Business and Financial Economics

Internationalisation of the world economy and the policy challenges this has posed for business and public decision makers have increased the demand for economics graduates. The demand is evident in a wide range of national and international institutions, including central banks and finance ministries, commercial and investment ranks, rating agencies, business organisations, international governmental and non-governmental organisations, central and local government departments, and economic and business media. The common denominator of the need felt by these potential employers is the ever increasing demand for high-quality, evidence-based decision making that require competence in applied economics and state-of-the-art data analysis.

This programme enables our graduates to respond to this increasing demand by combining solid training in theory and method with stimulating exposure to economics and financial data sources. The programme weaves a three-way linkage between business and financial economics theory, data analysis, and application of theory and method to policy and strategy issues in the world of business and finance.

Aims of the programme

• To equip students with sound knowledge of business and financial economics, with a view to improve their analytical and problem-solving skills
• Introduce students to new insights in the study of business and financial economics, with a view to develop critical and creative thinking skills
• To equip students with the tools and methods necessary for analysing firms, markets and strategies; understanding the determinants of financial market performance; evaluating inancial decisions; and understanding the strengths and limitations of national and international regulatory frameworks
• To enable students to apply knowledge creatively to the study of specific issues such as: business organisation; innovation, integration, and product differentiation; economics of market efficiency or market failures; economics of uncertainty and investment decision criteria; and financial regulation
• To equip students with a competent understanding of research and data analysis methods, including modeling, estimation, use of statistical software packages, access to databases, and data acquisition

Content

• Foundations of Scholarship and Research (7.5 credits)
• Advanced Professional Development and Research (7.5 credits)
• Statistical Methods for Research (15 credits)
• Business Economics: Markets and Strategies (15 credits)
• Economic Analysis of Business Performance (15 credits)
• Economics of Finance and Investment (M) (15 credits)
• Economics of Financial Markets (15 credits)
• Micro-Finance in International Development (15 credits)
• Dissertation (45 credits)

Two 15-credit options (30 credits) from:

• Regulatory Institutions of the World Economy
• Global Business
• International Macroeconomics
• Understanding the Global Economy