Strong foundation in economics, politics

The world is flat and we’re all backyard neighbours, whether we’re in Beijing or Brooklyn or Bedok. When economic growth was climbing in China, property prices in Singapore went up. When Greece was on the brink of bankruptcy, local and overseas share prices tumble.

The programme builds on core economic theories and important concepts of modern political thought. It develops your intellectual capacity to understand the world in political and economic terms.

You will learn the process of in-depth analysis of the global international economy and comparative politics.

Emphasis is on microeconomics, macroeconomics, understanding the state of democracy, and the democratic process.

Although this degree combination was introduced for the first time in 2015, the modules are not new and have been available to students in other degree programmes in Economics or Politics and International Relations.

This programme is ideal for those who wish to pursue a career in finance, government, research, international business or even in NGO work (where cross-cultural sensitivity is crucial).

Career prospects include financial or foreign correspondents, research analyst or consultant, risk & security analyst or consultant, corporate strategy & planning executive, public sector officials in foreign affairs, trade and economic relations, or homeland security.

Learning outcome

• Assess research practices and compare theoretical positions affecting both Economics and Politics
• Apply theoretical perspectives to real-life situations and challenges
• Understand the relationship between the political economy and public choice (the use of analytical tools of economics in the study of politics)

Teaching Faculty

Local faculty, with intensive workshops by UK academics.

Delivery Mode

Lectures, group discussions, workshops and online study.
Duration of each lesson is 3 hours.

Mode of Study

Full time classes are held in three-hour blocks between Monday and Saturday, starting at 8.30am, 12pm, or 3.30pm. There are occasional classes on weeknights at 7pm and on Sundays and public holidays. Classes for part-time programmes are held from 7pm to 10pm on weeknights or on Saturdays, with occasional classes on Sundays and public holidays. Local students may transfer between the part-time and full-time programme after a year, at the annual course enrolment exercise for continuing students.

Learning Support 

• Annual intensive revision from mid-March to end-April (lessons may be held in the evenings / weekends / public holidays).
• Classes on study skills, academic writing and the Peer-Assisted Learning sessions.

Academic Materials 

• Virtual Learning Environment
• SIMConnect portal
• University materials such as subject guides, past exam papers and exam commentaries, reading lists and handbooks on good study strategies

Programme Calendar

Year 1 classes / Aug 2019 – Feb 2020 (local students)
Year 1 classes / Sep 2019 – Feb 2020 (international students)
Year 1 classes / Sep 2019 – Feb 2020 (with exemptions)
Year 2/3 classes / Sep 2019 – Feb 2020
SIM Preliminary Exams / Feb 2020
Revision / Mar – Apr 2020
University Exams / May 2020
Results released / Mid-Aug 2020

Candidature Period

Minimum / Maximum period:
Standard BSc (Hons) (12 units) 3 years / 6 years
Graduate BSc (Hons) (9 units) 2 years / 6 years
*The candidature period may be extended by the University on a case-by-case basis.

No refund or recourse should the student fail to complete within the maximum period.

At SIM, students who are academically weak and find it difficult to progress or complete the programme within the minimum duration will receive counselling.

SIM reserves the right to recommend and withdraw a student who cannot cope with the demands of the programme, especially when the student’s pass has expired.

Minimum Class Size

Minimum class size to commence: 25 students. Students will be informed within 30 days after the application period.

Curriculum

Standard Entry Route:

The minimum duration of this programme is 3 years. The programme has 12 full units:

100 units
1. # EC1002 Introduction to economics
2. MT105A Mathematics 1 (half unit) and ST104A Statistics 1 (half unit)
3. PS1130 Introduction to modern political thought
4. PS1172 Introduction to political science

200 and 300 units
5. EC2066 Microeconomics (EC1002) + (MT105A or MT1174)
6. EC2065 Macroeconomics (EC1002) + (MT105A or MT1174)
7. PS2082 Comparative politics (PS1172 or PS1130)
8. EC3099 Industrial economics (EC2066 or MN3028) or EC3115 Monetary economics (EC2065)
9. PS3086 Democracy and democratisation (PS1172 or PS1130)
10. One 300 unit from Selection group E
11. One 300 unit from selection groups IR or P
12. One 200 or 300 unit (or two half units) from any selection group

Graduate Entry Route:

The minimum duration of this 9 full-unit programme, which is offered on both part-time and full-time basis, is two years.

100 units
1. # EC1002 Introduction to economics
2. MT105A Mathematics 1 (half unit) and ST104A Statistics 1 (half unit)
3. PS1130 Introduction to modern political thought OR PS1172 Introduction to political science

200 and 300 units
4. EC2066 Microeconomics (EC1002) + (MT105A or MT1174)
5. EC2065 Macroeconomics (EC1002) + (MT105A or MT1174)
6. PS2082 Comparative politics (PS1172 or PS1130)
7. EC3099 Industrial economics (EC2066 or MN3028) or EC3115 Monetary economics (EC2065)
8. PS3086 Democracy and democratisation (PS1172 or PS1130)
9. One 300 unit from selection group E, IR or P

Notes: 

# EC1002 Introduction to Economics must be taken after or at the same time as MT105A Mathematics 1 and ST104A Statistics 1
Bridging is not recommended for candidates applying to this degree. 

2019-2020 Units offered at SIM
Outline of Modules
Sample of full-time class schedule

Entry Requirements

General Entrance Requirements (GER) are:

• Applicant must be 17 years or older in the year of registration with UOL
• 2 GCE 'A'/H2 level subjects and 3 GCE 'O' level subjects or
• 3 GCE 'A'/H2 Level subjects and 1 GCE 'O' Level subject or
• 3 H2 passes, provided at least grades D, E, E are obtained or
• 2 H2 and 2 H1 passes, provided they are in non-overlapping subjects
• satisfy course requirements in English and Mathematics

The following qualifications may meet the GER for admission into Year 1:

• Diploma in Accounting, Banking and Finance, International Business and Management Studies awarded by SIM
• Diplomas awarded by Nanyang Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic or Temasek Polytechnic
• Teaching certificate from NIE/NTU
• Diploma in Banking and Finance from IBF
• Diploma in Employment Relations from Ong Teng Cheong Labour Leadership Institute (OTCi) and SIM University (UNISIM).
• Diploma from PSB Academy with average of 60% or better, done 9 months full time or 12 months part time and with at least 4 O level passes.
• University of London International Foundation Certificate
• Chartered Institute of Marketing Professional Diploma or Professional Postgraduate Diploma
• IAM Advanced Diploma in Administrative Management
• Open University, 120 Points at any level.
• Northern Consortium UK International Foundation Year (China syllabus) (in and after June 2004), provided at least 200 IFY points have been obtained and that the module English for Academic Purposes is passed at grade C or above.
• Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators, Associate & Graduate Member & Fellow
• International Baccalaureate (the Diploma)
• European Baccalaureate
• Advanced International Certificate of Education, provided that a minimum score of 120 points is achieved
• Two passes for the Malaysia Higher School Certificate/ Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (except Kertas Am) Grades A-C from 2003 in the new marking scheme (A-E in the old marking scheme before 2003)
• Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) offered in Malaysia provided that 5 acceptable subjects are passed at credit (or Grade B) or better, together with 3 non-overlapping subjects awarded with grades 1 to 6 (Grade A - C) in the SPM OR 8 acceptable UEC subjects passed at Credit (or Grade B) or better.
• The GER includes a pass (Grade C6 and above) in Mathematics at the GCE 'O' level and proof of competence in the English Language.

The list is not exhaustive and is subject to annual revision.

Refer to the University of London prospectus for full information.

Foreign Applicants:
Click here for information on overseas qualifications

Estimated Overall Fees

Standard Entry BSc (12 units for 3 years)
Year 1 : $10,500.00
Year 2 : $9,300.00
Year 3 : $9,300.00
Total course fee : $29,100.00

Graduate Entry BSc (9 units for 2 years)
Year 1 : $10,500.00
Year 2 : $11,500.00
Total course fee : $22,000.00

Graduate Entry BSc (9 units for  3 years)
Year 1 : $8,300.00
Year 2 : $7,000.00
Year 3 : $7,000.00
Total course fee : $22,300.00

Standard Entry BSc with exemption from 4 full units (8 units for 2 years)
Year 2 : $10,400.00
Year 3 : $9,300.00
Total course fee: $19,700.00

The Estimated Overall Fee is made up of :
1. Programme Fees for BSc (Honours)
2. UOL Application Fee
3. UOL Initial Registration Fee (Year 1)
4. UOL Continuing Registration Fee (Year 2 and 3)
5. UOL examination fee (payable to  UOL and RELC Examinations Bureau)

 Application Fees Applies

Breakdown of Estimated Overall Fees

Payable to SIM

Programme Fees for BSc (Honours)
12 full units : $18,041.00
9 full units : $13,531.00
8 full units : $12,027.00

Payable to University of London (UOL)

UOL Application Fee (One Time Payment) : £92.00
UOL Initial Registration Fee (Year 1) : £935.00
UOL Continuing Registration Fee (Year 2 and 3) : £427.00

UOL Examination Fee
BSc, 12 full units : $7,730.00
BSc, 9 full units : $5,750.00
BSc, 8 full units: $5,100.00

Additional UOL and SIM fees apply for those who repeat/resit the coursework/exam and also for those who extend their registration with the University.

Note: This estimated University of London examination fee, payable in S$ to the RELC Examinations Bureau, includes an admin fee (per paper) to RELC. All UOL fees are subjected to yearly revision.

Click here to refer to the Miscellaneous fees.

The fees above are only valid for 2018/2019 intake.

Scholarships and Awards

SIM GE scholarships available

Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)

APL is the recognition of previously acquired learning which can be mapped against particular learning outcomes of units within a programme. APL may be awarded if you have previously studied a similar subject in the same depth, at degree level, and you achieved good marks in the corresponding examination. A student who is awarded APL for a specific unit is considered to be exempted from this unit.

The qualification on which your APL is based must have been obtained within the five years preceding the application. Candidates must have completed all coursework and assessment for their Diploma course before they embark on the bridging programme.

There will be only one intake/year, which is held in May/June.

Applicants for the following degrees are not recommended to apply for APL as completing the EC1002 Introduction to Economics and MT105A Mathematics 1 (half unit) modules will help prepare students for the rigour of advanced economics, where appropriate.

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in:
• Economics
• Economics and Finance
• Economics and Politics
• International Relations
• Mathematics and Economics

Qualifications that do not qualify for automatic exemption will require an exemption application fee of £93 per full unit or £47 per half unit. For the bridging courses listed below which meet the UOL automatic exemption requirement, no exemption application fee is needed.

Bridging Courses

UOL's Automatic Exemption Table for the following 3 bridging courses

1) SIM Bridging Course in Economics

The course provides the fundamentals of economic analysis through the use of economics’ models and applications. It uses a more analytical, in-depth and rigorous approach than is done at diploma level. The lecturer will assume that students have studied both macroeconomics and microeconomics in their diploma prior to this 16-session programme.

2) SIM Bridging Course in Mathematics

This 12-session programme is targeted at business diploma holders from SIM and the polytechnics who wish to demonstrate competence in mathematics so that they may be exempted from MT105A Mathematics 1 (half unit) in the University of London degree programme. These candidates usually have an existing APL for ST104A Statistics 1 (half unit) based on their diploma.

Note:
• Fees for each bridging course will be S$642 (Fees are inclusive of prevailing GST. Fees do not include textbooks and application charges.)

Sample timetable for 1) SIM Bridging Course in Economics or 2) SIM Bridging Course in Mathematics

3) Bridging Course for Economics, Management, Finance and the Social Sciences (EMFSS)

This new bridging course has been introduced for 2018. It is targeted at non-business polytechnic diploma holders who achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, and who intend to study for a UOL degree at an accelerated rate. These candidates do not qualify for the SIM Bridging Course in Economics or SIM Bridging Course in Mathematics which is meant for business diploma graduates.

Bridging EMFSS modules and their corresponding APL:

Note: Students are required to enroll for all the modules (maximum of two full units). This course is run full-time only.

Sample timetable for 3) Bridging Course for Economics, Management, Finance and Social Sciences (EMFSS)

For more information, click here.

Note:
• Fees for the Bridging course for EMFSS will be S$3,852 for two full units (Fees are inclusive of prevailing GST. Fees do not include textbooks and application charges.)

Profiles

Lecturers & their Teaching Modules

Average teacher-student ratio for full-time – 1:102

Assessment & Exams

Completion of class tests, assignments and preliminary exams is highly encouraged in preparation for the University’s annual exams.

Exams accounts for 100% grading, except for some units where coursework is assessed by the University.

Successful completion of 12 units is required to qualify for the degree. The 200 and 300 units normally carry more weight than the 100 units.

Grading Scheme

70-100 : First Class Honours
60-69   : Upper Second Class Honours
50-59   : Lower Second Class Honours
40-49   : Third Class Honours
0-39     : Fail  

Promotion

Candidates are expected to take on 4 full units per academic year and take 3 years to graduate.

• A Pass or exemption from at least two Level 100 units before they attempt Level 200/300 units.
• A pass in a unit shall not be eligible for a re-sit.
• Failure in a unit shall be eligible to be repeated / re-sit in the exam up to a maximum of 3 attempts for each paper.

Attendance requirement

Local: 75%
Student's Pass holders: 90%

Graduation

The award of the BSc (Hons) degree requires successful completion of all 12 units.

Graduates may choose to participate in the presentation ceremony on SIM campus in April or the University of London (UK) in March.

Graduates of the UOL International Programmes may progress to postgraduate studies either locally or overseas.