BSc in Business Economics

Course Structure

Year 1

• The Economy (full year module)
• Quantitative Methods
• Accounting
• Organisational Behaviour
• Financial Institutions and Markets

Year 2

• Macroeconomics
• Managerial Economics
• Data Analysis and Optimisation
• International Business
• Students will be able to choose two additional modules from a range which may include:
• Financial Decision Making
• Human Resource Management
• Operations Management
• The Digital Business
• Leading for Change

Year 3

Students will study:

• Economics of Corporate Strategy
• Quantitative Business Economics

Students will be able to choose four additional modules from a range which may include:

• Labour Economics
• Economic History
• Public Economics
• International Economics
• Business Start-Up
• Business Ethics
• Supply Chain Management
• Innovation Management
• Contemporary Issues
• Environmental Economics

Learning and Teaching

On the BSc Business Economics programme we achieve these goals by providing a range of learning environments which enable our students to engage with subject experts both academic staff and industry guest speakers, develop skills and attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world-class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this degree programme are:

Adviser of Studies

To assist with the choice of modules at the beginning of each academic year

Computer-Based and Other Practical Sessions

These provide students with the opportunity to develop technical skills and apply theoretical principles to real-life or practical contexts.

E-Learning technologies

Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Queen’s Online. A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree programme through the use of, for example, interactive support materials, podcasts and web-based learning activities.

Induction

Formalised induction for all undergraduate students. For Stage 1 students, this includes several half-day sessions the week before the programme begins to allow students to familiarise themselves with the campus and the degree programme. During Stage 1 there are a number of follow-up sessions throughout the year. Topics such as academic writing, referencing, plagiarism, communication skills, examination preparation and managing time effectively are all covered in these practical sessions.

Lectures

These introduce foundation information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading. As the module progresses this information becomes more complex. Lectures, which are normally delivered in large groups to all year-group peers, also provide opportunities to ask questions and seek clarification on key issues as well as gain feedback and advice on assessments. Additional lectures are also delivered by employer representatives and staff from a range of organisations are involved in the delivery of workshops and more practical sessions. In addition to the academic content of the lectures and workshops, this enables employers to impart their valuable experience to QMS Business Economics students, introduces important local employers to our students and allows our students to meet and engage with potential future employers.

Peer Mentoring Scheme

Whereby students in second and third year of their degree programme volunteer to mentor Stage 1 students. Developing the programme themselves, with support from academic staff in QMS, the mentors organise informal meetings, regular contact and a series of events ranging from ice-breaker type events to employer-led sessions with the Stage 1 students.

Personal Development Planning

To encourage students to engage in independent learning.

Self-directed study

This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.

Seminars/tutorials

A significant amount of teaching is carried out in small groups (typically 15-20 students). These sessions are designed to explore, in more depth, the information that has been presented in the lectures. This provides students with the opportunity to engage closely with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of their peers. During these classes, students will be expected to present their work to academic staff and their peers.

Student Support Systems

QMS has an active and co-ordinated student support system to assist students in making the transition from school to university.

Work placements

The BSc Business Economics programme does not have a compulsory placement year. However, the School actively supports any student who wishes to avail of an optional placement year, between the second and final year of the degree programme.

Assessment

Details of assessments associated with this course are outlined below:

• The way in which students are assessed will vary according to the learning objectives of each module. Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first year induction. Modules are typically assessed by a combination of continuous assessment and a final written unseen examination. Continuous assessment consists of: class tests, computer generated practical experiments where students have to manipulate economic-related data, case study research and analysis of a particular organisation and its business issue, academic essays exploring a specific economic issue such as the impact of inflation on a specific region, or the importance of environmental economics etc. and small group project and presentations whereby groups of three/four students work on a particular business economics related task.

Feedback

As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and peers. University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

• Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that you, as an individual or as part of a group, have submitted.
• Face to face comment. This may include occasions when you make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help you to address a specific query.
• Placement employer comments or references.
• Online or emailed comment.
• General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
• Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid. In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which you can review in your own time.
• Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
• Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.
• Once you have reviewed your feedback, you will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work.

This degree prepares students for a variety of careers in the public and private sectors. Graduates have been employed as professional economists or as managers or administrators. Depending on the choice of modules, this degree also prepares students for postgraduate studies in Economics and related disciplines.

Employment after the Course

Typical career destinations of graduates include:

• Professional Economists
• Accountancy
• Managers and Administrators in areas such as market research, advertising, sales and personel
• Education, health or government departments

Employment Links

Graduate employers include: PwC; EY; KPMG; Deloitte; BDO; Ulster Bank; Bank of Ireland, First Trust, Northern Ireland Civil Service, Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, BBC, National Trust.

Alumni Success

"I work directly for the Mayor of London, and have overall responsibility for all of Transport for London services – London Underground, London buses, Docklands Light Railway, Crossrail operations, London Overground, London Trams, and the Emirates Air Line cable car! I am also heavily involved in the Congestion Charging scheme, road safety, and schemes to boost cycling and walking.”
Mike Brown, BSc Economics, MVO Commissioner, Transport for London

Professional Opportunities

Those pursuing a career in Business Economics should be effective communicators and work well with people,
as they will have to analyze and interpret a range of information to meet the needs of different users, including managers and investors. Business Economists must be prepared to take on challenges and be able to adapt to a constantly changing and dynamic business environment.

Many of the skills that students will acquire during their studies at Queen‘s will be of great value in a range of different career and life situations. Core transferable skills include the ability to learn independently, problem solve, understand and interpret economic, financial and business-specific information and work productively as part of a team.

Students graduating with a degree in Business Economics from Queen‘s are well placed to secure a range of
employment opportunities in economics and management in the public and private sectors. In recent years, students have secured positions in economic analysis and appraisal with a range of government and other public sector organizations, careers in banking, as well as more generalist positions in business and management.

Prizes and Awards

Foundation Scholarships for best student in Economics Level 1 and Level 2

KPMG Prize is awarded to the best graduate in the BSc Economics degree

McKane Medal is awarded to the best final honors student in Economics

Shaw Memorial Prize for best performing second-year student in BSc Economics

Degree plus award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports, and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognized by a world-leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.