Economics (through Transformational Learning) (BA (Hons))
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Programme Description
The BA (Hons) Economics (through Transformational Learning) is a degree in Economics with a difference. The transformational learning approach means that you are an active participant in your learning.
Our goal is to develop exceptional graduates who:
- question, analyse and research issues in business, finance, government
- use economics as a way of thinking
- think independently
- are effective communicators and active team players
- are aware of their own capabilities and strengths and able to plan for their future careers
Classes are interactive, which enables us to work with you to create diverse learning experiences that enhance your understanding of Economics. You will be challenged and supported to develop your own ideas, views and perspectives using Economics, while targeting the expansion of your skills and workplace competencies.
Unique to this programme is the Transition to Professional Life module, helping you to plan and work towards your future career.
Modules
Year 1 Modules:
Core
45 credits of Economics:
- EC1113 The World of Economics: Cooperation in the Economic System (5 credits);
- EC1114 The World of Economics: Public Policy in the Economic System (5 credits);
- EC1115 The World of Economics: Coordination and Individual Decision Making (5 credits);
- EC1107 Reading Economists (5 credits);
- EC1108 Communicating Economic Reasoning (5 credits);
- EC1109 Transition to Professional Life I (10 credits)
- EC1111 Economic Data Collection (5 credits);
- EC1112 Economic Data as Evidence (5 credits);
Electives
15 credits of another First Arts subject from Groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 6
Year 2 Modules:
The Changing Economy: Recessions and Booms; Money and Monetary Policy; Government Spending and Tax; Economic Journey through Life Decisions: Economic Information and Uncertainty; Firms in a World of Uncertainty; Behavioural Economics; Economic Modelling of Decision Makers; Empirical Research Methods; Reasoning and Problem Solving in Economics; Research in Economics; Transition to Professional Life
Year 3 Modules:
The Economics of Creativity; The Role of Place in Innovation; The Wealth and Poverty of Nations: International Cooperation; Economic Growth and Development; Financial Institutions and Markets; Either Economics and the Labour Market or Health Economics or the Economics of Sport, Methods for Economic Investigation: Survey Design and Implementation; Research Methods for Economic Investigation: Empirical Econometrics; Undergraduate Dissertation; Transition to Professional Life
See the College Calendar for additional information on the Programme and the Book of Modules for further details on modules.
Why Choose This Course
This degree invites you to participate actively in your study of Economics.
You are supported and challenged to develop your ideas, your voice and your identity in the context of this dialogue with Economics.
The Transition to Professional Life modules enable you to practically participate in your development while at university, in a unique three-way University–Industry Collaboration involving the Career Service UCC, lecturers in the Dept. of Economics and employers.
The Transition to Professional Life modules won the AHECS (2017) Excellence in Employability Award. “This is a developmental, inspiration and incremental employability initiative that can act as template for other departments and other institutions”.
Shortlisted for the Irish Education Awards Best Career Impact Strategy Award in 2019.
Highly renowned thinker in adult learning and development Prof Robert Kegan of Harvard University in the US, has praised the design of the programme in terms of its “thoughtfulness, originality and usefulness”.
Skills and Careers Information
The following work-based competencies are specifically targeted to improve your employability:
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problem-solving and analytical skills
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critical reasoning skills
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communication and presentation skills
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numeracy and IT skills
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group work/leadership skills
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planning and organizational skills
Graduates with Economics have traditionally gone into a wide variety of careers such as:
- economic consultancy
- data analyst
- junior economist
- project management
- advisory services
- accountancy
- marketing
- banking
- postgraduate, doctoral and professional training
The capability to be reflective, self-aware, creative and to develop yourself is in keeping with the need today for self-motivated and independent graduates able to change and adapt throughout their working lives.
Study Abroad
You have the option of studying abroad in Year 3. You will then return to UCC in Year 4 to complete the programme.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
- Communicate and Work effectively to a Professional Standard
- Demonstrate analytical and problem solving skills associated with effective practice
- Engage in the application of frameworks and techniques in organisational practice
- Demonstrate independent research capabilities
- Demonstrate self-awareness of their strengths, capabilities and weaknesses
- Be personal leaders in their own education.
Practicalities & Assessment
Expected lecture hours: Classes consist of interactive seminars/workshops in a highly supportive and challenging learning environment. In year 1 you will have about 12 hours on average per week; in years 2 and 3 you will have about 12 hours on average a week.
Expected lab/practical hours: Practicals are provided in the statistical packages in Empirical Research Methods, Econometrics and Survey Design and Implementation.
Full module information is detailed in the section below.
Assessment
Written exams will take place at the end of Semester 1 and Semester 2. Not all modules will have formal examinations. Many modules use other types of assessment including:
- group projects and individual assignments
- oral presentations, poster presentations, videos
- business and economic report writing, research dissertation, newspaper articles
- interactive blogs, reflective journaling interview preparation and performance
Modules
Year 1
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Reading Economists
Year 1
Reading Economists (EC1107)
To foster participants's development through an exploration of the writings of Economists.
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Communicating Economic Reasoning
Year 1
Communicating Economic Reasoning (EC1108)
To foster participant's development through critical reasoning skills and written communication skills
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Transition to Professional Life I
Year 1
Transition to Professional Life I (EC1109)
To grow the perspective and mindset of participants through the development of (i) workplace competencies and (ii) self-awareness and reflection
More Information - Economic Data Collection
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Economic Data As Evidence
Year 1
Economic Data As Evidence (EC1112)
To evaluate how economic data is used as evidence in economic arguments and in decision making.
More Information -
The World of Economics [Microeconomics]: Co-operation in the Economic System
Year 1
The World of Economics [Microeconomics]: Co-operation in the Economic System (EC1113)
To introduce the Economic way of thinking through the application of key ideas and theories in public policy. To explain how co-operation by consumers, firms and government affect the allocation of resources and the distribution of income and goods.
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The World of Economics [Macroeconomics]: Public Policy in the Economic System
Year 1
The World of Economics [Macroeconomics]: Public Policy in the Economic System (EC1114)
To introduce the Economic method of thinking and analysis through the application of key ideas and theories in public policy. To explain how the interaction of decisions by consumers, firms and government affect the allocation of resources and the distrib
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The World of Economics [Microeconomics]: Coordination and Individual Decision Making
Year 1
The World of Economics [Microeconomics]: Coordination and Individual Decision Making (EC1115)
To introduce students to key concepts of the market economy. To explain what motivates individuals, how they make decisions and how they try to maximise their happiness levels.To examine the role of the entrepreneur in market economies and to understand h
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Year 2
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Transition to Professional Life II
Year 2
Transition to Professional Life II (EC2006)
To grow the perspective and mindset of participants through the development and practice of (i) workplace competencies (ii) and reflection.
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The Changing Economy [Macroeconomics]: Recessions and Booms in Ireland & International Economy
Year 2
The Changing Economy [Macroeconomics]: Recessions and Booms in Ireland & International Economy (EC2009)
Participants will be able to think through issues and questions about the business cycle using theory and economic data.
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The Changing Economy [Macroeconomics]: Money and Monetary Policy
Year 2
The Changing Economy [Macroeconomics]: Money and Monetary Policy (EC2010)
Participants will be able to think through issues and questions about the role of money and credit in the economy and monetary institutions.
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The Changing Economy [Macroeconomics]: Government Spending and Tax in Ireland and International Economy
Year 2
The Changing Economy [Macroeconomics]: Government Spending and Tax in Ireland and International Economy (EC2011)
Introduce participants to the concepts of government spending and taxation. Explain the historical conditions which contributed to the emergence of both as key concepts in macroeconomics and indicators of government stability. Analyse government spending
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Quantitative Methods: Empirical Research Methods
Year 2
Quantitative Methods: Empirical Research Methods (EC2013)
To explore the basic statistical techniques used to formulate and test research questions.
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Reasoning and Problem Solving in Economics
Year 2
Reasoning and Problem Solving in Economics (EC2014)
To foster participant's development through economic reasoning, problem solving and case study analysis.
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Research in Economics
Year 2
Research in Economics (EC2015)
The aim of this module is to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to critically evaluate research in economics and prepare for their own research project.
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Economic Journey Through life Decisions [Microeconomics]: Economic Information and Uncertainty
Year 2
Economic Journey Through life Decisions [Microeconomics]: Economic Information and Uncertainty (EC2016)
Participants will be enabled to develop models of human action to investigate the role of information and uncertainty in individual and firm decision making.
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Economic Journey Through life Decisions [Microeconomics]: Firms in a World of Uncertainty
Year 2
Economic Journey Through life Decisions [Microeconomics]: Firms in a World of Uncertainty (EC2017)
Participants will be enabled to develop mental models of human action to investigate firms in world of uncertainty.
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Economics Journey Through Life's Decisions [Microeconomics]: Behavioural Economics
Year 2
Economics Journey Through Life's Decisions [Microeconomics]: Behavioural Economics (EC2018)
To introduce the strengths and weaknesses of the neoclassical models of decision making and understand how they depart from empirical evidence. To examine how the discipline of psychology when combined with economics may help our understanding of how indi
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Year 3
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Transition for Professional Life III
Year 3
Transition for Professional Life III (EC3134)
To grow the perspective and mindset of participants through the development and practice of (i) workplace competencies (ii) and reflection.
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The Economics of Creativity
Year 3
The Economics of Creativity (EC3137)
This module will enable participants to investigate the complex, multidimensional nature of creativity using the conceptual lens of motivation, incentives and institutions.
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The Role of Place for Innovation
Year 3
The Role of Place for Innovation (EC3138)
Students will examine the impact of 'place' and geography for innovation in countries.
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The Wealth and Poverty of Nations: International Cooperation
Year 3
The Wealth and Poverty of Nations: International Cooperation (EC3139)
Students will be able to think through issues and questions on International Cooperation using theory and economic data.
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The Wealth and Poverty of Nations: Economic Growth and Development
Year 3
The Wealth and Poverty of Nations: Economic Growth and Development (EC3140)
Participants will be able to think through and formulate arguments on the determinants of the wealth and poverty of nations.
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The Wealth and Poverty of Nations: Financial Institutions and Markets
Year 3
The Wealth and Poverty of Nations: Financial Institutions and Markets (EC3141)
Participants will be able to understand the operation of banks and financial markets and the implication for countries' economic performance
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Quantitative Methods for Economic Investigation: Survey Design and Implementation
Year 3
Quantitative Methods for Economic Investigation: Survey Design and Implementation (EC3142)
Develop the student's range of research skills through survey design and implementation. Participants will collect and analyse primary data through designing and implementing a survey results.
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Quantitative Methods for Economic Investigation: Empirical Econometrics
Year 3
Quantitative Methods for Economic Investigation: Empirical Econometrics (EC3143)
Develop the participant's range of research skills by introducing more advanced techniques for conducting empirical research using the theories learnt in the thematic modules.
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Honours Dissertation
Year 3
Honours Dissertation (EC3144)
Students are to be enabled to develop the skills, attitudes and experience necessary to engage in competent research.
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For full programme requirements, please refer to the University College Cork Academic Calendar here
Back to topEntry Requirements
Leaving Certificate entry requirements:
At Least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H5 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:
English |
Irish |
Other Language |
Maths |
O6/H7 |
O6/H7 |
O6/H7 |
O6/H7 |
Mature students: Mature applicants should apply directly through the CAO and include a statement of interest. Leaving Certificate Mathematics is recommended. Applicants will be required to attend for interview. Approximately two places are available to mature applicants.
International Students should visit the International Education website.
Non-EU Candidates
Non-EU candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to Irish university primary degree level. In addition, where such candidates 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 requirements for this programme please visit our qualification comparison pages.
For more detailed entry requirement information please refer to the International website .
Application Process
EU Applicants: Application to Year 1 of the degree programme is made directly through the Central Applications Office (CAO). Applicants should apply online at www.cao.ie. The normal closing date for receipt of completed applications is 1st February of the year of entry.
Mature Applicants: Application is made through the CAO and the closing date for receipt of completed applications is 1st February of the year of proposed entry.
Non-EU Applications
For full details of the non-EU application procedure please visit our how to apply pages for international students. In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
Not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above.
For more information please contact the International Office.
New Leaving Cert Scale
Revised Common Points Scale for Entry into Higher Education
The revised scale, which has been developed collaboratively by the universities and institutes of technology, builds on the package of reforms announced by the Minister in April, and will apply to students who sit the Leaving Certificate from 2017.
The main features of the new scale are that:
- it maintains the current alignment between the points awarded for achievement at Higher Level and the points awarded for achievement at Ordinary Level;
- the difference in the points awarded for each grade varies, reducing the probability that students will achieve the same overall points score. This will help to minimise the allocation of places in higher education by random selection;
- it will encourage the take-up of Higher Level subjects through the introduction of points for the new H7 grade.
- it continues to award Bonus Points for Higher Level Maths