1. Instructions
The background to the coursework is as follows:
According to the Centre for the study of regulated industry (CRI), the business
structure of the water industry underwent two major changes, one in 1972 and
the other in 1989. The overall structure established at privatization in 1989 has
not changed dramatically since.
The coursework question is:
Discuss the market structures and ownership that existed prior to 1972 and
the ones which emerged after privatisation in 1989. What economic factors
contributed to the restructuring of the water industry?
The essay should be 1500 words in length. In writing the essay you should make use
of the basic principles of Microeconomics and the relevant theories associated with
perfect competition, monopoly and oligopoly. You will also need to consider how
these theories relate to the case of the UK water industry.
You should also use relevant Microeconomic diagrams in order to make your essay
analytical.
You will be submitting the first draft of your coursework essay via Turnitin in w/c
25/01/16. Your draft will not be marked but you will receive general feedback from
your tutors.
Use the skills you learned during your EAP and Study Skills classes to do research,
reference your sources, develop and support your arguments, and to structure your
coursework essay.
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2. Guidelines
2.1. Recommended Essay Structure with suggested word count and
headings:
Essay Title
Introduction [200 words] [5 marks]
You should discuss the background to the essay, the aims and objectives of the
essay and your expected findings. You should also briefly discuss how you will
resolve the aims and objectives of your essay.
Market Structure and Ownership Prior to 1972 [400 words] [20 marks]
Use an appropriate graph and or table to analyse;
? the characteristic features of the water industry prior to 1972,
? its advantages and
? its disadvantages
Market Structure and Ownership Since 1989 [400 words] [20 marks]
Use an appropriate graph and or table to analyse;
? the characteristic features of the water industry since 1989,
? its advantages and
? its disadvantages.

Economic factors that led to the restructuring [300 words] [20 marks]
? Discuss why it became necessary to restructure the water industry.
? Explain the economic benefit/rationale and the beneficiaries.
Conclusion [200 words] [5 marks]
In this section you should answer the question in the task, summarise the findings of
your analysis to explain why this is the answer you are giving and then critically
discuss the extent to which your findings are conclusive.
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2.2. Additional areas that will be assessed are:
? Research, Sources and Referencing [20 marks]
You will need to use at least 5 relevant and reliable sources:
? three sources have been provided (see the Reading List and Appendix for
details);
? additionally, you will need to conduct your own research and find two more
relevant and reliable sources to support your arguments.
Each of these five sources will be awarded up to 4 marks: 2 marks for accuracy of intext
citation (Harvard referencing system), and 2 marks for providing the full
reference in bibliography (Harvard referencing system).
Marks will be capped at 18 for inaccurate Bibliography, for example, usage of bullet
points or not putting your sources in alphabetical order.
You should not use blogs, Wikipedia, Investopedia, nonacademic
and nongovernmental
websites or other unreliable sources. Inappropriate sources will not
be awarded any marks.
Use ACCAA tool you learned to apply during your Academic English classes to
decide whether you have chosen relevant and reliable sources.
NB: For the purpose of this assignment, mass media sources (e.g. BBC or The
Guardian) are not considered appropriate.
? Format [5 marks]
1 mark for each appropriate heading;