Bachelor of Arts (Economics) (University at Buffalo)

The following qualifications are accepted:  

• Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (A-Level) 
• Polytechnic Diploma 
• SIM Diploma 
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: Most recent 3 years of high school grade of ‘B’ equivalent to IB score 4.5. IB Diploma holders can expect up to 30 credit exemptions with a minimum of 30 total scores. 
• SIM Management Foundation Studies (MFS) or its equivalent  
• Qualifications equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma.  Average grade of ‘B’ or better. 

Students with Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (A-Level), Polytechnic Diploma and SIM Diploma may be considered for admission with advanced standing credits.

Note: Advanced standing and transfer credits granted are subjected to final approval by UB. UB reserves the right to change credit articulations at any time.

Equivalent International Qualifications

View admission criteria of international students on course website

English Language Requirements

Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents with at least 10 years primary and secondary education in Singapore in an English-medium government school, and completed their GCE ‘O’ level with a grade ‘C’ (6 or better) in the English Language, are exempted from the English Language proficiency requirement.

International students’ requirements

All other applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English in one of the following ways. Only scores from tests taken within 2 years prior to the time of enrolment are acceptable.

English Language qualification and Minimum Scores

• Paper-based TOEFL: 550
• Internet-based TOEFL (IBT): 79
• IELTS: 6.5
• PTE Academic: 55
• SAT 1 ERWS: 550
• ACT (English and reading sections): 20
• International Baccalaureate (IB) – Diploma Higher Level English A1 or A2 or A: 4

Graduates have gone on to graduate schools for further studies.

The demand for economists has increased over the past decades. The well-trained economics graduate offers employers analytic insights and the knowledge in applications of economics analysis in their scope of work.

With this qualification, you have job opportunities in

• Brokerage firms
• Investment and retail banks
• Insurance and financial services sectors
• International relations
• Other professions

Structure

• Blended Learning. Activities, consultations, discussions, exercises, lectures, online learning and presentations.
• Each lesson consists of 1.5 hours of lecture and 1.5 hours of consultation.
• To ensure parity in standards, rigors of the program, integrity of the UB degree, more than 50% of modules are taught by US /overseas visiting faculty, covering the full semester throughout the entire program. The rest of the modules are taught by qualified local faculty with the experience and academic expertise approved by UB.
• Average teacher-student ratio = 1:46.
• Minimum class size to commence: 25 students. Students will be informed at least one month prior to course commencement if class cannot commence due to low take up rate.

Assessment & Attendance

• The normal module load for students is 12 to 15 credit hours a semester.
• Students may register for modules and make changes to their class schedule. Students who choose to drop or resign from any modules, are on official leave of absence or have to repeat any failed modules, may take more than three years to complete their studies.
• Continuous assessment comprises tests, quizzes, assignments, projects, presentations, participations and activities scheduled throughout the semester.
• The final exam is held in the 2 - 3 weeks after the semester ends.
• Students progress through each semester till they satisfactorily complete the conferral requirements.
• Attendance requirement:
• • Local students – Minimum attendance requirement as stipulated by UB or 75%, whichever is higher.
  • International students – Minimum attendance requirement is 90% as mandated by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore (ICA).

Modules

Prerequisite Modules

• ECO 181 Introduction to Macroeconomics (4 credits)
• ECO 182 Introduction to Microeconomics (4 credits)
• MTH 121 Survey of Calculus and Its Applications I (4 credits)

Required Modules

• ECO 380 Economic Statistics and Data Analysis (3 credits)
• ECO 405 Microeconomic Theory 1 (3 credits)
• ECO 407 Macroeconomic Theory (3 credits)
• ECO 480 Econometrics I (3 credits)
• 5 Upper-level ECO Elective courses (15 credits)

UB Curriculum

• UB Seminar (3 credits)
•  Foundations (21 credits)
  • Communication Literacy I (4 credits) 
  • Communication Literacy II (3 credits) 
  • Mathematical and Quantitative Reasoning (4 credits) 
  • Scientific Literacy and Inquiry (7 credits)1 
  • Diversity in the United States (3 credits) 
• Pathways (18 – 19 credits)
  • Thematic Pathways (9 credits) 
  • Global Pathways (9 – 10 credits)
• UBC 399 UB Curriculum Capstone (1 credit) 

Free Electives

• 11 credits (Upper Division, at least 300-Level)
• 33 credits (Any Level)

Minors

• Communication Minor
• Economics Minor
• Geography Minor
• Management Minor
• Marketing Minor
• Psychology Minor
• Sociology Minor