MSc Courses

Getting started

Induction and enrolment

You will need to formally enrol as a student on Monday 18 September 2023 in the Student Opportunity Hub, Senate House. Please follow the University's guidance by visiting the student enrolmentLink opens in a new window pages.

You will find your Induction timetable, which includes the schedule for Introductory Mathematics and Statistics, on our MSc InductionLink opens in a new window website. This timetable also includes your allocated timeslot for enrolment.

Although the Introductory Mathematics and Statistics teaching takes place in the two weeks before term starts (Monday 18 — Friday 29 September 2023 inclusive), lectures for your other Autumn Term modules start on the Monday of Week 2 (Monday 9 October 2023).

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

Course overview

MSc Economics (L1P6) is run entirely from within the Department. MSc Economics and International Financial Economics (L1P7) is also run within the Department and follows a similar structure to that of MSc Economics, but the choice of optional modules and the dissertation topic are more focused.

There are two courses which operate in conjunction with other departments. The MSc in Behavioural and Economic Science (Economics Track) (C8P8) is a joint degree programme run by the Departments of Economics and Psychology. The Department of Economics is responsible for the administration of this programme and all enquiries should be directed to the Economics Postgraduate Office. The MSc in Finance and Economics is managed by the Warwick Business School (although a number of modules on the course are taught by members of the Economics Department) and you should direct any questions about that course to the Finance Masters Programmes team in Warwick Business School.

Course Specifications

There is a course specification for every MSc course. Each course specification sets out the aims of the course and the skills and knowledge a graduate from that course will possess.

Course aims and learning outcomes for subject knowledge and understanding are given below. Learning outcomes for cognitive and professional skills are given in the Skills development section of the handbook.

MSc Economics and MSc Economics and International Financial Economics

Course Aims

• To provide students with a coherent and structured programme of learning that builds on an undergraduate background that contains a significant proportion of economics, provides a rigorous advanced training in economic analysis and techniques, and which includes opportunities to contribute to current economic research and debates.
• To promote an analytical approach to thinking about national and international economic problems, policies, and decision-making.
• To encourage links, where appropriate, between economics and selected other disciplines by providing opportunities for those students who wish it, to combine the study of economics with study of other subjects including finance, and business studies.
• To meet students' aspirations to: study in a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment, including working alongside leading economic researchers; to train for possible employment as specialists in economics and related disciplines, or in wider fields where analytical and critical thinking are required or for PhD study.
• To meet national and international demands for high-quality postgraduates: in particular fields of employment, research, and further study where specialised training in economics and related disciplines is required; and in broader fields of employment which require the generic and subject-specific skills, including analytical and critical thinking, associated with a training in economics and related disciplines.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the MSc programme students should have provided evidence of being able:

• To demonstrate specialist knowledge of techniques relevant to the discipline or to demonstrate an advanced understanding of concepts, information and techniques informed by knowledge at the forefront of economics;
• To exhibit proficiency in the exercise of advanced generic and subject-specific intellectual abilities;
• To demonstrate an advanced understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship;
• To take a proactive and self-reflective role in working and to have effective professional relationships with others;
• Proactively formulate ideas and hypotheses and to effectively critique these;
• To critically evaluate the current national and global issues based on cutting-edge research in the discipline.

Subject knowledge:

• Specialist knowledge and understanding of advanced core concepts and methods of analysis in microeconomics and macroeconomics;
• Specialist knowledge and understanding of how advanced economic models and quantitative techniques are applied to problems arising in public policy and in the private sector;
• Specialist knowledge of economic trends and patterns; survey data; and an understanding of problems and solutions in economic measurement including evaluation methods;
• Comprehensive knowledge of contemporary theoretical and empirical debates and research outcomes in core economics and in some more specialised areas of economics.

MSc Behavioural and Economic Science

Course Aims

• To develop a theoretical understanding of key models and results in behavioural economics and economic psychology.
• To learn how to design, conduct and analyse behavioural experiments.
• To learn to implement standard models of choice.
• To learn to access and analyse large-scale datasets.
• To learn to initiate economic enquiry and test economic models.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the MSc degree students should have provided evidence of being able:

• To demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of concepts, information and techniques across a range of disciplines and an understanding of how these interact;
• To exhibit mastery in the exercise of generic and subject-specific intellectual abilities;
• To demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship;
• To take a proactive and self-reflective role in working and to develop professional relationships with others;
• Critically and creatively to evaluate current theories, issues, models and research in the discipline.

Subject Knowledge

• Specialist knowledge and understanding of advanced core concepts and methods of analysis in microeconomics;
• Specialist knowledge and understanding of how advanced economic models and quantitative techniques are applied to problems arising in public policy and in the private sector;
• Specialist knowledge of economic trends and patterns; survey data; and an understanding of problems and solutions in economic measurement including evaluation methods;
• Specialist knowledge and understanding of different methodological approaches within behavioural science;
• Specialist understanding of key concepts in experimental design;
• Comprehensive knowledge of contemporary theoretical and empirical debates and research outcomes in specialised areas of behavioural and economic science.

Degree Course Regulations

Degree Course Regulations are the rules by which each degree operates in terms of the structure. The regulations exist to ensure that the degree courses remain relevant and the quality remains high. The various rules and restrictions ensure that the degree content is not unduly diluted whilst allowing you the flexibility to make choices and to tailor your degree to your particular interests. It is important that you familiarise yourself with the regulations for your degree course by carefully reading the relevant information below, as failure to adhere to them can have serious consequences.

You should regard your degree course regulations as being 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 exciting developments and trends in the field; or we may have new academic staff joining us with new perspectives and ideas for new modules. Sometimes, we may need to adjust the weighting of a module, or revisit which students should be able to take it and in which term a module is taught. On other occasions, we may feel it's necessary to suspend or discontinue a module, perhaps because of staffing changes or in order to keep our curriculum fresh and dynamic. Whatever the reason for such changes, the Department is committed to consulting with our students prior to major changes to our degree courses. This consultation may happen via the Graduate Student-Staff Liaison Committee (GSSLC) or through wider means. If you are affected by major changes to the curriculum, degree course regulations and other regulatory changes, you will be informed by the Department in a timely manner. Should you need advice on any aspect of your degree course regulations, please contact the Postgraduate Office.

Concerning the availability of modules, we cannot guarantee that all modules listed in this Handbook will be available each year or that the same lecturer will continue to deliver the modules. There are reasons why at times the Department may have to remove or make changes to a module:

• A module teacher going on study leave;
• Academic staff leaving Warwick;
• Another module is made available so the current one is removed to avoid overlap;
• Continuous review of the curriculum and teaching methods to ensure we are teaching relevant and interesting material;
• The need to ensure that assessment methods are the most suitable for a particular module.

CATS

Each module is worth a given number of CATS, which stands for the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS), and every UK university has one. Your degree course regulations set out how many CATS you must take and hence how may optional modules you are required/permitted to choose. One CAT represents 10 hours of learning time (which will be split between independent self-study and actual contact time in lectures and/or classes).

Core modules

Core modules are compulsory and are determined by your degree course regulations. You do not need to register for core modules.

Sometimes you have a choice between core modules, which are thus referred to as 'optional core modules'. You will need to register for your optional core modules.

Optional modules

Optional modules are non-compulsory modules which can be used either to develop a specialisation or to broaden your approach to various topics.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have selected the correct number of optional modules each year to meet your degree course regulations and that you have registered for your modules correctly.

You can access a full list of the Economics module descriptors on the MSc module webpagesLink opens in a new window.

You should read the regulations for your degree in the next section.

MSc Economics (L1P6) Regulations

The MSc degree is studied full-time over twelve months. The course is comprised of a number of required core and required optional core modules, together with optional modules. Your degree course structure sets out which modules you must take. The maximum period of studyLink opens in a new window for postgraduate taught students is three years, which includes any periods of temporary withdrawal.

The minimum credit to be taken for your MSc degree is 180 CATS. The minimum pass mark for all postgraduate modules is 50%. To be awarded your MSc degree you must pass 150 CATS, including all required core and required optional core modules, providing that a mark of at least 40% is obtained in the failed module(s). If you have not reached the standard required for the award of MSc, you may be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate if you reach an appropriate standard. The dissertation, which shall be on an approved topic, shall be submitted following successful completion of the taught component of the degree programme. Find out more about the MSc Exam and Assessment SchemesLink opens in a new window for L1P6.

The table below shows the module structure of the programme.

Course structure

MSc Economics and International Financial Economics (L1P7) Regulations

The MSc degree is studied full-time over twelve months. The course is comprised of a number of required core and required optional core modules, together with optional modules. Your degree course structure sets out which modules you must take. The maximum period of studyLink opens in a new window for postgraduate taught students is three years, which includes any periods of temporary withdrawal.

The minimum credit to be taken for your MSc degree is 180 CATS. The minimum pass mark for all postgraduate modules is 50%. To be awarded your MSc degree you must pass 150 CATS, including all required core and required optional core modules, providing that a mark of at least 40% is obtained in the failed module(s). If you have not reached the standard required for the award of MSc, you may be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate if you reach an appropriate standard. The dissertation, which shall be on an approved topic, shall be submitted following successful completion of the taught component of the degree programme. Find out more about the MSc Exam and Assessment SchemesLink opens in a new window for L1P7.

The table below shows the module structure of the programme.

Course structure

MSc Behavioural and Economic Science (Economics Track) (C8P8) Regulations

The MSc degree is studied full-time over twelve months. The course is comprised of a number of required core and required optional core modules, together with optional modules. Your degree course structure sets out which modules you must take. The maximum period of studyLink opens in a new window for postgraduate taught students is three years, which includes any periods of temporary withdrawal.

The minimum credit to be taken for your MSc degree is 195 CATS. The minimum pass mark for all postgraduate modules is 50%. To be awarded your MSc degree you must pass 150 CATS, including all required core and required optional core modules, providing that a mark of at least 40% is obtained in the failed module(s). If you have not reached the standard required for the award of MSc, you may be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate if you reach an appropriate standard. The project, which shall be on an approved topic, shall be submitted following successful completion of the taught component of the degree programme. Find out more about the MSc Exam and Assessment SchemeLink opens in a new window for C8P8.

The table below shows the module structure of the programme.

Course Structure

Teaching and Learning

We will be offering a blend of in-person and online learning this academic year, with teaching mainly carried out through lectures and classes. You will also be expected to undertake your own independent study. In the summer term your independent study time will increase as you revise for exams and complete your research dissertation. Further information on contact time is given in the Study Hours StatementLink opens in a new window.

Asynchronous Lectures

Asynchronous lectures are pre-recorded videos used to complement material delivered in the synchronous in-person lecture. These should be watched prior to attending the in-person lecture though they do not appear in your Tabula timetable. Asynchronous lectures are provided in bite-sized chunks of videos to give you the chance to engage at a time and speed that suits you best.

Synchronous Lecture

A synchronous lecture is a lecture that takes place in real time. This academic year, synchronous lectures will normally be held in-person and depending on the module size they will be delivered in a lecture theatre or small classroom. Differently from asynchronous lectures, these will appear on your Tabula Timetable.

These lectures may be recorded through Lecture Capture. The recordings will be available to view via your modules Moodle pages. Lecture Capture, which is supported by IT Services, allows you to view the images and listen to the recordings from the relevant lecture after it's recorded in the classroom.

A brilliant lecture, delivered by an academic who is a leading researcher in their field can be a wonderful experience: you are strongly encouraged to attend the in-person lecture at the time of delivery, so that you can experience the benefits of being taught by academics whose work is at the cutting edge of research.

The balance between classroom and online elements will vary between modules, with optional core modules mainly being taught via synchronous (in-person) lectures.

We recommend that you complete the Learning to Learn in Economics Moodle course during your induction period to familiarise yourself with our blended learning approach, and many other aspects of your learning experience at Warwick Economics.

Support and Feedback Classes

Support and Feedback classes are compulsory classes where tutors will analyse more in depth topics covered in the lectures. Classes are usually delivered in small groups of students. Optional core modules have one hour per week of classes and these will be taught in-person.

Note that Support and Feedback classes, classes, seminars and tutorials are all different terms for essentially the same thing: compulsory teaching in small groups. In what follows, these terms will be therefore used interchangeably.

Online module registration

When you enrol at Warwick in September you will need to register your module/exam choices for the 2023/2024 academic year using the eVision Module Registration (eMR) system. The system opens on Wednesday 27 September and closes on Monday 16 October (week 3).

You will be able to see a personalised page where you can view any modules that may be core for your course, select any optional core and optional modules, and confirm your choices. Please note that your choices are subject to checking and approval by the Department.

The eMR system will also re-open at the start of the Spring Term in order for you to review and confirm your choices of optional modules and will close again on Friday 26 January (week 17).

You are not permitted to change between two modules that take place in the same term after eMR has closed in the relevant term. Similarly, in case you fail an assessment component or exam, you are not allowed to switch between different modules throughout the academic year. In case you wish to change modules (within the timeframes specified above), you are also advised to make any changes as early as possible, as you may find it very difficult to catch up. If you do change your modules, it is your responsibility to catch up on any missed work and this cannot be used as a mitigating circumstance, should your performance in any module be adversely affected.

It is your responsibility to make sure you are registered for the correct modules on eMR. If you fail to do this, there can be serious consequences in terms of which exams you are required to sit.

Microeconomics and Macroeconomics

The Microeconomics and Macroeconomics modules will develop your understanding of advanced economic analysis. They will each have an applied version (A) and a more technical/theoretically oriented version (B).

MSc students will choose one 30 CAT module from:

• EC901 Microeconomics A
• EC9D3 Microeconomics B

In addition, MSc Economics and MSc Economics and International Financial Economics students are asked to choose one 30 CAT module from:

• EC9D4 Macroeconomics A
• EC9D5 Macroeconomics B

A variants

If you have done a reasonable amount of Microeconomics and Macroeconomics previously (as in a typical undergraduate module) you may take EC901 Microeconomics A and EC9D4 Macroeconomics A, which will cover the key principles of economic analysis and some important applications.

B variants

The B variants of Microeconomics and Macroeconomics (ED9D3 and ED9D5) will be of particular interest for those of you with strong analytical skills or if you are intending to complete to a PhD degree after your MSc course. The pre-requisites will normally be (the equivalent of) a First-class mark (70%) from your undergraduate degree and a good mark (>=60%) on Test 2 of the pre-sessional Maths and Statistics course. There may be some flexibility around these pre-requisites: you are allowed to submit a registration for the B variant even if you do not meet the criterion, but you must first get email approval from the Director of Graduate Studies (Taught Degrees), Professor Thijs van Rens.

AB/BA combinations

The combination of EC901 Microeconomics A and EC9D5 Macroeconomics B, or EC9D3 Microeconomics B and EC9D5 Macroeconomics B, should not be taken without serious thought and without good grounds (such as previous asymmetric training/experience in Micro and Macro). You must get email approval from the Director of Graduate Studies (Taught Degrees) if you wish to take the AB or BA combination.

More details about the four modules are given on the MSc Modules webpages.

Exams for the Microeconomics and Macroeconomics modules will be held in January. You can read more about online exams in the Exams Section of the Handbook.

Econometrics A or Econometrics B?

All MSc students are asked to choose between Quantitative Methods: Econometrics A and Quantitative Methods: Econometrics B.

Econometrics A covers fundamental econometric research skills. If you have done a reasonable amount of econometrics previously at undergraduate level then you should take Econometrics B. Econometrics B will:

• assume some familiarity with some basic material (please see below);
• be more methodological – will include some proofs;
• cover more topics and will focus more on underlying theoretical justification;
• use matrix derivation for some results;
• will also have data-based exercises (same as A).

To take Econometrics B you should be familiar with the following topics (or be prepared to fill in any minor gaps on your own):

• t and F tests of linear restrictions;
• Heteroskedasticity and Serial correlation;
• Estimation – in the presence of above problems;
• Dummy variables;
• Exogeneity vs Endogeneity;

For basic material we recommend you are familiar with content in one of these texbooks: (i) Stock & Watson; (ii) Wooldridge - Introductory Econometrics.

More details about the modules are given on the MSc ModulesLink opens in a new window webpages. Examinations for the Econometrics modules will be held in May.

Optional modules

The MSc Economics and the MSc Economics and International Financial Economics require you to take three optional modules, while the MSc Behavioural and Economic Science (Economics Track) programme requires you to take five optional modules. All optional modules will be taken in the Spring Term.

You may also wish to sample or audit further options (that is, sit in on the lectures) if you can find the time. However, please do not ask to be examined for more than three optional modules as departmental policy does not allow for this, for the simple reason that our MSc programmes are already very intensive. Should you wish to audit an additional optional module please speak first with the module leader and then inform the Postgraduate Office if permission is granted.

We are intending to offer the options listed on the MSc ModulesLink opens in a new window webpages. Although we try to run all optional modules, occasionally, we have to withdraw a module due to availability of staff or the number of students who choose it. If this is the case, you will be informed as soon as possible. Please note that EC991 Topics in Applied Microeconomics will not be running in 2023/24.

Please be aware that when modules reach full capacity, we may decide to cap optional module numbers via random ballot. This means you may be asked to select a different module.

Students in the MSc Economics and the MSc Economics and International Financial Economics may be permitted to take one of three Warwick Business School modules, namely IB9Y4 International Financial Management; IB9X7 Derivative Securities; and IB9Y2 Behavioural Finance. Students of the MSc Behavioural and Economic Science (Economics Track) may be permitted to take Behavioural Finance (IB9Y2). You can read about each of these modules in the Module CatalogueLink opens in a new window.

Please note that places on these modules are limited and a ballot may be applied in case of excess demand. If you choose a Warwick Business School module you may not be allowed to change this module once you have been allocated a place. You should also be aware that these are challenging technical modules and you must have a strong mathematics and statistics or econometrics ability to take them. Please avoid these modules if you have done little maths or statistics/econometrics before your MSc and do not choose them if you find Introductory Maths and Statistics and the Autumn Term core modules difficult.

We would not recommend taking an optional module in the Autumn Term when the core module teaching takes place. Please see the Director of Graduate Studies (Taught Degrees) if you are contemplating this.

There will be a Presentation of Optional Modules Meeting on Friday 6 October 2023 in week one of the Autumn Term in order to aid your choice. Further information will be disseminated via email.

Timetable

Please note that the timetable is subject to change at short notice, so we do not print it in this handbook. Your individual timetable of synchronous (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 MSc 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.

Support and Feedback classes

For core modules, you will have in-person Support and Feedback classes to go over topics within your module in much more detail than in lectures. You are in much smaller groups than in lectures, and they are essentially a feedback session and should be used as such. Thus, this represents for you a good opportunity to discuss topics more in depth as well as receiving feedback on your work to further understand key concepts. Your preparation for module Support and Feedback classes and participation in the class discussions are essential to your learning. More generally, each class will be managed by a tutor who will:

• Invite you to ask questions;
• Provide feedback on your understanding of material;
• Lead discussion;
• Invite you to share solutions to problems, and lead discussion, usually after some preparation;
• Assign and grade coursework;
• Monitor your participation and marks;
• Offer you any individual advice.

Class tutors have Advice and Feedback hours every week during term time. It is important that you take the opportunity to clarify any areas of confusion and develop your understanding of the topics by further reading and discussion with your peers and tutors.

Class attendance and reporting absences

You are required to attend all of the classes you have signed up for in Tabula. In order to keep class sizes stable, you are not permitted to swap your group unless there is a compelling reason, like a timetable clash. Please inform the Postgraduate Office if this is the case and we will try to allocate you to an alternative class.

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 MSc formLink opens in a new windowsLink opens in a new window webpage. You can submit a maximum of 2 absences per academic year using the self-certification process.

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.

Recorded lectures

Economics modules use Lecture Capture to record lectures, which is supported via IT Services. Lecture Capture allows you to view an mp4 file which should include sound from the relevant lecture and may show accompanying projected images used in the lecture (slides and/or visualizer). The recordings will be published on the appropriate module Moodle page and are usually available until the end of the academic year. Please note that in order to watch LectureCapture videos (regardless of whether created by the lecturer or recorded in the lecture theatres/classrooms) you first have to have logged in to Echo360. This is easy - you just click on the LectureCapture box in the top right of the Moodle page of any of your modules. Once you have done this, even if you then close the Echo360 tab, you will find that clicking on video links in any Moodle page will automatically open the video: this continues to be the case until you close your browser.

Recordings in the lecture capture system are intended for use by students registered on the relevant module and should be clearly marked as Warwick resources. Access is limited to University staff and students and you are not allowed to share recordings further.

We do not permit recordings of lectures or classes without explicit approval of the lecturer or tutor concerned.

The University's Lecture Capture PolicyLink opens in a new window and Policy on Recording of Lectures by StudentsLink opens in a new window provides further information on recording lectures.

Study Groups

One of the most fruitful ways to learn and revise is to study together with your peers. The Department recognises the importance of peer learning and we have introduced a resource aimed to make it easier to organise within small groups and learn and revise together.

On the Moodle pages for Economics modules, you can find the 'Study groups sign-up' resource (located in the Module Information section) with instructions about how to join into voluntary groups. We believe that the resource will be very useful and would like to strongly encourage you to make use of it, set a schedule for your group, and learn together. It is well known that peer-learning is very effective (whether you learn something from others or you explain to others - in both cases you will notice that you learn deeply). Therefore, we hope that you will find this resource helpful, sign-up in numbers and make a good use of it.

Changing programmes of study

Almost all students complete the degree course on which they were first registered. However, a few find that they wish to change degree course. You should not be surprised to feel some occasional doubts about whether or not you are following the right degree course for you.

If you have persistent doubts about whether you are on the right degree course you should first consult with your Personal Tutor or attend a Wellbeing sessionLink opens in a new window. If you decide that you wish to change to another degree course you should make a course transfer requestLink opens in a new window in Student Records Online.

Transfers involving other departments are never automatic. All transfers to degree courses outside Economics require the specific agreement of the department to which you wish to transfer. Within the Department of Economics, it is sometimes possible to transfer from one of the degree courses to another early in the Autumn Term (no later than Friday 13 October 2023 - end of week 2). Please be aware that:

• It is normally possible to change between the MSc Economics and MSc Economics and International Financial Economics.
• It is sometimes possible to change from MSc Behavioural and Economic Science (Economics Track) to MSc Economics or MSc Economics and International Financial Economics; this will depend on the modules you have taken at undergraduate level and transfer requests will need to be approved by an Admissions Tutor.
• You will not be permitted to change from an MSc degree to the MRes/PhD in Economics since the admission requirements are different. Guidance on how to apply for a place on the MRes/PhD programme after completing your MSc degree can be found on our admissionsLink opens in a new window website.
• It can take a number of weeks for Student Records to process course changes because it is a very busy time of year. You will not be able to finalise your module registration choices until the course change has been completed, and your timetable will probably be disrupted.

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. Please note that you should seek advice from the Student Finance Office on any implications for your fee payments and also Warwick Accommodation. 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.

Monitoring Points

As a student, you have some responsibilities to the Department, just as we have responsibilities to you. We expect you to attend all your lectures and all your allocated module Support and Feedback classes. We want to be sure that you are coping with your work and not falling behind, so we ask that you meet fourteen ‘Monitoring Points’ throughout the academic year. Meeting your monitoring points is crucial and the consequences of missing three or more of these monitoring points can be significant. Different degree courses have differing monitoring points, as detailed below.

As you progress through the academic year you will be able to see on your Tabula page how many Monitoring Points you have successfully made and how many you have missed. Please inform the Postgraduate Office should you believe a mistake to have been made in your Monitoring Points record. You can contact your Personal Tutor or the Director of Student Engagement and Progression (PGT) if you have concerns about your academic progress and engagement with your course.

Please be aware that you will be contacted should we become concerned about your missed Monitoring Points.

• After three monitoring points are missed we will contact you to investigate whether you are having any problems that are preventing you from fully engaging with your course. Where the missed monitoring points are consecutive, and there is no alternative evidence of engagement, you will be invited to meet with the Director of Student Engagement and Progression (PGT) and a support plan will be put in place.
  
• After four Monitoring Points are missed you will be invited to meet with the Director of Student Engagement and Progression to discuss your academic progress (unless you have already met after three missed monitoring points in the circumstances explained above). We may refer you to the relevant professional within the University welfare system who could help you, such as the Senior Tutor, the Dean of Students, the Disability Coordinator or Mental Health Coordinator, as appropriate.
• After six Monitoring Points are missed you will be invited to a second meeting with the Director of Student Engagement and Progression (PGT), and a report will be made by the Department to Student Records regarding your non-engagement with your studies. You are now at serious risk of your registration being terminated.
• If you are absent from classes for a period of at least five weeks, or you miss eight departmental monitoring points, the Department and University is likely to invoke Regulation 36 to begin termination of registration proceedings and your case is handed over to the Academic Office.
  

International Students should be particularly aware of the consequences of missing Monitoring Points: the Student Administrative Services is obliged to report to the Home Office UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) if any Student Visa holders have been found not to be engaging with and attending their degree course. This will normally lead to the curtailment of their visas.