This course is for students whose first degree contains little or no economics. It provides a qualification equivalent to a second bachelor’s degree in economics and serves two different purposes. First, the Diploma serves as a preliminary qualification for people wishing to continue advanced education in economics at the master’s level, at the University of Cambridge or elsewhere. Diploma students may therefore apply to continue with the MPhil programme in economics after the Diploma examinations. Continuation is conditional on a good examination performance. Second, the Diploma serves as a stand-alone education for those who want a rigorous introduction to economics but who do not wish to pursue further studies but who want to complement their existing degree with knowledge of economics. Since modern economics makes frequent use of formal (mathematical and statistical) analysis, a good mathematical background is essential for applicants to the Diploma programme. On completion of the Advanced Diploma, students should have acquired an understanding of the core principles and techniques of analysis in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics and be equipped to proceed to a master's degree in economics. Continuation to one of the MPhils offered by the Faculty of Economics will be conditional on obtaining an average of at least 65% in the Diploma examinations.