Year 1

Compulsory modules

Economics and Society in Context

This module aims to introduce you to undergraduate study in economics to an economics way of looking at real-world events. By focusing on applying economic theoretical concepts to real-world issues, the key aim is to provide you with the opportunity to see how economics can be seen in our everyday life and be excited about studying economics further. By introducing a set of key theoretical concepts and focusing on your applications to real-world events, the module facilitates students’ ability to understand abstract theoretical concepts and explain them using various real-world events.

This module will help you develop an awareness of the economic foundation of complex issues in order to enhance the ability to make reasoned judgements and informed choices in the sphere of social and political affairs, widening your perspective on important social issues.

Microeconomics I

In this module, you will learn about the fundamentals of macroeconomics. You will cover key areas such as consumption, investment, savings, taxation, and the foreign sector. You will gain an understanding of how these variables relate to each other and how they impact the economy. Throughout the module, you will use real-world situations to illustrate the relevance of macroeconomics to your life as a student. You will develop the skills necessary to analyse and evaluate government policies on economic issues, identify the strengths and weaknesses of market economies, and prepare an argument and analysis of a particular macroeconomic event or change.

By the end of this module, you should have a solid understanding of macroeconomic theory and its real-world applications. You will be able to analyse and evaluate economic policies and their impact on the economy, and identify the strengths and weaknesses of market economies as a mechanism of resource allocation.

Macroeconomics I

In this module, you will learn about the fundamentals of macroeconomics. You will cover key areas such as consumption, investment, savings, taxation, and the foreign sector. You will gain an understanding of how these variables relate to each other and how they impact the economy. Throughout the module, you will use real-world situations to illustrate the relevance of macroeconomics to your life as a student. You will develop the skills necessary to analyse and evaluate government policies on economic issues, identify the strengths and weaknesses of market economies, and prepare an argument and analysis of a particular macroeconomic event or change.

By the end of this module, you should have a solid understanding of macroeconomic theory and its real-world applications.

Mathematics for Economics and Finance

This module will provide you with foundational mathematical techniques that are essential in the fields of economics and business. You will learn how to perform algebraic operations, solve systems of equations, and work with quadratic functions. Additionally, you will acquire the ability to differentiate multivariable functions and to analyse functional relationships using mathematical tools.

Through this module, you will develop problem-solving skills, self-management, communication, and learning abilities. By the end of this module, you will have gained proficiency in the application of mathematical techniques and a deeper understanding of how they are used in finance and optimization within the context of economics, finance, and business.

Foundations of Business

This module will help you appreciate the internal and external contexts of business. You’ll also examine the impact of challenges such as globalisation and the increasing pace of change, and how these are evaluated to establish strategy.

Upon successful completion of this module, you’ll develop critical thinking skills to analyse organisational opportunities and resolve problems, and you’ll gain an understanding of the diversity of business and its basic principles.

Economics and Sustainability

This module aims to introduce you to undergraduate study in economics to an economics way of looking at real-world events. By focusing on applying economic theoretical concepts to real-world issues, the key aim is to provide you with the opportunity to see how economics can be seen in our everyday life and be excited about studying economics further. By introducing a set of key theoretical concepts and focusing on your applications to real-world events, the module facilitates students’ ability to understand abstract theoretical concepts and explain them using various real-world events.

This module will help you develop an awareness of the economic foundation of complex issues in order to enhance the ability to make reasoned judgements and informed choices in the sphere of social and political affairs, widening your perspective on important social issues.

Work, Employment and Globalisation

To give you an understanding of the complex and dynamic challenges of contemporary global labour markets, you’ll explore contemporary issues about work, employment and global labour markets throughout this module. And you’ll investigate the changing nature and organisation of work, inequalities at work, migration and labour mobility, identity at work, and the digital economy. These issues will be examined using a variety of institutional, organisational and individual theoretical perspectives.

From exploring post-industrial work and society within different institutional contexts, you’ll gain a key understanding of issues of diversity and inclusion at work, while gaining the intellectual skills required to critically research and review literature.

Optional modules

Statistics for Economics, Finance and Business

Year 2

Compulsory modules

Microeconomics II

This intermediate module enriches the understanding of microeconomic theory built in previous modules. It covers individual consumer preferences, market demand analysis, production costs, pricing behaviour of firms, and asymmetric information. You'll apply economic theory to real-world scenarios, including issues of price and income subsidies, taxation, insurance, and asset markets. The module utilises a graphical approach to help you develop a basic understanding of general equilibrium theory. You'll learn to distinguish between issues of equity and efficiency in product markets, gaining a deeper understanding of economic policies' societal impact.

Through this module, you'll also develop self-management, learning, communication, and problem-solving skills essential to success in academic and professional settings.

Macroeconomics II

In this module, you will delve deeper into macroeconomic theory and policy by examining national economies and international linkages. You will analyse long and short-run macroeconomic models, fiscal and monetary policies, exchange rate policies, government debt, and currency unions. Through theoretical analysis and examination of recent economic events, you will develop a critical understanding of macroeconomic hypotheses and competing approaches. You will also enhance your problem-solving, critical thinking, and data analysis skills to apply theoretical understanding and empirical knowledge to macroeconomic policy debates.

By completing this module, you will gain critical self-awareness by assessing the impact of macroeconomic shocks and economic policies in determining key economic variables. The carefully curated learning framework will enhance problem-solving and critical thinking skills, as well as the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Exploring and Enhancing Employability
This module will help you develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes you’ll need for making your career decisions and managing your future career development. You’ll also cover

 transitions into graduate employment
 self-employment
 further study
 professional training courses

in the UK or overseas.

You’ll be supported to take an informed and critical view of the world of work and think about your future role and responsibilities, not only to yourself but also to others. You’ll also learn about the University Careers Service and OBBS WAVES team. You’ll have the opportunity to go into placements, internships, volunteering and other extracurricular activities offered by the University.

International Trade

You’ll be introduced to international trade and economic integration. And you’ll use partial equilibrium tools of economic analyses to analyse trade policy options and assess the welfare implications of these policies. Throughout this module, you’ll also explore the institutional arrangements of various trading blocks through reviewing multilateral and global institutions.

Upon successful completion of this module, you’ll be able to understand the economic rationale of international trade, and the stages of economic integration, including their relevance to international negotiations. You’ll also gain problem-solving and IT skills.

International Finance

You’ll study the main forces that are shaping the international financial environment. You’ll also look at the techniques and strategies used by organisations to respond to the international financial environment when making key financial decisions.
You’ll look at:

 capital flows
 exchange rate determination
 risk management in an international context
 international investment decisions and
 the financing of international activities.

To develop your understanding of global finance and give you insight into global financial decisions that are made in today’s world.

International Business Strategy

In this module, you’ll delve into the social issues and opportunities associated with international business, and the challenges associated with a dynamic business environment. To develop your understanding of globalisation, you’ll be provided with a thorough overview of current affairs. You’ll also explore international business, while considering issues of sustainability and equality.

By completing this module, you’ll be able to assess the management and operational environment in which international business operates, while also developing the ability to analyse specific international business, innovation and sustainability strategies pursued by firms (MNCs, SMEs, NGOs).

Placement Search and Preparation (only compulsory for who will take the optional Year 3 work placement)

This module is designed to provide practical guidance and support in undertaking a placement search, preparing for the placement experience, and succeeding in the modern workplace. Throughout the module, you will develop critical self-awareness and personal literacy skills, enabling you to self-reflect on your own strengths and weaknesses and target your placement search effectively. Additionally, you will also explore methods of effective and targeted placement search, increasing your chances of securing a placement.

In summary, this module is an essential component of your employability journey. By integrating with co-curricular activities, the module provides a holistic approach to employability, ensuring that students have a broad range of skills and experiences to draw upon in their future careers.

Optional modules

Choose 2 Optional modules from those below:

International Labour Markets

This module examines the diversity of national policy approaches to labour market and social issues. You’ll undertake a comparative economic analysis of the behaviour of employers and employees operating in the global marketplace. Using a common framework of the economic theory of labour markets, you’ll also critically evaluate how governments, economic, social and other institutions alter outcomes in labour markets.

By completing this module, you’ll be able to present a range of international labour market data, defend appropriate policy proposals and solutions to labour market issues, and recognise the implications for analysis of various social and cultural phenomena.

Economics of Enterprise and Innovation

Applied Econometrics

This module provides an introduction to the interpretation and analysis of economic data through the application of appropriate statistical and econometric methodologies. You will gain practice in applying theory and develop your skills of statistical and econometric analysis through the completion of problem sets. Practising quantitative techniques in seminars is essential in helping you to identify your learning needs and to encourage you to become critically self-aware of your relative strengths and weaknesses in relation to the acquisition of quantitative skills, a fundamental attribute of graduates in economics and finance.

On completion of the module you will have an understanding of hypothesis testing and statistical inference; the ability to conduct essential statistical analyses of data; and an understanding of regression analyses.
History of Economic Thought

This module provides an introduction to the historical development of economic ideas. In so doing it is designed to illuminate both the influence of such ideas within a variety of social and political contexts and against the background of debates in economic policy. It aims to demonstrate the variety of approaches which can be taken to the study of economic phenomena and the traditions to which they give rise.
Upon successful completion of this module, you will be able to appreciate the relationship between developments in economic thought and within general society, critically evaluate the ideas of economic thinkers and appreciate the diversity of paradigms which have influenced the development of economic doctrine over time.

Financial Markets and Institutions

On this module, you’ll examine the nature of financial markets and the role of financial intermediaries. You’ll analyse the nature of market efficiency, and the extent to which asset prices reflect rational decisions in consideration of psychological or speculative factors. You’ll also explore comparative merits and the question of financial regulation. Different types of financial instruments and their valuation will also be explored.

Upon successful completion of this module, you’ll be able to assess institution-based and market-based finance in a variety of contexts, understand the main principles underlying asset pricing models, and resolve general problems in selecting investments in a global market.

Corporate Finance

This module will introduce you to the fundamentals of finance and to the finance function in a company or corporation. This will enable you to understand the sorts of decisions that are taken by financial managers along with their rationales. The content includes an explanation of the role of finance in business and the objectives of the finance function. You will examine also the decisions affecting capital structure and the cost of capital.

Environmentally Sustainable Business

You’ll look at the environmental sustainability challenges facing society and businesses. You’ll discuss key environmental issues such as:

 global warming
 pollution
 biodiversity loss
 freshwater depletion

and the role of business in causing as well as responding to such issues.

You’ll explore macro (economic, policy, governance) as well as micro (organisational and individual) perspectives. You’ll also be introduced to a variety of stakeholder perspectives and frameworks for evaluating business responses. Through the module you’ll develop your key competencies for sustainability that are endorsed by UNESCO (2017) and the QAA/Advance HE (2021).

The competencies are:

 systems thinking
 anticipatory thinking
 normative competency
 strategic thinking
 collaborative competency
 critical thinking
 self-awareness
 integrated problem-solving competency.

Independent Study

This is your opportunity for independent study on an approved topic. It will relate to your programme learning outcomes. You’ll select and discuss a relevant topic area with your Programme Lead/Subject Co-ordinator. Your independent study may involve:

 action based learning
 be based solely on desk research
 limited primary research
 group work.

And will be self directed. Through any group work you may have a specific role and responsibilities.

Year 3 (optional placement year)

Optional modules

Optional Work Placement Year (includes a Placement Search and Preparation module in your second year)

You can spend your third year on a work placement, which is a great opportunity to enhance your CV, preparing you for future employment. You will gain commercial and practical experience, and many students are offered graduate positions by their placement employer. Our students have enjoyed exciting and intellectually challenging positions with companies including Microsoft, the Government Economic Service, the Office for National Statistics, IBM, JP Morgan, Paypal, Hewlett-Packard and Trip Advisor. During your placement there is a fee which is paid to the university. It covers the cost of your placement tutor, and the support we provide whilst looking for a placement position and during your placement role. Whilst on your placement you will still be classed as a student. You will be paid a financially sustainable salary which will vary depending on your role, company and location.

Year 4 (or year 3 if no placement)

Compulsory modules

Perspectives on Global Challenges

Contemporary Issues in Economics

This module adopts a political economy approach and focuses on selected controversial economic issues such as economic growth, inequality, pricing mechanism and resource allocation, unemployment, economics of information, and mechanism designs, and so on. It examines each issue by comparing and
contrasting the philosophy and methods of the neo-classical approach with alternative approaches.

Contemporary Issues in Finance

This module provides an opportunity for students to investigate the forces shaping the contemporary financial system. A variety of issues will be examined, taking the financial turmoil of 2007-2008 as a starting point. The emphasis will be on both the underlying causes of recent financial developments and the more general implications of these for our understanding of finance and on the possibilities open to regulatory authorities, companies, investors and other interested groups to respond to these
developments.

Strategic Management

This module is designed to provide you with a range of benefits to support your development as a successful corporate leader. Through the exploration of contemporary business themes and analysis of current cases, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the external drivers that shape organisational strategy, behaviour, and management. This understanding will enable you to recommend effective policies and strategies that align with stakeholder interests and wider societal responsibilities. Additionally, this module focuses on both national and international levels, which will help provide a global perspective on business themes and their impact on strategy.

By developing cognitive skills such as critical thinking, analysis, creative problem solving, and decision making, you will be better equipped to navigate complex business environments with confidence.

Placement Learning (Only compulsory for Sandwich Mode)

In this module, you'll have the opportunity to reflect critically on your competencies and develop strategies to enhance your personal and professional development through your work experience. You'll also develop critical self-reflection as a tool for personal and professional growth, while evaluating the contribution of your job role to the success of the organisation. Through work-based learning, you'll develop a range of personal competencies, evidence your progress, and apply theory to practise in assessing organisational practice and individual contribution. Additionally, you'll gain a deep understanding of the functioning of your employing organisation, including its structure, culture, and strategy.

By the end of the module, you'll be equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to critically reflect on your own personal and professional development needs, progress, and contributions to organisational success.

Optional modules

Choose 3 Optional Modules from those below:

Behavioural Economics

Economic Growth

This module uses economic theory to analyse the structure and forces behind economic growth and development. You will learn standard theory of economic growth and use those theories to analyse the process of economic growth across countries. You will familiarise yourself with a set of important issues that are central to macroeconomics; develop some dynamic economics knowledge useful in macroeconomics as well as in a number of other sub-disciplines. By the end of the module you will gain tools to analyse the economy with a long-run perspective that is normally overlooked in the other macroeconomic modules

Environmental Economics

Finance and Development

Throughout this module, you’ll explore the economic challenges of financing development in developing countries, while using internal and external sources of finance. You’ll investigate the difference between development and growth, the roles of public and private sector, financial dualism, credit market failures, micro finance and international capital flows.

Upon successful completion of this module, you’ll be able to interpret the implications of international financial flows on development, and you’ll gain an understanding of how a viable financial system can assist in economic growth and development.

Economic Policy

This module focuses on selected important economic policy issues and relevant economic tools of analysis, with a balance between macro- and microeconomics. You will develop key skills and knowledge in the economics of public policy, which are a necessary requirement for a career as an academic economist or as an analyst in a wide range of national and international policy-making institutions.

Advanced Financial Management

This module extends the basic theory of corporate finance covered in previous years by developing more complex approaches to financial management which can guide decision-making in the face of risk and uncertainty. It also examines corporate decisions concerning capital structure and the choice between internal and external finance and sets these decisions in the context of developments in a range of financial markets. Your learning outcomes include being able to apply investment appraisal techniques to conditions of risk and uncertainty, assess the impact of cost capital for businesses and understand the key principles and techniques of risk management.

Advanced Applied Econometrics


Open Data and Distributed Finance

Sustainable Investing

Independent Study