Year 1

Compulsory modules

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. 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.

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.

Economics and Society in Context*

In this module, your focus will be on applying economic theoretical concepts to real-world issues. You’ll have the opportunity to see how economics can be seen in everyday life and progress your detailed knowledge of economics further. You’ll look at economic theoretical concepts and see their applications to real-world events. This will help you to understand abstract theoretical concepts and explain them using various real-world events.

You’ll develop an awareness of the economic foundation of complex issues, to enhance your ability to make reasoned judgements and informed choices in the area of social and political affairs. This will help you widen your perspective on important social issues.

You have the option to take this compusory module or Statistics for Economics, Finance and Business*

Statistics for Economics, Finance and Business

This module will help you build an essential foundation in quantitative techniques for the study of business, management and economics.

You’ll get to use statistical software that can be used for business economics analysis. You study how quantitative techniques can be combined with theory to enhance the explanatory power of business economics.

You’ll get to use Excel as your main calculative software tool, building your quantitative skills, so you can estimate your own statistical results using real data. You’ll also learn how to interpret your data results and present them.

You have the option to take this compusory module or Economics and Society in Context*

Political Socialisation and Ideology

Why do we vote the way we do? What affects our actions, and our political decisions? In this module, we’ll investigate politics through human behaviour. You’ll explore political culture, and how we participate in a democratic society. We’ll also look at how humans are socialised to hold various political views. You’ll gain a key insight into how ideas and ideologies affect our behaviour individually and as a group.

Politics in Comparative Perspective

In this module, you’ll investigate politics, and the struggle for power, across the nations. You’ll gain a clear introduction to how and why political systems differ in our world today. You’ll examine case studies from a wide range of states, and gain a strong insight into how different regimes function – from the democratic to the totalitarian.

From Empire to States: the Origins on International Relations

In this module, you’ll dive into International Relations and its key theories. You’ll explore how International Relations emerges from specific cultural and historic concerns. You’ll gain core analytical skills, as you interpret historical events such as the First World War, decolonisation and the ‘War on Terror’, and use them to explore pressing debates in International Relations.

You’ll learn how International Relations has been shaped as a Western discipline, and how to challenge this by learning about aspects of international relations that have been erased or forgotten, such as colonialism and imperialism. You’ll learn to see International Relations as a rich array of competing stories about our world and what’s possible within it.

Global Challenges in International Relations

In this module, you’ll explore the leading issues of current world politics.

You’ll investigate the key figures, structures and processes in world politics - like states, political economies and multinational societies.

You’ll also analyse concepts such as:

 anarchy
 order
 sovereignty
 conflict and cooperation among states, and non-state figures.

You’ll also investigate the chronic issues of world politics, including:

 gender
 migration
 human rights
 humanitarian intervention
 energy resources and the environment
 development, inequality and poverty.

We’ll explore how different nations manage these issues and what this tells us about international governance.

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.

Researching Politics and International Relations

In this module, you’ll develop the practical research skills you need to design and carry out your first piece of social sciences research. You’ll start with the ‘big questions’ of ‘What exists?’ and ‘How can we know about what exists?’ From here, you’ll move on to consider the different research methods and their implications. You’ll take part in hands-on workshops and practical sessions, preparing you to conduct your research for your final-year dissertation.

Global Political Economy

In this module, you’ll get to know the global economy. You’ll investigate how economics and politics shape world affairs in both trivial and profound ways.

In part 1, you’ll gain a strong knowledge of the history of the world economy. You’ll develop key analytical skills, as you explore competing explanations of how it functions. You’ll gain the tools you need to understand recent economic changes.

In part 2, you’ll dig into key debates on how the global economy functions today, including:

 finance
 global production
 trade and international development
 the relationship between the global economy and the environment.

Dilemmas of Governing

How much did world leaders rely on history to make decisions? In this module, you’ll look at governing strategy from the 20th century to the present day. You’ll choose either the British or Soviet states, and analyse how their leaders managed crises and issues. You’ll also explore the relationship between politics and economics, and apply key approaches to the problems of governing.

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.

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.

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.

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.

State and Society: Europe and the United States

In this module, you can investigate the politics of either Europe or the USA, subject to student numbers and staff availability.

In the European strand, you’ll explore themes of democracy and citizenship. You’ll look closely at what democracy and citizenship might mean to people living in the UK, France, Germany and in Europe’s post-communist countries. You’ll also look at the future of European states and societies, and how they can adapt to challenges such as migration.

In the American strand, you’ll focus on governmental and political institutions. You’ll also explore explosive issues in American politics, including religion, race and capital punishment.

Nationalism and Regime Change

In this module, you’ll explore the effect of nationalism, ethnicity and regime change on a country. You’ll get to grips with the different approaches we use to explore them. You’ll gain fantastic analytical skills as you apply these approaches to real world cases, and investigate the implications of their different perspectives.

You’ll also look at how globalisation impacts the politics and identity of a country. You’ll analyse the ways in which globalisation can be a force for good (spreading democracy) and bad (divisive, leading to nationalist resistance)

Borders and Solidarities in World Politics

How do we govern the world, when it’s no longer dominated by states and national governments? How do different types of migration shape the movement of people across the world? In this module, you’ll get to grips with a key part of international relations - borders and solidarities (groups with a common identity or interest). You’ll explore the various forms of borders and solidarities, including:

 migrations across national boundaries
 regional organisations
 trade agreements.

You’ll link them to key forces and events, such as:

 NGOs
 corporations
 colonisation
 refugee movements
 the migrant ‘crisis’.

You’ll gain valuable practical and professional knowledge, as you explore major issues today, and how global governance or migration shape our lives.

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. You will gain commercial and practical experience, and many students are offered graduate positions by their placement employer. Recently, students have enjoyed exciting and intellectually challenging positions at Microsoft, the Government Economic Service, IBM, the Office for National Statistics, JP Morgan, PayPal, Hewlett-Packard, Trip Advisor and a host of other organisations, many of which operate internationally. 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

Global Development, Justice and Sustainability

How can we respond to and solve global injustice and the ecological crisis without a world government? How can we resolve issues in international politics which are beyond the limit of individual countries? A global unified approach is critical for success.

In this module, you’ll gain knowledge of the theory and practice of global development, justice and sustainability. And build your analytical skills. You'll take a combined approach of looking at global development and the ecological crisis. You'll examine competing and contrasting perspectives that feature across these global issues. Helping you gain understanding in their global justice implications. Also you'll look at international policy responses and global governance initiatives.

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 5 Optional Modules from those below:

Environmental Economics

Economic Growth

This module uses economic theory to analyse the structure and forces behind economic growth and development. You will learn standard theorie of economic growth and use those theories to analyse the process of economic growth across countries. You will familiarize 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.

Behavioural Economics

Economics, Politics and International Relations Dissertation

Advanced Applied Econometrics

Violence and the Politics of Peace and Identity

From terrorism to mass protests, how do we make sense of violence and resistance? In this module, you’ll explore the tensions between local and global communities in building peace. You’ll investigate how identity markers such as gender, race, nationality and ethnicity relate to violence and resistance. You can choose to focus on violence, resistance and identity politics, or violent conflict and peacebuilding.

Violence, Militarism and Terrorism

How does violence occur in different societies? How do people’s ideas of violence affect their cultures? In this module, you’ll look at how states manage violence such as terrorism. You’ll also consider how social norms and military values of violence shape our lives. You can choose to specialise in terrorism or counter-terrorism, or critical militarism studies.

Freedom and Justice: Contemporary and Feminist Perspectives

In this module, you’ll explore theories of freedom and justice in relation to specific political problems and puzzles. You’ll ask questions like:

 Is it possible to have universal principles of justice within complex multicultural societies?
 Do conventional identities limit our freedom?
 Do freedom and justice require ‘empowerment’?

You’ll also look at relevant concepts such as rights and equality. You’ll gain valuable critical skills as you explore the different methods we use to explore these concepts, and how they play out in the practical world of politics.

You’ll be able to choose between two streams, depending on staff availability:

 Contemporary Political Philosophy
 Feminist/Queer Theory.

Ethics, Power and World Politics

What can world leaders do, and what should they do? How much power should countries give each other? And how should states and individuals behave towards each other? In this module, you’ll get to grips with the key questions in world politics. You’ll explore:

 how we determine rights and duties
 how we both enable and restrict dominance
 how issues of race, gender and class interact

in relation to world politics. You’ll choose one of three topics that focus on international ethics and power - human rights, migration and immigration, or racism and colonialism.

Independent Study

Learning and teaching

On this course your learning experience will be exciting and challenging. You will develop confidence and the necessary skills to take on the demands of graduate jobs in leading international organisations.

Our teaching methods include:

 lectures
 seminars
 workshops
 group projects
 presentations
 role plays
 analysis of numerical data
 discussions of topical material
 guest speakers.

You’ll also learn through e-learning activities such as:

 self-study quizzes
 diagnostic assessments
 computer-based simulations
 online discussion groups.

We are delighted to have launched our new Bloomberg Trading Suite.

Students on our Accounting, Finance and Economics courses can gain certification and experience of trading on the financial markets by making mock transactions using real-world financial market data.