(Integrated Master in Economics:) Integrated Master in Economics
Financial Economics (Including Year Abroad)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Economics
Colchester Campus
Masters
Full-time
MECNLB32
08/05/2024
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
- GCSE: Mathematics B/5.
- A-levels: ABB - BBB or 128 - 120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels.
- BTEC: DDM or 120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels. The acceptability of BTECs is dependent on subject studied and optional units taken - email ugquery@essex.ac.uk for advice.
- Combined qualifications on the UCAS tariff: 128 - 120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A levels or equivalent. Tariff point offers may be made if you are taking a qualification, or mixture of qualifications, from the list on our undergraduate application information page.
- IB: 32 - 30 points or three Higher Level certificates with 655-555. Our Maths requirement can be met with either: 4 in Standard level Maths; 3 in Higher level Maths; or 4 in IB Middle Years Maths.
- IB Career-related Programme: We consider combinations of IB Diploma Programme courses with BTECs or other qualifications. Advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
- QAA-approved Access to HE Diploma: 15 level 3 credits at Distinction and 30 level 3 credits at Merit, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
- T-levels: We consider T-levels on a case-by-case basis, depending on subject studied. The offer for most courses is Distinction overall. Depending on the course applied for there may be additional requirements, which may include a specific grade in the Core.
Contextual Offers:
We are committed to ensuring that all students with the merit and potential to benefit from an Essex education are supported to do so. For October 2024 entry, if you are a home fee paying student residing in the UK you may be eligible for a Contextual Offer of up to two A-level grades, or equivalent, below our standard conditional offer.
Factors we consider:
- Applicants from underrepresented groups
- Applicants progressing from University of Essex Schools Membership schools/colleges
- Applicants who attend a compulsory admissions interview
- Applicants who attend an Offer Holder Day at our Colchester or Southend campus
Our contextual offers policy outlines additional circumstances and eligibility criteria.
For further information about what a contextual offer may look like for your specific qualification profile, email ugquery@essex.ac.uk.
If you haven't got the grades you hoped for, have a non-traditional academic background, are a mature student, or have any questions about eligibility for your course, more information can be found on our undergraduate application information page. or get in touch with our Undergraduate Admissions Team.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall, or specified score in another equivalent test that we accept.
Details of English language requirements, including component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.
English language shelf-life
Most English language qualifications have a validity period of 5 years. The validity period of Pearson Test of English, TOEFL and CBSE or CISCE English is 2 years.
If you require a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
Pre-sessional English courses
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Pending English language qualifications
You don’t need to achieve the required level before making your application, but it will be one of the conditions of your offer.
If you cannot find the qualification that you have achieved or are pending, then please email ugquery@essex.ac.uk
.
Requirements for second and final year entry
Different requirements apply for second and final year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a visa to study in the UK. Details of English language requirements, including UK Visas and Immigration minimum component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
Additional Notes
If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
1. To provide students with a knowledge of advanced economic principles and an awareness of their application relevant to the scheme of study.
2. To provide students with the necessary underlying skills of research methods used in economics.
3. To establish a critical awareness of the integration of theory, data, and analysis.
4. To provide students with an awareness of the nature of the economic research process.
5. To prepare students for work as professional economists and for further academic study of economics
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Knowledge of advanced economic principles at the forefront of financial economics
A2: Knowledge of a range of applications at the forefront of financial economics
A3: Knowledge and understanding of sources available for research
A4: Understanding of the relationships between theory and empirical research in economics and finance
A5: Awareness of the significance of alternative theoretical and methodological approaches to economic and financial analysis
A6: Knowledge of the core methods used to analyse economic and financial data
Learning methods
Outcomes A1-A6 are acquired through lectures, classes, and related coursework.
Lectures are used to present material - ideas, data and arguments - in a clear and structured manner.
Lectures are also used to stimulate students' interest in learning economic research methods. These research methods are then practiced when writing term papers
Classes and preparation for lectures and classes, provide an opportunity for students to develop their knowledge and understanding of the content of the courses.
Preparation for term papers, the 3rd-year dissertation and for examinations aids students in developing this knowledge and understanding.
Throughout, students are encouraged to engage in independent study.
Students are expected to extend and enhance the knowledge and understanding they acquire from lectures and classes by regularly consulting library materials relating to the course.
Term papers and the 3rd-year dissertation are particularly useful in developing A3.
Assessment methods
Outcomes A1-A6 are assessed throughout the courses comprising the degree by means of written examinations with compulsory term papers.
Outcomes A1 and A6 are also assessed in certain courses through written tests.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Logically analyse a specified problem in economics and financial economics and choose the most appropriate methods for its solution
B2: Exercise critical judgement in assessing the weights of competing theories and appraising their merits
B3: Formulate a coherent economic argument
B4: Construct reasoned, informed and concise descriptions and assessments of ideas at the forefront of financial economics
B5: Critically evaluate and interpret empirical evidence
Learning methods
Skills B1-B5 are acquired and enhanced primarily through the work that students do for their courses, although lectures provide a means for teachers to demonstrate these skills through example.
Student preparation involves the reading, interpretation and evaluation of the economics literature, including texts and research papers, and the analysis of empirical evidence.
Teachers provide feedback on student work through comment and discussion.
In addition, teachers engage students outside the classroom through office hours, appointments, and email.
The term papers and 3rd-year dissertation in particular are additionally used to develop a student’s mastery of the combined application of economic principles and empirical methods, as well as their analytical ability and understanding of the research process.
Assessment methods
Skills B1-B5 are assessed throughout the courses comprising the degree by means of written examinations with compulsory term papers.
Skills B1 and B5 are also assessed in certain courses through written tests.
C: Practical skills
C1: Identify, select and gather information using relevant sources, including the library and online searches
C2: Organise ideas in a systematic and critical fashion
C3: Present and critically assess advanced economic ideas and arguments coherently in writing
C4: Use and apply economic terminology and concepts
C5: Apply econometric techniques to the analysis of quantitative data and summarise the results
C6: Independently plan and undertake extended written work
C7: Apply the necessary organisational and cultural skills for living and working abroad.
Learning methods
Skills C1-C5 are acquired and enhanced primarily through the work that students do for their courses.
Lectures also provide a means of teachers demonstrating these skills through example.
Skill C5 is acquired to a greater degree in courses that focus on econometrics.
This skill is reinforced or supplemented depending on the optional courses taken.
Skill C6 is acquired through the work that the students do for term papers and the 3rd-year dissertation.
Skill C7 is acquired through the guided but relatively independent process of organising and successfully completing a period of living and studying abroad
Assessment methods
Skills C1-C5 are assessed throughout the courses comprising the degree by means of written examinations with term papers.
Skills C1 and C2 are also informally assessed by student's preparation for each course.
Skill C5 is also assessed in certain courses through written tests.
Skill C6 is assessed through term papers and the 3rd-year dissertation.
Skill C7 is assessed during the international exchange year.
D: Key skills
D1: Communication in writing, using appropriate terminology and technical language
D2: Production of a word-processed research papers and 3rd-year dissertation. Development of web-skills
D3: Use of mathematical techniques to construct economic models and the use of econometric methods to analyse economic data
D4: Application of economic reasoning to address complex issues involving economic phenomena
D5: Capacity to:
(a) organise and impliment a plan of independant study;
(b) reflect on his or her own learning experience and adapt in responce to feedback; and
(c) recognise when he or she needs to learn more and appreciate the role of additional research
Learning methods
Students are guided in acquiring skills D1-D5 through lectures, classes and individual advice from teachers.
These skills are further developed as students pursue the learning activities associated with their courses.
Term papers and the 3rd-year dissertation enable students to acquire skill D2 and also assists them in acquiring skills D1, D4 and D5.
Students also have the opportunity to develop skills in working in groups through their participation in classes for courses, especially the applied ones.
Assessment methods
Skills D1, D3, D4 and D5 are assessed throughout the courses comprising the degree by means of examinations with compulsory term papers or written tests.
Term papers and the 3rd-year dissertation also provides a particular further means for an overall assessment of communication (D1), using IT (D2), problem-solving skills (D4), and self-learning (D5).