BSc (Hons) Economics and Finance with Sandwich Placement

The methodology of economic analysis employs quantitative and qualitative tools to model and analyze markets,national economies, and other situations where firms and people make choices. Understanding of many economic issues can be enhanced by careful application of quantitative and qualitative methods. This course reviews concepts and techniques most relevant to economic analysis and applies these concepts and techniques to model economic behavior and outcomes.

This module focuses on various aspects of financial institutions (Central Banks, Traditional Banks, Non-Banking Financial Institutions, Fund and Wealth Management) and markets (Derivatives, Equity and Debt) that form the basis of contemporary financial and monetary systems. The UK as well as international financial markets and their financial systems will be considered with reference to current financial news and affairs. This module will also explore the main theories and concepts of financial markets and provide a sound basis for students progressing to the study of finance at a higher level.

This module aims to provide students with an introduction to the principles of financial economics. This will provide students with the primary theoretical and conceptual frameworks of finance to enable students to study finance at a higher level.

This module focuses on Macroeconomic Theory and Policy and aims at developing your understanding of economic thinking through rigorous and analytical assessment of Macroeconomic theoretical models and policies. The module will encourage students to consider the importance of becoming a responsible economic professional, embed critical thinking and develop their analytical skills so they understand and can use metrics, data and a range of information sources that help form the basis of effective macroeconomic decision making.

This module seeks to develop the skills and abilities developed in the costing module. Specifically it seeks to analyse and conclude from different financial situations using advanced costing and management techniques. These techniques will include break even analysis, investment appraisal and the incorporation of risk into decision-making.

What influences your choice of holiday destination? How can you tell whether the car you buy should be reliable? Why is the government directly involved in the provision of education but not the provision of food? To answer these questions we need to understand the economics of decision-making and market efficiency. We will begin by examining consumers’ decision-making using rational choice theory. This will be followed by an investigation of how the consumers’ decision-making process would differ in an environment of incomplete information, uncertainty and bounded rationality. The impact of such an environment on decision-making by firms will also be considered. We will apply our understanding of decision-making in individual markets to the overall economy and discuss issues related to market efficiency. The alternative policy options available to government in addressing issues concerning market efficiency will be discussed.

This module is intended to develop an understanding of selected aspects of international politics. It begins by looking at key schools of thought and evolving debates in international relations theory in order to introduce students to some of the key concepts regarding which factors shape how international politics and relations are conducted. The module also considers some of the key structural factors at play in international relations. To this end the role of the international and transnational organisations is examined, and debates regarding their purpose and effectiveness are considered. The module also looks at the concepts of regionalism and globalisation, and explores how states respond to these ideas in terms of policy formation.

This module will expose students to alternative perspectives in Economics. The module intends to develop a critical understanding of heterodox schools of economic thought, including though not limited to Marxian, Austrian, Post-Keynesian (Modern Monetary Theory), Institutionalist, and Behaviouralist perspectives. It will also consider differing methods and approaches drawn from feminist and ecological perspectives. The module will equip students with a greater appreciation of alternative economic theories, models and methods through which they can critically assess government economic policy.

Why do some countries grow rich, while others remain poor? This module introduces students to contemporary microeconomic and macroeconomic issues in development economics. It is concerned with general theoretical and empirical themes explaining income differences between countries and their growth processes. Topics covered in the module include theories of economic growth and development, the impact of factor accumulation (physical capital, population growth and human capital), foreign aid, the environment on growth and development.

Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), no matter how they are defined, make a significant contribution to employment and turnover in different economies. They are also agents of industrial change and innovation and a major source of economic growth. Irrespective of the critical contribution, SMEs are often restrained by the limited financial resources. The dearth of finance creates the barrier and hampers their growth. The module aims to explore approaches small firms can follow to secure finance, where different options of financial support will be investigated including: bank finance, trade credit, venture capital, angel finance, as well as factoring, leasing, and loan guarantee scheme. Agency theory, pecking order logic, and institutional perspective will be introduced as the theoretical underpinning. This is parallel to the debate on finance issues in firms led by women or ethnic minority entrepreneurs and microfinance institutions. Beyond these, government initiatives and policy agenda are also showcased, whilst the impact of institutional intervention is evaluated.   

In this module, we will study firms and markets, especially strategic interactions among firms. The focus will be on firm behaviour in imperfectly competitive markets. The module aims to provide a broad understanding of industrial organisation theory and to apply concepts, theories and methods used in industrial organisation to the analysis of different firms' strategies and economic policies. More specifically, the module will provide an understanding of the effects of industry characteristics (such as structure, differentiation, network effects and firm dominance) on firms' strategies, market outcomes and innovation, using concepts and models from industrial organisation. It will also provide an awareness of the policy challenges posed by industry characteristics in terms of competition and welfare and possible policy responses. The module will relate the presented models to real world cases and policy applications. The module will be relevant to students who wish to embark on research in this field, or to pursue careers in business, consultancy and government.

This research-based module will enable students to investigate an economic problem through independent study. The module allows students to integrate different aspects of their previous study of Economics and apply their learning in the discipline by carrying out and independent investigation of a closely defined economics issue/problem. Students will be able to select a topic of specific interest related to staff interest and expertise.

This module locates management accounting within the wider organisational context. It requires evaluation of the role of management accounting within corporate governance and the strategic decision making processes of an organisation. It requires an evaluation of the role of management accounting within management control systems. It will show how the use of a range of strategic management accounting techniques can enhance the operational and strategic processes within organisations.

This module examines issues in the international financial environment for global corporations. The aim of this module is to provide students the necessary skills to understand and evaluate the exchange rate mechanism and the financial structure of global corporations. The module will enable students to analyse foreign direct investment and multinational operations.