Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To provide a conversion to economics for people without specialist undergraduate preparation
• To provide a sound foundation in research methods and economic theory
• To equip students with appropriate tools of analysis to allow them to tackle contemporary issues in economic policy
• To provide students with the knowledge and research skills base from which they can proceed to postgraduate study in any sub-discipline of economics
• To develop in students a range of transferable skills that will be of value in employment and self-employment

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

The Diploma in Economics conforms to the benchmark standards for undergraduate honours degrees in economics issued by the Quality Assurance Agency.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of and competence in:

• Basic economic theory and applied macroeconomic issues
• The economics of consumer and firm behaviour
• The quantitative methods and computing techniques necessary for analysis of issues in macroeconomics and microeconomics
• Setting out and reviewing topics in economics that have been the subject of debate in economic journals and other literature.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Analyse theoretical and practical problems in macroeconomics and microeconomics by using the theories and quantitative methods appropriate to those disciplines
• Synthesise important issues and themes from the professional and academic literature in economics
• Interpret regressions using standard inferential techniques and fit regressions to economic data using an econometric computer package
• Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated
• Learning and formal assessment of skills in Quantitative and Econometric Methods, Macroeconomics and Microeconomics
• Preparation of essays that critically review theories and application of theories in Macroeconomics and Microeconomics.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Present word-processed written reports using structure, paragraphing and citation, appropriate to academic standards in economics
• Construct and interpret tables of statistical data and carry out statistical hypothesis tests.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should have acquired skills in:

• Numeracy and communication
• Information Technology (word processing, data analysis using spread-sheet and statistical packages, handling and retrieval of information, use of the Internet, the University Intranet and Library on-line systems)
• Independent-study
• Time management.

4. Programme structure

4.1 Five modules which take place throughout Semester 1 and Semester 2: 

All modules are compulsory and add to a total modular weight of 120. 

4.2  Exceptionally and with the permission of the Programme Director or Deputy Director of the School (Economics) a candidate may be permitted to replace either of ECP001 (Interpretation of Data and IT) and  ECP005 (Quantitative Methods) with available modules from the list of undergraduate modules taught by the School of Business and Economics, but only if timetabling permits this.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

Note: As well as Regulation XXI, these Regulations should also  be read in conjunction with Ordinance XXXIII (Diplomas and Certificates), General Regulations for Diplomas, Regulation XX and Regulation XXIV Special Regulations for the Diploma in Economics.

5.1 Modular credit corresponding to the weight of a module shall be awarded to a candidate who achieves an overall mark of 40% in that module.

5.2 The Diploma in Economics shall be awarded to a candidate obtaining 100 modular credits with grade E (30-39%) in a further module worth 20 credits. 

5.3 Candidates who have the right of re-assessment in a module will have the opportunity to be re-assessed in the University’s Special Assessment Period (SAP) providing they have accumulated a minimum of 60 credits.

5.4 The marks for all re-assessed modules will be capped at 40%.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification