PUBLIC FINANCE - 2025/6

Module Overview

This module provides an in-depth review of the building blocks of public finance theories and introduces datasets at the graduate level.

Module provider

Economics

Module Leader

MANDILARAS Alexandros (Economics)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

NA

Module content

Indicative content includes:

¿ Define public finance and public economics.
¿ Discuss the challenges the government face
¿ Understand different concepts of efficiency
¿ Explain when a market failure occurs and how governments can address them
¿ Understand the main principles of budgeting, i.e. expenditures and revenues.
¿ Understand and critically engage with questions of public debt.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

In lieu of the group project a personal assignment will be provided.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate
¿ understanding of different aspects of public finance
¿ the ability to manipulate models to derive results, demonstrate properties and solve problems.
¿ Ability to analyse fiscal data

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
¿ a small group project (¿Fiscal Policy¿), which is connected to learning outcomes 2 and 3
¿ a two-hour examination assessing the public finance models discussed in the lectures and tutorials, which is connected to outcomes 1 and 4

Formative assessment and feedback. Classes to provide verbal feedback on the exercises and individual feedback on performance in the in-semester test.

Module aims

• This class aims at developing a clear understanding of the role of public finances and public policies in the economy. Enable students to engage in a critical discussion of recent debates, developments and trends in public finance.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategies are designed to:
prepare the students for the study of economics and econometrics at FHEQ Level 7 (first week)
to ensure that students are familiar with modern methods in Public finance, including a range of theoretical assumptions and empirical evidence.

The lectures provide an understanding of a variety of important public finance. The tutorials give students experience in manipulating data and deriving results for the models discussed in the lectures

The learning and teaching methods include:
¿ reading lecture slides
¿ reading the textbook
¿ reading assigned journal articles
¿ solving problems quantitatively
¿ 2 hour lectures per week x 11 weeks
¿ 1-hour tutorials per week x 10 weeks

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ECOM073

Other information

The curriculum framework pillars that have been embedded within the module with commensurate learning activities are Resourcefulness and resilience: Students in this module will develop their understanding and skills through assessment and feedback in tutorials. Tutorial feedback sessions are designed to provide students with the opportunity to ask questions and deepen their understanding of the topics. Global capabilities: Real-life examples will be utilized in this module which will build students¿ global capabilities. Employability: This module will provide students with relevant hard skills to prepare them to successfully compete in the labor market or to continue education. Digital Capabilities: This module will equip students with statistical tools to analyse fiscal data.

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.