MRes Course

Induction and enrolment

Your induction timetable is available hereLink opens in a new window.

You are required to complete the Course Registration to enrol to your course, and you can do this online before arriving on campus. Once arriving in the UK, you will also need to attend an in-person right to study check event on Monday 18th September from 9:00 - 9:30 in Senate House. Please note, you cannot take part in any study until you have completed both Course Registration (online) and cleared the in-person checks. Please follow the University's guidance by visiting the student enrolmentLink opens in a new window pages.

Although the Advanced Mathematics for Economics course takes place in the two weeks before term starts (Monday 18th September – Friday 29th September 2023 inclusive), lectures for your other Autumn Term modules start on the Tuesday of Week 1 (Tuesday 3rd October).

Details of important dates are given below. For other key dates and departmental events, please see the Department of Economics websiteLink opens in a new window.

Important dates

Timetable

Please note that the timetable is subject to change at short notice, so we do not include it in this handbook. Your individual timetable of (in-person) lectures and classes can be viewed in TabulaLink opens in a new window. It will be complete when you are registered for all (core and optional) modules and you have signed up to your module Support and Feedback classes and any other timetabled teaching.

Please make sure that you check your timetable regularly. A summary timetable for your course can also be viewed on the MRes websiteLink opens in a new window. We will notify you by email if any lectures or classes need to be cancelled at short notice, and we will also update Tabula.

Your in-person classes take place in a variety of places across campus so make sure you keep a campus map handy. The University of Warwick interactive campus mapLink opens in a new window is a great way to find your location and help plan your route. Classes will begin at five minutes past the hour and end at five minutes to the hour in order to allow people to enter and vacate the room.

Online module registration

When you arrive at the University in September you will need to be registered your module/exam choices for the 2023/2024 academic year. The department will register you for all your core modules in the first year. You will be able to see a personalised page of the modules you will be taking via www.warwick.ac.uk/evision at the beginning of term 1. ITS username and password are required to log on.

For year 2 MRes modules, you will be asked to make your initial choice of optional modules in the second term of your first year. The choices you submit at this stage will not be final and you will be able to change your optional modules by the end of week 1 of the Autumn term; however, they will be used to decide which module will not be running if there are not enough interests.

Reading lists, lecture handouts and exam papers

Module Reading lists are available centrally through the Talis AspireLink opens in a new window system. Copies of reading lists and other module lecture notes and handouts are normally supplied for lectures and classes via MoodleLink opens in a new window.

Exam papers for the last three years are available on the University Exam Paper ArchiveLink opens in a new window.

Class attendance and reporting absences

You are required to attend all of the classes you have signed up for in Tabula.

At each class your tutor will record your attendance or absence and input this data into Tabula. If you have been marked 'absent' you will see an 'Absent' flag appear on your Tabula page next to the class in question.

It is your responsibility to explain your absence by sending an email to the Postgraduate OfficeLink opens in a new window, providing evidence as to why you could not attend. The Postgraduate Office will decide whether or not the reason is valid and either condone or uphold your absence accordingly. If you believe an error has been made, you should contact the Postgraduate Office immediately.

For short-lived illnesses, you should provide a self-certification form as evidence, which you can obtain from the MRes forms Link opens in a new windowwebpage. You can submit a maximum of 2 absences per academic year using the self-certification process.

Course Specification

We aim to provide students with professional training in modern economics; as well as knowledge, this includes tools and techniques of analysis, and opportunities to apply this in extended research. Our objective is to produce doctoral students able to pursue careers at the highest level in academia, government agencies or consultancies. This programme will provide future PhD Economics students with a thorough understanding of research techniques and in-depth appreciation of principal areas of concern for researchers in economics. The programme is distinctive in the length of training given to the students (two years), unusual in the UK but common among our key competitors in the US and other parts of Europe.

MRes Economics Learning Outcomes

Subject knowledge and understanding

• Economic principles. In-depth knowledge and understanding of advanced core concepts and methods of analysis in Microeconomics and Macroeconomics.
• Applied economics. Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of how advanced economic models and quantitative techniques are applied to problems arising in public policy and in the private sector; Advanced knowledge and understanding of comparative and interdisciplinary approaches.
• Economic data. Advanced knowledge of economic trends and patterns; survey data; and an in depth understanding of problems and solutions in economic measurement, including evaluation methods. Ability to identify and process data to produce original results.
• Research and debate. Comprehensive knowledge of contemporary theoretical and empirical debates and research outcomes in core economics and in some specialised areas of economics chosen for the module options in Year 2. A critical knowledge of which research methods are most suited to address specific questions and an appreciation and experience of how these methods can be used in practice.

Cognitive skills

• Analytical Thinking. Verbal, graphical and mathematical analysis at an advanced level; Comprehensive understanding of concepts of equilibria including equilibria in strategic contexts; the ceteris paribus method and counterfactual analysis.
• Critical Thinking. Critical evaluation of received ideas through exposure to recent research developments. Sound ability to formulate hypotheses and viable explanations based on received ideas and in combination with other comparable data.
• Strategic thinking. Detailed familiarity with models of multi-agent decision making, where pay-offs depend on the actions of others particularly asymmetric information games, repeated games and evolutionary models.
• Solvability and Problem-Solving: Ability to critically evaluate existing models and systematically analyse their effectiveness and explanatory potential with a view to formulating revised or new models.
• Abstraction: Advanced ability to balance simplification (for tractability) against literalness (for relevance).
• Social Awareness. Private versus social costs and benefits and their distribution; rationale for government and international policy. Ability to establish and critically analyse the impact of policy and to determine potential future outcomes as well as current and future trade-offs in policy making. Understanding the role of the researcher in policy-making and policy analysis.
• Understanding Institutions: What institutions exist and why, and how incentives work in them. Comprehensive understanding and the ability to critically analyse the role of different actors within institutions and their independence/ interdependence.
• Understanding simultaneity and endogeneity. Understanding complex inter-reactions between economic variables and behaviours.
• Understanding optimisation. Conceptual understanding of an optimum and efficiency.
• Understanding uncertainty. Conceptual understanding of expectations and surprises; Conceptual understanding of probability and its applications.

Subject specific professional skills

• Research skills. Advanced ability to locate, evaluate, and extract information; organise, survey, summarise, and interpret material using library and internet sources. Ability to use complex primary and secondary sources for research, comparing and critically evaluating sources for accuracy, fitness to purpose and scope.
• Numeracy and quantitative skills. Ability to use complex mathematics and diagrams, an advanced understanding of data, and statistical analysis.
• Use of IT: including word processing and spreadsheet packages; specialist econometric, statistical, and other software; and the internet. Advanced ability to correctly identify, select and evaluate primary and secondary sources on the Internet. Advanced knowledge and understanding of publication and dissemination of research output through the Internet and other digital media.

Course regulations

The MRes/PhD is a ‘2+4’ year programme, with two years of taught courses (at the end of which, successful students will be awarded the MRes Economics). Students who achieve the required progression criteria, proceed to four years of research leading to award of PhD.

The table below shows the modular structure of the programme and forms the course regulations for the programme. Please also see the MRes Assessment and Examination Scheme (included in Section 3 of this handbook), which includes the credit weighting (by year of study) for the calculation of the degree. In brief, the total credit weighting (of 240 CATS) is equally distributed between years 1 and 2 of the MRes.

In the first year of the MRes, you will follow four core modules: Advanced Microeconomic Theory (EC9A1), Advanced Macroeconomic Analysis (EC9A2) and Advanced Econometric Theory (EC9A3), followed by The Practice of Economics Research (EC9AA). The latter is a core module taught in term three of the first year (after the conclusion of the examination period), but assessed at the beginning of the second year. For module EC9AA, you will be required to undertake up to 80 hours of research work over the summer vacation on which you will base your assessment. You have the option of doing this in the Department or outside the Department, but in all cases you will require a supervisor based at Warwick, who will mark your work. You will not receive additional payment from the Department for this research work, other than your MRes Studentship (where applicable), which is paid monthly over the duration of the programme.

Year One: Core Modules Only*

Year Two: Option Modules and Dissertation*

*NOTE: Students take five optional modules amounting to a total of 60 CATS in year two. Each of the Economics modules offered is 10 weeks long and has 30 hours of teaching. Please note that the structure of the programme may be subject to change.

In the second year, you will choose five field options (weighted at 12 CATS each) to be attended over autumn or spring term, and complete the dissertation. The balance of modules between autumn and spring term should be taken into account when students make their choices. The final list of options is not yet available as this will depend on a number of factors including the module choices of students (at least three students must register for an option module to run) but an indicative list of MRes field options is available on the programme web pageLink opens in a new window.

You should regard your degree course regulations as largely static throughout your time in the Department. However, you should also be aware that the Department does sometimes have occasion to amend these regulations. We do this for positive reasons: we want to keep the content of your degree course up to date and reflective of developments and trends in the field; we may have new academic staff joining us with new perspectives and ideas for the modules. Sometimes, we may need to adjust the CATS weighting of a module or revisit which students should be able to take it and in which term it is taught. On other occasions we may feel it necessary to suspend or discontinue a module, perhaps because of staffing changes or in order to keep the curriculum fresh and dynamic. Whatever the reason for such change, the Department is committed to consulting with our students prior to major changes to our degree programmes. The consultation may happen via the Graduate Student Staff Liaison Committee (GSSLC) or wider means. If you are affected by any changes to course regulations, you will be informed in a timely manner.

Concerning the availability of modules, we cannot guarantee that all modules listed in this Handbook will be available every year or that the same lecturers will continue to deliver the modules. There are reasons why at times the Department may have to remove or make changes to a module, for example: a lecturer going on study leave or leaving Warwick or a new module becoming available, so another module is removed to avoid overlap.

Please note in all situations, the RegulationsLink opens in a new window as set out by the University in the CalendarLink opens in a new window, course regulations and examination conventions have ultimate authority.

Progression requirements

First year: In order to proceed to the second year you must pass the three core modules: EC9A1 (Advanced Microeconomic Theory); EC9A2 (Advanced Macroeconomic Analysis); and EC9A3 (Advanced Econometric Theory). The pass mark is 50% for each of the modules.

Second year: In the second year you must pass the core module EC9AA and all field option modules in order to proceed to the dissertation. The pass mark is 50%. In order to automatically progress to the PhD, students must achieve an average of 65% (over all taught modules in year 1 and 2) and demonstrate strong performance in the Year 1 core modules (i.e. an average of not less than 60% across EC9A1, EC9A2 and EC9A3) and achieve a mark of at least 65% in the dissertation. Calculation of the averages for both taught and core will be weighted by the number of CATs for each module.

These are the normal progression rules. However, the final Exam Board is permitted to exercise discretion with regard to progression requirements where appropriate (for example where there are mitigating circumstances).

The research part of the degree (the PhD programme, is in years 3 to 6) is not necessarily, but can be, up to four years long. You are expected to defend your thesis at some point in the sixth year. Extension beyond the sixth year is only granted in truly exceptional circumstances.

Years 3-6: At the end of the first year of research (year 3), you will present your first paper to a formal academic panel at the PhD Forum. You will be required to present your second paper at the end of the second year (year 4). We expect you to be ready to submit after three years of research (at the end of year 5) and to use the fourth year (year 6) to polish the job market paper and go on the job market.

PhD students must give workshop presentations on their work (a minimum of one per year) and are required to attend at least one research seminar series and one internal workshop series in their field. Students are expected to carry out teaching assistantship duties from their third year onward, including training sessions. Some limited teaching opportunities will be also available for students in year 2 of the MRes.

The final year: You are required to submit your thesis via the Doctoral College, prompting your supervisor to arrange examiners. You will be required to attend an oral examination and make any subsequent changes deemed necessary. For further information on submission and examination of theses, visit the Doctoral CollegeLink opens in a new window web page or come and talk to the Programme Office (PGR).

MRes dissertation

The MRes dissertation is submitted after the summer term in the second year of study. Later in September, you are required to make a presentation based on the dissertation. Detailed guidance on the dissertation process and the presentation of the dissertation is available on the module web page.

A 20-minute slot will be allocated for your presentation, after which you will receive questions and feedback and the staff present will consider the strengths and weaknesses of your work. There is no unique formula for making a presentation. Different people do it in different ways. The most important thing is to stress your ideas and how you intend to develop them and to indicate that you have a sensible plan. The following points might be helpful:

• Contact staff members whom you think could provide you with useful comments and arrange to meet with them prior to your presentation. You can give them a hard copy of your paper and ask them if they will read it and attend your presentation.
• Begin your presentation by explaining, very simply, why your problem matters. Do not start with technical issues. Instead, state what economic question you hope to answer and why it is worth addressing. If an audience starts off thinking that the presenter’s topic is of minor interest, it is hard for a presentation to go well. Remember that the audience will contain economists who work in different research areas. This means that it is very important to motivate your work before you go into details.
• You should prepare slides that are uncluttered and easy to read. They should contain the central ideas, not all of the details.
• After motivating your problem, you should give your audience an indication of how you will address your question. This normally means presenting a few key equations, not an entire model. If you have regression equations, focus on one or two that really matter, rather than putting up so many that you confuse your audience. Present only those equations or tables that you plan to discuss in detail, so that your listeners can understand the information that they are meant to convey.
• It is a mistake to prepare slides by duplicating pages from your dissertation. Such slides are too detailed and usually impossible to read. You should use a magnification factor of at least 1.5. When you know what room has been chosen for your presentation, you can make a few sample slides and take them to the room. Then stand at the back and decide which magnification/font size is most legible.
• Do not be afraid to start and end by stating the essential idea (perhaps using the same slide twice). If you have something worth saying, your listeners need to hear it more than once if it is to stick in their minds.
• When you have worked out how you will make your presentation, stop and ask yourself how you would feel about it if you were sitting in the audience and knew virtually nothing about the topic. Then make the necessary changes. Most presenters greatly overestimate what an audience is able to absorb.
• Do not read from your proposal. It is important to be prepared but still be able to give a spontaneous presentation. Try to look the audience in the eye and do not spend too much time looking at your slides. If you point at your slides, it is better to point at the screen rather than at the projector. Some people find it useful to use a pointer for this purpose. However, the most important thing to remember is that you should not get between the projector and the screen. If you do, your audience will see only your shadow.
• Try to enjoy the presentation. Remember that you are learning about us at the same time as we are learning about you. Hopefully there will be people in the audience who can be of use to you in the future. It is also a good idea to meet with everyone who was present at your presentation to see if they have comments that they did not have time to make.

(Further guidance on presentation skills is available from the Skills Programme)

Ethical Scrutiny: At Warwick, any research, that involves direct contact with participants, through their physical participation in research activities (invasive and non-invasive participation, including surveys or personal data collection conducted by any means), that indirectly involves participants through their provision of data or tissue, or that involves people on behalf of others (e.g. parents on behalf of children), requires ethical scrutiny.

 Please refer to section 4.8 Ethical Scrutiny for further information. MRes students should consult with their supervisors and, if appropriate, submit the completed form to Chau Ho in the Postgraduate Office by the deadline stated in your Dissertation Guidance document.

Key dates:

Monday 22nd April 2024: Students to inform name of supervisor(s), draft dissertation title and short description of topic via the dissertation information form.

Friday 10th May 2024: Completed ethical approval form (if required) to be sent to Chau Ho / Postgraduate Office.

Monday 17th June 2024: Submit the research proposal in Tabula

Tuesday 18th 2024: Presentation of the research proposal

Thursday 29th August 2024: Submission of the dissertation via Tabula

Monday and Tuesday 9th and 10th September 2024: Presentation of the dissertation to academic panel

Tuesday 17th September 2024: MRes September Exam Board

Award of MRes Economics

If you successfully complete all of the requirements for the MRes, the final Exam Board (in September of your second year), will recommend the award of the MRes Economics degree and you will be invited to the next graduation ceremony, which normally takes place the following January. Further information on graduation, your degree certificate and official transcript is available on the Graduation Office Link opens in a new windowweb page.

Temporary Withdrawal

A temporary withdrawalLink opens in a new window is an approved period of time when you are not studying for your award and it is governed by University Regulation 36.1. You may request, in the first instance, a maximum of 12 months' temporary withdrawal from your course of study. In order to make a temporary withdrawal request, you should first talk with your Personal Tutor or Senior Tutor, and then complete a Temporary Withdrawal Request formLink opens in a new window, which should be submitted along with the relevant medical or other evidence. The Director of Graduate Studies (Taught Degrees) will recommend that the request be approved or declined and if it is recommended for approval, the request will be sent to the Academic Office for final approval or decline.

You should inform Student Finance of your temporary withdrawal once it has been confirmed.

During a period of temporary withdrawal or resit without residence, you are not permitted to attend lectures or classes. However, in order to help you prepare for your return to study or sitting examinations, access to University IT facilities and the Library will normally continue during these periods.

Note: If you are a Student Visa holder you should seek advice from an Immigration Adviser as temporary withdrawal will affect your visa.

If you are returning part-way through an academic year, you will be assessed on the basis of the syllabus you have personally followed during your period of study. If the syllabus of a module has changed during your absence, then you will be set a special examination paper which covers the material you have followed.

Permanent withdrawal

If you feel that you would like to permanently withdrawLink opens in a new window from your course, whether after a period of temporary withdrawal or not, please make an appointment to see your Personal Tutor or Senior Tutor. If, after discussion, you are resolved to withdraw from your course, you must complete the online Permanent Withdrawal Request formLink opens in a new window. The Director of Graduate Studies (Taught Degrees) will approve the form and the Academic Office will be informed of your departure. International Students should contact the International Student Office for details on visa implications.

Regulation 36.4Link opens in a new window explains the grounds and procedure for requiring you to withdraw temporarily or permanently.

Private tutoring

Purpose of Policy - To set out the Department's position on private tutoring arrangements between Graduate Teaching Assistants and undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Applicability - Applicable to all undergraduate and postgraduate students based within the Department of Economics and all Graduate Teaching Assistants employed to teach on Economics modules.

1. We actively discourage private tutoring arrangements between undergraduate/postgraduate students and class tutors who are completing their PhDs, but do not prohibit it. Other staff employed in the Department are not permitted to engage in private tutoring with students from Warwick.
2. If you are experiencing study difficulties you are encouraged to make full use of University and Departmental resources, such as advice from your Personal Tutor, Year Tutor, and other academic staff, study support sessions on year 1 and 2 core modules, revision sessions and the guidance provided by the Student Opportunity, Careers, which should be sufficient to meet your needs.
3. However, we recognise that private tutoring arrangements are likely to persist; hence the Department imposes the following regulations:
   1. A tutor employed in the Department of Economics is not permitted to tutor privately on an undergraduate or postgraduate module on which they are employed to teach or have previously been employed to teach.
   2. A tutor undertaking private tutoring is not permitted to access any materials not available to other students registered for the module.
   3. Any private tutoring arrangement must not be conducted on University premises, with the exception of within campus student accommodation.
   4. The tutor must assume responsibility for ensuring the tutee is aware that the tutoring arrangement does not form part of the tutee's Warwick degree, that it is not governed by any of the University's or Department's quality assurance mechanisms, and that the Department will not be accountable for any misinformation given out as part of the private arrangement.

Point of Contact for Policy Queries - Head of Administration (Teaching and Learning) in the Department of Economics.