Course unit details:
Econometrics

Course unit fact file
Unit code ECON30370
Credit rating 20
Unit level Level 3
Teaching period(s) Full year
Offered by Economics
Available as a free choice unit? Yes

Overview

To provide students with an understanding of the quantitative methods and tools that economists use and how they can be appropriately applied and interpreted. These methods and tools are used in practical and academic settings to test economic theories and measure magnitudes that are relevant for economic policy analysis and other decisions. These methods are a key element of the professional training an economist; they will provide a foundation for subsequent study of applied and quantitative topics and are useful in many careers in economics. The course aims to equip students with a number of core competencies including: (i) an awareness of the main empirical approach to economics, (ii) experience in the analysis and use of data and software packages as tools of quantitative and statistical analysis to answer topical economic questions, (iii) an understanding of the nature of uncertainty and methods of making inference in the presence of uncertainty.

The objectives of this course are that students will be able to:

  • understand the main techniques of quantitative economics and econometrics, including their strengths and limitations, at a level appropriate for an economics graduate
  • understand how these techniques can be applied to test economic theories and measure economic magnitudes, and have some knowledge of methods and results in selected areas of the applied economics literature
  • have some practical experience of the application of econometric methods based on practical exercises
  • have acquired the necessary skills and knowledge to be able to critically appraise work in the area of applied economics.
  • have a good intuitive and theoretical grasp of the dangers, pitfalls and problems encountered in doing applied modelling.
  • have the necessary background material so that they are able to go on to study more advanced and technical material in the area of econometrics.
  • use the R software package to obtain basic descriptive statistics using real world data and perform introductory econometric analysis. 

Pre/co-requisites

Unit title Unit code Requirement type Description
Advanced Mathematics ECON20071 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Advanced Statistics ECON20072 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
ECON20071 AND ECON20072 NOT AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS WHO TOOK ECON10071A OR ECON10071B IN YEAR 1 ECON20110/ECON30370/ECON20222 cannot be taken together

ECON20071 Adv Maths and ECON20072 Adv Stats

 

Aims

The aims of this course are:

1. To provide students with an understanding of the quantitative methods and tools that economists use and how they can be appropriately applied and interpreted. These methods and tools are used in practical and academic settings to test economic theories and measure magnitudes that are relevant for economic policy analysis and other decisions. These methods are a key element of the professional training an economist; they will provide a foundation for subsequent study of applied and quantitative topics and are useful in many careers in economics.

2. The course aims to equip students with a number of core competencies including: (i) an awareness of the main empirical approach to economics, (ii) experience in the analysis and use of data and software packages as tools of quantitative and statistical analysis to answer topical economic questions, (iii) an understanding of the nature of uncertainty and methods of making inference in the presence of uncertainty.

Learning outcomes

The objectives of this course are that students will be able to:

  • understand the main techniques of quantitative economics and econometrics, including their strengths and limitations, at a level appropriate for an economics graduate
  • understand how these techniques can be applied to test economic theories and
  • measure economic magnitudes, and have some knowledge of methods and results in selected areas of the applied economics literature
  • have some practical experience of the application of econometric methods based on practical exercises
  • have acquired the necessary skills and knowledge to be able to critically appraise work in the area of applied economics.
  • have a good intuitive and theoretical grasp of the dangers, pitfalls and problems encountered in doing applied modelling.
  • have the necessary background material so that they are able to go on to study more advanced and technical material in the area of econometrics.
  • use the R software package to obtain basic descriptive statistics using real world data and perform introductory econometric analysis.

Syllabus

Provisional

This course will introduce students to the theory and practice of econometric analysis. Each week part of the lectures will focus on the theoretical underpinnings of econometric analysis, and the remaining part of the lectures and associated example and computer sessions will focus on the practice and application of these ideas, with the aim of providing students with practical and intuitive real world applications of the theory.

  • simple linear regression models
  • multiple regression analysis
  • inference
  • functional form and dummy variables
  • parameter properties
  • asymptotic inference
  • omitted variable bias
  • instrumental variables
  • introduction to panel data
  • time-series data and time-series modelling
  • heteroscedasticity
  • autocorrelation
  • structural breaks
  • binary dependent variable models
  • maximum likelihood
  • Bayesian inference

Teaching and learning methods

Synchronous activities (such as Lectures or Review and Q&A sessions, and tutorials), and guided self-study

Employability skills

Analytical skills
Ability to analyse and interpret quantitative data.
Other
A fluency in using IT/computers for statistical research (programming skills).

Assessment methods

Semester 1:

5% Problem Sets x 4 (1.25% each)

10% Mid-term test

35% Exam

Semester 2:

5% Problem Sets x 4 (1.25% each)

10% Mid-term test

35% Exam

Feedback methods

  • Weekly online quizzes
  • Tutorial feedback.
  • PASS groups.
  • Office hours.
  • Revision sessions.
  • Discussion boards.
     

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Chenyang Wang Unit coordinator

Fees and funding

Fees

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2027 will be £10,050 per annum. Tuition fees for international students will be £34,800 per annum.

For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

We know that student finance can be complicated. The links below provide further information to help guide you.

Learn more about student finance options for UK students.

Learn more about fees and finance for international students.

As an international student you may be eligible for our Global Futures Scholarships. This is open to students starting their studies in September 2026.

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