BSc (Hons) Economics

Competition for graduate jobs is fierce. The combination of academic excellence and practical knowledge we encourage on this course will help you stand out when it comes to entering the world of work.

Our students graduate ready to take on all sorts of finance and economics roles – from industry economist to financial risk analyst.

Find out what our graduates are up to 

Real experience every step of the way

As well as expert-led teaching, all undergraduate modules within Plymouth Business School have integrated CV building activity, for example, through micro-credentialing, problem-based learning, or embedded direct employer activity.

We have ensured every module contains a real world problem-based exercise. We have reached out to employers directly to involve real business in our assessments. You will experience real world employee engagement every month.

We know this is key to student academic and graduate success.

Careers service

The University of Plymouth has a dedicated careers service supporting you from the moment you start your degree, to three years after graduation.

Careers advice is embedded into your academic programme through workshops, events, placements, networks - working with the academic staff teaching on your course. We also offer materials, networks and resources online through our 24/7 portal, and a wide-range of activities, opportunities and support centrally in the Careers Service space within the Student Hub.

• We emphasise a real-world application based approach in many modules which integrates theoretical and evidence based analysis in order to best support your development as a professional economist.

• We recognise that our students are diverse with different backgrounds and interests. Our course offers contemporary electives enabling you to tailor your degree to your personal interests. In addition to our flexible economics pathway we offer a financial economics pathway that allows you to specialise in international trade and finance.

• Enhance your employability by completing a placement year between your second and final year. You will be supported by the University's excellent careers service and dedicated placement preparation sessions.

• A programme not only designed to develop your skills and capabilities as an economist but also to offer numerous opportunities to build your CV in other ways for example through opportunities for micro-credentialing, engaging in real world problem based learning and active researching. We do this because we know it is key to student academic and graduate success.

• The Bloomberg Interactive Learning Suite allows students to research fields such as corporate finance, derivative markets, portfolio and risk analytics, real-time data and investment simulations.

• Year 1

• Lay the foundations for future study by building a comprehensive overview of core economic theory and its use.

  Core modules

  • Principles of Economics and Finance (ECN4001)

    This module provides an introduction to core principles of both economics and finance. It explores some basic concepts and techniques involved in economic and financial analysis at an introductory level and considers the relevance of economics and finance to broad areas such as business decision-making and risk management.

  • Economics in Society (ECN4002)

    In this module you will consider a range of contemporary issues within society and explores how the basic tools of economic analysis can be used to gain insight and understanding of those issues.

  • Data Analytics for Business Decision Making (ECN4003)

    The module introduces the area of data analytics and the role of data in business decision making. You will explore the use of accounting, economic and financial data and common decision making/analytical frameworks in informing business decisions. You will go on to examine major themes of management decision making (i.e. processes, models and analytical methods) and basic statistical analysis in the context of supporting and informing a number of key business decisions (e.g. pricing, investment).

  • Microeconomics and Macroeconomics (ECN4004)

    This module will provide you with an introduction to the theories and concepts of modern microeconomics and macroeconomics techniques, applying them to a range of contemporary issues.

• Year 2

• Study micro- and macroeconomics in depth and improve your quantitative and analytical skills with the study of econometrics and research methods. You can add to this, an elective module or choose to specialise in financial economics by selecting it as a pathway.

  Core modules

  • Intermediate Microeconomics and Macroeconomics (ECN5001)

    You will explore the concepts and theories of microeconomics and macroeconomics at an intermediate level and apply them to the analysis of real world issues such as education choice, industrial strategy, insurance, central banking, macroeconomic stability and crises, drivers of prosperity and the motivations behind policy interventions.

  • Applied Econometrics and Research Methods for Economists (ECN5007)

    This module introduces you to both theoretical and empirical aspects of economic methodology. It considers economics within the general framework of scientific philosophy, introducing different schools of thought and different methodological approaches within economics. Practical aspects of economic methodology are illustrated in the application of econometric methods.

  • Careers and Professional Development (PBS500CPD)

    This module is aimed at enhancing students employability skills and knowledge especially those who will be undertaking an industrial placement in the third year of their degree. It is designed to build on skills learned in Stage 1 and helps students in their search for a placement, and in their preparation for the placement itself.

  • Challenge Module (HRL5008)

    Through this module you can select from a choice of topics related to the big challenges business and society are facing today. These might be drawn from the UN Sustainable Development Goals or a country's industrial strategy.

  Optional modules

  • Academic Skills for International Direct Entry Second Year Students (DEAS200)

    The short, not for credit module will teach academic skills (including, but not limited to, time management, groupwork, information literacy and some basic critical thinking) to second year IDES. It is based in the middle of the first term.

  • Environmental and Resource Economics (ECN5003)

    Modern economies heavily depend on natural resources and substantially affect the natural environment. This module develops and applies eco¬nomic theories and concepts relevant to the analysis of environmental and resource issues, exploring environmental and resource policies at the national and international stage.

  • Financial Markets and Decision Making (ECN5004)

    The objective of this module is to give you an understanding of the structural organisation of financial markets, and the role they play in the economy and to introduce the basic concepts in modern finance. You will undertake a detailed study of financial markets, e.g. the stock market, the bond market, the derivative markets and analyses financial decision-making through different models of stock and bond valuation and uses of financial derivatives. You will examine different ways of assessing risk, different ways of putting risk and return together, and portfolio building. The course considers theory, empirical evidence and practical application.

  • International Economics: Trade and Finance (ECN5005)

    In this module you will explore the economic implications of globalisation by investigating current trends in international trade and international finance.

• Optional placement year

• Get paid for hands-on work experience and develop your economic flair. We support you to find the most suitable private or public sector placement. Apply and deepen your knowledge to develop a range of skills that will be invaluable to your future career.

  Core modules

  • Placement Year (PBS600PLC)

    The placement year consists of an extended period of appropriate professional experience in a business or organisation. It allows the student to gain relevant experience to consolidate their studies and prepare for final stage study and employment after graduation. Students on BA International Business may also or alternatively undertake a study placement at an approved partner institution.

• Final year

• Learn more about the global economy and specialise in business, finance, environmental or economics topics of your choice, including economic modelling and game theory.

  Core modules

  • Advanced Economic Theory and Policy (ECN6001)

    This module explores the application of advanced economics to a range of contemporary theoretical and applied policy related issues in economics.

  • Game Theory and Strategic Behaviour (ECN6007)

    In this module you will explore ideas in game theory, applying them to the analysis of strategic behaviour and decision making in contemporary economic, business, political and social life. You will also investigate the challenges that arise from strategic interactions and potential solutions.

  • Professional Practice for Economists (ECN6008)

    This module will advance your capacity to apply and critically evaluate a range of economic methodologies commonly used by professional economists. You will also develop further your skills in reporting economic analysis in a professional manner.

  • Continued Careers and Professional Development (PBS600CPD)

    The Continued Career and Professional Development module is a development scheme designed to enhance students’ employability and builds on the stage 2 module. The stage 3 module focuses on providing students with information on graduate options and equips them with the knowledge and skills necessary for articulating and recording achievement and applying for graduate positions. The module also includes a number of workshops and events designed to develop students’ skills and knowledge, with the purpose of filling gaps in their CV’s and enhancing their employability.

  • Final Year Dissertation (PBS6001)

    The module builds upon research and study skills developed in earlier modules. Students are required to undertake supervised independent research into a marketing or economics field of their choice. Use should be made of appropriate research qualitative and / or quantitative methodologies.

  Optional modules

  • Academic Skills for International Direct Entry Final Year Students (DEAS300)

    This module focuses on the study skills required for the study of business in UK HE for international direct entry final year students, it provides generic skills for students who are new to UK HE, such as information literacy, criticality, different types of assessment, assignment briefs, preparation and planning, and marking rubrics.

  • Environmental and Resource Economics (ECN6003)

    Modern economies heavily depend on natural resources and substantially affect the natural environment. This module develops and applies eco¬nomic theories and concepts relevant to the analysis of environmental and resource issues, exploring environmental and resource policies at the national and international stage.

  • Financial Markets and Decision Making (ECN6004)

    The objective of this module is to give you an understanding of the structural organisation of financial markets, and the role they play in the economy and to introduce the basic concepts in modern finance. You will undertake a detailed study of financial markets, e.g. the stock market, the bond market, the derivative markets and analyses financial decision-making through different models of stock and bond valuation and uses of financial derivatives. You will examine different ways of assessing risk, different ways of putting risk and return together, and portfolio building. The course considers theory, empirical evidence and practical application.

  • International Economics: Trade and Finance (ECN6005)

    In this module you will explore the economic implications of globalisation by investigating current trends in international trade and international finance.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

BSc Economics Prog Spec Sep22 FINAL 7060

UCAS tariff

104 - 120

A level: 104-120 points from a minimum of 2 A levels. This course considers general studies.

BTEC: 18 Unit BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM in any subject.

BTEC National Diploma modules
If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

Access: Pass a named Access to HE Diploma in any subject with at least 33 credits at merit/distinction.

T levels: Merit in any subject.

IB: 26 - 30 overall to include 4 at any subject at Higher Level.
English and Maths accepted within: Higher Level = 4 Standard Level = 5

All applicants must have GCSE (or equivalent) mathematics and English at grade 4/C or above.

Short of the entry requirements for this course? Don’t worry, you may be eligible for a foundation year to prepare you for possible entry onto this course for the following year.

We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.

English language requirements.