Overview
What causes ‚credit crunches’, and how do their effects spread throughout the economy? What determines the value of Pound Sterling relative to the US Dollar or Euro? How do stock market prices affect asset prices? Financial events are rarely far from the forefront of headline news. They have an impact that extends far beyond the financial sector to affect almost every aspect of daily life, including income, employment, prices, property value and cost of mortgages.
Our course is built on the core principles of economics and accounting, which are applied to your study of financial institutions (such as banks), financial markets (such as the stock exchange), and financial instruments.
You receive a thorough introduction to all aspects of economics and accounting, so you master skills including:
- Quantitative research methods
- The preparation of financial statements
- Accounting standards
- Costing, budgeting and performance evaluation
With a focus on accounting and the economic analysis of financial issues, you receive a strong training in economics from one of the top-rated research departments in the UK.
The Department of Economics is Top 5 in the UK for research, with over 90% of their research rated as “world-leading” or “internationally excellent” (REF 2014).
You are also taught within Essex Business School. More than two-thirds of our research is rated “world-leading” or “internationally excellent”, placing us in the Top 25 in the UK for research excellence (REF 2014).
Our expert staff
Study and work alongside some of the most prominent economists.
Our researchers are at the forefront of their field and have even received MBEs. Many of our academic staff also provide consultancy services to businesses in London and other major financial centres, helping us to develop research for today’s society as well as informing our teaching for the future.
Our Essex Business School staff specialise in areas including: accounting and economic development in the public and third sectors; regulation and corporate social responsibility; finance and banking; accounting and finance in developing economies; and contemporary financial markets and their participants.
Specialist facilities
Take advantage of the learning resources within our Department of Economics:
- Extensive software for quantitative analysis is available in all computer labs across the university
You also have access to our landmark new Essex Business School building, the first zero carbon business school in the UK. Set around a lush winter garden, the Eden-style dome will give the building its own micro-climate.
Our new building provides you with a stunning new work environment, offering:
- A virtual trading floor with Bloomberg Terminals offering direct use of Bloomberg data, information and analytics
- A light and spacious lecture theatre, with seating for 250 students
- Study pods and innovation booths for group working
- Dedicated office space for student entrepreneurs
- Networking opportunities with visiting businesses
- A café with an adjacent sun terrace
Your future
Many jobs in the financial sector require you to have knowledge of economics, finance and financial accounting. This course gives you comprehensive training in all these areas and teaches you the essential skills for a successful career in economics, finance and/or accounting, or further academic study at postgraduate level.
Our students find themselves in demand from a wide range of employers in a host of occupations, including financial analysis, management, public administration and accountancy, as well as directly in roles using economic knowledge.
Our recent graduates have gone on to work for a wide range of high-profile companies including:
- Bank of England
- Barlcays
- Citigroup
- Deloitte
- Ernst and Young
- Morgan Stanley
- Bank of New York
- Santander
We also work with the University’s Student Development Team to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.
Why we’re great
- We are Top 5 in the UK for our research excellence – you can learn from the best.
- Economics at Essex is ranked 9th in the UK for overall student satisfaction (NSS 2020).
- We give you diverse employment potential and the chance to meet future employers.
Structure
Course structure
We offer a flexible course structure with a mixture of core/compulsory modules, and optional modules chosen from lists.
Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The course content is therefore reviewed on an annual basis to ensure our courses remain up-to-date so modules listed are subject to change.
Teaching and learning disclaimer
Following the impact of the pandemic, we made changes to our teaching and assessment to ensure our current students could continue with their studies uninterrupted and safely. These changes included courses being taught through blended delivery, normally including some face-to-face teaching, online provision, or a combination of both across the year.
The teaching and assessment methods listed show what is currently approved for 2022 entry; changes may be necessary if, by the beginning of this course, we need to adapt the way we’re delivering them due to the external environment, and to allow you to continue to receive the best education possible safely and seamlessly.
