This programme is designed for students with a background in economics - it deepens their existing understanding of economic methodologies and applies these to the transport sector. Students learn to use economics to first understand and then address transport issues.
The emphasis is on enabling students to apply techniques to formulate and critically analyse key policy questions, which include:
- What are the true costs of transport and how can they be measured effectively?
- Should users pay directly for their personal contribution to environmental damage?
- How does the level of taxation influence people's choice of transport?
- Has road congestion charging been a success?
- What role should the state play in owning and operating public transport?
- Which forms of transport regulation are most effective?
A set of core methodologies underpins the programme:
- Welfare economics, appraisal and cost-benefit analysis
(social welfare functions; public goods and externalities; private and social discount rates)
- Economics of production and efficiency measurement
(economies of scale, density and scope; measures of productivity and efficiency)
- Pricing of transport and network industries
(first and second best pricing; pricing for congestion and environment effects
- Regulatory economics (forms of regulation; regulatory price reviews; public versus private ownership; approaches to de-regulation)
- Econometric analysis: theory and applied
(efficiency frontier methods; demand forecasting; discrete choice models of travel behaviour).
The programme
In common with other Masters degrees at the University, the MA involves studying for 180 credits in total. Students who wish to take only part of the programme may be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma provided that they achieve at least 120 credits. The programme normally provides exemption from the educational requirements of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CMILT) and of the Institution of Highways and Transportation (MIHT).
Content
The programme is delivered by means of a series of lectures, seminars, workshops and computer-based exercises. The coursework is designed to develop students’ understanding of both economic theory and its application to the real world. Students acquire generic skills in the use of information technology, time management, team working, report writing, making presentations, data analysis and research methods.
Programme structure and modules studied
Learning outcomes, transferable skills, assessment and learning context
The dissertation
The Transport Economics dissertation provides a capstone experience,
which requires students to complete an extended piece of research work;
this develops the students’ ability to apply economic analysis to
real world problems and data. A list of suggested topics based on current
research and practical issues is provided in the first semester. This
list often provides opportunities to work with external organisations,
but students are also encouraged to develop their own ideas for a dissertation
topic. Once a topic is chosen, students are allocated a supervisor who
provides guidance. Work begins in February and continues through to August. Students are required to make an oral presentation of the
finished work as well as the written dissertation.
Some examples of previous student dissertations can be found here.
Entry requirements including
English language requirements
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Institute for Transport Studies - University of Leeds - Leeds - LS2 9JT