MA Transport Economics

Year 1

(Award available for year: Master of Arts)

Learning outcomes

On completion of the programme students should have shown evidence of being able to:

- demonstrate an understanding of the different approaches to pricing, cost measurement and allocation of resources in the transport sector; recognising its special problems as compared to other sectors;
- understand the principles of welfare economics and be able to critically appraise their practical value in conducting cost benefit analysis;
- understand the complex trade-offs involved in determining the appropriate balance of regulation, competition and government involvement / ownership in transport and public utilities more generally;
- understand and be able to use appropriate econometric techniques for answering questions relevant to transport;
- understand the purpose and relative merits of the main transport models and to use a modelling package to analyse realistic, 'real life' problems in transport;
- demonstrate competence in the identification, collection, management and analysis of a range of data related to transport;
- design and conduct an independent research study on a topic related to transport economics.

Transferable (key) skills

The key skills that students will develop through the programme are highly relevant to a range of employment opportunities:

- being able to formulate and critically analyse key policy questions;
- being able to translate policy principles into practice;
- being able to understand the limitations and constraints of policies;
- being able to access up to date resources in an area and process them;
- to understand key data requirements and collection processes;
- to be able to communicate confidently through written work and in oral presentations;
- to be able to apply analytical skills to solve a wide range of economic, business and policy problems;
- to be able to apply statistical techniques in a range of contexts;
- to be able to independently research a substantive topic and draw balanced conclusions based on the evidence.

Assessment

The learning outcomes for the programme have been designed in conjunction with the learning outcomes of the modules. Each module comprises a balance of assessment of understanding of core principles, critique of practice and demonstration of the ability to conduct key tasks.

Importantly, the process of assessment takes a balanced approach to assessing both the learning outcomes and the achievement of the key skills portfolio outlined.

Learning context

The programme requires students to develop skills in the analysis of complex and unpredictable situations and to formulate and evaluate potential policy options. The programme provides a balance of instructed learning from academia and practice and opportunities for real learning and student-led debate and discussion.

Students will increasingly work towards autonomous learning such that their learning experiences can be taken out into the workplace.

The emphasis on problem solving and the ability to communicate and constructively debate solutions is important to the learning environment we wish to create and, critically is also important to future employers.