Student Insight Night Thursday 27 th February 2014 University of Ulster

1. Student Insight Night Thursday 27th February 2014 University of Ulster

2. Professor Neil Gibson • University of Ulster alumnus- Applied Economics • Placement year in Northern Ireland Economic Research Centre • Worked in PwC • Set up own forecasting company • Merged with Oxford Economics • Ran their global forecasting service • Joined University of Ulster in Jan 2013 to establish NICEP NICEP ‘Helping NI achieve its economic ambitions’

3. What are you thinking? As a potential student you will be thinking of a range of pro’s and cons of going to University. Have you thought of these questions: • Will it help me get a job? • Will I earn more if I do? • I thought there were no jobs in the labour market?- economic facts • What will I be doing and where am I likely to get a job? • Why study at University of Ulster?

4. Will it help me get a job?

5. Will it help me get a job?- Yes! Yes- statistics show that 86% of individuals with a degree are in employment in NI Source: LFS

6. Will I earn more?

7. Will I earn more?- Yes! NI average = £410 Average graduate earns £28,000 44% more than NI average! Source: LFS

8. How much will I earn? Note: Assuming NI earns 20% less than UK Average graduate earns £28,000 Average NI Economics graduate earns £31,000 Average NI Finance graduate earns £37,000

9. The labour market- economic facts

10. Let’s face the facts… • This all sounds really good, a degree will increase my chances of getting a good, well paid and long term job! • But is the labour market recovering? I thought there where no jobs out there? Let’s see….

11. It’s a tough market.. But improving! Source: Nomis

12. Where will the jobs be? Note: Green shading denotes public sector Source: NICEP

13. And the investors are still coming

14. What will I be doing and • where am I likely to get a job?

15. What do economists, accountants and finance workers do? What you will do? What questions will you address? Should the government cut taxes? Will corporation tax powers be devolved to NI? Is Austerity working within the UK? Should the welfare system be reformed? Should I invest in Corporate bonds or equities? Does integrated education have an economic benefit? Do I build a road, a school or cut taxes with public money? Where are the market opportunities in my sector What are the economic issues with university fees? • Make decisions – have an opinion! • Analyse how to spend scarce resources. • Determine where the best returns on investment can be found • Draft, critique and implement policy • Advise clients – help others make decisions • Preparing profit and loss accounts • Audit analysis • Investment and decision making analysis • Management accounting principals

16. What do our graduates work at? • Economic Consultancy – Deloitte, PWC, KPMG, Ernst & Young BDO Stoy Hayward • Banks, finance and investment houses (new investment) • Government Economists (central and local including Northern Ireland Centre for Economic Policy) • Tax advisors • Accountants • Barristers • Solicitors • Investment analysts • Research Analysts (all sectors, aerospace, retailing, agri-food) • Teacher • University Lecturer / Professor • Company Directors/Owners/Entrepreneurs • Utility Regulation - electricity, gas, water • Fund management • Research and policy officers • Director / finance officer / analyst in voluntary sector • And not just locally, we have exported all of the above skills.

17. Why study at the University of Ulster

18. Why University of Ulster? • Contemporary, market facing provision in a business school setting teaching commercially relevant skills • Open minded and engaging approach to teaching students. • Close links with employers and industry bodies (guest lectures by employers, placement programmes, applied and published dissertations) • Ambitious plans with cross over between business disciplines • Excellent and motivated teaching staff • An organisation with a stated mission to make a difference in Northern Ireland through educating people, working with business and applied research / engagement

19. Ulster Benefits: 1 Year Placement NICEP Big 4 Accountancy (PwC, Deloitte, EY, KPMG) Citi Danske Bank British Aerospace Loreal JP Morgan Bank of Ireland Oxford Economics Red Box Tax Associates NI Audit Office DETI NITB Coca Cola (in Germany) Randox Translink Cogent Management Consulting …..and many more! An additional qualification with your degree! (DIS/DAS)

20. Placement year – Study USA / Study Abroad Accounting, & Finance students have studied at... • Centre College, Kentucky • Columbia College, South Carolina • Martin Methodist College, Tennessee • Mary Baldwin College, Virginia

21. UBS Benefits: Exemptions from Professional Exams & Professional Recognition

22. The Ulster Business School • Is the largest business faculty in the UK and Ireland; • Is rated as excellent in Teaching – well above national average; • Is rated as excellent in Research; • 85% of research output rated at international standard; and • Staff publish in influential text books and international journals, such as the Journal of Marketing, MIS Quarterly, Journal of Operations Management, Harvard Business Review, International Journal of Management Reviews. • Has 6,000+ students enrolled annually; and • Has 140 highly regarded, (both locally and internationally) staff.

23. A Guide to Entry Requirements…

24. And what do we need from you? • It is a partnership- you will need to work with us! • It is a challenging marketplace with people all over the world competing for the jobs • Work hard- care about your future and get involved • Take responsibility- Northern Ireland’s economic future will be in your hands!

25. Contact details Professor Neil Gibson Director NICEP Email: n.gibson@ulster.ac.uk Telephone: 02890 366 561 Mobile: 07803 728 994