Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2025-2026

Module ECON44215: Industrial Organisation

Department: Economics

ECON44215: Industrial Organisation

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2025/2026 Module Cap None.
Tied to L1T109
Tied to L1T409
Tied to L1T609

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To develop advanced knowledge and analytical skills in the theory and practice of industrial organisation.

Content

  • The module focuses on market structures, strategic interaction between firms, and competition policy, in particular regulation. Topics may include:
  • Imperfect competition
  • Pricing Strategies
  • Advertising
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Contestable markets and barriers to entry
  • Technology and innovation
  • Industry regulation and competition policy

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • be able to develop critical knowledge of scholarly literature at the frontier of research in the field of industrial organisation;
  • have explored, understood and appreciated key developments in industrial organisation and their implications for professional practice, and identify open questions for potential independent research in the field;
  • be able to critically discuss contemporary issues in the fields of industrial organisation, competition policy and industry regulation and think critically on anti-competitive practices in industries where policy intervention may be needed.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • be able to apply advanced problem-solving and analytical skills to complex issues in industrial organisation;
  • be able to offer policy recommendations in the field of industrial organisation informed by the knowledge and analytical skills acquired in the module.
Key Skills:
  • Written Communication;
  • Planning, Organising and Time Management;
  • Problem Solving and Analysis;
  • Using initiative;
  • Numeracy;
  • Computer Literacy.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • A combination of lectures, seminars and guided reading will contribute to achieving the aims and learning outcomes of this module. The seminars will train the students to solve analytical problems in the theory of industrial organisation, identify and critically discuss its applications as well as giving students opportunity to identify research questions.
  • The written examination will primarily test students’ knowledge and critical understanding of the material covered in the module in addition to their analytical and problem-solving skills.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 10 1 per week 2 hour 20
Seminars 4 Fortnightly 1 hour 4
Revision Classes 1 Once 2 hour 2
Preparation and Reading 124
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Exam Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
On Campus Written Examination 2 hour 100% Same

Formative Assessment:

One formative assessment to prepare students for the summative exam.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University