Accessibility statement

Dissertation - ECO00045M

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  • Department: Economics and Related Studies
  • Credit value: 60 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
    • See module specification for other years: 2023-24
  • Notes: This is an independent study module

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Summer Term 2022-23 to Summer Vacation 2022-23
B Spring Term 2022-23 to Summer Vacation 2022-23
C Summer Vacation 2021-22 to Autumn Term 2022-23

Module aims

The aim of the module is to encourage students to put into practice the principles and techniques learned in the taught component of the MSc whilst independently carrying out in-depth analysis or critical review of a topic. A high degree of originality is not expected; instead, it cultivates the ability to arrive at carefully reasoned conclusions.

Topics for the dissertations are proposed by supervisors from the Economics and Mathematics Departments and distributed among students after the examinations in the Summer Term.  Students make their choices by ranking their preferred topics from the list and the topics are assigned so as to meet as far as possible the students' preferences and to ensure an equal distribution of topics between the two departments.

Work on the dissertation starts in earnest around Week 7 of the Summer term, with the supervisor expected to read and comment on preliminary drafts of the dissertation but to refrain from giving a lot of detailed help. Supervision arrangements are flexible---typically two short meetings prior to submission of a draft for comments with e-mail contact being an option but not the preferred one--- but up to supervisor.

Module learning outcomes

Module learning outcomes

On completing the module you will:

  • have acquired practical research experience,
  • be able to locate and critically appraise relevant technical literature bearing in mind the pitfalls of plagiarism,
  • have engaged in a project with a focus on financial engineering,
  • have enhanced and used specialized skills in mathematical theory, econometrics, and/or computer implementation,
  • developed some presentation skills, including bibliographic skills, in the process of writing up the results of your research and time management skills.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Graduate/Postgraduate Dissertation 100

Special assessment rules

Non-compensatable

Additional assessment information

Maximum word length 10,000 words.

Indicative reassessment

None

Module feedback

Feedback is provided through the Dissertation Supervisor during the module.

Individual feedback sheets are produced on the final Dissertation and uploaded onto the VLE.

Indicative reading

Students to identify appropriate reading possibly with some support from the Supervisor



The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.