入学要求 Requirement：
学术要求： A good honours degree in a relevant subject, or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications.
英语要求：English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with a minimum score of 6.0 in all individual components, or equivalent.
学费 Tuition Fee：2011/2012 £10,100
课程特征 Course Features：
The course is aimed at graduates who have taken degrees such as Economics, Business Economics, or Accounting and Finance. It is also suitable for strong graduates in Finance or Business who would like to complement their background with an economics specialisation. The course aims to prepare students for the challenging environments associated with jobs in the financial and business sectors by concentrating on applied aspects of business economics rather than the theoretical approach. Students study eight taught units, followed by a dissertation, all contained within the 12 month duration of the course.
This course will enable students to evaluate the relevance of economic theories and principles as well as teach them to apply these theories and principles to business and marketing, particularly decisions on pricing, product development, innovation and promotion, and advertising. Students will gain an understanding of business decisions and strategy including investment, mergers and take-overs. In addition, you will be able to apply economic forecasting techniques to business applications.
课程内容 Course Content ：
The programme consists of three sequential stages, each of one semester's duration (or one academic year for those taking the part-time option).
Stage 1
From October to January (leading to PgC). Provides the building blocks of principles and theories needed for advanced studies in business economics. Emphasis in stage one is divided between the academic rigour of the main theory courses and the development of more applied courses designed to develop relevant business skills.
Stage 2
From February to June (leading to PgD). Is designed to introduce more advanced aspects of business economics.
Stage 3
From June to September (leading to MSc). Consists of a 14,000 word dissertation.
Units (Stage 1)
Business Economics
This unit concentrates on the economic approach to understanding businesses and their behaviour. In particular, you will be able to understand, apply and evaluate the relevance of various microeconomic theories of the firm to different types of business. Consideration will also be given to business competitiveness and how this is affected by technological innovation. Insights are also possible into the effect of the organisational architecture of firms and how the legal and regulatory environment can constrain firms' behaviour.
Quantitative Economics for Business
This unit should ensure that all students are familiar with the mathematical and statistical/econometric skills essential for the theoretical and applied work that will be found in other units and which is needed for the up-to-date treatment and analysis of current issues. The topics covered should also enhance the ability to read and understand articles in academic journals. Both theoretical and applied practical aspects are covered, with an emphasis on the use of econometric computer software.
Managerial Economics
The aim of this unit is to equip you with an understanding of the principles of managerial economics and the relevance and application of economic theory to the solution of business problems. On its completion, you should be able to apply economic theories and principles to decision-making in the areas of product pricing, product analysis, and promotion and advertising. You will also appreciate the context of mergers and takeovers, and foreign investment.
Research Methods
This unit introduces the concepts, methodologies and basic methods of undertaking and implementing research in economics and the social sciences.
Units (Stage 2)
Applied Corporate Finance
Whether from an investment bank perspective or from within the finance (treasury) department of a corporation, an assessment of the financial health of a company is paramount. This unit introduces and exposes you to corporate financial management, valuation and investment, with the emphasis being on corporate risk analysis. It is an applied course, equipping you with the tools necessary to critically analyse, evaluate and offer recommendations on firm specific financial and business data.
Advanced Topics in Business Economics
The aim of this unit is to consider in depth how economic principles can be used to analyse topics of particular relevance to the business economist. A range of topics will be considered, which vary each year according to the scholastic and research interests of staff.
Past topics have included:
•Business pricing
•Consumer theory
•Technological innovation and diffusion
•Financial derivatives
•Business games
•Corporate environmental regulation
Applied Econometrics and Forecasting
Students completing this unit will achieve a general understanding of the methods, limitations and business applications of economic forecasting techniques.
Topics covered will include:
•Time series data
•The concepts of stationarity and non-stationarity and long/short run modelling
•Univariate ARIMA and VAR modelling
•Co-integration
•ARCH processes and the CAPM
Option
The course includes one option unit in Stage 2, to be chosen from the postgraduate options offered in the department. The choices currently offered, subject to demand and lecturer availability, are:
•Economics of Insurance
•Economics of the Internet and the Digital Economy
•Futures and Options Markets
•Tourism Economics
Dissertation
In Stage 3 you will undertake an investigation of an appropriate, closely specified topic, using the skills you have learnt. You will have the opportunity to initiate, design and conduct a piece of research using original thought and independent judgement. You will have a supervisor from a member of the academic staff who will be able to advise you at regular meetings. Although preliminary work is undertaken earlier in the year, the dissertation is normally completed over the summer months, allowing a 12-month phase for the MSc from start to finish.
教学与评估 Teaching and Assessment：
Teaching is primarily by lectures and seminars, although computer practical workshops are used where relevant. The dissertation provides the opportunity for students to initiate, design and conduct a small piece of research and is largely student-centred learning, although students have an experienced dissertation supervisor in the department who is available for individual meetings on a regular basis. Courses are assessed in a variety of ways, normally via coursework and/or examination.
职业机会 Career Opportunities:
Successful students will have attained a wide range of skills leaving them well qualified to seek employment in all areas of business. The degree is also very suitable for entry to the public or state sector. Career opportunities include business and financial professionals, commercial, industrial and public sector managers, as well as many other jobs with responsibility for decision-making. Good students would also be able to consider undertaking research degrees such as MPhil or PhD.