This course requires 104–120 UCAS tariff points including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent. We are happy to consider a combination of qualifications and grades to meet the overall tariff, for example A-levels A*CC, ABC, BBB or BCC, BTECs DDM or DMM. You can use the UCAS calculator to see how your qualifications equate to UCAS tariff points.
If you do not meet these you may want to consider our Foundation Year, a one-year course that will prepare you for degree-level study.
If English is not your first language you'll need IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with minimum 5.5 in each component, or equivalent.
Why study BSc (Hons) Economics at BU?
Develop an understanding of financial approaches and gain related mathematical, statistical, and analytical skills essential for starting a career in the global market
Meet industry-leading practitioners and professionals through guest lectures, seminars and assessment activities
Opportunities to study abroad at one of our international partner institutions
Gain industry experience and enhance your employability by undertaking an optional 30-week placement which can be completed anywhere in the world
Our graduates work as economic and financial or data analysts, accountants and executives for companies such as Adidas UK Ltd, Apple, BMW Financial Services and British Airways
Learn from expert, qualified senior staff many of whom are actively engaged in research and/or professional practice – 94% of our graduates think our staff are good at explaining things.
Foundation Year: We have a Foundation Year option for UK students who do not meet the entry requirements for the degree course. This additional year of study will give you a grounding in the general business and management skills required for Economics, building your confidence, knowledge and skills for further study. After successful completion of the Foundation Year, you will progress to the full degree.
UCAS Code: L100
With foundation year: L101
More info: Click here
Foundation Year
Core units:
Fundamentals of Business & Management: This unit aims to develop your understanding of the business context across industry and sectors globally. You will cover the key issues and challenges facing businesses going forward and the essential role of people in dynamic, resilient and complex organisations. You will explore key functional business areas including marketing, finance, accounting, economics, people management, and organisational behaviour.
Academic & Professional Practice: You will build your confidence in both academic and professional skills. This unit will cover the academic skills which will be required at degree level study and you’ll practice them throughout the unit with support from key university services including the library and study skills team. There will also be the opportunity for you to reflect on and develop your own professional skills through interactions with employers, careers services and online resources.
Fusion Business Project: You will undertake a business project based on a real issue or problem. The Fundamentals of Business & Management unit will support you in understanding key issues and challenges which could form the basis for your project. Projects will be undertaken in workplaces, community settings or as part of research processes related to your chosen field of study. You will be allocated an academic mentor who will support you in developing and undertaking the project.
Year 1
Core units
History of Economic Thought: You will cover the major historic contributions in economics in the early days of the discipline up to the 1980s. The unit will trace the evolution of economic thought including Mercantilism and classical economists, Marxist theory and market institutionalism, Keynes and the role of the state in economic downturns.
Introductory Mathematics for Economic Analysis: You will be provided with the mathematics to take you from GCSE standard to that required for the remainder of the economics degree.
Principles of Microeconomics: The unit will develop a rigorous understanding of the behaviour of individual agents (individuals, firms, government) and the ways in which they interact in a market economy. The unit builds upon core theories of microeconomics (consumer demand, the theory of the firm, pricing and output in competitive and uncompetitive markets) and it aims to enhance the understanding of microeconomic models and their applications in a variety of contexts.
Principles of Macroeconomics: The unit will cover macroeconomic theory, enabling you to apply macroeconomic principles in the analysis of contemporary issues and problems. You will be given in-depth knowledge of Keynesian and Classical Macroeconomics, IS-LM model, Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply, Phillips curve, unemployment and inflation, growth and business cycle.
Introduction to Financial Markets: You will be provided with an introduction to the institutions, markets and securities that form the basis of modern financial and monetary systems. It will cover the main types of products used in the financial markets, including debt and equity instruments used in both retail and wholesale markets. The module also evaluates the risk-reward considerations of institutional investors and how these are met through the use of the different financial instrument types available. You will also consider the investment environment, including regulation affecting financial markets and investment; ethics and professional codes of conduct.
Basic Statistical Techniques: By the end of this unit you'll be able to calculate a range of basic statistical techniques and interpret the results and perform various significance tests.
Year 2
You will be required to complete five core units and one option unit.
Core units
Mathematics for Economists: This unit will extend your knowledge of the fundamental mathematical processes, techniques and ideas used in economic analysis.
Intermediate Microeconomics: The unit will enable you to apply Microeconomic principles in the analysis of contemporary issues and problems. You will gain further understanding of the theory of demand, factors’ markets, general equilibrium analysis and welfare economics and the tools needed to analyse the effects of imperfect competition, externalities and environmental issues. It will develop your understanding of the risk and uncertainty and the theory of games.
Econometric Techniques: This unit will extend your knowledge of the fundamental statistical processes, techniques and ideas used in the analysis and interpretation of economic data.
Intermediate Macroeconomics: This unit aims to develop knowledge and the ability to critically analyse macroeconomic problems and issues in the context of the global economy. It seeks to provide you with the theoretical and empirical foundations to understand macroeconomic activity and policy in a global context.
Industry, Region & Environment: The focus of this unit is on three inter-related specialist areas of economics: industrial organisation, regional development and the environment.
Option units (choose one)
Money, Banking & Financial Services: This unit aims to provide a solid grounding in monetary economics and the financial system, seeking to provide a basis for understanding and analysing the working of financial markets.
Corporate Financial Management: This unit presents and discusses the importance of financial management to a corporate entity based on the relevant theories. It analyses the business environment in which the financial management decisions are taken both in the short-run and also in the long-run. Further, it demonstrates how capital and risk are linked to financial management and applies key principles, techniques, tools, and instruments to assist in corporate decision-making.
Placement year
You may choose to complete an optional (minimum) 30-week work placement which can be carried out anywhere in the world. The placement year offers a chance to gain experience and make contacts for the future.
Final year
You will be required to complete four core units and two option units.
Core units
Quantitative Economic Applications: This unit exposes you to economic data and to the varied quantitative approaches used in different specialist areas of economics.
Global Markets, Development & Labour: The unit aims to develop your knowledge of economic theory and your ability to apply it to an inter-related set of specialist areas of economics: global markets, national labour markets and economic development.
International Economics: Providing you with a comprehensive and broad introduction to international trade, finance, and trade policy and trade institutions, you will gain a basic understanding of international trade economics and rules, as well as the politics and institutions that go behind the economics.
Research Study: The aim of the unit is to provide you with the opportunity to develop skills in conducting effectively a research project, and acquire specialist knowledge within an area relevant to your programme of study.
Option units (choose two)
Perspectives on Business Strategy: You'll gain insights into the differing perspectives used to develop and implement business strategy.
Investment Management: You'll explore the current features of capital markets and savings products which will prepare you for business and personal investment.
Financial Regulation: The unit provides insight and understanding into key financial regulatory theories, forms and rationale of regulation that are highly relevant to those seeking to operate within the financial services sector.
Microeconomics & the Digital Economy: Following the exposure to the theory of the game, this unit will aim to further the understanding of those concepts as the modern microeconomics heavily dependent on the game-theoretic tools. The microeconomic techniques are also utilised in developing many web and internet-based products, therefore the unit also aims to give exposure to those concepts.
Risk Modelling & Management: You will gain a broad awareness and understanding of the risks faced within a modern business environment, alongside the risk management processes necessary to control such risks. You will develop the skills to model and analyse risk scenarios, with the application of such techniques allowing for critical analysis and informed decision making.
Please note that option units require minimum numbers in order to run and may only be available on a semester by semester basis. They may also change from year to year.
A degree in economics lends itself to various career options and the skills you will acquire while studying this subject – such as business and strategic management, marketing, and communication skills – will help you get ahead in a range of sectors, particularly finance, business, marketing and IT.
90% of our students are in work or further study within fifteen months of finishing their course. Many start out in junior roles but are able to quickly work their way up into more senior positions.
There was insufficient data to publish information specifically for this course. This is either because the course size is small or respondent numbers were low. Therefore, the data displayed is from across the last two years.
OSHC: 624 ($) GBP per year
