BA Economics with International Foundation Year
Program Overview
The BA Economics with International Foundation Year at the University of Reading is designed for international students who want to study economics at a British university but don't have the correct qualifications. It provides a foundation year to equip students with the necessary subject-specific and general study skills before progressing onto a three-year BA Economics degree. The program focuses on applying economic tools to different markets and situations, and offers a range of optional modules in areas such as climate change, history of economic thought, and mathematical methods for economists.
Program Outline
This programme is designed for international students. Choose economics at the University of Reading Established for more than 50 years. 100% of our research impact has been classed ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ (REF 2021, combining 4 and 3 submissions – Business and Management Studies, and Anthropology and Development Studies). Ranked among the top 200 universities in the world for Economics (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023). You will complete a foundation year (called Year 0) before progressing onto our three-year BA Economics degree. This means you can apply for a single four-year visa that covers the whole duration of your studies. The foundation year is designed to equip you with the subject-specific and general study skills needed to cope with the demands of undergraduate study. Our high-quality teaching is geared towards the needs of students from a wide range of educational backgrounds. For more information, visit the International Foundation Programme and the Department of Economics websites.
Outline:
International Foundation Year
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Compulsory modules
Academic Skills Enhance your academic study and communication skills while gradually building confidence and mastering transferable abilities. Engage in various in-class group activities and individual study tasks to develop these skills effectively. Foundation Economics - Microeconomics Discover how individuals and companies allocate and utilise resources. You’ll learn the neoclassical model of demand and supply, markets failures and the behaviour of firms. Foundation Economics - Macroeconomics Learn models and theories used by economists to understand the performance of the economy. You’ll develop basic mathematical and statistical skills and apply these to economic decision making. Core Mathematics Learn the techniques required to analyse and solve a variety of mathematical problems. You'll gain general mathematical skills as well as skills that are more related to your degree programme. Quantative Methods Discover the techniques required to analyse and solve a variety of statistical problems. You'll gain general theoretical skills as well as numerical skills that are more related to your degree programme.
Optional modules
Academic English 1 Develop the necessary basis in English for study at undergraduate level. You’ll develop key skills and a perspective on a range of contemporary topics that will equip you for study throughout your degree. Academic English 2 Develop your competence in the use of English for academic purposes. Concepts in Politics Learn the nature of key political concepts and use them to develop your ability to interpret and analyse political information and arguments. You’ll also be encouraged to develop your grammar and IT skills to ensure you are well equipped to research sources and execute written presentation throughout your degree. Government and Politics Study the nature of political institutions, concepts, and ideologies and develop the ability to interpret political information and execute into it a developed argument. In particular, you’ll focus on UK and US government and politics and identify their parallels, connections, similarities and differences. Psychology and Research Methods Explore the key research methods applicable to psychology as you develop your skills of analysis, evaluation, and critical thinking to data collection and reporting. You’ll focus on theories of conformity and obedience and learn to critically evaluate research by highlighting the limitations found in classic experiments. An Introduction to Business Management Develop your ability to think critically and argue persuasively in business and management contexts. You'll learn basic business and management theory such as entrepreneurship, business planning, marketing, human resource management, finance and accounting. Psychology and the Body Gain understanding of the biological basis of thought, behaviour, and emotions and develop transferable skills in analysis, evaluation, and critical thinking. You’ll focus on core areas in psychology including stress, cognitive psychology, and sleep. These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods. Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.
Compulsory modules
Principles of Economics 1 Gain an analytical introduction to the modern concepts of economics. You'll learn how the real world works by developing your understanding of key economics concepts, mathematical tools and, microeconomics. Principles of Economics 2 Gain an analytical introduction to the modern concepts of economics and develop your understanding of key economics concepts and mathematical tools. You’ll learn concepts of macroeconomics and how they overlap with microeconomics. You’ll also consider key topics such as what can markets do and cannot do, and when can government improve economic performance. Applied Economics and Policy Develop your understanding of the range of theoretical approaches and perspectives within economics, and the ways in which economic thinking can be employed to investigate and understand a variety of world-relevant topics, issues and policy making. You’ll learn how to assess the work of economists and analyse a wide range of issues. Quantitative Methods and Data Analysis Learn quantitative techniques that are useful in economics and build a foundation for understanding more specialised techniques that will be taught in Part 2 modules. Core Competencies in Economics Develop key academic skills and strategies such as time management and independent learning, academic writing and referencing, and making effective use of feedback. Explore a range of challenges frequently encountered by students along with coping strategies and advice on accessing the network of support available.
Optional modules
Economics of Climate Change Acquire an economic perspective on the causes and consequences of climate change. You’ll learn key theoretical concepts, such as externalities and public goods, and policy tools such as command and control measures, taxation and subsidies to devise adequate responses to climate change. You’ll gain a perspective on national and international climate change policy approaches and their implications for economic development. History of Economic Thought Become acquainted with the main schools of thought in economics and understand the origins of economic ideas. You’ll learn about scholars and their ideas from a historical perspective, and consider their relevance in the context of contemporary debates. Mathematical Methods for Economists Learn advanced mathematical techniques and their economic applications. You’ll understand how mathematics can be used to describe and extend economics in a rigorous fashion. Globalisation and the History of Western Capitalism Learn about the evolution of international economic activity from 1200 to the present. You’ll examine how the world economy got to where it is today, from the development of great port cities to the modern ‘networked global village’. Placement Support Gain introductory employment, peer support and readiness for placement application with advice on CV writing, application forms and careers advice. These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods. Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.
Compulsory modules
Intermediate Microeconomics Develop an in-depth and rigorous understanding of the core concepts and methods of microeconomics. You’ll learn more about consumer and producer theory, and discover new topics including game theory, bargaining, market competition, general equilibrium and welfare. Intermediate Macroeconomics Develop in-depth understanding of the fundamental principles and analytic concepts related to economic growth, inflation, unemployment and interest rates. You’ll gain a deeper appreciation of the interrelationship between macroeconomic variables and government policy, and be able to analyse relevant issues discussed by news and politicians. Corporate Finance Focus on corporate value: its measurement, and its maximisation through corporate financial decisions, growth strategies, and governance practices. Get a good grounding in corporate finance theory and an appreciation of the related empirical evidence. Introductory Econometrics for Finance Discover the econometric techniques used in empirical finance literature. Building on Introductory Quantitative Techniques for Finance module, you'll gain a solid understanding of the econometric approaches that are commonly employed to test financial theories.
Optional modules
Business Economics Develop your understanding of a number of areas of business economics, with a focus on theory. Topics include Economics of entrepreneurship, small business, international business and theories of the firm. Games and Economic Behaviour In this module, you’ll actively participate in one or more models of economic phenomena through an online gaming platform. You’ll gain greater insight into the assumptions and mechanisms underlying models of economic behaviour with the game-based versions of each model. Economics of Social Policy Develop your understanding of how economic analysis can be applied to the real-world problems faced by policy makers. You’ll study socioeconomic problems and the role of Government policy. You’ll learn techniques from both microeconomics and macroeconomics to analyse topics such as poverty and inequality, housing, crime, health and education,. economics. Economic History Understand how the world economy got to be where it is today, focusing on significant periods of economic change from the commercial revolution of
Tuition fees for new UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250 Tuition fees for new international students: £22,350
