International Business Economics – (M.Sc.)

The globalisation of the world economy and the increase in competition among businesses has created a need for highly skilled economists able to work in complex business environments. The standard tools of economic analysis are no longer sufficient for corporate executives, for whom applied strategic business and financial techniques are becoming essential.

This course is designed to build upon the knowledge and skills you will have acquired at undergraduate level and apply them to real-world economic and business problems. You will have the opportunity to extend your previous education by focusing on business and economic policy issues. There is a high demand for economics postgraduates who, by developing specialised skills on this course, have the ability to apply economic analysis and quantitative skills to business and economic policy issues.

There are excellent employment prospects for such economists in economic and management consultancy, multinationals, government agencies and in business and finance, especially in the City of London.

Teaching and Assessment

Teaching

We will teach you through lectures, seminars and computer lab sessions. Lectures are used to introduce you to key theories, concepts and economic models. In the seminars, you will have the opportunity to solve applied problems, analyse case studies and make presentations of research published in leading academic journals.
The course has just over 220 formal contact hours. Each module has 3 hours of instruction for 10 weeks, plus approximately 10 hours will be spent with your supervisor at various stages of your dissertation. Three hours teaching time is allocated for each session of each module. However, this will not necessarily involve three hours of lecturing, as time is also set aside for
workshops and tutorials. The rest of the day can be spent using the library and computing facilities, and doing course-related work.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a combination of assigned coursework - the nature of which will vary according to the module - and one final examination. Overall assessment is based on performance in taught modules and a dissertation. Your research methods training and dissertation marks account for one third of your overall assessment.

Career Prospects

There are excellent employment opportunities for economists in economic and management consultancies, multinationals, government agencies and in business and finance, particularly
in the City of London.
92% of City's Economics graduates were in employment or further study 6 months after graduation.
Job destinations Example of where our 2009 Economics graduates (from all MSc courses) are now working:

* Data analyst, Abacus International
* Human rights specialist, Alpha Bank
* Barclays Bank
* Research economist, Brava
* Accountant, Confederation of British Industry
* Market researcher, Deutsche Bank
* Sales assistant, Ealing PCT
* Research executive, Eli-Lilly
* Senior health economist, Fidelity
* Senior health liaison manager, Gallaher Ltd
* Finance graduate trainee, I3 Innovus
* Project manager, IM Health
* Commercialist, Johnson and Johnson
* Health economy liaison manager, Kovis d.o.o
* Analyst, Network Rail
* Project leader, NHS Business Service Authority
* Marketing executive, Novo Nordisk
* Customer relations officer, Oxford Outcomes Ltd
* Health outcomes advisor, Research International
* Assistant Director of performance and planning, Suits You
* Collection agent, Synovate
* Economist , Tomtah
* Database office health economist, United Nations Development Programme