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FIN42230

Academic Year 2025/2026

Economics and Markets (FIN42230)

Subject:
Finance
College:
Business
School:
Business
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
7.5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Don Bredin
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module is designed to provide students with an introduction to economics with a particular focus on market developments. Following a formal introduction to economics, the module will examine the role of networks in economic allocation, game theory & auctions and single-sided versus multi-sided platforms. The issue of scarcity is at the heart of economics and in particular the impact of scarcity on our choices and how our choices influence others. A detailed introduction to the fundamental principles of economics is presented in the first section of the module, with a focus on single-sided platforms. The second part of the module will introduce the importance of networks or connectedness and the implications for economic interactions, using game theory. The third part of the module will develop the topic of network effects and introduce matching markets and markets involving multi-sided platforms. Multi-sided platforms are companies whose business it is to connect or match one group of customers with another group of customers. Examples include Alibaba, Facebook, Airbnb and Uber.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completing this module, students will be expected to be able to:
1. Understand and describe the key features and challenges in relation to allocation.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical framework associated with perfectly competitive markets (single-sided platforms).
3. Summarize the increased interconnectedness and the role of network effects in society.
4. Understand and describe the implications of imperfectly competitive markets.
5. Explain the importance and the fundamental elements associated with multi-sided platforms.

Indicative Module Content:

1. Introduction
2. The Market Model
3. Imperfectly Competitive Markets
4. Networks
5. Game Theory & Auctions
6. Multi-Sided Platforms

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

60
Autonomous Student Learning

60
Lectures

24
Tutorial

11
Total

155

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The key teaching and learning approaches used in the module include lectures, student presentations, group work and problem-based learning.

The use of generative AI is not permitted and is not part of the learning experience for this module. The citation method for this module is the Harvard Style of Referencing.


Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): This will be an in-person mid-term test. Week 4 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
40
 No
Group Work Assignment: Group Assignment (Online) Week 5 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
20
 No
Group Work Assignment: Group Assignment (In-Class) Week 6 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
30
 No
Participation in Learning Activities: In class continuous assessment (participation) Week 4, Week 5, Week 6 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
10
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be provided in person and if required remotely post all assessment.

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