UNIVERSITY of Bradfordschool of Social and International Studiesdivision of Economicsbsc

UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORDSchool of Social and International StudiesDivision of EconomicsBSc (Hons) Economics and International Economics

Introduction

The Division of Economics operates within the School of Social and International Studies, where teaching staff have research interests in the fields of trade, economic integration, macroeconomic policy, finance, individual behaviour and social economics, and these are reflected in developments in the curriculum. Degrees courses within the Economics Programme have an emphasis on transferable skills in addition to subject knowledge and aim to be relevant to contemporary life, occupations and events.

The Division’s programmes range across economics and related disciplines. Current programmes focus on economics in general; economics and its application to particular fields in the areas of business, finance or international trade; and a range of degrees that combine economics with other social sciences or marketing.

All courses comprising the Undergraduate Economics Programme in the Division of Economics provide a structured approach to the discipline of economics that is informed by the Quality Assessment Agency for Higher Education (QAAHE) Benchmarking Statement in Economics with respect to the aims of the degree programme, subject knowledge and understanding, together with subject-specific skills including numeracy and quantitative skills. Each course offers a choice of complementary options taught in the Division of Economics, in other divisions within the School of Social and International Studies, and appropriate subjects taught in other Schools.

With the BSc Economics and International Economics, you combine a grounding in economic principles with study of their application to issues including international trade, development and international monetary economics.

Programme Aims

The programme is intended to:

A1.Provide you with a thorough grounding in economic principles

A2.Provide you with an appreciation and understanding of the wider international economic context

A3.Examine the factors that shape business decision-making and the developments in government policy that impact on the regulatory environment.

Programme Learning Outcomes

When you have completed the programme you will be able to:

LO1.Understand and evaluate the theories and concepts of economics at both the macro- and micro-levels, relevant methods and analytical techniques, and the applications of economic principles to diverse areas of national and international affairs.

LO2.Economics and International Economics includes applications of economic principles to international trade, economic development and economic integration.

LO3.Abstractand examine essential features of complex systems; analysis, deduction and induction applied to assumption-based models; quantification and design of data and its effective organisation; framing of parameters in problems.

LO4.Access, retrieve, and synthesise information,apply critical thinking and use numerical and statistical techniques to construct reasoned arguments and present empirical evidence

LO5.Apply IT skills, use written and electronic sources of information, communicate effectivelyand fluently in speech and writing, and work as an effective team member

LO6.Research, make decisions and action plans, demonstrate self-evaluation and reflection, and construct effective applicationsin relation to career planning

Curriculum

The degrees consist of 360 credits, made up of core and optional course units. You take 120 credits at each Stage.

Stage 1 consists of core modules to provide the essential foundation for your further study. By the end of this stage you will have gained knowledge and understanding of: the core principles of economics and corresponding mathematical tools as well as financial markets and the history of economic thought.

In Stage 2 you will deepen your understanding of core economic principles and of quantitative methods to support economic enquiry. This will provide you with the basis to study applied topics in economics in Stages 2 and 3. You will also develop an understanding of the job market, your goals and how you can present yourself to prospective employers. To prepare you for the final year dissertation you will study Research Skills for Economists. By the end of this stage you will have: a critical awareness of the tools and principles of micro and macroeconomic analysis and their applicability to policy issues, as well as a more detailed awareness of economic analysis of development issues; an understanding of statistical techniques and mathematical analysis relevant to economic enquiry; an awareness of the skills necessary to identify, frame and research a dissertation topic in your chosen area of economics as well as an understanding as to how you can develop your career and set appropriate personal goals.

In Stage 3 you will research and write-up your chosen dissertation, with guidance from your supervisor. By the end of this stage you will have: demonstrated your ability to apply appropriate economic theory and methodology to a chosen topic within economics in your dissertation; developed a deeper, more specialised knowledge and understanding of the application of economic principles to specialised areas and policy issues.

Study Abroad and Placement opportunities

We encourage you to consider an optional year of study abroad or work placement, normally taken between Stages 2 and 3 of your degree. If you opt for one of these experiences, you will transfer to the four year degree route. You will be invited to various School and University events providing more information about these opportunities.

For study abroad, the School has links with universities in Europe, North America and Australia. In most of our European partner institutions, classes are taught in English, and study abroad activities to these universities are part of the European Union Erasmus scheme. Whatever partner institution you choose, a year of study abroad will provide you with invaluable experience of living and working in another culture and the modules you select will complement your main degree studies.

If you opt for Study Abroad, your diet of study at the partner institution will be agreed with the Study Abroad co-ordinator and will be in addition to the credits you will study towards your Economics and International Economics degree. During your year abroad, you will be registered for the Diploma in International Studies, to be awarded following successful completion of a reflective assessment in recognition of your experience and development.

We also encourage our students to consider applying for work placement opportunities. We ask you to identify opportunities in conjunction with the Careers Service, who will help you locate and apply. A year spent in employment provides an excellent opportunity to apply the knowledge, understanding and skills that you have developed during the earlier stages of your degree programme. It will also enable you to further develop your transferable skills and may even secure your entry onto the graduate career ladder as many employers use a placement year as a method of recruitment onto their graduate training scheme. Our students are increasingly securing work placements, either during the summer vacation or for a full year in industry and the public sector, including HM Treasury and the Government Economic Service. If you opt for a work placement, agreed with your degree co-ordinator, you will be registered for the Diploma of Professional Experience, to be awarded following successful completion of a reflective assessment in recognition of your experience and development.

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

The curriculum may change, subject to the University's course approval, monitoring and review procedures.

Teaching and Assessment Strategies

The strategy for learning within the Division is to enable you to achieve your optimum level of competence and understanding at each Stage in order to be well prepared, and feel confident, to progress to higher levels of skill and knowledge. While lectures are the main teaching method, a wide variety of other learning activities take place including: lectures with notes and supplementary reading, exercises, projects and workbooks, independent study and group work. Different assessment methods are employed to match the learning outcomes of each course unit, and to achieve an overall balance between examinations, essays and other written work, oral presentations, problem solving exercises and group work. Classroom and mid-semester tests are intended to provide feedback on your progress.

The Stage 3 dissertation is a substantial piece of work that gives you the opportunity not only to increase your specialist subject knowledge, but also to demonstrate your ability to undertake independent study. Throughout the three-year course, you will acquire skills that will be useful not only in Economics, but in whatever profession you choose to follow. These will be taught, practised and assessed.

Assessment Regulations

This Programme conforms to the general principles set out in the standard University Assessment Regulations which are available at the following link:

In addition to the standard regulations:

1) to progress to the Honours Degree course in Stage 2 students must achieve at least 40.0% in the core course units SE-4001U Principles and Applications of Economics (Microeconomics), SE-4002U Principles and Applications of Economics (Macroeconomics), and for Economics and International Economics students only, SE-4003M Mathematics for Economists

2)to progress to the Honours Degree course in Stage 3 students must achieve at least 40.0% in the core course units SE-5001L Microeconomic Theory and SE-5002L Macroeconomic Theory.

Admission Requirements

The University welcomes applications from all potential students regardless of their previous academic experience; offers are made following detailed consideration of each individual application. Most important in the decision to offer a place is our assessment of a candidate’s potential to benefit from their studies and of their ability to succeed on this particular programme. Entrance requirements for each programme will vary but consideration of your application will be based on a combination of your formal academic qualifications and other relevant experience.

If you have prior certificated learning or professional experience which may be equivalent to parts of this programme, the University has procedures to evaluate this learning in order to provide you with exemptions from specified modules contained within the curriculum. Please talk to us if you do not fit the standard pattern of entry qualifications.

The University of Bradford has always welcomed applications from disabled students, and these will be considered on the same academic grounds as are applied to all applicants. If you have some form of disability you may wish to contact the programme leader before you apply.

Course-specific information

A typical offer to someone seeking entry through the UCAS scheme would bein the range 260-300 points. This points total must include a minimum of 180 points from 2 GCE A-levels. There are no specific subject requirements and General Studies may be included within the overall points score. GCSE English and mathematics grade C or equivalent are also required for entry.

Applications are welcome from mature students (those over 21 years of age on entry) and candidates with non-standard qualifications or who, lacking academic qualifications, have significant relevant experience. On completion of a UCAS form you will be invited to the School for an Open Day when you will have the opportunity to meet staff, view the facilities and discuss “the Bradford experience” with current students.

We also welcome candidates with the appropriate Irish Highers or the European/International Baccalaureate, together with a range of equivalent international qualifications (and which include evidence of ability in maths equivalent to GCSE grade C or above).

Applicants with other previous certificated learning (for instance an overseas or vocational qualification) are also welcome to apply for entry to stage 1 or higher, as appropriate to their level of qualification and subject experience. International students need to show competence in English to a high level, for example, IELTS with overall band score of 6.0 or equivalent.

Learning Resources

The JB Priestley Library on the city campus and our specialist libraries in the School of Health Studies and the School of Management provide a wide range of printed and electronic resources to support your studies. We offer quiet study space if you want to work on your own, and group study areas for the times when you need to discuss work with fellow students. Subject librarians for each School provide training sessions and individual guidance in finding the information you need for your assignment, and will help you organise your references properly.

Student PC clusters can be found in all our libraries and elsewhere on the campus. Many of these are open 24/7. You can also use the University's wireless network to access the internet from your own laptop. Most of our online journals are available on the internet (both on and off campus), and you can also access your University email account, personal information and course-related materials this way.

Staff are on hand during the daytime to help you if you get stuck, and there is a 24/7 IT helpline available.

The Division of Economics supplements the IT resources available on campus with its own computer cluster for teaching and individual study. The University Library is a designated European Documentation Centre with a comprehensive coverage of EU information.

Student Support and Guidance

Course Team

Support for you personally and in your course of study, will be provided both by the University and the Course Team. You will be allocated a personal tutor who is someone with whom you will be able to talk about any academic or personal concerns. The School will ensure that there is someone available with whom you feel comfortable to help and support you. You will be provided with a comprehensive series of handbooks that you can consult on a range of learning issues and your course tutors will be available to consult on subject specific queries.

Students’ Union

We value the feedback provided by students and collaborate with the Students’ Union, through a system of course representatives and formal staff student liaison committees, so that any issues you wish to raise are addressed rapidly.

The Students’ Union and the University of Bradford work in partnership to provide confidential counselling and welfare services where you can get help with any aspect of your personal or academic life. Student Financial and Information Services (based in the Hub) will provide you with information about a diverse range of issues such as council tax, personal safety and tourist information. International Students can access a range of additional advice and support services through the Student’s Union.

Careers and Employability

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career Development Services including help to find part time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the web site

Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops. These may take place as early as year 1, or may be achieved through a customised Career and Personal Development module in year 2 or 3 which is developed in close cooperation with the academic department. An annual First Destination Survey leads to compilation of a report on the outcomes of all programmes and to the development of an annually updated Traffic Light Analysis of Employability which is used as a performance indicator.

The Economics and International Economics degree will allow you to present a wide range of skills to potential employers, or indeed provide a solid basis for further postgraduate study in the fields of economics, social sciences or business. Indeed, graduates with a training in economics are increasingly in demand for their analytical and problem solving skills as much for their knowledge of economic principles and applications. Our graduates pursue a range of careers in the fields on finance, insurance, general management, government and education. See for more information about the skills acquired by economics graduates and the types of careers pursued.

Learner Development Unit (LDU)

The Learner Development Unit provides support in all aspects of academic, maths, numeracy and interpersonal skills. A programme of interactive workshops is delivered during both semesters which complements individual support available from Advisers and the wide range of interactive online materials available from the LDU website.