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.

The Entrepreneur

This module develops your entrepreneurial mindset and skills essential for success in the modern business world. You'll explore a full range of tools and techniques for innovation, creativity, and enterprise and learn to evaluate different components for success in diverse business landscapes. A multi-faceted approach to learning, combining classroom-based lectures with practical workshops, gives you the opportunity to apply behaviours, skills, and attributes associated with entrepreneurial success in a productive learning environment. This module also focuses on academic literacies, including critical thinking, analysis, and evaluation of contested knowledge.

On successful completion of this module, you will have a strong foundation in the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to succeed in various business contexts.

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.

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.

Optional modules

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.

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. By the end of this module, you will have the ability to comprehend key functional relationships, analyse economic issues, and think critically about economic policies.

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.

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.

You have the option to take this compulsory module or the compulsory module History of Economic Thought*

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.

You have the option to take this compulsory module or the compulsory module Applied Econometrics*

Economics of Enterprise and Innovation


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 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.

Creativity and Innovation

You’ll gain the underpinning theory, concepts and also some basic skills to understand and engage in the processes of creativity and innovation. You’ll take a holistic approach to look at this subject from a variety of angles. This could be from an

 academic perspective
 an organisational perspective
 a management consultancy perspective
 an entrepreneurial perspective.

You’ll also have the opportunity and be supported to release and express more of your own creative potential. You’ll explore why creativity and innovation is increasingly being viewed as the key to competitive advantage in the New Economy.

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.

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.

Global Literature and the Climate Emergency

The module will explore the capacity of different literary forms, to represent, explore and address climate change and the ‘slow violence’ of the environmental crisis and examine representations of climate, biodiversity and environmental crises across a range of periods, genres, and geographies. We will compare texts by writers of different ethnicities from multiple regions. Reading these texts, we will concentrate on certain key questions, such as:

 What capacity do literary texts have to imagine alternative futures or relations to nature?
 How might narratives help provide a framework for how we think about real-world environmental issues?
 How does literature represent and critique relationships between species, races, classes, and genders with the climate crises and their consequences?
 In what way are social and environmental justice intertwined?

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. Students from Accounting and Economics have enjoyed exciting and intellectually challenging positions at organisations such as Deloitte, EY, GT, Metro Bank, Investec Bank, Marriott Hotels, Chelsea Football Club, Apple and Bosch. 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 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.

Open Data and Distributed Finance

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.

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 2 optional modules from those below if you have completed a placement year / Choose 3 optional modules from those below if you have not completed a placement year:

Environmental 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.

Behavioural Economics

Advanced Applied Econometrics

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.

Social Enterprise and Social Innovation

The module covers a multi-disciplinary approach to contemporary issues in entrepreneurship allowing you to develop a well-rounded skill set. Throughout the module, you will learn from experts in the field and gain practical insights into entrepreneurship. You will have the opportunity to engage in practical learning, including research and working within a community of like-minded individuals, enhancing your personal and professional growth. Moreover, emphasis is placed on interaction within a research community, providing you with valuable teamwork and communication skills.

Overall, this module offers you a unique learning experience that combines academic rigour with practical insights, giving you a competitive edge in the job market while developing essential research and self-development skills.

Sustainable Investing

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.

Learning and teaching

In this course we use a blended approach, combining face-to-face teaching and e-learning activities.

Teaching and learning methods include:

 lectures
 workshops
 seminar discussions
 group presentations
 analysis of numerical data
 case study analysis
 discussions of topical material (such as newspaper articles, videos and websites)
 computer-based exercises.

The e-learning component includes:

 quizzes and diagnostic assessments
 online discussion groups.

Throughout the course you will have close contact with your tutors and academic adviser.

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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.