EC1B5      Half Unit
Macroeconomics I

This information is for the 2025/26 session.

Course Convenor

Prof Rachel Ngai

Availability

This course is compulsory on the BSc in Economic History. This course is available on the BA in Geography, BSc in Accounting and Finance, BSc in Economic History and Geography, BSc in Environment and Sustainable Development, BSc in Politics, BSc in Politics and International Relations, BSc in Psychological and Behavioural Science, Erasmus Reciprocal Programme of Study and Exchange Programme for Students from University of California, Berkeley. This course is freely available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. It does not require permission. This course is freely available to General Course students. It does not require permission.

Requisites

Mutually exclusive courses:

This course cannot be taken with EC1B3 at any time on the same degree programme.

Pre-requisites:

Students must have completed EC1A5 before taking this course.

Course content

This course is an introductory course in macroeconomics, which is the study of the overall economic performance of countries. You will learn about economic growth, business cycles (booms and recessions), unemployment, inflation, exchange rates, monetary and fiscal policy. We will apply the tools developed in the course to historical and contemporary events.

This course, in combination with either EC1A3 or EC1A5, exempts those who complete them from BA1 Fundamentals of Business Economics of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).

This course, combined with EC1A5, contributes to the CB2 Exemption of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA).

Teaching

1 hours of classes in the Spring Term.
20 hours of lectures and 9 hours of classes in the Winter Term.

This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Winter Term.

There will be a reading week in Week 6 of WT only (no lectures or, classes).

This course is delivered through a combination of classes and lectures totalling a minimum of 30 hours across Winter Term and Spring Term.  

Formative assessment

There will be weekly assignments and feedback will be given on two.

 

Indicative reading

  • Macroeconomics – Daron Acemoglu, David I. Laibson, and John A. List (note the content is also part of the textbook Economics by the same authors).

Assessment

Exam (90%), duration: 120 Minutes, reading time: 15 minutes in the Spring exam period

Continuous assessment (10%)


Key facts

Department: Economics

Course Study Period: Winter and Spring Term

Unit value: Half unit

FHEQ Level: Level 4

CEFR Level: Null

Total students 2024/25: 237

Average class size 2024/25: 20

Capped 2024/25: No
Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Problem solving
  • Communication