Insight into linkage between economics, finance

This programme aims to help you appreciate the close linkages between economics and finance in a wide range of issues, such as risk and asset choice. This degree is not for the faint-hearted as the units generally require rigorous attention.

This programme is not recommended to students who are exempted from the first year of the degree unless they have completed the Certificate of Higher Education in Social Sciences from the University of London.

Many graduates went on to work in junior to middle management in banks, management consultancy groups and financial firms.

Job Prospects

In the 2017 Graduate Employment Survey, it was found that 82.1% of graduates were employed within six months of the final examinations. Among them, 81.2% were working in jobs related to their course of study.

Teaching Faculty

Local faculty, with intensive workshops by UK academics.

Delivery Mode

Lectures, group discussions, workshops and online study.
Duration of each lesson is 3 hours.

Mode of Study

Full time classes are held in three-hour blocks between Monday and Friday, starting at 8.30am, 12pm, or 3.30pm. There are occasional classes on weeknights at 7pm and weekends.

Learning Support

• Annual intensive revision from mid-March to end-April (lessons may be held in the evenings / weekends).
• Classes on study skills, academic writing and the Peer-Assisted Learning sessions.

Academic Materials

• Virtual Learning Environment
• SIMConnect portal
• University materials such as subject guides, past exam papers and exam commentaries, reading lists and handbooks on good study strategies

Programme Calendar

Year 1 classes / Aug 2020 – Feb 2021 (for local BSc standard route applications only and received by 20 May 2020)
Year 1 classes / Sep 2020 – Feb 2021 (for all BSc applications received after 21 May 2020; bridging, international and part-time students)
Year 2 classes / Sep 2020 – Feb 2021 (BSc Standard route with min 3 full units exemption)
SIM Preliminary Exams / Feb 2021
Revision / Mar – Apr 2021
University Exams / May – Jun 2021
Results released / Mid-Aug 2021

Candidature Period

Minimum / Maximum period:
Standard BSc (Hons) (12 units) 3 years / 6 years
Graduate BSc (Hons) (9 units) 2 years / 6 years
*The candidature period may be extended by the University on a case-by-case basis.

No refund or recourse should the student fail to complete within the maximum period.

At SIM, students who are academically weak and find it difficult to progress or complete the programme within the minimum duration will receive counselling.

SIM reserves the right to recommend and withdraw a student who cannot cope with the demands of the programme, especially when the student’s pass has expired.

Minimum Class Size

Minimum class size to commence: 25 students. Students will be informed within 30 days after the application period.

Curriculum

Standard Entry Route:
100 units
1. # EC1002 Introduction to Economics
2. ST104A Statistics 1 (half unit) and **ST104B Statistics 2 (half unit)
3. MT105A Mathematics 1 (half unit) and **MT105B Mathematics 2 (half unit)
4. One unit (or two half units) from Selection group F1

200 and 300 units
5. EC2065 Macroeconomics (EC1002) + (MT105A or MT1174)
6. EC2066 Microeconomics (EC1002) + (MT105A or MT1174)
7. ^EC2020 Elements of econometrics (EC1002) + (ST104A) + (MT105A or MT1174)
8. FN2190 Asset pricing and financial markets (EC1002) + (MT105A or MT105B or MT1174)
9. FN2191 Principles of corporate finance (EC1002) + (MT105A or MT105B or MT1174)
10. EC3099 Industrial economics (EC2066 or MN3028) or EC3115 Monetary economics (EC2065)
11. **FN3142 Quantitative finance (EC2020 + EC2066)
12. One 200 or 300 unit (or two half units) from any of the Selection group

Graduate Entry Route:
100 units
1. # EC1002 Introduction to Economics
2. ST104A Statistics 1 (half unit) and **ST104B Statistics 2 (half unit)
3. MT105A Mathematics 1 (half unit) and **MT105B Mathematics 2 (half unit)

200 and 300 units
4. EC2065 Macroeconomics (EC1002) + (MT105A or MT1174)
5. EC2066 Microeconomics (EC1002) + (MT105A or MT1174)
6. ^EC2020 Elements of econometrics (EC1002) + (ST104A) + (MT105A or MT1174)
7. FN2190 Asset pricing and financial markets (EC1002) + (MT105A or MT105B or MT1174)
8. FN2191 Principles of corporate finance (EC1002) + (MT105A or MT105B or MT1174)
9. **FN3142 Quantitative finance (EC2020 + EC2066)

Notes:

A 100 half unit may not be paired with a 200 or 300 half unit
** ST104B Statistics 2 must be taken after or at the same time as ST104A Statistics 1
** MT105B Mathematics 2 must be taken after or at the same time as MT105A Mathematics 1
** FN3142 Quantitative finance must be taken after or at the same time as FN2190 Asset pricing and financial markets
# EC1002 Introduction to Economics must be taken after or at the same time as MT105A Mathematics 1 and ST104A Statistics 1
^ EC2020 Econometrics can only be taken at the same time as or after ST104B Statistics 2 and MT105B Mathematics 2, not before. You will also need to have passed the prerequisites of EC1002 Introduction to economics, MT105A Mathematics 1 and ST104A Statistics 1. However, if you passed MT1174 Calculus, you do not need to take MT105A or MT105B, but must still meet the other prerequisites and co-requisites.

Bridging is not recommended for candidates applying to this degree. Applicants for this degree require strong quantitative skills.

2020-2021 Units offered at SIM (PDF 784 KB)
Outline of Modules (PDF 238 KB)
Sample of full-time class schedule (PDF 67 KB)

Entry Requirements

General Entrance Requirements (GER) are:

• Applicant must be 17 years or older by 30 November in the year of registration with UOL
• Satisfy course requirements in English (PDF 206 KB) and Mathematics (PNG 37 KB)
• Two approved* GCE ‘A’ /H6 level subjects and three approved* GCE ‘O’ level subjects, OR
• Three approved* GCE ‘A’ /H6 level subjects and one approved* GCE ‘O’ level subject, OR
• Three H6 passes provided that at least grades D, E, E are obtained
• Two H6 and two H1 passes provided they are in non-overlapping subjects

*Approved subjects are ‘A’ level papers taken after 1986 and all ‘O’ level subjects taken after 1975 in Singapore.

The following qualifications may meet GER for admission into Year 1:

• Diploma in Accounting, Banking and Finance, International Business and Management Studies awarded by SIM
• Diplomas awarded by Nanyang Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic or Temasek Polytechnic
• Teaching certificate from NIE/NTU
• Diploma in Employment Relations from Ong Teng Cheong Labour Leadership Institute (OTCi) and SIM University (UNISIM).
• Diploma from PSB Academy with average of 60% or better, done 9 months full time or 12 months part time and with at least 4 O level passes.
• NUS High School Diploma.
• University of London International Foundation Certificate
• University of London Diploma in Economics / Certificate of Higher Education in Social Sciences
• Northern Consortium UK International Foundation Year (China syllabus) (in and after June 2004), provided at least 200 IFY points have been obtained and that the module English for Academic Purposes is passed at grade C or above.
• International Baccalaureate (the Diploma). Must have completed Mathematics/ Mathematical Studies at Higher Level grade 3 or better or Standard Level grade 4 or better. English at grade 4 or better meets the English requirement.
• Two passes for the Malaysia Higher School Certificate/ Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (except Kertas Am) Grades A-C from 2003 in the new marking scheme (A-E in the old marking scheme before 2003) + 3 SPM at grade C or better including Mathematics.
• Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) offered in Malaysia provided that 5 acceptable subjects are passed at credit (or Grade B) or better, together with 3 non-overlapping subjects awarded with grades 1 to 6 (Grade A – C) in the SPM OR 8 acceptable UEC subjects passed at Credit (or Grade B) or better.
• Malaysian Certificate of Education/SPM English Language Communicational (122 or 322) grade 6 (C) or better meets the English requirement
• The GER includes a pass (Grade C6 and above) in Mathematics at the GCE ‘O’ level and proof of competence in the English Language.

The list is not exhaustive and is subject to annual revision.

Refer to the University of London prospectus for full information.

Foreign Applicants:
Click here for information on overseas qualifications

Estimated Overall Fees*

Standard Entry BSc (12 units for 3 years)
Year 1 : $11,300.00
Year 2 : $9,950.00
Year 3 : $9,950.00
Total course fee : $31,200.00

Standard Entry BSc with exemption from 4 full units (8 units for 2 years)
Year 2 : $11,150.00
Year 3 : $9,950.00
Total course fee: $21,100.00

Graduate Entry BSc (9 units for 2 years)
Year 1 : $11,300.00
Year 2 : $12,200.00
Total course fee : $23,500.00

All fees inclusive of prevailing GST and exclude textbooks.

Application Fees Applies

Breakdown of Estimated Overall Fees

Programme Fees for BSc (Honours)
12 full units : $19,260.00
9 full units : $14,445.00
8 full units : $12,840.00

UOL Application Fee (One Time Payment) : £97.00
UOL Initial Registration Fee (Year 1) : £1000.00*
UOL Continuing Registration Fee (per Year 2 and 3) : £457.00*

UOL Examination Fee**
BSc, 12 full units : $8,200.00
BSc, 9 full units : $6,200.00
BSc, 8 full units: $5,400.00

Additional UOL and SIM fees apply for those who repeat/resit the coursework/exam and also for those who extend their registration with the University.

* This is an estimated amount as UOL fees are subject to exchange rate fluctuation, Singapore taxation and yearly increase.
** The UOL examination fee is payable in S$ to the RELC Examinations Bureau and subject to yearly increase.

Scholarships and Awards

SIM GE scholarships available

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL is the recognition of previously acquired learning which can be mapped against particular learning outcomes of modules within a programme. RPL may be awarded if you have previously studied a similar module in the same depth, at degree level, and you achieved good marks in the corresponding examination. A student who is awarded RPL for a specific module is considered to be exempted from the module.

The qualification on which your RPL is based must have been obtained within the five years preceding the application. Candidates must have completed all coursework and assessment for their Diploma course before they embark on the bridging course.

There will be only one intake/year, which is held in May/June.

Applicants for the following degrees are not recommended to apply for RPL as completing the EC1002 Introduction to Economics and MT105A Mathematics 1 (half course) will help prepare students for the rigour of advanced economics, where appropriate.

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in:
• Economics
• Economics and Finance
• Economics and Politics
• International Relations

Qualifications that do not qualify for automatic exemption will require an exemption application fee of £103 per full unit or £52 per half unit. For the bridging courses listed below which meet the UOL automatic exemption requirement, no exemption application fee is needed.

Bridging Courses

UOL’s Automatic Exemption Table for the following 2 bridging courses

This new bridging course is targeted at business related diploma holders intending to study for a UOL degree in an accelerated mode .

Bridging courses and their corresponding RPL:

Depending on applicant’s prior academic backgrounds and University of London academic credit exemption system, they are allowed to study up to two modules . It will either be a combination of Mathematics with Economics or Accounting.

Note: This course runs only full-time.

Sample timetable for 1) Bridging Course for Economics, Mathematics and Accounting

This bridging course has been introduced for 2018. It is targeted at non-business polytechnic diploma holders who achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, and who intend to study for a UOL degree at an accelerated rate. These candidates do not qualify for the Bridging Course for Economics, Mathematics and Accounting which is meant for business diploma graduates.

Bridging EMFSS modules and their corresponding RPL:

Note: Students are allowed to study up to two modules. This course is run full-time only.

Sample timetable for 2) Bridging Course for Economics, Management, Finance and Social Sciences (EMFSS) (PDF 35 KB)

For more information, click here (JPG 90 KB).

Note:
• Fees for the Bridging course for EMFSS will be S$3,852 for two full modules (Fees are inclusive of prevailing GST. Fees do not include textbooks and application charges.)

Lecturers & their Teaching Modules (PDF 1.8 MB)

Average teacher-student ratio (Full-Time) – 1:89

Assessment & Exams

Completion of class tests, assignments and preliminary exams is highly encouraged in preparation for the University’s annual exams.

Exams accounts for 100% grading, except for some units where coursework is assessed by the University.

Successful completion of 12 units is required to qualify for the degree. The 200 and 300 units normally carry more weight than the 100 units.

Grading Scheme

70-100 : First Class Honours
60-69   : Upper Second Class Honours
50-59   : Lower Second Class Honours
40-49   : Third Class Honours
0-39     : Fail

Promotion

Candidates are expected to take on 4 full units per academic year and 3 years to graduate.

• A Pass or exemption from at least two Level 100 units before they attempt Level 200/300 units.
• A pass in a unit shall not be eligible for a re-sit.
• Failure in a unit shall be eligible to be repeated / re-sit in the exam up to a maximum of 3 attempts for each paper.

Attendance requirement

Local: 75%
International (Dependent Pass holders/ Long-term Visit Pass holders): 90%

Graduation

The award of the BSc (Hons) degree requires successful completion of all 12 units.

Graduates may opt to participate in the presentation ceremony on SIM campus in April or the University of London (UK) in March.

Graduates of the UOL International Programmes may progress to postgraduate studies either locally or overseas.