There are several good academic reasons for choosing UEA for graduate studies. They broadly fit into one of six categories:
We have highly satisfied students and Economics at UEA has been ranked joint 1st in the 2006 official National Student Survey of overall student satisfaction (source: HEFCE).
As our postgraduate community has definite international outlook, we offer a postgraduate virtual visit day of UEA so that you can get a better feel of what it means to be at UEA without having to come here first. Enjoy!
Strong Research Reputation
The School of Economics has a reputation as a centre of research excellence. Kalaitzidakis et al (European Economic Review, 1999) placed it in the top dozen economics departments in the UK and in Europe’s top thirty. We are a world leader for research in decision making and experimental economics, with Graham Loomes and Robert Sugden counting among our professors. We also have considerable strength in industrial economics and public policy issues, and host the ESRC-funded Centre for Competition Policy. We also have researchers in a number of other areas, and have a thriving research students community. Please learn more about our research.
Strong Teaching Specialisations
We are also recognised as world providers of graduate education in finance, business and media related issues. Our Masters degrees in these areas attract between about 30 and 60 students every year from all over the world.
Friendliness and Contact with Staff
We are a relatively small School and we take great pride in being able to get to know many of our students on a personal basis. Teaching is provided in lectures, seminars and computer lab sessions; seminar class size is monitored and students are required to attend and prepare for seminars, where they are able to interact with teachers on a more personal basis. Teachers have weekly office hours and can be contacted also by phone or email. You can learn more about us from the School of Economics teaching staff page.
Full-time research students have two supervisors and can expect to receive supervision on a regular basis, in most cases once every week or every other week. They can also get in touch with the Research Director for queries and support.
Distinctive Masters Degrees that Build on UEA’s Research and Teaching Strengths
Among our MSc degrees, our MSc in Economics allows the maximum flexibility in the choice among a wide range of options. The MSc in Experimental Economics and the MSc in Industrial Economics are unique programs that build on our research strengths in these areas. The MSc in Environmental Economics is taught jointly with the internationally renowned School of Environmental Sciences. The MSc in Finance and Economics builds on our teaching specialisation in finance, which is combined with rigorous economics training.
Among our applied training MA degrees, the MA in International Business Economics has a strong business flavour but also allows the greatest degree of flexibility. The MA in International Business Finance and Economics and the MA in Media Economics are unique programmes also building on our teaching strengths.
This just gives you flavour of the Masters programmes we have – for a more complete list visit our Masters Degrees and Diplomas section.
At Economics at UEA we take teaching very seriously. Our lectures are taught by experienced members of staff. Teaching ability is an important criterion in making decisions such as appointment, confirmation and promotion of staff. New teachers are provided with the opportunity to undergo teaching training. A continuous control process is under way to ensure that teaching quality is ensured and improved, and students have got a number of channels (such as student feedback forms, debriefing meetings, the Economics Student liaison committee, and even an anonymous suggestions box) to let us know what they think and how we can improve things.
Good LocationUEA is located in Norwich, the regional capital of East Anglia and a university town of medium size: small enough that everywhere can be easily reached on foot, or by bicycle or bus, but big enough to have a vibrant range of entertainment and cultural opportunities mainly centred either around campus or in the town centre. While Norwich is not London (and does not have London prices!), it is less than two hours away from London by train. While Norwich’s town centre is full of the beauties of its medieval past and more (including an Anglican and a Roman Catholic cathedral, a Norman castle and the well-preserved city walls), its modern prosperity has much to do with services and Norwich is now one of Britain’s top ten shopping cities. Norwich hosts a large number of gigs, at UEA and elsewhere, and Norwich town council is pioneering a free wireless broadband scheme, which means that in some areas of town you can automatically have access to broadband from your laptop.
Excellent Facilities and a Range of Activities
UEA has excellent accommodation, computer, and library facilities. There is a professional university careers centre and a member of staff in the School is appointed as Careers Adviser to help students in choices of career path. We have a vibrant Student Union and a range of student societies, including the UEA Economics Society, run by students and for students!
The Dean of Students coordinates a University-wide network of health, welfare and counselling services. The University is well equipped with computing facilities operating the latest sophisticated software packages. The School’s microcomputing facilities and advisory service provide technical assistance and access to a range of statistical and word processing packages. Almost all of our modules have a set of intranet-available resources, and a large number of academic journals are available electronically. Our £17.5 million Sportspark provides UEA with one of the finest sports complexes in Britain, boasting facilities unrivalled at any other British university.
The School is keen to provide internship and training opportunities for its students and has recently had opportunities with a City-based financial company, a publishing company with offices in Hong Kong and manufacturing links with China and India, and a public sector employee.
Research students receive special support in research methods and can expect regular contacts with their supervisors. They also have a desk in one of our research student rooms.
