PGDip Transport Economics(Part-time)

Year 2

(Award available for year: Postgraduate Diploma)

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;
- to 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.

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.

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.