| Code | Subject available through multiple programmes |
|---|---|
| Subject Title | Economics |
| Teaching Mode | Full-time |
| Qualifications | BA (Hons) |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 |
Course Outline
Economics is the study of people’s motives, expectations, decisions, hopes, disappointments and uncertainties. It can be used to examine a variety of issues, from social media to poverty.
The language of work, business, government and the media is increasingly drawn from economics.
Graduates with an economics qualification are needed to address the problems and challenges that are facing business, government and society today.
Choosing economics will give you an excellent foundation for a career in business, finance, government, teaching and the media, and for doing further study in business courses such as marketing, management and computing. The teaching approach that we use will prepare you for working in the knowledge economy.
You do not need to have Economics in the Leaving Certificate to study Economics at UCC.
Modules
Year 1 Modules:
- EC1106 Introductory Microeconomics (5 credits)
- EC1116 Introductory Macroeconomics (5 credits)
- EC1131 Economic Decision Making (5 credits)
Year 2 Modules:
Students decide how many credits of economics they wish to study. Students can study 10 credits, 20 credits, 30 credits, 40 credits or 50 credits of economics. Once the students select the number of credits the module they will study is specified. The most popular choice is 30 credits. This allows students to combine economics with another subject from the wonderful array of subjects available.
Economics becomes more quantitative in second year with greater use of mathematics, statistics and diagrams.
Core
Microeconomics: Behaviour and Organisations; Microeconomics: Organisations and Institutions; Macroeconomics: Growth and Development; Macroeconomics: Business Cycles
Electives
Economic Data and Skills for Data Collection; Skills for Interpretation of Economic Data; Introduction to Mathematical Economic Analysis; Introduction to Statistical Economic Analysis; Reasoning and Critical Thinking in Economics; Reflection and Persuasion in Economics
Year 3*/4 Modules:
Students build on and apply, the material from second year. The greater emphasis on application is illustrated by the fact that there is a 5-credit project course in both semester 1 and semester 2. Students are also required to take 5 credits of econometrics in semester 1.
Students are exposed to the application of economics to areas like human resources, financial markets, regional economies, and sport.
Modules:
The Economics of Corporate Strategy; Capital Markets and Asset Valuation; Portfolio Theory and Asset Management; Economics of the Labour Market; Human Resource Economics; Health Economics; Public Expenditure; Public Finance; Growth and Competitiveness; Growth and Innovation; Principles of Insurance; Quantitative Methods: Econometrics; Survey Methods
*BA International students spend third year studying in an approved foreign university in a country of the student's major language or subject. They will return to complete their final year in UCC in Year 4.
Academic Programme Catalogue
See the Academic Programme Catalogue for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year-to-year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.
Course Practicalities
Expected lecture hours: The number of lecture hours each week depends on the amount of economics studies with two hours for every 10 credits, e.g. six hours of lectures for 30 credits.
You will be supported on your learning journey with a combination of tutor-led clinics and lecturer online learning tutorials.
Expected tutorial & practical hours: Tutorials are provided in first year and for some of the second year modules. Practicals are provided in the statistical modules.
Assessment: One third of the final economics marks comes from second year. The remaining two-thirds comes from third year. Written exams will take place before Christmas and in May.
Why Choose This Course
It might sound obvious but “economics” is the unique aspect of this course. Students who successfully complete this course will know how economists think. Students undertaking the B.A. have an opportunity to sample a wonderful array of subjects of which economics is one.
Economics will develop your knowledge of economics, your professional skills and yourself, for life after university.
The curriculum for the course is informed by lecturers’ research. Up-to-date teaching methods are used as most staff have a qualification in teaching and learning in higher education.
Placement or Study Abroad Information
Study abroad: If you are studying through the BA International, you will spend Year 3 studying at one of our partner universities abroad. We currently have links with universities in: Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden Mexico, and the USA.
Work placement: If you study through the BA or the BA International, you will have the opportunity to avail of a work placement in Year 2. You can find out more here.
Skills and Careers Information
Economics provides a whole range of skills (analytical, problem-solving, computers, data handling, presentation and communication) and knowledge required by employers. Our teaching approach at UCC, with its emphasis on transformative education, will prepare you for the knowledge economy, the need for continual change and for life-long learning.
Graduates with Economics have traditionally gone into a wide variety of different types of jobs, including:
- teaching
- banking and finance
- business consultancy
- journalism
Many of our students have continued into postgraduate education and professional training in areas such as economics, finance, and business-related courses such as marketing, management and computing.
Requirements
Non-EU Applicants
Non-EU applicants are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate. In addition, where such applicants are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language.
To verify if you meet the minimum academic and language requirements visit our qualification comparison page and refer to our International Office page for more information.
Fees and Costs
- Whether you are an EU or Non-EU student will affect the course fees applicable to you. See more information on EU Fees, Non-EU Fees, or Free Fees Status.
- The State will pay the tuition fees for EU students who are eligible under the Free Fees Scheme. The annual student contribution and capitation fees are payable by the student.
- See the Fee Schedule to find out the course fee.
- Check out scholarships that may be available to you.
- Explore our Nurturing Bright Futures free online course (Module 5) to learn about managing your money as a student and budgeting for university life.
How To Apply
Irish and European (EU/EFTA/UK) Applicants
Apply via the CAO. See the CAO Handbook for useful information on applying through the CAO.
Mature Applicants
Apply via the CAO by 1 February. To apply for a place as a mature student, you must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the year of entry.
QQI/FET Applicants
Apply via the CAO. See our QQI/FET Applicants page for information on the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) Further Education and Training (FET) application process.
Non-EU Applicants
If you are from outside the EU/EFTA/UK, apply online via the UCC Apply portal. See our International Office page for more information.