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BSc Economics

Start date
September
Duration
3 years
UCAS code
L100
Course Type
Undergraduate, Single Honours
Fees

For 2025-2026:
£9,535 (UK students)
£25,520 (International students)

More detail.

Studying Economics at Birmingham, you will work alongside experts in fields such as environment, energy, charity, philanthropy, public policy, society and finance to develop the skills required to make informed, responsible decisions and to positively impact society in a diverse range of careers.

Every decision we make, as individuals and right up to the level of global business and government, is based on scarcity and choice. The world has limited resources – and they’re becoming more limited every day. ‘Responsible’ means making sure those resources are used strategically and fairly to make people and society as a whole better off. 

Why study this course?

  • Be part of the next generation of responsible leaders - We are developing a curriculum that holds responsible and ethical practice at its core. You’ll be involved in our research from the start, applying what you are taught to real world problems and honing your communication skills when presenting findings to stakeholders.
  • Join a vibrant academic community - As part of the Birmingham Business School, you will be supported to achieve your best and that includes all aspect of your wellbeing. This includes making sure you have access to our extensive welfare services, mentoring programmes and student societies, including our thriving Economics Society. 
  • Exclusive training opportunities - Global firm Capgemini work exclusively with us every year to deliver a second-to-none consultancy training experience that you won’t find at any other UK university. Taking place over one week at Capgemini’s world-renowned facilities, this is an amazing opportunity to make a real difference by engaging in projects for charitable organisations.
  • Strong job opportunities through industry links - Our strong links with industry mean that your study will be combined with a real practical focus, leading to excellent job opportunities.
  • An international approach - We currently have students from approximately 35 countries on our undergraduate courses, taught by a strongly international faculty, allowing you to develop a truly global perspective. 

  • A placement year - You may apply for a placement year during your 2nd year and undertake a year-long placement during their third year. If you successfully secure a placement you will be moved on to the four-year BSc Economics with Placement Year degree. 

Birmingham Business School continues to climb the rankings for its Economics courses and is currently ranked 17th in the Complete University Guide 2025.

Experience a year abroad on this course

Polaroid photos of students on their year abroad

If you choose to study on this programme, you will be offered the exciting opportunity to study for an additional year at one of our highly regarded partner institutions across the world. This gives you the chance to continue to study a language you have already taken at GCSE or AS level, or even to start a new language. You may choose to study in countries where English is the spoken language, but some of our European partners also offer programmes in English.

If you take up this option, this international study will take place in your third year and you will then return to the UK for your fourth year to complete the final (3rd year) year of your programme. Find out more about the process

The number of places at each institution varies from year to year so you will need to be flexible about where you go, but remember there are many advantages of choosing to go to a country outside your comfort zone. A Year Abroad tutor within the Business School will provide you with support before and during your international study experience.

Dubai Campus

Study at the University of Birmingham Dubai campus

On the BSc Economics degree at our campus in Dubai International Academic City (DIAC), the academic staff teach to the same standards as on the UK based programmes. You will graduate with the same BSc degree from the University of Birmingham; a qualification that is internationally respected and recognised. 

Study BSc Economics in Dubai

I was drawn to the economics course, in part, because of the many optional modules offered which were varied so you could tailor your study to suit your interests.

Leah Rushworth, Graduate

Modules

Unless indicated otherwise the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in 2025.

First year

Core modules

Second year

Core modules

Optional modules

Depending on the choice above, students will also choose either 2 or 3 optional modules from the following:

Final year

Core modules

Optional modules

Depending on the choice above, three or four modules are taken from:

Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.

Fees

Fees for students starting in 2025-2026

UK students

The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If your offer is for 2025 year of entry, we expect that the tuition fee for your first year of study will be £9,535. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay. If you are applying for 2026 year of entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee closer to the time.

International students

Full-time Band 2 £25,520

Visit our tuition fees page for more information.

Scholarships

At Birmingham we ensure that fears about finance do not constrain prospective students from considering university and that excellence is rewarded.

The University offers a range of additional financial support for students studying at Birmingham in the form of bursaries, grants and scholarships.

Learn more about our scholarships and awards. 

How To Apply

Apply through the UCAS website using code L100.

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

View further information on How to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.

Standard offer

International Requirements



Number of A levels required:
3
Typical offer:
A*AA-AAA
Required subjects and grades:
GCSE Mathematics at grade 7/A if Mathematics is NOT being taken at A level. Grade 6/B is Mathematics is being taken at A Level
General Studies:
not accepted
Previous offer(s)
AAA

Widening participation and contextual offer grades:
Grade 6/B if Mathematics is NOT being taken at A level. 5/B is Mathematics is being taken at A level.

Find out more about our different types of offers

BTEC requirements

BTEC Extended Diploma 

Only the following subjects can be considered: Business, Information Technology (Note that the above are not suitable for LG13 unless offering Maths at A Level.  Not suitable for language options unless also offering a modern language in an appropriate subject and at appropriate level).

BTEC Diploma 

Only the following subjects can be considered (in combination with 1 A Level): Business, Information Technology. 

BTEC Subsidiary Diploma 

Only the following subjects can be considered (in combination with 2 A Levels): Business, Information Technology.

T-Levels

Only the following subjects can be considered: Management and Administration; Accounting; Finance. 

Pathways to Birmingham 

Our typical Pathways to Birmingham offer is ABB with GCSE Mathematics at grade 6/B.  The typical contextual offer for this programme is AAB GCSE Mathematics at grade 6/B.

Alternative offers through our Pathways to Birmingham programmes and our Contextual Offer scheme

Students who are eligible and successfully complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme will receive special consideration from admissions tutors and an alternative offer (typically two grades below the standard offer). In addition, our Contextual Offer Scheme recognises the potential of students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement in school or college. If you are eligible to benefit from the contextual offer scheme, you will receive an offer which is one grade lower than the standard offer.

International Students

International Baccalaureate Diploma: 7,6,6 at Higher Level with a minimum of 32 points overall.

Standard English language requirements apply.

Learn more about international entry requirements

Depending on your chosen course of study, you may also be interested in one of our foundation pathways, which offer specially structured programmes for international students whose qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to UK universities. Further details can be found on Birmingham International Academy web pages.

In your first two years of study you will focus on core theory, applied economics and quantitative techniques. As you progress will have the chance to focus on areas that reflect your interests and take advantage of the specialist research conducted by our staff.

As well as learning the detail of your subject, you will develop the all-round skills needed for a modern working world - critical thinking, problem solving, communication, and creativity. For many students this is a big transition but you can be reassured that right across campus support and help is available if you need it. University is a time for self-discovery and adventure - shape your own experience and discover who you are.

You will be taught by an international faculty who research across all major areas of economics, using a combination of lectures and tutorials. We have staff working on Environmental Economics, Economic Theory, Development and International Economics, Macroeconomics, Monetary Economics, Banking and Financial Economics. 

Find out more about our Economics staff

 

Support

You will have access to a comprehensive support system to help you make the transition to higher education when you start at Birmingham.  During your first year, we want you to have a smooth transition into university. You will be able to talk to your tutors about this and discuss if there are particular areas where you need support.

Personal tutors – You will be assigned your own personal tutor who will get to know you as you progress through your studies. They will provide academic support and advice to enable you to make the most of your time here at Birmingham.

Wellbeing Officers – Alongside your personal tutor, you will also have access to dedicated wellbeing officers who provide professional support, advice and guidance to students across a range of issues. They can meet with you to discuss extensions, disabilities, reasonable adjustments, extenuating circumstances, or talk through any problems you might be experiencing, and help you access wider support on campus and beyond if you need it.

Our Academic Skills Centre helps you to become a more effective and independent learner through a range of high-quality support services. The centre offers workshops on a range of topics, such as note-taking, reading, academic writing and presentation skills.

Our Student Experience Team will help you get the most out of your academic experience. They offer research opportunities, study skills support, and help you prepare for your post-university career. They also organise social events, such as field trips, to help you meet fellow students from your course.

Contact Hours

Although contact hours vary significantly from week to week depending on the modules that you are studying, you can expect an average of 15 hours of taught contact time per week in each year of your Economics degree. Outside of these times, staff are also available for individual meetings and informal supervisions.

Assessment Methods

You will be assessed in a variety of ways to help you transition to a new style of learning at university. At the beginning of each module, you will be given information on how and when you will be assessed. Your modules will be assessed using a combination of coursework, exams and tests, the mix of which will be dependent upon the modules you choose. You will receive feedback on each assessment so you can learn from each assignment as you move through your programme.

If you choose to take up a year abroad in your third year, it will be worth 120 credits, accounting for 12.5% of the final degree award. Assessment will be conducted by the host institution, and your marks will be translated and transferred to your programme.

Our BSc Economics graduates are highly sought after by diverse employers globally. They go on to become: economists, policy advisers, analysts, tax managers, treasury analysts, traders, economics advisers, and consultants working for employers such as World Bank, Frontier Economics, Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC, Lloyds Banking Group, Cabinet Office, Citi, Grant Thornton, HSBC and HM Treasury to name a few.

BBS Careers and Careers Network

As a Birmingham Business School student, you benefit from two award-winning Careers teams.  

Careers Network is the University of Birmingham careers and employability team offering: career fairs, employer events with top firms across the UK, start-up and entrepreneurial activities, and support. Internships and bursaries are also available exclusively to University of Birmingham students.   

BBS Careers is a dedicated service for Birmingham Business School students. The team provides guidance, support, and work experience opportunities, tailored to business school students, to help you succeed during and after university. We offer workshops, alumni & employer events, and 1-to-1 consultations. These will help you to develop your skills and learn how to submit high-quality internship, placement, and graduate applications.  

BBS Careers is one of a few, if not the only business school career service to offer life-long support.  

We are here to support you! Whether you are applying for a summer internship, a third-year sandwich placement, a graduate job, or applying for a management role five years after graduation. 

Visit the BBS Careers website for more details

 

Work Experience, including Placement Year

You will have the chance to gain work experience, including year placements, summer internships, voluntary work, work shadowing, insight programmes, and part-time work.  

All BSc Economics students may apply for a placement year during their 2nd year and undertake a year-long placement during their third year. If you successfully secure a placement you will be moved on to the four-year BSc Economics with Placement Year degree. 

Students can apply for any paid placement opportunity from multi-national, third sector, and SME employers in the UK and internationally. BBS Careers also source exclusive opportunities that are only available to BBS students. 

Professional Development Module

The Professional Development Module (PDM) is an award-winning 20-credit module that is optional for students in their final year who don’t undertake a placement year. The module includes a minimum of 40 hours of work placement in the summer or during term time.   

The module aims to help you bridge the gap between your academic life at Birmingham and your future professional life after graduation. The module is flexible, so you can use it to extend your experience into a specific area of work that interests you.

Extra-curricular activities

Our employer-endorsed Personal Skills Award (PSA) recognises your extra-curricular activities, and provides an accredited employability programme designed to improve your career prospects. There are also a vast number of student groups and volunteering opportunities offered by the Guild of Students, our students’ union, which cover a wide variety of interests across drama and the arts. With over 300 societies and groups at The Guild, there is something for everyone – and if your interest does not yet have a group, then The Guild will support you to set it up and find likeminded individuals to join you.

Exclusive to Birmingham - the Capgemini Challenge

Global consultancy firm Capgemini works exclusively with us to deliver a second-to-none consultancy training experience that you won’t find at any other UK university. Taking place over one week at Capgemini’s world-renowned facilities, this is an amazing opportunity to make a difference by engaging in projects for charitable organisations. 

Learn more about the Capgemini Challenge