Business Economics BSc (Hons) (Placement)

Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.

Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
Year one
Economics in Practice
Year: 1

This module is intended to engage students actively and effectively at an early stage in the degree program. The focus of the module is on applying core economic theory to practical and topical issues and on enabling students to develop their ability to think critically - an important characteristic in enhancing employability. The intention is that students become 'positively disruptive' in their thinking and behaviours, and have the digital, written and verbal skills to communicate this in a professional and effective manner.

Microeconomic Principles
Year: 1

This module introduces students to key concepts and models used by economists to analyse the microeconomic problems and issues characteristic of contemporary market economies. Emphasis is given to market activity and the consequences this has for different groups within society. The module will allow students to understand the need for government intervention and regulation of market forces within a market economy.

Macroeconomic Principles
Year: 1

This module aims to develop students' knowledge and understanding of the macroeconomic environment exploring the origin of macroeconomics critically evaluating competing theories of macroeconomic behaviour. It introduces students to the issues that Macroeconomics deals with such as the role of government in managing the economy.

Mathematics and Statistics for Economics and Business
Year: 1

This module introduces students to some basic mathematical and statistical techniques, which can be applied to economic and business problems.

Skills for Economists
Year: 1

The aim of this module is to prepare students for life at University and to prepare students for a career as an economist. This module will cover essential skills for university and work, including career options for graduates, writing for university and work, practical research skills and analytical techniques. This module will also introduce students to working with real data to analyse current economic issues. Students will also gain experience working in Microsoft Office packages particularly Excel. The practical nature of this module will form the basis of skills required for study in the second and third years and introduce applied techniques that are essential for a career as a professional economist.

Introduction to Accounting for Business
Year: 1

This module is optional

Introduction to Business Accounting provides an introduction to financial and management accounting. The background to the requirement to produce, and the purpose of preparing accounting statements is examined. The module introduces the student to the study of accounting as it impacts on business and economic activity. In particular it considers the preparation of basic financial statements for sole-traders and introduces the student to terminology used in cost determination and pricing.

Fundamentals of Management
Year: 1

This module is optional

The fundamental management functions of planning, organising, leading and controlling are pervasive activities that are central to the operation of organisations and integral to the marketing curriculum. Given that perceptions of the nature of this process of management have changed and continue to change quite radically, it is beneficial also to have informed insights of these changes and the changing external and internal context within which management takes place. The module therefore introduces a coherent range of concepts and ideas that provide the basis for further more specialised study of management.

Principles of Marketing
Year: 1

This module is optional

This module provides students with an appreciation of the nature, scope and breadth of the fundamental concepts and principles of marketing. It represents a key underpinning to subsequent marketing related modules within degree programmes.

Year two
Analytical Methods for Economics
Year: 2

This module further develops the mathematical and statistical techniques which can be applied to economic and business problems.

Intermediate Microeconomics
Year: 2

This module examines the objectives and internal and external environments within which consumers and firms must operate, and studies the principle that economic decisions have to be "optimal". The principal theme of this module is the concept of decision making by market participants and the role of markets in coordinating these decisions resulting in efficient economic outcomes.

Intermediate Macroeconomics
Year: 2

This module provides an account of the structure of macroeconomic theory and of how its parts interact. It also reviews some of the thoeretical questions and controversies surrounding this structure. Finally it uses macroeconomic theory to shed light on some real world issues and problems.

Entrepreneurship and Professional Practice
Year: 2

This module aims to engage students in their own employability development as well as raising their awareness of innovation and entrepreneurship at work. Students will examine the local, national and global labour market and look at trends to support the development of their own personal strengths and weaknesses. Through research, team-work and presentations, students will engage with local employers and entrepreneurs to audit their personal entrepreneurial potential and better understand their future career path.

Accounting for Business Decisions
Year: 2

This module is optional

The module informs and equips students to effectively respond to a plethora of potential issues that can arise in business, particularly those pertaining to investment, financing and costing decisions. The module aims, through a variety of teaching and learning mechanisms, to equip students with a knowledge of the main techniques used in accounting and business to competently assess and to understand the main issues and ramifications of decision making in business.

Risk Management
Year: 2

This module is optional

This module introduces the student to the conceptual and theoretical fundamentals of business risk management combined with the processes surrounding risk management in both the private and public sector organisations. It identifies the skills that a professional services accountant must have and how best to utilise those skills in today's challenging business environment.

Digital Business Management
Year: 2

This module is optional

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of business in a digital world, and the impact and application of technologies in different organisations. On successful completion of this module students will have an in-depth knowledge of digital business; understand and apply concepts and models underlying digital business; analyse how organisations apply business technologies to improve their operations and to create competitive advantage; critically evaluate the impact of digital technologies on individuals, companies, and wider society.

History of Economic Thought
Year: 2

This module is optional

Many issues in economics can best be placed and understood in the context of the development of economic thought. The module therefore seeks to provide students with a grounding in the works of the key thinkers in economic thought since 1700 including Smith, Ricardo, Marx, Marshall, Keynes and Friedman.

International Economics
Year: 2

This module is optional

In the increasingly integrated world economy of the modern times, it is essential that students of business economics should gain an understanding of the basic principles and issues of international economics. This module will seek to provide such an understanding and an appreciation of the major trade-related issues facing both the developed and the developing world. It will also seek to enable students to acquire the skills necessary to analyse real world problems with the help of appropriate analytical tools and a sound theoretical framework. The module will be delivered in both large group and small group sessions and the assessment will be based partly on course work and partly on sessional examination.

Regional Economics: Understanding the Northern Ireland Economy
Year: 2

This module is optional

Regional Economics: Understanding the Northern Ireland (NI) economy module gives students the opportunity to understand the workings and the contemporary issues surrounding the NI economy. In addition the module introduces and aids students understanding of the economic policy development/making process. The module will also enhance students understanding about the behaviour and operation of the NI economy and how it impacts upon businesses and society in general.

Industrial Economics - Understanding and Regulating Markets
Year: 2

This module is optional

Industrial Economics explores the workings of markets and industries using the techniques of economic analysis, examining some of the aspects that relate to if the state should and how the state may intervene in the operation of those markets.

Marketing Management in Practice
Year: 2

This module is optional

This module develops the fundamentals of marketing and applies the perspective of managerialism to these core principles. In this respect, the module's focus is on the 4 core marketing management activities marketing planning, marketing implementation, marketing leadership and marketing control. The module also explores how these core managerial activities will operate in various marketing contexts.

Creativity in Communications
Year: 2

This module is optional

This module examines the role of creativity in developing an effective strategic and integrated approach to marketing communication planning.

Year three
Diploma in International Academic Studies
Year: 3

This module is optional

The Diploma in International Academic Studies provides students with the opportunity of an extended period of study outside UK and Republic of Ireland. Students develop and enhanced understanding of business and management in an international environment.

Diploma in Professional Practice
Year: 3

This module is optional

This module provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to gain structured and professional work experience, in a work-based learning environment, as part of their planned programme of study. This experience allows students to develop, refine and reflect on their key personal and professional skills. The placement should significantly support the development of the student's employability skills, preparation for final year and enhance their employability journey.

Year four
Economics of Business Strategy
Year: 4

This module aims to develop students' knowledge and understanding of business economics exploring economic approaches to the nature, emergence and architecture of business organisations for profit; assessing key issues about ownership, control and corporate governance; analysing different business strategies, explaining why and how firms diversify, change their boundaries and make strategic alliances; and applying economic theory to the firm in a domestic and international context.

Economics of Governance
Year: 4

More often than not individuals have to make decisions and act without full knowledge of the environment where they operate. How this imperfect information affects the motives of sellers and buyers and economic relations more generally, is the subject of the present module. After analyzing basic concepts like property rights, contracts and transaction costs, it examines the sources of asymmetric information and its consequences on behaviour. This is followed by a presentation of the principal - agent relationship and the firm as a hierarchy and an examination of the institutions, incentive contracts and governance structures designed to resolve conflicting interests of the participating economic actors.

Strategic Business Planning
Year: 4

This module is optional

The module introduces the concept of strategic business planning. With the dynamic business environment and the requirement for enterprise development to be linked to strategic management architecture, there is a need to enhance the level of understanding and competency in business planning.

Governance, Risk and Ethics
Year: 4

This module is optional

The module informs and equips students to effectively respond to the governance challenges organisations face today. The module aims to investigate the key components for securing the highest standards of effective corporate governance.

Management of Business Finance
Year: 4

This module is optional

This module is concerned with the study of business finance, with a distinctly corporate focus, examining issues mainly from the viewpoint of the corporate manager. The module aims to provide students with an opportunity to study at a more advanced level aspects of the management of business finance; investment, the balance between risk and return and the measurement and control of both, the operation of capital markets and the distribution of wealth between stakeholders.

Taxation
Year: 4

This module is optional

A knowledge of taxation is essential to students intending to pursue a career in accounting and is an essential part of most financial and economic decision making. This module provides a fundamental undertaking of the main aspects of the UK tax system covering personal, business taxation, corporation tax, inheritance tax and capital gains tax as well as an understanding of the administration of the self-assessment system.

Psychology at Work
Year: 4

This module is optional

This module is designed to enable students to acquire knowledge and understanding of the principles of psychology at work. Students will develop a further awareness of both their own and others' behaviour and how to apply this awareness to maximise effective performance.

Regional Economics: UK Regions and Cities, Theory Policy and Forecasting
Year: 4

This module is optional

The Regional Economics module gives students a different spatial perspective on the economic development process. It examines a variety of approaches to modelling regional economics and to measuring the impact of regional policies. This module offers students the opportunity to work with real data to analyse current economic issues. Students will enhance their practical IT skills within the Microsoft Office suite and develop commercially relevant techniques. These skills are in demand and will improve the employability of graduates.

Economics of Globalisation
Year: 4

This module is optional

Globalisation is an inescapable part of the economic life of every nation in the modern world. An understanding of the economic principles and the empirical reality of globalization is essential for both being able to make sense of what is happening in the world and for formulating appropriate policy responses to global economic changes. This module focuses on both theory and practice of globalization, and, critically discusses relevant economic principles and policies.

Economic Policy
Year: 4

This module is optional

This module is designed to develop skills that are in demand from professional economists in both the public and private sectors. It builds upon theoretical knowledge developed in the first 3 years and develops research, analytical, written and presentation skills. A major focus on instilling the disciplines of accuracy and checking into data and written work by emphasising the implications of mistakes and false interpretation. The module aims to increase the employability of students by equipping them with relevant knowledge and skills that are in demand from the marketplace.

The Digital and Marketing Nexus
Year: 4

This module is optional

This module deconstructs and redevelops the marketing concept within the digital context and through marketing technology. The module equips participants with a meaningful and robust evaluation process through which the application of digital marketing strategy, harnessed through marketing technology can be understood, applied and practiced.

Global Marketing
Year: 4

This module is optional

In an increasingly global environment this module seeks to develop students' understanding of the socio-cultural, economic, legal and political variables which will impact on the international decision making and planning processes of an organisation and influence international marketing mix strategies.