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- What does an Economist do?
- How is Economics at NTU different?
- What combinations of Economics subjects should I take?
- Is it an advantage to have studied Economics at A-Level?
- What if I am not strong in Mathematics?
- To specialise in the area of Quantitative Economics, is an AO Math’s qualification enough to cope?
- Is the programme open to all polytechnic students? Is the Mathematics admission requirement the same as that of A-level students?
Division-Specific FAQs
Economics
What does an Economist do?
An economist is a person who uses economic theories and quantitative techniques to address problems of resource allocation in a world where not all wants can be satisfied and choices therefore have to be made. Some economists work for the government: they analyse data on trends in national wealth and make recommendations to policy-makers. Other economists work in the private sector, forecasting, consulting and making decisions. Not all economics graduates join the economics profession. Many move into related areas such as corporate planning, market research, financial analysis, or even become executives in their own right.
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How is Economics at NTU different?
The curriculum structure gives students a great deal of flexibility in selecting courses outside their Economics major. Up to 25 percent of the curriculum can be filled with unrestricted electives, i.e. subjects offered in any School in NTU, including Economics electives. There is no restriction on the combination as long as the time-table permits and pre-requisites are satisfied. For example, students who wish to further their knowledge in economics have the option of selecting more advanced economics subjects. Students however are strongly encouraged to use the general electives to complement their work in economics with a Minor offered by other Schools. Possible Minors include Business, Chinese, Entrepreneurship, Communication Studies, and Computing. Students may also wish to select a concentration of general electives from one of the specialisations in the Business School, such as marketing, finance or actuarial science. If so, they should pay attention to the subject pre-requisites and plan accordingly.
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What combinations of Economics subjects should I take?
Although students are free to select their economics electives, it would be sensible for students to group their subjects in one of three concentrations: Finance and Business, Development and Public Policy or Quantitative Economics. The choice of stream depends on the interests and intentions of the student.
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Is it an advantage to have studied Economics at A-Level?
No, not necessarily. Students who have studied Economics at school will find the first year a bit easier. After that, all students will have reached the same level. University teaching is, moreover, different from A-level teaching. The approach at University is more analytical and more challenging. Even students with A-levels will have to develop new skills.
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What if I am not strong in Mathematics?
Nowadays all students of economics have to know some mathematics. Also, in their careers they will probably need to use some basic quantitative techniques. The NTU programme is, however, designed in such a way as to allow students to select as many as possible of their options. Students can choose the modules that suit their abilities and in which they excel. Just as some students will avoid the more quantitative, others will select the Quantitative Economics concentration because they find it challenging and excel at it.
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To specialise in the area of Quantitative Economics, is an AO Math’s qualification enough to cope?
AO Maths provides a foundation on which further mathematical and statistical skills/knowledge will be developed in the courses within the Quantitative Economics concentration. Students who intend to read courses in this concentration should be quantitatively inclined.
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Is the programme open to all polytechnic students? Is the Mathematics admission requirement the same as that of A-level students?
Yes, all Polytechnic students, regardless of their Diplomas, are welcome to apply. Students who do not have O-level Additional Mathematics may be called for interviews and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
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