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Business Finance and Economics
School of Economics,
Faculty of Social Sciences
Course description
On our applied Business Finance and Economics degree you'll learn how firms and consumers behave in different markets, how capital markets operate, and how financial decisions are made in the business world.
You don't need a background in economics for this course. You will be introduced to core concepts such as microeconomics and macroeconomics, and learn how to apply quantitative skills in the areas of economics and business finance.
The degree culminates in an extended research project where you will apply your knowledge and research skills to a topic of your choice that has been covered during the first two semesters.
By the end of the course, you will have gained an advanced understanding of the different perspectives of economics events and debates, how theories are applied to business, finance and industry, the core economic principles and analytical techniques, and the quantitative methods used in economics and financial data.
Modules
Core modules:
- Business Economics
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The module will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of microeconomic and macroeconomic concepts, focusing on decision making by consumers and firms, and economic concepts like growth, inflation, and business cycle fluctuations. The course will cover a range of topics, including: functioning of competitive markets (e.g., how consumers allocate their budgets and how producers determine price and output), different market structures (e.g., monopolies, oligopolies) and their impact on social welfare and the overall economic system; government's macroeconomic objectives, including how they address issues like unemployment, inflation, and economic growth; design of optimal monetary policy, and an understanding of fiscal policy and debt dynamics.
30 credits - Econometric Methods
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This module will develop your core econometrics skills. The first half of the module provides a grounding in key econometric techniques covering elements such as the classical linear regression model, hypothesis testing and problems of non-spherical disturbances. More advanced topics are then introduced in the second half of the module. Specifically you will focus upon topics in microeconometrics: including modelling discrete binary variables; censoring and sample selection, and then topics in macroeconometrics including: economic forecasting; stationarity; and cointegration. You will also develop a knowledge of using econometric software Stata.
15 credits - Modern Theory of Banking and Finance
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This module will give you a broad introduction into the economic literature on finance and banking. You will develop an understanding of the principles behind investment-financing decisions, the concept of governance and its implications for the efficiency of firms' investment decisions, and the role of financial intermediation. The module emphasises both theoretical and practical considerations. On completing this module, you will have a working knowledge of lexicon, theory, and tools associated with monetary theory and understand how the economy and financial markets fit together.
15 credits
Core modules:
- Industrial Organisation
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This module will introduce you to contemporary topics in industrial organisation with a particular emphasis on the role of economic analysis of strategic decision making. You will learn to use and appraise a range of economic techniques to make better strategic decisions. In this module you will build on and expand on your knowledge of microeconomics related to market structure; such as competition in oligopolistic industries. You will also become familiar with further oligopoly models (product differentiation, collusion, mergers) as well as behaviour in platform markets. We will also consider market implications when consumers are imperfectly informed (or naive) about prices or product characteristics.
15 credits - Corporate Finance
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This module will equip students with an understanding of the fundamental theoretical principles of corporate finance and the practical function of these principles when formulating investment analysis and financial strategy. It will provide students with a deeper understanding of the financial decisions faced by firms with particular reference to the time value of money; valuation techniques for stocks and bonds; financial statement analysis and modelling; the cost of capital and the capital structure decision; and the associated theoretical and empirical issues
15 credits
Optional modules - one from:
- Applied Microeconometrics
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The module provides examples and experience of applying standard microeconometric techniques to large sample surveys, with practical guidance on how to estimate and interpret results from different models. The syllabus covers topics such as limited dependent variables, instrumental variables, panel data methods and decomposition methods. Throughout use will be made of the Stata econometric software.
15 credits - Applied Macroeconometrics
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This module will enable you to understand recent applied literature in core journals of macroeconomics and finance, which uses time series methods, and prepare you for possible later research involving time series. You will learn to identify the empirical features of macroeconomic and financial data, and how to analyse the dynamic interaction of macroeconomic variables over time using key econometric techniques. Throughout use will be made of the Stata econometric software.
15 credits
Optional modules - one from:
- Applied Microeconometrics
-
The module provides examples and experience of applying standard microeconometric techniques to large sample surveys, with practical guidance on how to estimate and interpret results from different models. The syllabus covers topics such as limited dependent variables, instrumental variables, panel data methods and decomposition methods. Throughout use will be made of the Stata econometric software.
15 credits - Applied Macroeconometrics
-
This module will enable you to understand recent applied literature in core journals of macroeconomics and finance, which uses time series methods, and prepare you for possible later research involving time series. You will learn to identify the empirical features of macroeconomic and financial data, and how to analyse the dynamic interaction of macroeconomic variables over time using key econometric techniques. Throughout use will be made of the Stata econometric software.
15 credits - International Trade
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This module will provide you with an overview of the theory of international trade to explain the patterns of exchange of goods and services between countries, international migration and foreign direct investment flows. The module provides a survey of all the main models of international trade and foreign direct investment, supplemented by applications to key contemporary policy issues. You will use a number of analytical tools and empirical methods to analyse trade and policy issues.
15 credits - Public Economics
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This module will provide you with a comprehensive grounding in public economics. Government policies, through fiscal policy instruments, can have a massive impact on the allocation of resources and the distribution of income in the economy. This module evaluates the government's ability to identify and achieve more efficient and equitable outcomes than the situation without intervention. You will apply the theory in the analysis of real world public policy programmes.
15 credits - Public Policy Evaluation
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This module will introduce you to the key principles for evaluating the impacts of government policies. The module will cover the leading quantitative techniques for estimating causal policy effects, and how to select appropriate techniques for different policy interventions. You will gain an understanding of how evidence about policy evaluation is used to inform policy debates, and critically assess real world examples of policy evaluation. Examples will be drawn from health, labour, education and development economics. Throughout use will be made of the Stata econometric software.
15 credits - International Money and Finance
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In this module, you will acquire an understanding of the relationship between domestic and international economic activity in an open economy. You will learn to relate the various motives underlying international financial flows to their effects on real economic variables. The module will introduce mainstream theories of the determination of equilibrium exchange rates, both in the short run and the long run. You will also explore the causes of international financial crises and consider policy responses.
15 credits
- Extended Research Project
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The Extended Research Project will allow students to demonstrate a strong understanding of a particular topic through research and analysis. The topic students investigate will be linked to their specific degree programme. The research project will involve applying existing knowledge to a new situation or testing a hypothesis that the students have learned in the taught modules.
60 credits
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.
Open days
An open day gives you the best opportunity to hear first-hand from our current students and staff about our courses.
Duration
- 1 year full-time
Teaching
You will gain knowledge and understanding of the topics covered through lectures, workshops, coursework, computer labs and group work.
The skills and knowledge you gain throughout will culminate in an individual extended research project where you will demonstrate your ability for independent study.
Assessment
Taught modules are assessed using a combination of exams, coursework and group work.
Your extended research project will be assessed on your ability to apply existing knowledge to a new situation or to test a hypothesis that you've learned during the taught modules.
School
School of Economics
We have an international reputation for practical and real-world economics.
You'll be taught by some of the top economic experts in their field and you'll receive the latest cutting-edge teaching from people who care passionately about their subject.
Our staff advise government departments in the UK such as the Department for Work and Pensions, the Department for Education, as well as advisory bodies such as the Low Pay Commission. Their research helps shape government policies and aims to improve people's lives. This research also informs what you will be taught in your modules.
Our graduates are in demand by some of the country's top economics employers such as the Bank of England, PwC, IBM and HM Treasury.
Entry requirements
A minimum of a 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in Economics, Engineering or Computer Science.
or
An undergraduate honours degree with a minimum of a 2:1 grade for both a Maths and a Stats module.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 (with 6 in each component) or University equivalent.
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school/department.
Fees and funding
Alumni discount
Save up to £2,500 on your course fees
Are you a 91̽»¨ graduate? You could save up to £2,500 on your postgraduate taught course fees, subject to eligibility.
Apply
You can apply now using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It's a quick and easy process.
Contact
study@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 3456
Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.
Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read and the .