 223 |
Page 224 |
Page 225 |
Page 226 |
Page 227 |
Page 228 |
Page 229 |
Page 230 |
Page 231 |
Page 232