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Doing economics: inequalities, innovation and environment

In this module, you’ll learn a range of economic theories and analytical techniques to understand five major contemporary issues: economic growth, inequality, market power, innovation, and the environment. You’ll study multiple economic perspectives and competing theories, learning to evaluate which approaches are most effective for specific contexts. You&/courses/modules/dd320/39;ll also develop essential research skills while working toward your own independent project. By the end of the module, you’ll be equipped to critically analyse real-world socio-economic challenges and develop informed approaches to address them.

Modules count towards OU qualifications

OU qualifications are modular in structure; the credits from this undergraduate module could count towards a certificate of higher education, diploma of higher education, foundation degree or honours degree.

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Module

Module code

DD320

Credits

Credits

  • Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
  • One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
  • You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
  • For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
60

Study level

Across the UK, there are two parallel frameworks for higher education qualifications, the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Northern Ireland and Wales (FHEQ) and the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). These define a hierarchy of levels and describe the achievement expected at each level. The information provided shows how OU module levels correspond to these frameworks.
Level of Study
OU SCQF FHEQ
3 10 6

Study method

Distance Learning

Module cost

See Module registration

Entry requirements

See Entry requirements

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Module details Entry requirements Module registration Study materials

What you will study

This module equips you with the theoretical tools to investigate recent developments in modern economies. It adopts a pluralist view of economic theory, allowing you to understand debates between different approaches and develop skills to apply your learning to real-world problems.

The module consists of four blocks. The first three focus on economic theory, applications, and research methods used by economists to investigate real-world issues. In the final block, you will apply these methods in your own research project.

Block 1: Growth and inequality

You&/courses/modules/dd320/39;ll begin by exploring economic theories designed to explain the factors driving economic growth and various types of inequalities across countries, social groups, and different types of workers. You’ll learn to construct and test hypotheses using statistical methods, how to conduct a literature review, and get introduced to the final project.

Block 2: Innovation and market power

This block examines the impact of firms on the economy as key agents in capitalist systems. You’ll learn how competition drives firms to become more efficient and innovative through new products, improved processes, and new organisational forms. You’ll also explore how firms can hinder efficiency and innovation if they become too large and powerful, and how governments design policies to improve competition and innovation. Additionally, you’ll learn to analyse quantitative data using econometric modelling, apply qualitative research methods, and conduct research ethically.

Block 3: Environment

In Block 3, you’ll learn how to use economic theories and techniques to analyse environmental problems caused by human activities and evaluate policies that could reduce ecological damage. You’ll learn about integrating economic and social systems with the planet&/courses/modules/dd320/39;s biophysical system, techniques for valuing environmental goods and services, and how fiscal and monetary policies can improve environmental outcomes, especially regarding climate change. By the end of this block, you’ll be prepared to submit a research plan for your final project and will have expanded your knowledge of research methods.

Block 4: Project work

In the last weeks of the module, you&/courses/modules/dd320/39;ll complete a project of your choice, which will serve as your end-of-module assessment.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.

They’ll help by:

  • marking your assignments and offering detailed feedback to help you improve
  • providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content
  • guiding you to additional learning resources
  • facilitating online discussions between your fellow students in the dedicated module and tutor group forums.

Online tutorials run throughout the module. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate.

Assessment

The assessment details for this module can be found in the facts box.

Future availability

Doing economics: inequalities, innovation and environment starts once a year – in October. This page describes the module that will start in October 2025. We expect it to start for the last time in October 2036.

Regulations

As a student of 快猫视频, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations which are available on our website.

Course work includes:

5 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
1 Interactive computer-marked assignment (iCMA)
End-of-module assessment


Entry requirements

This is an OU level 3 module. OU level 3 modules build on study skills and subject knowledge acquired from studies at OU levels 1 and 2. They are intended only for students who have recent experience of higher education in a related subject, preferably with the OU.

We strongly recommend studying Essential economics: macro and micro perspectives (D217) or an alternative introductory or intermediate economics module before studying this module.

Register

Start End England fee Register
04 Oct 2025 Jun 2026 拢3892.00

Registration closes 11/09/25 (places subject to availability)
This module is expected to start for the last time in October 2036.

Additional Costs

Study costs

There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.

If your income is not more than £25,000 or you receive a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.

Ways to pay for this module

Open University Student Budget Account

快猫视频 Student Budget Accounts Ltd (OUSBA) offers a convenient &/courses/modules/dd320/39;pay as you go&/courses/modules/dd320/39; option to pay your OU fees, which is a secure, quick and easy way to pay. Please note that 快猫视频 works exclusively with OUSBA and is not able to offer you credit facilities from any other provider. All credit is subject to status and proof that you can afford the repayments.

You pay the OU through OUSBA in one of the following ways:

  • Register now, pay later – OUSBA pays your module fee direct to the OU. You then repay OUSBA interest-free and in full just before your module starts. 0% APR representative. This option could give you the extra time you may need to secure the funding to repay OUSBA.
  • Pay by instalments – OUSBA calculates your monthly fee and number of instalments based on the cost of the module you are studying. APR 5.1% representative.

Joint loan applications

If you feel you would be unable to obtain an OUSBA loan on your own due to credit history or affordability issues, OUSBA offers the option to apply for a joint loan application with a third party. For example, your husband, wife, partner, parent, sibling or friend. In such cases, OUSBA will be required to carry out additional affordability checks separately and/or collectively for both joint applicants who will be jointly and severally liable for loan repayments.

As additional affordability checks are required when processing joint loan applications, unfortunately, an instant decision cannot be given. On average the processing time for a joint loan application is five working days from receipt of the required documentation.

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Employer sponsorship

Studying with 快猫视频 can boost your employability. OU courses are recognised and respected by employers for their excellence and the commitment they take to complete. They also value the skills that students learn and can apply in the workplace.

Over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees. 

  • Your employer just needs to complete a simple form to confirm how much they will be paying and we will invoice them.
  • You won’t need to get your employer to complete the form until after you’ve chosen your module.  

Credit/debit card

You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module. 

We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron. 

Mixed payments

We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an .


Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and, therefore, the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University&/courses/modules/dd320/39;s fee policy, visit our .

This information was provided on 04/04/2025.

Can you study an Access module for free?

Depending on eligibility and availability of places, you could apply to study your Access module for free.

To qualify, you must:

  1. be resident in England
  2. have a household income of not more than £25,000 (or be in receipt of a qualifying benefit)
  3. have not completed one year or more on any full-time undergraduate programme at FHEQ level 4 or above or successfully completed 30 credits or more of OU study within the last 10 years

How to apply to study an Access module for free

Once you&/courses/modules/dd320/39;ve started the registration process, either online or over the phone, we&/courses/modules/dd320/39;ll contact you about your payment options. This will include instructions on how you can apply to study for free if you are eligible and funded places are still available.

If you&/courses/modules/dd320/39;re unsure if you meet the criteria to study for free, you can check with one of our friendly advisers on +44 (0)300 303 0069, or you can request a call back.

Not eligible to study for free?

Don&/courses/modules/dd320/39;t worry! We offer a choice of flexible ways to help spread the cost of your Access module. The most popular options include:

  • monthly payments through OUSBA
  • part-time tuition fee loan (you&/courses/modules/dd320/39;ll need to be registered on a qualification for this option)

To explore all the options available to you, visit Fees and Funding.

What's included

You&/courses/modules/dd320/39;ll be provided with a printed module book for each block of study and have access to a module website, which includes:

  • a week-by-week study planner
  • module materials
  • specialised software
  • audio and video content
  • online practice quizzes
  • assessment guide
  • online tutorials and forums.

Computing requirements

  • Primary device – A desktop or laptop computer. It’s possible to access some materials on a mobile phone, tablet or Chromebook; however, they will not be suitable as your primary device.
  • Peripheral device – Headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone for online tutorials.
  • Our OU Study app operates on supported versions of Android and iOS.
  • Operating systems – Windows 11 or latest supported macOS. Microsoft will no longer support Windows 10 as of 14 October 2025.
  • Internet access – Broadband or mobile connection.
  • Browser – Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are recommended. Mozilla Firefox and Safari may be suitable.
  • Software – You will need to download and install Stata to analyse quantitative data and NVivo to analyse qualitative data.

If you have a disability

The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying DD320 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.

To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our .