BSc (Hons) Economics with Foundation Year

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.

• The foundation year is an integral part of the extended degree and you will benefit from experienced university lecturers. Whilst completion of the foundation year will not lead to a separate award or qualification in its own right, you will be able to confidently progress to further study within the Plymouth Business School.

• 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. 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.

• Foundation year

• In this year, you’ll experience a supportive environment to assist in the transition to successful study in higher education. You will learn about academic writing, critical thinking skills and begin to develop your research skills, as well as develop your knowledge and understanding through an introduction to key aspects of business, accounting and economics. You’ll also have the opportunity to do independent research into an area of your studies that interests you, with a supervisor to guide and support you through the process.

• Year 1

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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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 with Foundation Year Prog Spec Sep22 FINAL 6223

UCAS tariff

32+

18 Unit BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma

PPP-MMP 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.

International Baccalaureate

24-25 overall to include 4 at any subject at Higher Level. English and Maths accepted within: Higher Level = 4, Standard Level = 5.

IELTS

If overseas & not studying English within IB – Must have IELTS: 6.0 overall with 5.5 in all elements.

Access courses

Pass access course (any subject) plus GCSE English and Maths grade C / 4 or above or equivalent.

T level: Pass in any subject.

New Irish Highers: From 2017 32-80 points.

City and Guilds Level 3: We will accept with a minimum of Merit overall alongside a good GCSE profile, including English and Maths grade C / 4.

Cyprus Apolytirion: 15/20 to 16/20 overall to include a pass in Maths and IELTS: 6.0 overall with 5.5 in all elements.

GCSE

GCSE’s or equivalent: Maths and English at Grade C/4 or City and Guilds; Key Skills Level 2 will be considered on an individual basis.

English language requirements

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