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ES52072: Policy briefs

[Page last updated: 14 August 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Economics
Credits: 30 [equivalent to 60 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 600
Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Period:
Dissertation Period
Assessment Summary: CWDI 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Policy briefs (CWDI 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: Students need to have passed the taught stage of their programme to take this module.
Learning Outcomes: Ability to develop rigorous arguments through precise use of concepts in Economics or Finance. Ability to select, analyse and present numerical data using econometric packages. Ability to select, summarise and synthesise written information from multiple sources. Ability to apply theory to policy areas. Comprehensive and scholarly written communication. Effective oral communication (e.g. supervisor questions and answers). Ability to formulate a research question, then develop and present an original and coherent answer. Ability to produce work to agreed specifications and deadlines. Ability to work independently.


Synopsis: The policy brief option is your opportunity to apply and extend the skills you have developed in your taught units. You will complete two policy briefs and two posters on a topic of interest under the guidance of an academic supervisor. You'll be taught to engage with academic literature in a systematic manner, which will advance your ability to plan, undertake, and evaluate policy briefs in economics or finance.

Content: The unit will teach students the essential steps of the research process and will require them to critically engage with published academic articles in a specialised field with the aim of engaging with real-world issues. Students will have regular supervision sessions with a member of staff who has related research interests, during the summer period. In these meetings the student will receive guidance on how to undertake research and how to write each policy brief. The supervisor will review progress and will respond to research initiatives shown by the student.

Course availability:

ES52072 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Economics

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.