Unit information: Economic Modelling in 2027/28

Please note: Programme and unit information may change as the relevant academic field develops. We may also make changes to the structure of programmes and assessments to improve the student experience.

Unit name Economic Modelling
Unit code ECONM0047
Credit points 20
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director Dr. Langtry
Open unit status Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)

None

Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)

None

Units you may not take alongside this one

None

School/department School of Economics
Faculty Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Unit Information

Why is this unit important?

This unit introduces students to modern economic models and analysis, providing the foundational knowledge for students to understand key concepts and policy trade-offs in modern economic analysis and policymaking. The unit builds upon analysis of individual decisions that affect and shape all members in modern societies and hence understanding of them is a key to modern economic decision-making at all levels. The unit emphasizes policies related to financial markets, such as those affecting international trade and financial markets.

How does this unit fit into your programme of study

Economic Modelling is a mandatory unit for MSc Economics and Finance. This unit is indispensable to achieve the aim of the programme for students to gain the advanced skills and perspectives of the professional economist. In today's world, financial market and its related issues take centre stages in our economic life and Economic modelling provides the essential toolkits for students to understand and analyse the real-world economic problems. The unit is complimentary to other mandatory units in TB1 but help students' economic/financial decision-making from an academic perspective.

Your learning on this unit

An overview of content

Economic modelling covers core models in both microeconomics and macroeconomics that are important for understanding decision-making in financial markets. This includes consumer theory and choice under uncertainty, game theory, intertemporal choice and economic growth.

How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit

Students will be equipped with a set of analytic tools that they can use to understand economic behaviour in financial markets and beyond. Learning and applying these models will also sharpen their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit, students will be able to:

1. Solve models covered in the unit, and apply them to contexts in finance and financial markets.

2. Formulate and articulate equilibrium reasoning in both microeconomic and macroeconomic models.

3. Explain core concepts in economic theory, and apply them to real-world settings.

How you will learn

Teaching will be delivered through a combination of large and small group classes supported by online resources. Specifically:

  • Large group lectures will be mainly used to introduce conceptual frameworks and their motivations.
  • Small group classes will serve two purposes. First, it allows the tutors to engage in rigorous model derivation as a role-model in a face-to-face environment that would develop students' analytical skills of the economic models covered in the lecture. Second, it allows an opportunity to have an in person discussion of how these models can be used to understand/change the real world economic practices.

Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):

There will be various sets of formative assessments designed to give students prepare the summative assessments and provide feedbacks throughout the term. These assessments include practice exercise questions that aim at checking and deepening understanding of the various models introduced, and discussion questions that allow students to apply the models to examples in real life contexts. Both will be discussed in small group classes.

How you will be assessed

Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):

There will be exercises for each topic which will prepare students for exam questions. Questions will be discussed in seminars, providing students with immediate feedback on their understanding of the topic. There will also be two pieces of written feedback available on questions set in the style of the final exam.

Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):

Exam (120 minutes) (100%).

Assesses all learning outcomes

When assessment does not go to plan

Exam (120 minutes) (100%)

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. ECONM0047).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.

The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.