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Economic Science (HDip)

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Course Overview

The Higher Diploma in Economic Science is an intensive and challenging two-semester taught programme in core economic theory and methods. In addition, a variety of specialist options are provided. It is mainly intended for those aiming for entry to a Master’s degree programme but who have not yet studied economics in sufficient depth for direct entry. It is attractive to those with scientific and engineering backgrounds, as well as humanities, business and social sciences graduates.

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via The Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC). Relevant PAC application code(s) above.

Who Teaches this Course

Requirements and Assessment

Assessment is typically by way of a combination of end-of-semester written examinations and continuous assessment components, in particular, term papers and project work.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

An honours primary degree either with some economics modules or modules of a quantitative/mathematical/statistical nature.

Additional Requirements

Duration

Two semesters

Next start date

September 2018

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

25

Closing Date

Please refer to the offer rounds/closing date webpage.

NFQ level

Mode of study

Taught

ECTS weighting

Award

CAO

Course code

GYC12

Course Outline

Have you studied some economics, but wish to do more, and perhaps go on to a masters degree? Or, if you haven’t studied economics but have a degree, would you like to begin? The Higher Diploma in Economic Science may be the programme for you

You will take one of two streams, depending on the level of economics you have previously encountered. Both streams include courses in microeconomic and macroeconomic theory, as well as statistical/econometric or mathematical methods in economics. You will also have a choice from a range of elective modules, usually including the History of Economic Thought, the Economics of Money and Banking/Financial Economics, the Economics of Health, Environmental Economics, Irish Economic History, Public Economics, and Development Economics (the precise electives available may vary from year to year). In this way, you can build on your core knowledge and develop specialist interests, in many cases aligned with your intended area of focus within economics.

Students work on a supervised research paper in economics over two semesters (ending in May), providing a further opportunity to focus on areas of particular interest aligned with their career ambitions.

Did you Know?

 A combined fee arrangement applies to those who complete this programme and subsequently are admitted to one of the three masters in economics at NUI Galway (i.e., international finances, health economics, and natural resources economics and policy). In these cases, the higher diploma is treated as the first year of a two-year programme, with the second, (masters) year involving a lower fee (in 2018/19, this is expected to be €3,000 for EU students). Contact the programme director for details.

Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).
Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Glossary of Terms

Credits
You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
Module
An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
Subject
Some courses allow you to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together. Subjects have their own required number of credits, so you must take all that subject's required modules and may also need to obtain the remainder of the subject's total credits by choosing from its available optional modules.
Optional
A module you may choose to study.
Required
A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
Required Core Subject
A subject you must study because it's integral to that course.
Semester
Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year, so a three-year course will have six semesters in total. For clarity, this page will refer to the first semester of year 2 as 'Semester 3'.

Year 1 (60 Credits)

Optional EC219: Comparative Economic Thought - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional EC207: Irish Economic History - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional EC382: International Economics - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required EC269: Intermediate Microeconomics - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required EC273: Mathematics for Economics - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required EC427: Ireland, Europe & the Global Economy - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required EC415: Research Paper I - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Optional EC386: Public Economics - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional EC362: Economics Of Financial Markets - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional EC429: Marine Economics - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Optional EC3104: Agricultural and Food Economics - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Required EC268: Intermediate Macroeconomics - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Required EC275: Statistics for Economics - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Required EC416: Research Paper II - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Successful graduates, who typically go on to take a Master’s in Economics degree, build a variety of careers in private and public sectors, ranging from analyst work in financial services and health sectors, to public sector and consulting roles in economic analysis.

Graduates have found employment in Such companies as Sustainable Energy Ireland; KPMG, AIB and PayPal and in government departments and agencies.

Did you Know?

 A combined fee arrangement applies to those who complete this programme and subsequently are admitted to one of the three masters in economics at NUI Galway (i.e., international finances, health economics, and natural resources economics and policy). In these cases, the higher diploma is treated as the first year of a two-year programme, with the second, (masters) year involving a lower fee (in 2018/19, this is expected to be €3,000 for EU students). Contact the programme director for details.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

 

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€5,965 p.a. 2018/19

Fees: Tuition

€5,741 p.a. 2018/19

Fees: Student levy

€224 p.a. 2018/19

Fees: Non EU

€13,250 p.a. 2018/19

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €2,000 towards your tuition.  You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee.  An F5 grant is where SUSI will pay TUITION up to a maximum of €6,270.  SUSI will not cover the student levy of €224.

Postgraduate fee breakdown = tuition (EU or NON EU) + student levy as outlined above.

Find out More

Stephen McNena
E: stephen.mcnena@nuigalway.ie

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