THE BRITISH ECONOMY AFTER BREXIT - 2026/7

Module Overview

This module examines the UK¿s current economic troubles and looks at possible solutions. The module will start by outlining the UK¿s most pressing economic issues ¿ the stagnation of living standards, high levels of inequality and higher trade barriers post Brexit. The module¿s second half then looks at possible solutions to these problems, discussing shortcomings and trade-offs involved in the various approaches that have been proposed by economists.

Module provider

Economics

Module Leader

BREINLICH Holger (Economics)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

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

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Module content: indicative module content includes :

• The UK¿s relative economic performance since 2008
• Income inequality in the UK between people and places
• Public service provision in the UK
• The economic effects of Brexit
• Solutions, part 1: reforms to UK taxation
• Solutions, part 2: creating incentives for investment
• Solutions, part 3: a new UK trade policy and resetting the relationship with the EU

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate:

• Their understanding of the UK¿s current economic problems and potential solutions to these problems
• Their ability to use economic theories and data to critically analyse these problems and solutions
• Their knowledge of how to use modern generative AI models to write economic essays related to the UK¿s current economic problems.

Coursework: The essay and the literature search required for this will allow students to learn to judge whether digital information is trustworthy and relevant; they will also learn to distinguish different kinds of information (e.g., grey literature vs. peer-reviewed academic articles) and to independently assess their quality. This will help students to build their digital capabilities. The essay will also allow students to hone their skills in effectively using modern generative AI models. This addresses learning outcomes 1, 2 and 3.

In-class test: This will allow students to demonstrate their factual knowledge of facts related to Britain¿s current economic problems, as well as their knowledge of economic theories applied to understanding and solving thesolutionsse problems. This addresses learning outcomes 1 and 2.

Module aims

• Introduce students to the UK¿s current economic problems and potential solutions to these problems
• Introduce students to the application of basic economic theory and statistical methods to address real-world problems

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

Methods of Teaching / Learning

This module uses economic theory and data to understand the UK¿s current economic problems and to propose potential solutions to these problems. The above learning outcomes will be achieved through a combination of theoretical lectures, tutorial exercises and directed self-study. The lectures will provide an overview of the material which the students then follow-up on with directed self-study, using selected original articles and policy reports. The tutorial exercises will provide questions designed to deepen students¿ understanding of the concepts and facts discussed in the lectures. The lectures and tutorials will also be used to introduce students to the use of modern genAI tools for writing economic essays.

The learning and teaching methods include:

Lectures

Tutorials

general and small group discussions; question and answer interactive format; directed self-study

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: ECO2066

Other information

Other information:

The School of Economics is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities particularly in the following areas:

Employability:

The module is designed to give fundamental knowledge about current economics issues relevant to the British economy, which will be useful in many different career paths accessible to economists, both in the public and private sector.

Resourcefulness and resilience:

Students will practice the use of modern genAI tools as part of writing their coursework essay.

Global and Cultural Intelligence:

Students will compare the performance of the UK economy to a range of other developed economies, hence also gaining an understanding of global economic trends and issues.

Sustainability:

Through writing the coursework essay, students will learn how to plan, coordinate, and complete projects. This will teach them transferable skills that can be applied to future employment or graduate study.

Digital Capabilities:

Students will learn how to use modern genAI tools to write economics essays, helping to equip them for a future work environment where these tools are likely to be ubiquitous.

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 2026/7 academic year.