Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To enable students to evaluate theories and applications of microeconomics in relation to business strategy and/or international business management. 

• To prepare students vocationally for employment in government, commerce and industry. 

• To provide a relevant, practical, applied and integrated curriculum through close links with business and commercial organisations and appropriate academic research. 

• To enhance students’ lifelong learning skills, personal development and employability to enable them to work with self-direction and originality and to contribute to and take effective roles within business and society. 

For MSc Economics and International Business 

• To develop appropriate skills and understanding of Economics and International Business Management so as to systematically and creatively improve the business and management practice of firms operating in international environments. 

For MSc Economics and Business Strategy 

• To develop appropriate skills and understanding of Economics and Business Strategy so as to be able to effectively evaluate the determinants of business performance, and thereby contribute to the formulation of business strategy in a wide variety of firms and institutions.

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

The academic level at which the MSc programme is taught and assessed is guided by the criteria for the degree of Master in The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England Wales and Northern Ireland, published by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

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

For MSc Economics and International Business 

K1 Analyse international business and trade theory and its relevance to informing the governance, behaviour and management of international firms and organisations, and their resulting strategic responses. 

K2 Assess the external economic, political, environmental, and institutional context faced by international businesses and organisations and its impact on firm strategy, economic behaviour and management.

K3 Critically discuss how organisations are managed in an international context.

K4 Undertake independent applied and relevant research in international economics and international business, using appropriate research tools. 

For MSc Economics and Business Strategy 

K1 Explain the economics of firms and markets and business strategy theory and analyse the practical implications of such theory in real world settings.   

K2 Appraise the economic determinants of business performance and how these influence business strategy. 

K3 Assess relevant theoretical models, quantitative and analytical methods, and techniques necessary to evaluate business performance. 

K4 Undertake independent applied and relevant research in economics of the firm and business strategy, using appropriate research tools and quantitative methods, and communicate the results of such technical research and analysis to non-specialist audiences.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

For MSc Economics and International Business

C1 Evaluate concepts and insights from economics and business disciplines, including complex interactions between firms, consumers, and governments in international business, trade and investment.

C2 Analyse and appraise theoretical and practical issues and problems in international economics and management by using the theories and models appropriate to those disciplines.

C3 Collect relevant information pertaining to current issues in international economics and/or international business and analyse that information using appropriate models and relevant techniques, so as to evaluate the implications of decisions taken by multinational companies and other organisations and institutions. 

C4 Critically evaluate arguments and evidence related to international economics and the practice of international business.  

For MSc Economics and Business Strategy 

C1 Evaluate concepts and insights from economics and business disciplines, including complex interactions between firms, consumers, markets and governments and their resulting influence on business strategy. 

C2 Analyse and appraise theoretical and practical issues and problems in economics and business strategy by using the theories and models appropriate to those disciplines. 

C3 Evaluate the relative performance of markets and firms using appropriate economic models and relevant techniques, and produce a report relevant to decision-makers in government, institutions and firms with regard to appropriate business strategies. 

C4 Collect and critically evaluate arguments and evidence related to the economic determinants of business strategy and performance and how these influence the strategic choices taken by business, government and other institutions.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1 Create written reports using structure, paragraphing and citation, appropriate to professional and academic standards in economics, international business, and/or business strategy.

P2 Construct and/or collate empirical data and statistical results  and interpret such data in written and oral form for both specialist and non-specialist audiences, and carry out statistical hypothesis testing.  

c. Key transferable skills:

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

T1 Critically analyse and evaluate complex topics.

T2  Formulate key arguments from an extensive range of evidence.

T3  Demonstrate advanced skills in numeracy ( Interpret numerical information, reason numerically and apply appropriate mathematical and statistical techniques).

T4  Apply logical thinking and problem solving in unstructured situations.

T5  Use advanced information technology (e.g. handling of large data sets, multifaceted information retrieval and spread-sheet methods).

T6  Demonstrate effective personal organisation including time management, independent study, self-direction, decision-making and written and oral communication.

T7  Use effective team-working skills including leadership, team-building and project management.

T8 Enhance skills in oral presentation of reports, subject to deadlines.

4. Programme structure

Programme structure - MSc Economics and International Business 

4.1        Module Structure

             Compulsory Modules (total modular weight 135)

Option Modules.

In addition to the listed compulsory modules, students will choose Three optional Modules (total modular weight 45). One optional Module (total modular weight 15) will be taken in Semester 1 and chosen from List A.  Two optional Modules (total modular weight 30) will be taken in Semester 2 and chosen from List B. 

 *To study this module ECP206 must be studied in semester one.

 #To study this module BSP029 must be studied in semester one.

Programme structure - MSc Economics and Business Strategy

 4.2        Module Structure

             Compulsory Modules (total modular weight 150)

Option Modules.

In addition to the listed compulsory modules, students will choose  Two optional Modules (total modular weight 30). One optional Module (total modular weight 15) will be taken in Semester 1 and chosen from List A.  One optional Module (total modular weight 15) will be taken in Semester 2 and chosen from List B. 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1 In order to be eligible for an award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI. 

5.2 Candidates who have a right of re-assessment in a module may choose to be re-assessed in the University’s Special Assessment Period. 

5.3 All examinations must be taken at 含羞草视频 unless special permission is obtained in advance from the Programme Director

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

Weightings for the contribution to the Final Degree Classification will be consistent with the credit weighting of each module.