LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
Programme Specification
Diploma in Economics
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the
programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected
to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are
provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning
and assessment methods of each module can be found in Module Specifications and other
programme documentation and online at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/.
The accuracy of the information in this document is reviewed by the University and may be
checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
Awarding body/institution
Loughborough University
Teaching institution (if different)
Details of accreditation by a
professional/statutory body
Name of the final award
Diploma
Programme title
Economics
UCAS code
Date at which the programme
specification was written or revised.
September 2010
1. Aims of the programme
 To provide a conversion to economics for people without specialist undergraduate
preparation
 To provide a sound foundation in research methods and economic theory
 To equip students with appropriate tools of analysis to allow them to tackle contemporary
issues in economic policy
 To provide students with the knowledge and research skills base from which they can
proceed to postgraduate study in any sub-discipline of economics
 To develop in students a range of transferable skills that will be of value in employment
and self-employment
2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference
points used to inform programme outcomes
The Diploma in Economics conforms to the benchmark standards for undergraduate honours
degrees in economics issued by the Quality Assurance Agency.
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/default.asp.
The Diploma in Economics programme is monitored through links both formal and informal
with external examiners and conforms to the Loughborough University standards and codes
of practice in learning, teaching and teaching support as described by the University
Learning and Teaching Strategy document, to be found at
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/policy/learning_and_teaching/
3. Intended Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate
knowledge and understanding of and competence in:
 Basic economic theory and applied macroeconomic issues
 The economics of consumer and firm behaviour
 The quantitative methods and computing techniques necessary for analysis of issues in
macroeconomics and microeconomics
 Setting out and reviewing topics in economics that have been the subject of debate in
economic journals and other literature.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved and
demonstrated:
 Learning and teaching is provided through lectures, seminars and tutorials, computer
workshops, web-based guided study and guided independent work.
 Provision for learning assistance by personal contact with module teachers is provided
through timetabled ‘office hours’.
 Feedback on the learning process is provided through coursework assignment, class
tests, web-based study (for example, structured exercise and answer packages, that allow
self-assessment of progress), and one-to-one contact with staff. Feedback may
sometimes occur through tutorials, as determined by individual module organisers.
 Demonstration of learning achievement is through formal examination, tests and
assignments.
Skills and other attributes:
a. Subject-specific cognitive skills
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
 Analyse theoretical and practical problems in macroeconomics and microeconomics by
using the theories and quantitative methods appropriate to those disciplines
 Synthesise important issues and themes from the professional and academic literature in
economics
 Interpret regressions using standard inferential techniques and fit regressions to economic
data using an econometric computer package
 Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved and
demonstrated
 Learning and formal assessment of skills in Quantitative and Econometric Methods,
Macroeconomics and Microeconomics
 Preparation of essays that critically review theories and application of theories in
Macroeconomics and Microeconomics.
b. Subject-specific practical skills
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
 Present word-processed written reports using structure, paragraphing and citation,
appropriate to academic standards in economics
 Construct and interpret tables of statistical data and carry out statistical hypothesis tests.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved and
demonstrated:
 Preparation of assessed coursework essays
 Formal assessment by test and examination
c. Key/transferable skills
On successful completion of this programme, students should have acquired skills in:
 Numeracy and communication
 Information Technology (word processing, data analysis using spread-sheet and statistical
packages, handling and retrieval of information, use of the Internet, the University Intranet
and Library on-line systems)
 Independent-study and group work
 Time management.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved and
demonstrated:
Skills are acquired and assessed across the entire range of taught modules. Different
modules emphasise different skills. Numeracy skills are taught in Quantitative Methods,
Econometrics and Interpretation of Data and IT. Core modules in economics address the
theories that form the basis for analysis and synthesis in those areas. All modules use written
communication. Feedback on assessed coursework covers all aspects of skills acquisition.
4. Programme structures and requirements, levels, modules, credits and awards
The Diploma in Economics is a full-time programme with each module taught over two
semesters. The programme comprises 5 modules as follows:
Total Modular Weight of 120 – (all modules are compulsory)
CODE
TITLE
MODULAR WEIGHT
ECP001
ECP002
ECP003
ECP004
ECP005
Interpretation of Data
Macroeconomic Analysis
Microeconomic Analysis
Econometrics
Quantitative Methods
20
30
30
20
20
Exceptionally and with the permission of the Programme Director or Deputy Director of the
School (Economics) a candidate may be permitted to replace ECP001 (Interpretation of Data
and IT) and/or ECP005 (Quantitative Methods) with modules from the list of undergraduate
modules taught by the School of Business and Economics (if suitable modules are available
and timetabling allows).
A more detailed description of the Programme structure and modules can be found at the
following link:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/lps/progreg/year/1011/index.htm
5. Criteria for admission to the programme:
The up-to-date criteria for admission to this programme can be found at:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/prospectus/pg/courses/dept/ec/e_dip/index.htm
6. Information about assessment regulations:
Assessment for the taught modules is by coursework (essay, class test or other assignment)
and three-hour formal examination. The coursework and examination weightings are
Code
ECP001
ECP002
ECP003
ECP004
ECP005
Title
Interpretation of Data
Macroeconomic Analysis
Microeconomic Analysis
Econometrics
Quantitative Methods
Exam
70%
70%
70%
60%
70%
Coursework
30%
30%
30%
40%
30%
In order to gain credit for a module, students must achieve a pass mark of 40%.
The Diploma in Economics shall be awarded to a candidate obtaining 100 modular credits.
The module weights ensure that credit in both Macroeconomics Analysis and Microeconomic
Analysis is necessary for the award of Diploma in Economics.
The Diploma in Economics with Distinction shall be awarded to a candidate obtaining 120
modular credits and an overall weighted percentage for the programme of 70%.
Candidates who have the right to be re-assessed in a module will have the opportunity to be
re-assessed in the University’s Special Assessment Period (SAP).
7 What makes the programme distinctive?
This course provides a conversion to economics for people without specialist undergraduate
preparation
8. Particular support for learning:
Up-to-date information can be found at:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/templateshop/notes/lps/index.htm
9. Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards of learning:
The University’s formal quality management and reporting procedures are laid out in its
Academic Quality Procedures Handbook, available online at:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/policy/aqp/index.htm