Programme Structure

Chartered Economist® Curriculum

A single level, six modules - combining theoretical rigour with practical application to produce a complete Chartered Economist, ready for the economic and financial services industry.

Modules6 modules · one level
ModeOnline / distance learning
Duration~6 months, self-paced
ExamPearson VUE · 115 min · 50% pass
Awarded byAAFM® USA

Programme Objective

The Ch.E® programme equips candidates with both the foundational and advanced skills required to perform the duties of a Chartered Economist, Research Analyst and Professional Management Consultant.

  • Continuously updated by specialists and expert professionals to stay relevant to today's business and market environment.
  • Analytically rigorous - prepares you to analyse complex economic matters and guide clients through strategic decisions.
  • Practice-oriented - bridges theory and real-world application across the economic and financial services industry.

The Knowledge, Skills & Application Framework

The Chartered Economist® programme concentrates on three qualities that define professional excellence:

Knowledge

Students receive the most current updates and learn about new prospects in economic analysis globally. They understand the market forces impacting economic analysis and gain insight into the latest advances in methods of economic research - including globally accepted best practices.

Skills

Students develop the aptitude to analyse economic matters and produce research reports for clients; the ability to present economic strategies and policies in accessible, client-friendly language; and the capacity for strategic thinking through a structured, disciplined approach.

Application

The programme's rigorous, practice-oriented approach prepares students to apply the ideas and skills developed during study to real workplace situations - producing a complete Chartered Economist ready for the demands of the economic and financial services industry.

The programme also develops candidates' ability to:

  • Read and produce enterprise budget reports, risk analysis reports, annual reports and government economic reports.
  • Apply economic systems to the practical realities of working in the field.
  • Critically engage with complex economic problems and the interventions of practising economists.
  • Understand the ethical responsibilities of a Chartered Economist.

Chartered Economics Modules

The curriculum consists of one level containing six modules. Candidates study through either classroom mode or distance learning mode and must clear the requisite examination to complete the academic requirements of the Board of Standards. Successful completion confirms that the candidate has the knowledge and skills to work as a Chartered Economist.

For a professional like a Chartered Economist, an understanding of markets and economic systems is of prime importance. This module provides a foundational understanding of both microeconomics and macroeconomics, and covers the fundamental aspects of economics as a discipline.

The module enables economics professionals to acquaint themselves with the fundamentals, history and origins of economics. The objective is to enable the Chartered Economist to understand the changes in the economic environment of financial markets and economic instruments.

Building on the foundations of Module 1, this module enables the Chartered Economist® to develop a deeper understanding of macroeconomics and the fundamental aspects of the macroeconomic environment. A core focus is the role of economics in decision-making, and the critical analysis of macroeconomic issues such as inflation, money supply and unemployment.

The latter part of the module examines various economic policies in the open economy, including the measures and policy instruments used to manage and stabilise an economy that is integrated with global markets.

An understanding of mathematical economics and econometrics is essential for the Chartered Economist®. This module covers the functions of mathematical economics, linear equations and graphical methods, and the fundamental aspects of econometrics - including econometric fundamentals, econometric models and statistical foundations. The objective is to enable the Chartered Economist® to understand causality and the notion of ceteris paribus in econometric analysis.

The module focuses on core econometric concepts such as Simple Linear Regression and Multiple Regression Models, providing hands-on experience with the key measures of economic analysis as a stepping stone to high-end quantitative work.

A thorough grounding in statistics is indispensable for the Chartered Economist®. This module covers statistical functions, probability, time series analysis and forecasting, hypothesis testing and index numbers. The objective is to enable the Chartered Economist® to understand the application and importance of statistics in economics and economic analysis.

The module provides hands-on experience with statistical quality control in economics, serving as a stepping stone towards advanced economic analysis and building the statistical competency that underpins sound economic research.

This module enables the Chartered Economist® to develop a sound understanding of industrial economics, industrial organisation and the theory of the firm - including the fundamentals of oligopoly: non-collusive oligopoly and the collusive model of oligopoly. The objective is to enable the Chartered Economist® to understand the various theories of the firm in their different forms.

The second part of the module focuses on foreign exchange and policy, examining different measures and trends in exchange rates - including rate determination, rate quotation, rate forecasting and rate theories - as a foundation for high-end international economic analysis.

The capstone module gives the Chartered Economist® an understanding of specialised areas of economics: economic policy analysis, energy economics, financial economics, health economics, industrial economics, managerial economics and petroleum economics. The module also covers the fundamental aspects of industry-specific economics, enabling professionals to apply macroeconomic and managerial principles to industry-based decision-making.

The concluding section focuses on energy and petroleum economics - examining the measures and trends applied in those industries - providing hands-on experience with sector-specific economic analysis and preparing the candidate for the range of specialised designations available after the Ch.E®.

Study materials: For understanding certain concepts in the Chartered Economist® course, candidates are required to study from books provided by AAFM®. These are supplied as part of the programme enrolment package.
Questions & Answers

Frequently asked questions

The curriculum consists of six modules: (1) Applied Microeconomics, (2) Advanced Macroeconomics, (3) Quantitative Techniques for Economics, (4) Statistical Techniques for Economics, (5) Industrial & International Economics, and (6) Applied Economics. Together they cover economic theory, econometrics, statistics, international trade and sector-specific applied economics - providing both foundational and advanced skills.

For certain concepts in the programme, candidates are required to study from books supplied by AAFM®. These books, along with 2,000+ pages of learning material, presentation slides, mock tests and case studies, are provided as part of the enrolment package through AAFM's online learning portal.

Both modes are available. Candidates can study through distance/online learning via AAFM's USA-ACER e-learning system, or through classroom mode if they are enrolled via an approved training provider. The self-paced online route is the most popular, allowing you to study around your work and personal schedule.

Modules 3, 4 and 5 - Quantitative Techniques, Statistical Techniques, and Industrial & International Economics - each carry 20 marks in the 100-mark examination, making them the highest-weighted modules. Modules 1 and 2 carry 11 and 12 marks respectively, while Module 6 (Applied Economics) carries 17 marks.

Yes. Completing the six-module Ch.E® programme and passing the examination makes you eligible to pursue any of seven specialist designations - Financial, Managerial, Energy, Health, Petroleum, Industrial Economist, or Economic Policy Analyst. Module 6 (Applied Economics) specifically introduces the sector knowledge that underpins these specialist tracks. Postgraduate holders in Economics may also be eligible to pursue a specialist designation directly.

Take the Next Step

Ready to master the six modules of the Ch.E® programme?

Enrol today and study at your own pace through AAFM's internationally acclaimed e-learning portal.