Applied Economics

This module covers the major areas of macroeconomics: growth and development, the labour market, inflation and monetary policy and international trade and foreign exchange. Throughout these topics, students will learn skills in analysing key macroeconomic indicators.

Microeconomic theory lies at the heart of most practical applications of economics. The module will cover the fundamental theories that relate to the consumer, the firm and welfare economics. Through case studies students will learn how these theories have informed economic policy and decision making.

The professional economist typically has a core set of tools that can be applied to a variety of economic problems, for example investment appraisal, cost-benefit analysis, data analytics and visualisation, forecasting and survey design. This module will equip students with these skills and provide an opportunity to demonstrate them on real world problems set by external organisations. This module will also provide students with the necessary skills in critical analysis and academic writing to study at the masters level.

This module builds on the knowledge gained in the Microeconomic analysis module to analyse and critically assess government policy in the areas of taxation, local economic development, health and education.

In evolving and applied contexts, develop a knowledge of and employ statistical tools to support the analysis of experiments or policy interventions at both Micro and Macro Levels.

Usually these courses examine the tools in a disembodied fashion, however we will wherever possible look at a debate in which these tools can be useful and then work together to see if we can use the statistical tools to help provide grounded evidence.

In evolving and applied contexts, develop a knowledge of and employ statistical tools to support the analysis of experiments or policy interventions at both micro and macro Levels.

Usually such courses examine the tools in a disembodied fashion, however, we will where possible look at a debate in which these tools can be useful and then work together to see if we can use the statistical tools to help provide grounded evidence of how policy interventions have shifted institutional frameworks and outcomes.

Students will be supported in producing a substantial piece of work focussed on analysing a topical economic issue. There will be an option to develop project ideas with the external organisations that will be introduced to students as part of the ‘Applied Economic Analysis’ module, leading to a piece of work with the potential for practical impact. Alternatively, students may also identify and deliver a piece of economics research in line with their own interests and career goals with the advice from expert supervisors in the department.

This module will develop student understanding of advanced corporate finance techniques, both theoretical and applied across a range of sectors.

We will examine the principles of advanced valuation techniques building upon student prior learning where relevant although there is no prerequisite knowledge.

The learning will focus upon equity and fixed income (bonds) advanced valuation techniques as well as the alt investment space including but not limited to cryptocurrencies and the disruptive impact of Blockchain and FinTech.

This module explores the relationship between environmental unsustainability and the state’s institutions, objectives and strategies. You will examine both how policy-makers have sought to respond to climate change – but also how and why policy-makers have failed to act. The module considers the efficacy to date of environmental subsidies, carbon taxes, emissions trading etc., alongside the broader picture of the sustainability of capitalist growth. The module examines and problematises the multi-level political processes relevant to this area of policy. The issue of climate change is related also to wider capitalist crises, by focusing on theories of crisis narration and crisis management.