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Economics - BSc (Hons)

Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry.

The applied nature of our BSc (Hons) Economics degree prepares you to work as an economist and a variety of other roles related to the economy and its impact on society and the natural environment. Graduates of this course have gone on to work in a wide range of industries including Government, Banking, Pharmaceutical, Logistics, Accounting, Conveyancing, Manufacturing and Construction....

  • Level Undergraduate
  • Study mode Full Time

This course is:

Available with Professional Placement year

Open to International Students

Overview

The applied nature of our BSc (Hons) Economics degree prepares you to work as an economist and a variety of other roles related to the economy and its impact on society and the natural environment. Graduates of this course have gone on to work in a wide range of industries including Government, Banking, Pharmaceutical, Logistics, Accounting, Conveyancing, Manufacturing and Construction.

Economics is a major social science which informs major challenges faced by our societies today, including inequality, environmental sustainability and economic policy. Economics draws on and influences other social sciences and humanities and it is also a core business discipline which is integral to understanding organisational behaviour, strategy and corporate performance.

The unique offering of this course lies in its use of a pluralist approach to teaching, which will empower you to understand the relevance of competing economic theories and their application in your daily life and in your future workplace.

The course will provide you with a firm foundation of economics to interpret, analyse and question diverse economic theories and policies in a real-life context. To do so effectively, this course equips you with a vast analytical toolkit, which includes mathematical and statistical analysis, critical thinking, qualitative techniques and proficiency in a range of industry-specific software packages that are relevant to the Economics profession. You will also learn how to communicate results and ideas concisely to a variety of specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Economics is a global subject. You will be encouraged to look at situations from an international perspective. You will apply the knowledge learnt in the course to examine global events and look at how different economic ideas help us understand and address global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change and the impact of new technologies on the economy and society. Moreover, your course will be delivered by a multinational team of experts. Your classmates will also come from a variety of countries and cultural backgrounds. Finally, we offer you a study abroad opportunity: you can study for one term overseas in one of our partner universities.

The course will foster your intellectual and professional development to support you in pursuing a wide range of career goals. After successful completion of the course, you will be able to work as a professional economist in the public sector, the private sector and the third sector; as an analyst in the financial services industry, or as a business professional. The technical and critical thinking skills taught in this course, alongside your voluntary engagement with our Graduate+ employability programme, will further enhance your development as a work-ready graduate.

This course is open to International students.

Professional Placement Year

This course offers an optional professional placement year. This allows you to spend a whole year with an employer, following successful completion of your second year, and is a great way to find out more about your chosen career. Some students even return to the same employers after completing their studies.

If you choose to pursue a placement year, you will need to find a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. You will be able to draw on the University’s extensive network of local, regional, and national employers, and the support of our Careers teams. If you are able to secure a placement, you can request to be transferred to the placement version of the course.

Please note that fees are payable during your placement year, equivalent to 20% of the total full-time course fee for that year.

"I have achieved so much, and received so much guidance and so many opportunities over the past few years. Birmingham City University has broadened my horizons and opened many doors for the future. I am proud to be part of the BCU community."

Emily Chesson, Economics student

Why Choose Us?

  • This course offers a variety of teaching and assessment methods and a student-centred approach, providing tailored feedback and learning methods.
  • The wide range of modules and subject areas taught on this course offers a unique breadth, exploring themes outside of mainstream economics such as Environmental Economics, which concentrates on sustainability and the economic impacts of climate change, and Feminist Economics, which addresses gender disparities.
  • In your final year, you will become a member of the Royal Economic Society, gaining access to webinars and events delivered by industrial experts and academics. Students have also set up an Economics Society within BCU Students’ Union where they meet and discuss current economic issues.
  • This course is designed to prepare you for the real world of work. Graduates of this course have gone on to work in a wide range of industries including Government, Banking, Pharmaceutical, Logistics, Accounting, Conveyancing, Manufacturing and Construction.
  • You will be prepared for the real world of work by working with professional statistical software such as Python, SPSS and Eviews which are used by economists and other financial professionals. There is also the opportunity to gain additional qualifications including MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) Excel Certificates and Graduate+ Bronze award.
  • There are student trips to visit real world working environments and meet previous graduates who now work in high-profile roles and household name companies. Previous trips have included MasterCard and the London Metal Exchange and students have also enjoyed talks from alumni now working for Goldman Sachs.

Open Days

Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation.

Next Open Day: 24 November 2024

Book your place

Entry Requirements

These entry requirements apply for entry in 2025/26.

All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.

Essential requirements

If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.

Fees & How to Apply

Please select your student status to view fees and apply
  • UK Student
  • International Student

UK students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: BSc (Hons)

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

International students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: BSc (Hons)

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Full Time
  • 3 Years
  • £17,690 in 2025/26

Access to computer equipment 

You will require use of a laptop, and most students do prefer to have their own. However, you can borrow a laptop from the university or use one of our shared computer rooms. 

Printing 

You will receive £5 print credit in each year of your course, available after enrolment. 

Field trips 

All essential field trips and associated travel costs will be included in your course fees. 

Access to Microsoft Office 365 

Every student at the University can download a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use whilst at university and for 18 months after graduation. 

Key software 

You will be able to download SPSS and Nvivo to your home computer to support with your studies and research. 

Key subscriptions 

Subscriptions to key journals and websites are available through our library. 

Excess printing (optional) 

Once you have spent your £5 credit, additional printing on campus costs from 5p per sheet. 

Personal stationery and study materials (optional) 

Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £30 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials. 

Placement expenses (optional) 

If you choose to undertake a placement, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst living or working away from home. 

CIMA expenses (optional) 

CIMA membership and exam costs are not covered by the course fee. These are not compulsory, but required if you want to obtain full CIMA membership. 

ACCA subscription and exam fees (optional) 

You are responsible for covering the cost of exams and a student subscription to ACCA. The latest costs can be found on the ACCA website.  

Accommodation and living costs (optional)

The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.

Guidance for UK students

UK students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.

Applying through UCAS

  1. Register with UCAS
  2. Login to UCAS and complete your details
  3. Select your course and write a personal statement
  4. Get a reference
  5. Pay your application fee and submit your application

Guidance for International students

There are three ways to apply:

1) Direct to the University

You will need to complete our International Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form, and submit them together with scan copies of your original academic transcripts and certificates.

2) Through a country representative

Our in-country representatives can help you make your application and apply for a visa. They can also offer advice on travel, living in the UK and studying abroad.

3) Through UCAS

If you are applying for an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND), you can apply through the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

You can request a printed form from your school or nearest British Council office. You will be charged for applying through UCAS. Birmingham City University’s UCAS code is B25 BCITY.

Personal statement

UK / EU students are required to submit a personal statement as part of their application for this course.*

The personal statement gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.

Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:

  • Course choice - Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?
  • Career plans - If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.
  • Work experience - Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.
  • School or college experience - Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.
  • Non-accredited skills or achievement - eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.

You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.

Worried about Personal Statements?

If you've got no idea where to start or just want to check you're on the right track, we’ve got expert advice and real examples from our students to help you nail your personal statement. You can even download our ultimate personal statement guide for free.

Get personal statement advice

*Non-EU students are not required to submit a personal statement when applying for this course.

Course in Depth

First Year

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete at least 120 credits from the following list of CORE modules.

Second Year

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 80 credits).

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete at least 40 credits from the following list of OPTIONAL modules.

You also have the option to study a semester abroad:

Professional Placement (Optional)

In order to qualify for the award of BSc (Hons) Economics with Professional Placement Year you must successfully complete the following module.

Final Year

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 80 credits).

Select 40 credits from the following:

OR both modules below

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete at least 40 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules.

Download course specification

Download now

A variety of delivery approaches will be utilised throughout the course, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops and experiments.

As a practice-based course, sessions will usually involve the application of academic concepts and themes, as well as case studies. The latter will be used to explore concepts applied to real-world scenarios, helping you sharpen your skills and employability prospects.

The first year of the course will provide a solid grounding in the principles of economics and its importance to business, as well as ensuring you are fully prepared to make informed decisions as to your route of study in future years of the course

During the second and later years of the course there will be flexible learning opportunities to specialise in subject areas which are most appealing, tailoring the course to a particular career aim. There’ll also be opportunities to try out different graduate roles with a wide variety of placements and internships on offer to complement your studies.

Trips and Visits

You will have the opportunity to visit a number of leading businesses during your studies, both locally and across the country. Recently, students visited leading brewery company Sadler’s Ales, gaining an innovative insight into how a successful business runs.

Go Abroad

Undergraduate students can apply to study on an exchange programme for one semester at one of our partner universities across the globe. The opportunity to apply will depend on which course you study. The majority of courses offer this in the second semester of your second year. You will obtain credits which are recognised by BCU.  Find out more about Go Abroad.

Alternatively, each year, the University offers students the chance to volunteer or study overseas at one of our partner institutions/organisations during the summer. In previous years, our students have been to France, Spain, Brazil, Fiji, India, Mexico, South Korea, and USA on a variety of activities. All students are eligible to apply, although PG and PhD students may require academic approval. Find out more about Go Abroad.

Employability

We have a strong focus on employability and through placement opportunities and our links with local businesses, we aim to ensure you graduate not only with your degree but also with the skills and knowledge needed to embark on your chosen career.

Graduates have gone on to work in positions such as Economist, Auditor, Investment Specialist, Analyst,  Account Manager and Consultant for organisations such as Amey Construction, VISFO Pharmaceutical company, Bostik manufacturing firm, Delta Capital finance firm, Metro Shipping Limited logistics firm, BT, HSBC, PWC, Lloyds, Goldman Sachs and roles within government departments (such as HM Treasury, Government Economic Service).

Placements

There’ll be opportunities to try out different graduate roles with a wide variety of placements and internships on offer to complement your studies.

More about our placement opportunities

International

Welcome to Birmingham City University, home to students from over 70 countries all around the world!

Our Business programmes are practice based and many have an international focus, which means your course will be entirely relevant to today’s business world. Almost all of our courses, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level, are open to international students.

We also have links with universities across the world, including Europe, the USA, China, India and Malaysia.

International Services

Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:

The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.

Facilities & Staff

Curzon facilities eatery
Curzon facilities staircase
Curzon facilities student hub

Our Facilities

We are constantly investing in our estate and have spent £400 million on new learning facilities.

The Curzon Building

This course is based at our City Centre Campus – and specifically The Curzon Building, alongside other Social Sciences, Law and Business students.

The £63m building offers students a unique social learning space, including a dedicated student hub incorporating student support services, in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside development.

The Business floors house an extensive number of IT facilities, breakout areas, and specialised rooms. The Marketing Link Agency is designed to replicate a modern marketing firm, allowing students to get real-life experience of working in the marketing sector. There is also the City Trading Room, which features state of the art stock market tracking equipment, keeping you up to date with all the financial comings and goings of the London Stock Exchange and Wall Street.

The Curzon building is also conveniently close to Birmingham’s business and financial centre, allowing for strong links between your studies and the real world.

The Curzon Building also features:

  • An impressive library with access to over 65 million full text items and stunning views of Eastside City Park
  • Your Students’ Union which is located in a beautifully restored 19th century pub, The Eagle and Ball
  • A modern 300-seat food court with space to study and socialise
  • Accessible IT facilities with full Office365 for all students for free
  • Shared facilities with the wider campus including the Parkside Building and Millennium Point

Our staff

Dr Paul Heap

Senior Lecturer in Economics

After completing his DPhil ‘General Equilibrium Models of Monetary Economies’, Paul Heap held temporary lectureships at the Universities of Manchester, Bristol and Bath. He was then a tutor at the University of Nottingham, before coming to work at BCU.

More about Paul

Dr Wenyu Zang

Associate Professor in Economics

Wenyu is an Associate Professor in Economics and Economics Subject Group Lead. She joined Birmingham City Business School in 2022. Prior to this, she was the Course Leader for Doctorates in Business Administration (DBA), Deputy Chair of the School Research Degree Committee and the Course Leader for BA Business Management and Economics course at...

More about Wenyu

Francis McGonigal

Senior Lecturer, Mathematics and Statistics

Francis McGonigal held several positions in industry as a programmer and systems analyst specialising in applying mathematical, statistical and operational research techniques. He has worked at Birmingham City University and its predecessor organisations since 1987, joining BCU in 2010. 

More about Francis

Anna Yartseva

Senior Lecturer in Economics, Programme Leader for BA Economics

Anna Yartseva main area of academic expertise is macroeconomics and economic policy. Most of the research she has done so far is related to various macroeconomic phenomena.

More about Anna

Dr Danilo Spinola

Director of the Centre for Accountancy, Finance and Economics (CAFE) | Senior Lecturer in Economics

Dr. Danilo Spinola serves as a the Director of the Centre for Accountancy, Finance and Economics (CAFE), Academic Lead for Ethics at the AFE College, and Senior Lecturer in Economics at Birmingham City University (BCU). Dr. Spinola's research focuses on the intersections of innovation, inequality, and sustainability. Holding a Ph.D. in the...

More about Danilo

Dr Erez Yerushalmi

Reader in Economics

Dr Erez Yerushalmi joined Birmingham City Business School as lecturer in Economics and Business in 2017. Prior to joining Birmingham City University, he worked as a Research Fellow in the Institute for Employment (IER) at the University of Warwick from 2012, as well as lecturing in Warwick Business School. 

More about Erez