B.Sc (Hons.) Economics
Program Overview
Areas: Economics, Micro and Macro Economics, Management, Accounting, Banking, Finance, Development, Trade, Econometrics, Financial Markets
Duration: 4 years, 8 semesters
Credits: 132
Career Paths: Banking and Financial Sector, Commerce and industry, Research organizations, Regulatory Bodies, Planning and Development Institutions, Non-Governmental Organizations
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Scholarships
Merit Scholarships
1. 75% of the tuition fees for all students securing 90% or higher marks in intermediate or 3As in A levels (continued or awarded conditional on maintaining 3.8 or higher CGPA with full workload)
2. 50% of the tuition fees for all students securing 80-89% or 2As in A levels (continued or awarded conditional on maintaining 3.5-3.8 CGPA with full workload)
Need Based Scholarship
Up to 100% subject to assessment of the need, certain verifications and competence
Beaconhouse Group Patronage Scholarship
100% admission fee waiver for all graduates of Beaconhouse School System or its affiliates.
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Career Prospects
The bachelor’s program in Economics is an excellent step towards a successful career. Our former students enjoy careers in a variety of analytical, technical and finance related roles as well as setting up their own businesses including:
- Banking and Financial Sector
- Commerce and Industry
- Research Organizations
- Regulatory Bodies
- Planning and Development Institutions
- Non-Government Organizations (NGOs)
- Academic Institutions
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Program Objectives
The distribution of credits indicates the priorities of the program: a deep, broad and structured training in core areas of economics built on the foundation of a liberal arts training as embodied in the non-economics core, and the room to explore a variety of subjects within and beyond the confines of economics.
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Learning Outcomes
- To equip students with the standard conceptual tools and language of the economics discipline and profession, so as to allow students to participate in contemporary global conversations and debates.
- Courses in Economics program allow students to participate in conversations and debates not only on the margins of the economics discipline, but also to converse with critical voices within the mainstream.
- To equip students with the tools of quantitative and empirical analysis which economics students today are expected to be familiar with.
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Admission Criteria
To be eligible for admission to B.Sc (Hons) Economics , a candidate must satisfy the following requirements: -
- Educational Criteria
- Candidates with minimum 50% marks in intermediate or average C grade in A levels are eligible to apply for this program. Admission offer would be subject to the decision of the admission committee based on candidate’s academic history and performance in the test and interview.
- Written / aptitude test
- Interview
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Courses
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Course Categories
The BSc. (Honors) Economics program is divided into four different course categories as summarized below in Table 1. First, courses falling under the economics core category are the courses which every student expecting to graduate from the program must study. Second, students must choose courses worth a total of 33 credits from a variety of other courses offered by the Department of Economics to fulfill the economics elective requirement. Third, the non-economics core comprises a list of obligatory courses offered by departments other than economics. Lastly, students must study electives offered by departments other than the Department of Economics for a total of 18 credits. The distribution of credits across these four categories indicates the priorities of the program: a deep, broad and structured training in core areas of economics built on the foundation of a liberal arts training as embodied in the non-economics core, and the room to explore a variety of subjects within and beyond the confines of economics.
The non-economics core (see Table 2 below) gives students an introduction to the study of politics, culture, history, anthropology, and history – a grounding for further exploration of a variety of disciplines offered by the university, both within and outside the liberal arts and social sciences. It also provides foundations in computing skills and academic writing and communication – skills which are necessary for students to be able to navigate their way through an undergraduate academic program today.
The economics core (see Table 3 below) has multiple “faces”. The first face consists of two sequences with three courses each in mainstream economic theory (both micro and macro). These sequences are meant to equip students with the standard conceptual tools and language of the economics discipline and profession, so as to allow students to participate in contemporary global conversations and debates. This is the first learning outcome of the program. The second face focusses on political economy, and is made up of subject matter not typical of an economics core, especially the study of international political economy and the history of economic thought. This face forms a stark but necessary contrast to the mainstream theory courses of the first face, given the limitations of orthodox economic analysis. Courses from this part of the economics core will allow students to participate in conversations and debates not only on the margins of the economics discipline, but also to converse with critical voices within the mainstream. This is the second learning outcome of the program. It will also allow them to place Pakistan’s political economy in the context of the global political economy.
The third face consists of training in mathematical, statistical, econometrics and research methods, and is complementary to both the first and second faces. Given the quantitative nature of the economics discipline today (whether in the mainstream or at the margins), these courses are meant to equip students with the tools of quantitative and empirical analysis which economics students today are expected to be familiar with. This is the third key learning outcome.
Lastly, courses on issues of contemporary relevance complete the economics core.
Table 1: Credit Requirements by Course Category
Table 2: Non-Economics Core (NEC)
Table 3: Economics Core (EC)
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Degree Progression
The degree progression or roadmap given below is not set in stone. It provides a working structure which allows for planning and predictability, and also provides flexibility to deal with change and contingency. It is expected that students will actively keep track of the progress of their degree and ensure that they are able to complete the degree requirements outlined above within the desired time-frame of 8 semesters. This will involve speaking regularly to faculty, carefully analyzing the course offerings every semester and choosing smartly from among the available courses.
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Year I - Semester I
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Year I - Semester II
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Year II - Semester III
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Year II - Semester IV
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Year III - Semester V
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Year III - Semester VI
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Year IV - Semester VII
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Year IV - Semester VIII
Note that in this semester the fall intake may take the thesis option instead of the two electives. So they would need to plan their studies accordingly.
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Transfer Policy
Transfer of the students from other related schools/programs would be permissible for only those students who have secured minimum 2.0 CGPA.
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Degree Requirement
Students are required to complete 132 credit hours in order to complete the degree.