Course summary

The Advanced Diploma in Economics is a nine-month taught course (from the last week in September to the end of June) for students whose first degree contains little or no economics. The Advanced Diploma programme sets out to give a thorough grounding in the essentials of modern economics, with a strong emphasis on practical applications. It is intended primarily as a conversion course: individuals already trained in another discipline should acquire the same basic skills, over the course of a single academic year, as would normally be gained by those studying for a three-year degree in economics. As such it can serve either as a free-standing course for those who wish to have an overview of the subject or as the first year of a two-year master's programme, with the Faculty's MPhil in Economics, MPhil in Economic Research or MPhil in Finance and Economics degrees as the second year. Since modern economics makes frequent use of formal (mathematical and statistical) analysis, a good mathematical background is essential for applicants to the Diploma programme.