Identify and analyze the major issues that divide those in favour of the Britain’s leaving the European Union and those who oppose it. Who do you expect to be the major gainers and losers?
Identify and analyze the major issues that divide those in favour of the Britain’s leaving the European Union and those who oppose it. Who do you expect to be the major gainers and losers? Be sure to explain why you see them as gaining or losing, using economic reasoning. You should suggest which of these gains and losses you think are likely to be most important.

The essay should be a maximum of 2,000 words for the main body (including within-text references) of the essay (not including contents page, footnotes, executive summary, bibliography or appendices) .
Your essay will be assessed according to the following criteria:

1. Understanding of the topic.
Proper use of theoretical ideas to guide the analysis. Correct use of terminology. Ability to explain ideas and events. Ability to compare and contrast different opinions. Evidence of an informed decision about what areas to concentrate on in the essay and which are the key arguments.

2. Depth of analysis and evidence.
Ability to go beyond mere description and build a reasoned case. Quantity and quality of evidence underpinning major points/conclusions. Ability to identify and assess the effects on different areas of importance to Britain like trade, financial flows, migration, education, productivity etc,.
3. Writing and communication skills.
Logical sequence to the essay. Proper introduction and conclusion. Clear tables, diagrams and referencing. Good use of English and fluent style. Ability to argue to reasoned conclusions.

It is important that you familiarize yourself with the Management School’s generic marking descriptors for both coursework and exam in the Undergraduate Student Handbook. There are three things we would strongly emphasize if you want to get 2:1 grades or better:

• Answer the question – it is very important to keep your answer well-focussed
• Show evidence of wider reading – the exam is not a memory test, so if you can’t remember exact names or dates for articles you will still get credit
• Analyse, don’t just describe. In both coursework and exam you will get credit for using relevant economic theory, particularly if there is a key diagram or key result (which may be a formula or algebraic expression). You will also get credit for pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of particular methods or schools of thought. Finally, evaluate. You need to come to a reasoned conclusion, backed up by argument and evidence.

This advice is quite general for your third year work. You will get credit for showing a constructively critical view of your subject matter and for an appreciation that there is a lot we do not know and/or do not know for sure. Being able to make well argued evaluations of debates in area of uncertainty is a key attribute of the good graduate.

Draft essays will not be read. Instead each student will have available a 15-minute individual appointment (up to the student to arrange by email) during which areas of uncertainty will be discussed. As professional people you must take responsibility for diagnosing your own areas of weakness and seeking appropriate guidance. This is what will be expected of you in the workplace.

Academic journals (accessed through the library website), Financial Times, The Economist, Bank of England, Office of National Statistics and National Institute of Economic and Social Research are some acceptable sources you can use for your research.