This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Undergraduate Handbook 2025-2026 (archived)

Module ECON3012: Dissertation in Economics

Department: Economics

ECON3012: Dissertation in Economics

Type	Level	Credits	Availability	Module Cap	Location
Tied	3	40	Available in 2025/2026		Durham

Tied To

Pre-requisites

Microeconomics (ECON2021) AND Macroeconomics (ECON2011) AND Econometrics (ECON2061) OR Economic Theory (ECON2291) AND Econometrics (ECON2061)

Corequisites

None.

Excluded Combinations

None.

Aims

The dissertation should be a substantial piece of work that provides a detailed and critical examination of a particular topic. Empirical research is encouraged where appropriate to the topic but is not compulsory.
The dissertation aims to encourage students to acquire the skills of independent research by pursuing a substantial project requiring research reading and/or data collection.

Content

There is a highly structured plan of work involving lectures and consultations between individual students and their dissertation supervisors.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge

Enhance student's knowledge of a specific topic in economics

Subject-specific Skills

By completing a dissertation, students will learn to plan and design a substantial piece of written work on an area of economics of their choice which requires literature searches, and the collection/analysis of relevant data.

Key Skills

Written communication - by completing the summative assessment
Planning Organisation and time management - by observing strict deadlines
Initiative - by searching relevant literature and other information
Computer literacy - by word-processing the dissertation

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

Teaching is by lectures and consultations. Learning takes place through attendance at lectures, preparation for and participation in consultations and private study. Formative assessment is by means of preparation of a draft chapter. Summative assessment is by means of a written piece of 12000 words.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total Hours	Attendance Monitored
Lectures	4	Across both years 2 and 3	1 hour	4
Supervision Sessions	6		20 mins	2	Yes
Preparation and Reading				394
Total				400

Summative Assessment

Component	Component Weighting	Element	Length/Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Coursework	100%	Dissertation	12,000 words	100%

Formative Assessment

Submission of draft chapter

Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.