University of Nottingham Malaysia

Economics BSc (Hons)

     
  

Fact file

Qualification: BSc (Hons)
Fees: Malaysian – RM37,300 per year, Non-Malaysian – RM46,800 per year
Mode: Full-time, 3 years
Intake: September
Campus: Malaysia

Course overview

Offering you the flexibility to tailor your module choice to your interests, this course provides a solid grounding in a wide range of techniques and skills sought after by employers.

Macroeconomics, microeconomics, mathematics and statistics form the core of the degree. The school offers a wide range of optional modules covering a diverse set of economics topics. You will also have the flexibility to select modules offered by other schools and departments across the University. 

By the end of your course, you will have a thorough understanding of economic theory and how it is applied to the real world. You will also be familiar with the key analytical techniques that economists use in practice. 

Year one 

Providing you with a solid grounding in introductory economic theory and mathematics/statistics, your first year of study will focus on the relevance of such methods to the study of economic questions of cultural, political and social importance.

You will explore current issues and perspectives and will typically take a year-long study skills module to ensure that your transition to university study is smooth. We also provide a dedicated module that focuses on career skills and employability, including guidance on preparing your CV, interview techniques and applying for internships.

Year two 

You will develop your analytical skills and knowledge of the core disciplines of economics and quantitative methods, as well as the major sub-disciplines of economics. In year two, you will take applied econometrics, microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, and optional modules such as development economics, behavioural and experimental economics, international trade, and financial economics.

You can also apply to spend a semester of your second year studying abroad, taking similar modules to your counterparts back in Nottingham or expanding your knowledge through other options. 

Year three 

In your final year you will examine the major themes in economics at an advanced level and build on the topics covered in previous years. You will select modules that interest you from a wide range of specialist options that reflect our academics' research expertise in both theoretical and applied aspects of the discipline.

Under the guidance of your tutor, you'll also undertake a year-long dissertation on a topic of your choice and will gain experience of the research process.

Entry requirements

Our Foundation course route

Our Foundation courses give you another way to study for an undergraduate degree. 

Entry requirements

A Level

BBB, excluding critical thinking and general studies

IB Diploma 

30 points with 5,5,5 at Higher Level and 5 points in mathematics at Higher level or 6 points at Standard Level

STPM 

B+B+B+ excluding Pengajian Am

UEC 

2 As and 3 B3s, excluding Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese language

SAM or other Australian matriculations

ATAR 86 (consideration to be made based on relevant subjects)   

Canadian Ontario Grade 12 Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)  

79% average based on 6 subjects with 60% in Calculus and Vectors and 70% in Mathematics of Data Management

Canadian Secondary School Diplomas from other provinces are acceptable and to be assessed based on the University's requirements.

Advance Placement (AP) 4,4,4 in relevant subjects. Applicants taking non-preferred subjects may be made an offer across more than three subjects at Advanced Placement level.
Diploma - Other Institutions  Acceptance to the second year is on a case by case basis (and at the discretion of the School) but normally would require an overall GPA of 3.3 (out of 4) or 70% and above (consideration to be made based on relevant subjects), and previous studies must meet the prerequisite requirements to the programme
Foundation - Other Institutions   Acceptance is at the discretion of the School but normally would require an overall GPA of 3.3 (out of 4) or 70% and above (consideration to be made based on relevant subjects), and previous studies must meet the prerequisite requirements to the programme

University of Nottingham Malaysia Foundation 

Sucessful completion of any Foundation programme and meeting mathemetics requirements.

 

In addition to the entry requirements listed above, those who have taken SPM/GCSE/IGCSE/High School Diploma or equivalent must have grade A in Mathematics.

We strongly encourage all interested students to apply. Our students come to us with a diverse range of qualifications and we also consider applicants' personal statement, references and interview performance (if you have one) when making a decision. The only way for us to fully determine eligibility is through the submission of a completed application.

Entry requirements in the prospectus and website may not always apply and individual offers may vary.

English language requirements
IELTS (Academic): 6.5 (with no less than 6.0 in each element)
TOEFL (iBT): 87 (minimum 20 in speaking and 19 in all other elements)
GCE A Level English Language or English Literature: grade C
GCE AS Level English Language or English Literature: grade C
PTE (Academic): 71 (with no less than 65 in each element)
SPM:  grade A-
1119 (GCE-O Level): grade B
GCSE O Level:   grade C 
IGCSE (first language):  grade C
IGCSE (second language): grade B
MUET: Band 4
UEC:  grade A2 
IB English A1 or A2 (Standard or Higher Level):  4 points 
IB English B (Higher Level): 4 points 
IB English B (Standard Level):  5 points 
IELTS ,TOEFL and PTE (Academic) test results must be less than 2 years old and all IELTS must be the academic version of the test. MUET results are valid for five years from the date of the release of results.
 

Foundation

The Foundation in Business and Management is a 1+3 year programme that results in direct progression to the undergraduate degrees related to business and management. This rigorous programme provides students with a strong academic background that will result in enhanced language, communication, critical thinking and study skills.

Students on this programme also chose from a range of elective modules that provide the opportunity to sample topics related to their chosen undergraduate pathway such business economics, management and quantitative methods. 

Modules

Year one 

Typical core modules  

  • Introduction to Macroeconomics
This is a single semester introductory module in macroeconomics. Macroeconomics is the study of the aggregate economy, focusing on the cyclical pattern of aggregate output and co-movement of real and monetary aggregates in general equilibrium. 

This module introduces a series of basic models used in modern macroeconomics, with a particular focus on dynamic general equilibrium modelling tools and techniques necessary to build theoretical models. 
Introduction to Microeconomics
This module is an introduction to microeconomics, including behaviour of firms and households in situations of competitive and imperfectly competitive markets. 
Quantitative Economics
The first half of the module provides an introduction to the mathematical methods required for economic modelling, focusing on

  • mathematical finance
  • analysis of functions
  • supply and demand
  • matrix algebra
  • differentiation
  • elasticities
  • maximisation/minimisation
  • optimisation subject to constraints
  • Lagrange multipliers
  • integration 

The second half introduces the statistical methods and concepts most applicable in economics. The analysis of economic data necessarily proceeds in an environment where there is uncertainty about the processes that generated the data. Statistical methods provide a framework for understanding and characterising this uncertainty.

These concepts are most conveniently introduced through the analysis of single-variable problems. However, economists are most often concerned about relationships among variables. The module builds towards the study of regression analysis, which is often applied by economists in studying such relationships.

Typical optional modules: 

Economic Integration 1 and 2
Economic Integration 1 
This module introduces you to the economics of integration. The module analyses the consequences for countries seeking closer economic integration through successively more ambitious forms. This begins with a limited trade arrangement, followed by a common market, which also allows free movement of capital and migrant workers, and a Single Market.

The final part of the module examines monetary integration, beginning with exchange rate stabilisation and then considering Monetary Union. The module aims to combine principles of economic analysis with an assessment of the impact of such measures on the member economies.

Economic Integration 2 
This module introduces you to the economics of integration. It analyses the economic rationale for, and practice of, policy co-ordination and harmonisation both at the European and at a global level. An examination of the economic rationale for common EU policies is followed by an analysis of such examples as the common agricultural, trade and regional policies, and the operation of the European Budget.

At the global level cooperation in trade, finance and development policies is reviewed in relation to the operation of institutions such as the World Trade Organisation, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The module aims to combine principles of economic analysis with an assessment of the impact of international policy coordination.

 

Year two

Typical core modules  

Macroeconomic Theory

This module will address both the fundamental and applied aspects of macroeconomic theory. In particular, the module will focus on: 

  • introducing the modern theory of expectations and economic dynamics
  • using this approach to think about short run fluctuations
  • studying the role of macro policy on short run fluctuations

The module will review the so-called modern approach to aggregate demand and aggregate supply. This entails incorporating into the classical approach to aggregate supply and aggregate demand insights from Keynesian economics. This will serve as a base to discuss the role of macro-policy in controlling for fluctuations in output and employment. 

Microeconomic Theory
This module covers intermediate microeconomics including general equilibrium analysis, welfare economics, elementary game theory, and strategic behaviour of firms. 
Applied Econometrics 1 and 2
An introduction to the theory and practice of econometric methods, focusing on regression analysis and its application to economic situations. This module will pay particular attention to the principles of estimation and inference in the multiple regression model, and will rely on illustrations and intuition to develop understanding of the techniques and their interpretation.

You will deepen your understanding of the material covered in class via a series of 'hands-on' computer classes using specialist econometric software (STATA) and a set of tutorials that will review worked examples.

It will also introduce you to regression analysis and forecasting using time series data. It will rely on illustrations and intuition to develop understanding of the techniques and their interpretation. You will advance your understanding of the material covered in class via a series of 'hands-on' computer classes using Stata. A set of tutorials will also examine topics discussed in the lectures through worked examples.

Typical optional modules: 

Development Economics 

This module is a general introduction to the economic problems of developing countries. The module will cover such topics as: 

  • the implications of history and expectation
  • poverty, income distribution and growth
  • fertility and population
  • employment, migration and urbanisation
  • markets in agriculture
  • agricultural household modelsrisk and insurance
  • famines
Experimental and Behavioural Economics
This module provides a foundation in behavioural economics and the role of experimental methods in economics. The traditional approach in economics is to explain market outcomes and economic decision-making using simple theoretical models based on perfectly rational, self-interested agents who maximise their well-being by carefully weighing up the costs and benefits of different alternatives. Behavioural economics, on the other hand, aspires to relax these stringent assumptions and develop an understanding of how real people actually make decisions.

The module will introduce you to behavioural and experimental economics, discuss these fields from a methodological perspective and examine several areas of economic analysis in which they are applied. This will include individual choice under risk and uncertainty, decision-making in strategic situations and competition in markets.
Financial Economics
This module will offer an introduction to some theoretical concepts related to the allocation of risk by financial institutions. Then it will apply these concepts to the analysis of financial and banking crises. 
International Trade
This module is an introduction to international trade theory and policy. It covers the core trade theories under perfect and imperfect competition and applies them to understanding the pattern of trade, gains from trade and modern topics like foreign outsourcing. On the policy side, it examines the effects of different government trade policy instruments and the role of international trade agreements. 

Year three  

Typical core modules  

Economic Dissertation
An independent research project, involving the application of techniques of economic analysis to a self-chosen research topic and the presentation of a written report. There will be lectures to provide general guidance on economic research methods and writing an undergraduate dissertation in economics.

Topics include:

  • introduction to the dissertation
  • types of dissertation
  • literature reviews
  • sources of data
  • writing up your dissertation
  • data entry and data management
  • an introduction to STATA
  • descriptive statistics
  • practical issues in regression analysis
  • model selection
  • endogeneity bias

Typical optional modules 

Advanced Development Economics
This module adopts a broad focus on factors influencing growth and development. Topics covered include macroeconomic policies, aid, debt, trade; growth experiences in East Asia, China and Africa. 
Advanced Experimental and Behavioural Economics
This module provides a window on three important sub-areas of experimental and behavioural economics. The first focuses on design issues and individual decision-making, the next two sections focus on applications to the study of strategic behaviour and market behaviour.

You do not need to have studied experimental or behavioural economics before because all topics will be introduced at a level that will be accessible to the newcomer. The module is, nevertheless, suitable as a sequel to the year two module Experimental and Behavioural Economics because the contents of the two modules cover distinct, but complementary, topics.
Advanced Financial Economics

The module covers: 

  • saving, focusing on how agents make intertemporal decisions about their savings and wealth accumulation
  • saving puzzles and household portfolios, focusing on credit markets and credit markets imperfections, and why do households hold different kinds of assets
  • asset allocation and asset pricing, focusing on intertemporal portfolio selection, asset pricing and the equity premium puzzle
  • the role of behavioural finance in explaining stock market puzzles
Advanced International Trade 1 and 2 

Advanced International Trade 1 

The module covers: 

  • Economic policy for trade and international factor mobility: theory and evidence
  • Trade policy and imperfect competition
  • Trade and distortions
  • The political economy of protection
  • Trade policy reform


Advanced International Trade 2 


The module looks at: 

  • Models of intra-industry trade
  • Trade policy in oligopolistic industries
  • Multinational Enterprises
  • Testing trade theories
  • The WTO and "new issues”
Advanced Macroeconomics

This module covers: 

  • dynamic general equilibrium models, focusing on how the time path of consumption, and saving, is determined by optimising agents and firms that interact on competitive markets
  • growth in dynamic general equilibrium, focusing on the Solow model and the data, and the role played by accumulation of knowledge (endogenous innovation) in explaining long run growth
  • Real Business Cycles (RBC), focusing on how the RBC approach accounts for business cycle fluctuations, and what links short run fluctuations and growth processes
International Money and Macroeconomics
This module will provide an introduction to international monetary issues, including the determination of exchange rates, and the functioning of the international monetary system.
Topics in Econometrics
This module is an introduction to applied time series forecasting techniques. Various methods of forecasting and their advantages as well as shortcomings will be discussed. The module will emphasize univariate time series forecasting methods, including that of Box and Jenkins (1970) and important advances made since.

Careers

Economics graduates from The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus have been recruited by commercial banks such as Alliance Bank, CIMB, Citibank, HSBC, OCBC, Royal Bank of Scotland, UOB, multinational companies such as Frank Knight, Frost & Sullivan,GlaxoSmithKline, IBM, KPMG, PwC, as well as policy institutes such as Asia Strategy and Leadership Institute, Bank Negara Malaysia and IDEAS.

In addition, a substantial fraction of our graduates are pursuing their master and doctoral studies around the world, as our three-year honours degree is internationally recognised for entry into postgraduate programmes of renown universities around the world, including the London School of Economics, University College London and the University of Warwick. 

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Contact

School of Economics
The University of Nottingham Malaysia
Jalan Broga,
43500 Semenyih,
Selangor Darul Ehsan,
Malaysia
t:   +6 (03) 8924 8000  
f:   +6 (03) 8924 8005 
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University of Nottingham Malaysia

Jalan Broga, 43500 Semenyih
Selangor Darul Ehsan
Malaysia

THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM IN MALAYSIA SDN. BHD.
DULN001(B) (473520-K)

telephone: +6 03 8924 8000
fax: +6 03 8924 8005

course enquiries: +6 03 8924 8686
Monday - Saturday 9:00am - 5:30pm (Except on public holidays)

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