ECO-20067 - Module Specification
Keele Business School
Faculty of Business, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

Quantitative Methods for Economics & Finance

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

This module is designed to develop the data analysis skills of students with an emphasis on developing digital and employability skills using industry standard software. The module combines the teaching of key concepts in statistics and econometrics with giving students a practical, hands-on experience of analysing data using Excel, the Bloomberg Terminal, and Stata. As such students will develop both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required of professional economists and financial analysts in the collection and interpretation of relevant data. A significant portion of the teaching on this module is conducted in computer-lab classes using the Bloomberg Suite to provide the hands-on experience, which is then assessed in the portfolio assignment.

This module will develop a range of quantitative techniques widely employed by professional economists and financial analysts. There is an emphasis on equipping students with digital skills using industry-standard software, including Excel, STATA, and Bloomberg terminals, delivered in computer-lab based classes. The module covers the entire process of conducting statistical analysis; from finding and retrieving relevant economic/financial data, then summarising and presenting the data, to using the data to formulate a model, estimating the model, and interpreting and evaluating its results. The module develops core subject specific and employability skills in data collection, using analytic software, and coding.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Analyse data using relevant statistical concepts including mean, variance, and distribution.: 1
Formulate and test hypotheses using appropriate statistical techniques.: 1,2
Use industry standard software (Bloomberg, Excel, Stata) to gather and analyse data.: 1,2
Determine the most appropriate model for estimating economic and financial relationships.: 2
Interpret results from econometric outputs.: 2

Study hours

Lectures - 34 hours
Computer labs - 14 hours
Preparation for lectures - 68 hours
Preparation and completion of computer lab tasks - 28 hours
Independent study - 156 hours.
Of which 56 hours will be practising software such as Excel and Stata as well as obtaining additional optional certifications using the Bloomberg Terminal.
100 hours preparing the assessments.

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment