MSc Economics Programmes

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MSc Economics

Programmes

People at the heart of business

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3 MSc Economics Programmes

Welcome to

Birmingham

Business School

We are a dynamic, internationally focused school offering

programmes across the full range of business disciplines. Our

academic staff are renowned for their world-class research and

excellence in teaching, which both serve to enrich our students’

knowledge and understanding. We pride ourselves on students

graduating with a range of skills that give them a competitive

edge in the employment market.

Our mission at Birmingham Business School is to put people at the heart of business. This means we are a research-led, multi-disciplinary, international business school developing a new generation of global business leaders and entrepreneurs.

We are committed to making a difference at all levels. We enable our graduates to add value throughout their careers, we provide superior business intelligence to our partners, and we focus our research on the key challenges that face our economy and our society.

Birmingham Business School is consistently found in global ranking tables and accredited by leading bodies, AMBA, EQUIS and AACSB. The triple-crown accreditation confirms our position within an elite group of global business schools.

We have an enviable Advisory Board that we work closely with, an excellent level of engagement with regional and international businesses and strong links with policy makers involved with economic growth and business. We have designed the Birmingham MBA

to offer a suite of high-quality and uniquely modified specialist programmes, delivered in a variety of flexible formats to match students’ lifestyle and preferred methods of study. Birmingham Business School is already globally renowned for the quality of our research and teaching. With students representing over 60 countries currently studying at our main campus, our courses being taught in a range of international business schools, and an international faculty and global alumni community of around 23,000 graduates, we have a global footprint that ensures worldwide impact.

We were initially founded to improve the way businesses were managed and our partnerships with global companies, organisations and people ensures we are carrying on that proud tradition of borderless and boundary-free innovation. Our dedication to providing our students with a rich educational experience within our Business School has led to increased investment in our career services and corporate relations programme. This will further enhance the already-excellent career prospects of our

graduates, with additional opportunities for project work and internships with leading global businesses.

In addition, our continued commitment in providing an exceptional standard of education has seen the approval of a £10 million investment into a dedicated Business School Postgraduate Teaching Centre. We know that innovation and globalisation will continue to reshape global business in the future. To this end, our goal is to provide an education that will inspire and equip our graduates to navigate the ever-changing and evolving landscape of global business. I look forward to welcoming you to our Business School.

Professor Simon Collinson Dean, Birmingham Business School

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5 MSc Economics Programmes 4 MSc Economics Programmes

Financial assistance

to support you

through your studies

Don’t let fees stand in the way of your studies… we have a number of

scholarships for students on the MSc Business programmes, providing

a financial contribution towards your tuition fees.

Scholarships

If you would like to take one of our MSc programmes but worry about the cost, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. These are merit-based awards and successful candidates are selected by a panel of representatives from the Business School. Our scholarships are available to students who are nationals of the countries outlined in the table opposite. You’ll need to have been made an offer of study before you submit your application.

Please note, you won’t be able to receive a scholarship if you are receiving any other University of Birmingham scholarship, or other full scholarship from another source.

University of Birmingham and Jamaica National Foundation Legacy Scholarship Once you have been offered a place on one of our MSc programmes, you may be eligible to apply for this scholarship if you meet the following criteria:

n You are a Jamaican citizen by birth

n You reside in Jamaica at the time of application

n You have graduated from any accredited Jamaican university in the last two years You can apply online, and will need to supply a personal statement to support your application, stating why you think you should receive the award.

The applications are assessed by our panel, and interviews will be held in Jamaica for shortlisted candidates.

The scholarship covers your tuition fees, accommodation costs, economy return flight and work experience. There is also a maintenance element and potential extra funding for athletic development.

Scholarship Number available Value

Africa 3 £5,000

Indian Subcontinent 3 £5,000

UK/EU 3 £5,000

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Developing

your

skills to shape our

future economic

policies

MSc

Economics

Your MSc programme

The programme comprises 180 credits in total (credits given in brackets below). You will also submit a research dissertation. As part of the dissertation module you will take seminars on research methods and techniques.

Compulsory modules:

n Microeconomics (20)

n Macroeconomics (20)

n Econometrics (30)

n Research Methods in Economics (10)

n Option (40)

n Dissertation (60)

You select four options from:

n Development Economic Policy (10)

n International Trade Policy (10)

n Economics of Financial Markets (10)

n International Banking: Regulation and Supervision (10)

n Political Economy and Economic Policy (10)

n Natural Resource Economics (10)

n Game Theory (10)

n Monetary Policy (10)

n Experimental and Behavioural Economics (10)

n Risk, Uncertainty and Information (10)

n Corporate Finance (10)

n A graduate course offered elsewhere in Business, Public Policy or Social Sciences

(subject to approval)

Please note all modules are subject to change. You will be given an advanced training in core

areas of economics that are widely used in economics-based professions and, depending on which degree programme you are studying, you will also receive specialist training in areas relevant to your programme and take options in other areas that interest you.

Why study at Birmingham Business School? Reflecting our strengths in both theoretical and applied policy areas, this MSc will give you a clear understanding of the economics in emerging and developing countries. You will be supported by academic experts in areas such as econometrics, development theory and policy and experimental economics.

A deep understanding of economics is key to our continuing function as a global

economy, helping to establish successful trade, monetary and welfare policies across

our nations. Specialised courses in economic theory and econometrics will give you

a sophisticated understanding of policy issues as you prepare for your career in the

industry. Studying on one of the Department’s MSc programmes will provide you

with an excellent set of specialist and transferable skills.

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Going global

with your career

MSc

International Economics

Your MSc programme

The programme comprises 180 credits in total (credits given in brackets below). You will also submit a research dissertation. As part of the dissertation module you will also take seminars on research methods and techniques. Modules

Compulsory modules:

n Econometrics with Trade Applications (30)

n International Trade Theory (20)

n Option (20)

n Dissertation (60)

You select two options from:

n Game Theory (10)

Please note all modules are subject to change. Why study at Birmingham Business School?

Reflecting our teaching and research strengths in this important area of economics, this MSc will give you a clear understanding of our world economy. Exposure to the various theoretical constructs and empirical analyses within this sub-discipline, as well as other core and optional modules, you will be equipped with the analytic and quantitative skills necessary to examine recent developments in the global economy – particularly those with implications for policy.

Globalisation of the world’s economy means that international economics

plays a fundamental role in a wide variety of careers. The MSc in

International Economics is a taught graduate programme that provides

specialised and advanced training in international economics, achieved

through the delivery of specialised courses in trade theory, trade policy

and econometrics.

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Play a major role

in

our global economic

development

MSc

Development Economics

Your MSc programme

The programme comprises 180 credits in total (credits given in brackets below). You will also submit a research dissertation.

Compulsory modules:

n Econometrics with Development Applications (30)

n Topics in Development Economics (20)

n Option (20)

n Dissertation (60)

n Game Theory (10)

Please note all modules are subject to change. The MSc in Development Economics is

one of the Department’s newer taught MSc programmes and reflects our growing strength in both theoretical and applied policy areas, particularly as they relate to developing countries.

Why study at Birmingham Business School? Through the delivery of specialised courses in development theory, development policy and econometrics, you are provided with the analytic and technical training necessary to examine various issues relating to economic development in both developed and developing countries.

Emerging and developing economies are fast becoming a force to be reckoned with on

the global arena. Formal and technical analysis of these economies is an essential part

of continuing Third World development. Specialised courses in development theory,

development policy and econometrics will hone your analytic, technical and research

skills as you prepare for your career in the industry.

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Shape the future

of our global

economy

MSc

Financial Economics

Your MSc programme

Compulsory modules:

n Theory of Finance (20)

n Econometrics with Financial Applications (30)

n Topics in Money and Banking (10)

n Options and Derivatives (10)

n Option (20)

n Dissertation (60)

Please note all modules are subject to change. Why study at Birmingham Business School?

The programme will be primarily targeted at students with an undergraduate degree in an economics-based degree but with a desire to obtain a technical training relevant for the world of finance.

With its blend of generic modules and specialist financial modules, MSc Financial Economics would be ideal for individuals wishing to embark on a career in the finance industry.

This course will give students an insight into financial markets and the world of banking from an economics perspective.

The fascinating world of banking and financial markets is more than just

headlines, it is the lifeblood of our collective global economies. Our MSc is

designed for graduates with an economics-based degree, who are seeking to

train themselves technically for their career in finance. Combining generic and

specialist financial modules, the programme offers a comprehensive grounding

in financial markets and banking from an economics perspective.

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Become a

key player

in sustaining

the future

of our planet

MSc

Environmental and

Natural Resource Economics

Your MSc programme

Compulsory modules:

n Econometrics for Environmental Valuation (30)

n Environmental Economics (20)

n Option (20)

n Dissertation (60)

n International Investment (10)

n Game Theory (10)

Please note all modules are subject to change. Environmental and natural resource

economists deal every day with the most challenging problems facing mankind: global climatic change, environmental pollution, deforestation, biodiversity loss, water scarcity and food poverty.

Our Environmental and Natural Resource Economics programme is unique in that it combines a solid foundation in key areas of economics, with specialised field courses. You will receive a thorough grounding in macroeconomics, microeconomics and econometrics, alongside an in-depth knowledge of the economics and policy of environmental pollution, renewable and non-renewable resource use, as well as the interaction between globalisation and environmental degradation.

Climate change, deforestation and unsustainable use of resources are all issues at

the top of the environmental agenda. An understanding of the interactions between

the environment and economics is essential for developing appropriate policies to

tackle global issues in the long term.

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Take your career

into the global

business arena

MSc

International Money

and Banking

Your MSc programme

Compulsory modules:

n Foreign Exchange Markets (20)

n International Banking and Finance (20)

n Option (20)

n Dissertation (60)

n International Investment (10)

n Game Theory (10)

Please note all modules are subject to change. We train our students for careers as

economists or managers in commerce, industry, banking, financial services or the public sector. This programme aims to equip you with a range of methodological and problem-solving skills and specialised knowledge relevant for international money and banking.

When compared to the MSc Money, Banking and Finance, there is greater emphasis on international banking and finance with this programme and less on the acquisition of related technical skills.

The correlation between macroeconomics, banking, international finance

and financial markets is explored throughout this course, giving you a

deep insight and advanced knowledge of the wider world of global

business and international finance and financial markets.

A world of

opportunity

for a career

in finance

MSc

Money, Banking

and Finance

Compulsory modules: n Macroeconomics (20)

n Option (10)

n Dissertation (60)

You select one option from:

n Security Analysis and Portfolio Theory (10)

n Game Theory (10)

Please note all modules are subject to change. Studying this programme will provide you with

an excellent set of specialist and transferable skills. You will be given an advanced training in core areas of economics and you will also receive specialist training in areas relevant to the programme.

Your MSc programme

Economics and finance are the drivers of our global

prosperity and there is significant worldwide demand for

technical expertise in monetary economics and finance.

Most graduates from this programme move into

high-ranking careers in global financial centres.

‘There was extraordinary

academic support with

a really high quality

team of lecturers.’

Xing Xing – MSc Money, Banking

and Finance

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Technical

training

for your

career in finance

MSc

Mathematical Finance

You select options from below electives (to total 40 credits)

n Statistical Methods in Economics (20)

n Game Theory (10)

n Advanced Topics in Management Mathematics (10)

n Topics in Management Mathematics (10)

n Further Mathematical Finance (10)

n Multicriteria Decision Making (10)

n Non-Linear Programming I (10)

n Non-Linear Programming II (10)

n Integer Programming (10)

n Combinatorial Optimisation (10)

n Conic Optimisation (10)

n Heuristic Optimisation (10)

n Research Frontiers in Management Mathematics (10)

n Advanced Quantitative Finance: Crashes, Volatility, Multiple Assets and Hedging (10)

Please note all modules are subject to change. Your MSc programme

Compulsory modules:

n Introduction to Quantitative Finance (10)

n Computational Methods and Frontiers (20)

n Risk Analytics (10)

n Exotic Options, Bonds and further Quantitative Finance (10)

n C++ for Finance (20)

n Option (40)

n Dissertation (40)

Mathematics is a cross-disciplinary subject which is applicable

across a range of contemporary careers, including finance. Suitable

for technically skilled graduates, including those from mathematics,

science and engineering, this course will help you develop the skills

to apply quantitative training to financial analysis.

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A flexible route

to business

Graduate Diploma

in Business Administration

Programme Content

We employ many teaching and assessment methods on this programme that reflect the standards required by our MBA and MSc programmes. For international students, we offer continuing English language support to enhance your learning experience. Students on this programme have gained employment in both private and public sector organisations, and it has launched many successful careers. It offers opportunities for higher study to those candidates whose experience, qualifications or language ability may be insufficient for direct entry to our Masters programmes.

Modules Semester 1

n Financial Accounting

n Quantitative Management Techniques

n Global Business Environment

n Cases in the Global Business Environment

n Operations Management

n Strategic Purchasing and Supply Management

Semester 2

n Managerial Accounting

n Marketing Concepts

n Cases in Marketing

n Business Policy and Entrepreneurship

n Organisational Behaviour

n Financial Analysis for Managers Please note all modules are subject to change.

Key features of the Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (GDBA) include:

n A flexible Diploma route to MBA and MSc programmes

n An essential and recognised qualification in business

n Students take 12 modules over one academic year

n English language support is provided throughout the programme

n Students experience a wide range of teaching and learning methods

n The GDBA enhances employment opportunities for participants

This programme provides a thorough grounding in functional issues in management and

is a qualification in its own right. It also empowers those who seek to gain entry to our

MSc and MBA programmes. The student group consists of those studying the GDBA

as a standalone qualification, as well as those undertaking both the first year of the

MBA 24/21 month programmes, and the first year of the MSc 24 month programmes.

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Are you ready

for an MSc?

MSc entry criteria

and how to apply

Applying

There is no official application deadline date but you should apply as early as possible, especially if you need a visa to study in the UK, or you plan to apply for one of our scholarships. An application can be made online,

where you will need to upload the following:

n A copy of your academic transcript in English

n Two references, or contact details for your referees, at least one of which should comment on your academic abilities

n A personal statement explaining why you wish to join the programme and what makes you a suitable candidate (500 words max)

English language requirements

We offer Presessional Business Management English courses for those applicants who fail to achieve the required IETLS/TOEFL scores. Further details about these courses can be found on our presessional pages www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/courses/presessional A number of additional English language courses are also available from our English for International Students Unit (EISU) before and during the programme.

For entry to all of our 12-month MSc programmes you will need the

following: a good honours degree (2:1 or higher), or equivalent from

a recognised university.

MScs in Economics IELTS - 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band TOEFL IBT* - 88 with no less than 22 in speaking, 21 in reading and writing, and 20 in listening

PEARSON ACADEMIC TEST OF ENGLISH 59 in all four skills

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Taking your

career further…

Careers

in Business

Keeping you up to date

Our Employer Liaison Team regularly undertakes initiatives to attract employment/ project opportunities into the Business School. You can find information about vacancies and other openings on Careers in Business Online and on Business School noticeboards, as well as through the Careers and

Employability Centre vacancy database at www.as.bham.ac.uk/careers

If you’d like to meet with a member of the Employer Liaison team, just ask for a referral from one of the Careers Consultants. The team can discuss careers openings with you and explore summer project opportunities if these are applicable.

Careers events and workshops This is your chance to find out about employment opportunities, develop your skills and network with industry professionals. Our range of career management, personal development and employer events are a great opportunity to discover what’s open to you upon graduation – just sign up to the events to take part.

Using the Careers and Employability Centre Postgraduate students in the Business School are very welcome to use the services provided by the Careers and Employability Centre such as online vacancy listings, employer presentations and fairs and accessing online careers information.

You can use the Careers in Business team for individual appointments, CV checking, mock interviews and other job search-related activities.

You’ll find full details of the services available through the Careers and Employability Centre at www.as.bham.ac.uk/careers

Careers in Business is a dedicated service for postgraduate Business School students. We’ll help you in all aspects of your career management, from planning your job-seeking strategies, applying for jobs, preparing for interviews and assessment centres and developing your essential employability skills. At the start of your programme you will receive an email from our team, giving details of how you can access Careers in Business Online. Please get in touch to find out how our Careers in Business team can support you [email protected] Career development advice

Our consultants offer an individual advice service, which includes:

n Career review and objective setting

n Job-seeking strategies

n CV review

n Application advice

n Interview and selection advice

n Working in the UK

n International work enquiries Skills coaching

Employers aren’t just looking for great qualifications. They want to see high-quality personal skills too, such as team working, leadership, presentation and interpersonal skills. Our Skills Development Consultants offer individual appointments to help you shape and hone these qualities.

We pride ourselves on our graduates’ high levels of employability,

and will help you plan, manage and achieve your career goals,

giving you the competitive edge when it’s time to start job hunting.

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Our

alumni

‘When you graduate from Birmingham

Business School you become part of a

community of over 23,000 alumni worldwide.

As a member of the BBS Alumni Group

you have access to a variety of benefits

and services for yourself or your business.’

Professor Simon Collinson

Dean, Birmingham Business School

‘The University of Birmingham offers great

networking events and is very keen on getting

top speakers to lecture. I enjoyed my time at the

school because it offered me a unique ‘overall

package’ of everything I expected a top

university to be.’

MSc alumnus Tomas Reiner

Digital Marketing Executive, Banabay

Opportunities for students include:

n Joining an international network of over 24,000 Business School alumni and 180,000 across the whole University

n Invitations to the Distinguished Leaders Lecture Series

n Opportunities to hear from alumni business leaders and successful senior alumni who provide company projects, give advice and offer career opportunities

Your Birmingham Business School connection doesn’t end with your

graduation; from alumni events and guest speakers to career support and

mentoring, there are many opportunities to get involved with BBS Alumni.

For graduates we offer:

n Bespoke guest lectures and webinars

n A bi-monthly e-newsletter

n Access to regional alumni groups and events around the world

n An alumni contact service to reconnect with old friends or make new contacts

n Global networking and social events

n Exciting volunteering opportunities Birmingham Business School Alumni Relations

team is dedicated to providing outstanding support to benefit our students and graduates across the School. The team host bespoke events and offer a variety of volunteer opportunities, encouraging alumni to support our students’ experiences and career progression and also to offer advice on all that the Business School, University and city of Birmingham have to offer.

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Planning your

life

in Birmingham

Budgeting for and securing your accommodation

When you’re getting used to an unfamiliar environment and meeting new people, it’s really reassuring not to have to worry about where you’re going to live. That’s why we guarantee a place in University accommodation to all EU/international students who are new to Birmingham, providing you meet the criteria detailed in our International Guarantee Scheme. You can find out more about this here:

www.birmingham.ac.uk/undergraduate/advice/ guide/accommodation/guarantee.aspx

The University of Birmingham website also tells you about our accommodation services for postgraduates, which you will find useful when planning your living costs while you study for your MSc. You’ll find information about the services we offer to help you find suitable accommodation along with a list of average rents in the local area here: www.birmingham. ac.uk/postgraduate/accommodation Take a look at how the University of

Birmingham estimates the cost of living for a single student by visiting:

www.birmingham.ac.uk/students/support/ moneyadvice/living.aspx

As a student living in Birmingham, you will enjoy lower costs than

many other cities in the UK. But of course the actual amount you

will spend will depend upon your lifestyle, so we can only give

you an approximate idea of how much you will need.

Investing

in your future

Fees

and living costs

Please note the fees above refer to 2015–16 entry (unless otherwise stated) and are subject to change.

*These fees relate to Year 1 of the two-year programme. The relevant MSc fees shown above are then payable in addition for Year 2

Undertaking an MSc is one of the most important career decisions you will ever make.

We want you to be completely aware of your financial commitment before you choose

to study at Birmingham Business School, so here are our fees for 2015–16 entry.

MSc programme Home/EU tuition fee International tuition fee

Development Economics £6,210 £15,000

Economics £6,210 £15,000

Environmental and Natural Resource Economics £6,210 £15,000

Financial Economics £11,430 £16,070

International Economics £6,210 £15,000

International Money and Banking £11,430 £16,070

Mathematical Finance £16,070 £16,070

Money Banking and Finance £11,430 £16,070

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30 The Birmingham MBA

Birmingham…

a great place to

live and learn

As England’s second city, Birmingham is a thriving, vibrant place to live. Multicultural, commercial and contemporary, it also boasts a rich history and heritage.

When you study here, you’ll find it’s not just the perfect base for your work – it’s also the perfect place to begin your career and set down the foundations for a successful future. Easily accessible from and to the rest of the UK, Birmingham is just two hours from London by train, and Birmingham Airport is around half an hour away from the city centre.

Birmingham highlights

All tastes are catered for in Birmingham. In the city centre alone, more than 200 restaurants serve food from 27 countries. Over 100 Balti houses attract more than 20,000 visitors each week while Chinatown offers tasty cuisine from across Asia.

Our city

Birmingham is an exciting destination with a long cultural and

intellectual heritage. Choose Birmingham for a warm welcome

in one of the most diverse cities in the UK.

In your leisure time, you’ll find a huge range of activities to keep you entertained and occupied. Shopping areas include the famous Bullring, the ever-growing Jewellery Quarter, and The Mailbox with its designer stores and upmarket restaurants. Birmingham also hosts a range of markets, including the famous German market at Christmas.

If you are looking for some culture, then you’ll find plenty of art galleries – including the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery – theatres, cinemas and music arenas, such as the National Exhibition Centre and the National Indoor Arena.

Our campus

The University campus offers a peaceful and tranquil haven, yet is right on the doorstep of the bustling city. So whether you’re looking for some quiet downtime to study or fancy a big night out, you’re never far from where you want to be. Striking architecture and 250 acres of parkland make for the stunning setting of our campus, which also boasts a whole range of amenities. You’ll find bars, shops, travel agents, opticians and major banks, as well as an art gallery, museum and concert hall all on site. Plus there is the added benefit of a full-time security team. We are in the process of a £175 million campus development project, which will see new facilities such as a brand new library, 50-metre swimming pool, contemporary student accommodation and a multi-storey car park.

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MSc Economics Programmes

MSc Economics

Programmes

People at the heart of business

Contents

Welcome to

Birmingham

Business School

We are a dynamic, internationally focused school offering

programmes across the full range of business disciplines. Our

academic staff are renowned for their world-class research and

excellence in teaching, which both serve to enrich our students’

knowledge and understanding. We pride ourselves on students

graduating with a range of skills that give them a competitive

edge in the employment market.

Financial assistance

to support you

through your studies

Don’t let fees stand in the way of your studies… we have a number of

scholarships for students on the MSc Business programmes, providing

a financial contribution towards your tuition fees.

Developing

your

skills to shape our

future economic

policies

MSc

Economics

A deep understanding of economics is key to our continuing function as a global

economy, helping to establish successful trade, monetary and welfare policies across

our nations. Specialised courses in economic theory and econometrics will give you

a sophisticated understanding of policy issues as you prepare for your career in the

industry. Studying on one of the Department’s MSc programmes will provide you

with an excellent set of specialist and transferable skills.

Going global

with your career

MSc

International Economics

Globalisation of the world’s economy means that international economics

plays a fundamental role in a wide variety of careers. The MSc in

International Economics is a taught graduate programme that provides

specialised and advanced training in international economics, achieved

through the delivery of specialised courses in trade theory, trade policy

and econometrics.

Play a major role

in

our global economic

development

MSc

Development Economics

Emerging and developing economies are fast becoming a force to be reckoned with on

the global arena. Formal and technical analysis of these economies is an essential part

of continuing Third World development. Specialised courses in development theory,

development policy and econometrics will hone your analytic, technical and research

skills as you prepare for your career in the industry.

Shape the future

of our global

economy

MSc

Financial Economics

The fascinating world of banking and financial markets is more than just

headlines, it is the lifeblood of our collective global economies. Our MSc is

designed for graduates with an economics-based degree, who are seeking to

train themselves technically for their career in finance. Combining generic and

specialist financial modules, the programme offers a comprehensive grounding

in financial markets and banking from an economics perspective.

Become a

key player

in sustaining

the future

of our planet

MSc

Environmental and

Natural Resource Economics

Climate change, deforestation and unsustainable use of resources are all issues at

the top of the environmental agenda. An understanding of the interactions between

the environment and economics is essential for developing appropriate policies to

tackle global issues in the long term.

Take your career

into the global