Dr Guglielmo Volpe talks about academic support and resources available to economics students during the study process.
The School of Economics and Finance strongly believes that education, personal and professional development also takes place outside the classroom. Our students have the opportunity to engage in various extra-curricular activities that furthers their understanding of economics and finance and adds value to their student experience.
Dr Guglielmo Volpe answers the questions below reflecting on specifics of our academic staff members teaching on our courses, as well as academic resources that students in economics utilise during their studying at Queen Mary.
The School collaborates with a team of about 13 practitioners, who are industry experts who work in economics, finance, insurance, banking and so on and who have agreed to dedicate some of their time to teach on our UG and PG programmes.
Depending on the circumstances, every year some of the teaching is carried out by some of the practitioners who help students appreciate who knowledge learned in the classroom is used and applied in industry.
In some instances during the academic year industry or sector experts are invited to provide some industry insights to students.
Throughout the three years of study there will be plenty of opportunities to engage with individual and/or group projects that will require students to deal with real world issues that, often, will also require the use of data and quantitative analysis to produce evidence and solutions. As a School, we place a lot of importance on such projects/activities because they help students both understand how economics is ‘done’ and develop the skills appreciated by employers.
All members of staff hold regular office hours during the semester and students have the opportunity to reach out to them to discuss any issue concerning their studies. Each student is also allocated an academic adviser who follow the student during the three years at University and is available to provide both academic and pastoral help. The School also has a student support officer who is available to meet with students to discuss any concerns they might have. We also have a system whereby year 2 and year 3 students help year 1 students with their studies. We collaborate with three Societies who also organise careers and academic support for the students.
We have two computer labs that are available for use to only economics and finance students. One of the computer labs is made up of 30 Bloomberg Terminals. These are computer that run the Bloomberg software and data and that give students the opportunity to experience how the technology is used in the banking and finance industry. Our students also have access to the full edition of the FT and the Economist during their studies.
Queen Mary is one of a few UK Universities with a Trading & Behavioural Lab.
The School organises a number of extracurricular activities during the academic year aimed at fostering a sense of community and belonging among students and staff. The ‘Research Assistant’ scheme gives year 2 and year 3 students the opportunity to work with a member of staff on a research project and this gives students the opportunity of experiencing how economics and finance research is actually carried out. The ‘Book Club’ gives students the opportunity to read about recent economics literature together with academic staff. Through the ‘Ambassador’ scheme students have the opportunity to collaborate with and support the School in the organisation of events during the academic year. The School also organises regular talks with industry experts that are open to all students as well as various careers events often organised in collaboration with the students’ societies.