Overview

Why are markets so powerful in most economies today? What is the role of the government in different economies, and how does this role shape opportunities of different people and firms? What explains global inequalities? Why is economic growth such a key economic goal in most countries today? Are there other goals economies could pursue? You'll unravel similar questions, using insights from recent history, key economic thinkers, and drawing on economic perspectives and examples.

Economics in context module is offered at The Open University UK

What you will study

There are three blocks of study as follows:

Block 1

This provides a detailed historical analysis of how the UK economy, and its interactions with other economies, has changed since the 1700s. You'll look at some of the reasons why the Industrial Revolution occurred in the UK at that time. It also explores the themes of the module: change, agents and success, navigating through events in economic history, and in economics as a discipline.

Block 2

In this block you'll explore the market and the role of markets in societies. The view of economics that looks at economic agents and their motives in isolation is the foundation to thinking about markets as the interactions between these agents, and their measures of success; and also how markets operate within economies that have organised themselves, and their main economic activities, in particular ways. You'll look at the competitive model of the market and as economists often analyse formal models using diagrams – a key skill in the economist’s toolkit – extensive use of demand and supply diagrams is made to explain how the model works.

Block 3

This third block looks at economies in a more holistic way, critically reflecting on the best way of organising economic activities, and striking a balance between market activity and government intervention. The key areas that are explored are employment, industry and trade. You'll return to discussions of economics across time and place to explore the experiences and evolution of markets under different types of economic systems. This block will also give you the chance to measure and explain success through the use and collection of data sources, which is another important skill in the economist’s toolkit.

Programme Structure

This module has three primary aims:

provide you with foundations of economics and an initial set of skills and tools economists use
provide an insight into how economics and the economies have evolved over time
engage you with a large number of perspectives within and around the discipline of economics, and to embed standard economics in context.

Key information

Duration

Part-time
- 9 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2023-10-02 00:00:00
- Apply before 2023-09-09 00:00:00
Starting 2024-02-05 00:00:00
- Apply before 2024-01-13 00:00:00

Language

English

Credits

30 alternative credits

Delivered

Online

Disciplines

Economics Business Administration International Business View 59 other Short Courses in Economics in United Kingdom

Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

We are not aware of any English requirements for this programme.

Other requirements

General requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this module.

You'll learn and engage with some techniques such as numerical calculus, descriptive charts, and more abstract diagrams, and you'll learn to use them when writing your assignments.

During your studies, there will be two weeks of study to further support skills development.

Tuition Fee

To always see correct tuition fees

International

1584 GBP/full

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 1584 GBP for the full programme during 9 months.
National

1584 GBP/full

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 1584 GBP for the full programme during 9 months.

Funding

Studyportals Tip: Students can search online for independent or external scholarships that can help fund their studies. Check the scholarships to see whether you are eligible to apply. Many scholarships are either merit-based or needs-based.

Studyportals Scholarship Deadline: 30 June 2020

Apply and win up to €10000 to cover your tuition fees.

Studyportals Scholarship Deadline: 30 June 2020

Apply and win up to €10000 to cover your tuition fees.

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Economics in context

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