Business and finance
Economics
BSc or BA
Overview
Economics studies how individuals, firms and governments make choices when resources are limited. Selective courses are mathematical. A BA and a BSc can differ in how much mathematics they require, so the subject rule on the course page matters more than the subject name. It is a common route towards economist, analyst and policy roles, usually with further experience. Students who enjoy it like models and are willing to argue about what a model leaves out.
You want economic theory and data, not a general business degree.
Business management is broader and usually less mathematical. Mathematics is more abstract.
People who like essays and mathematics together.
What you will study
Universities do not teach the same modules. The lists below are a general shape, not a syllabus.
Year 1
- Microeconomics
- Macroeconomics
- Mathematics and statistics
Later years
- Optional fields
- Econometrics
- A project on some courses
Skills
Useful before you start
- Mathematics
- Writing
- Interest in public questions
Developed during the degree
- Modelling
- Statistical reasoning
- Argument
Teaching and assessment
Teaching often includes Lectures, Classes.
Assessment often includes Exams, Essays, Problem sets.
Typical weekly commitment
Estimate. Problem sets add hours that do not appear as contact.
Entry requirements
Indicative patterns from published UK admissions information. Not an offer. Actual requirements vary by course, university and year. Pearson Edexcel International A Level and Cambridge International A Level are not treated as the same qualification as GCE A level.
Indicative requirements by qualification
The A-level band is the catalogue reference. IB and American lines come from the named university guides under the table. They are not a conversion every university uses, and they are not an offer.
| Qualification | Indicative requirements |
|---|---|
| A Levels | ABB–AAB. Mathematics is required or strongly preferred for many economics degrees, especially BSc courses. A few BA courses publish a lower mathematics expectation. Check. |
| IB Diploma | UCL publishes 34 points for ABB and 36 for AAB, including 16 or 17 across three Higher Level subjects. A required A-level subject must be Higher Level in UCL's rule. Each Higher Level subject in that table is at least 5. UCL equates A* to 7, A to 6 and B to 5. This is one university's table. |
| American curriculum | That Manchester guide gives AP 5, 4, 4 for ABB and AP 5, 5, 4 for AAB, with GPA 3.0/4.0. Bristol publishes a GPA of 3.2, or 3.4 for competitive courses, and does not use one AP pattern for every degree. Where a course asks for mathematics, Bristol requires AP Calculus BC at 5. The Manchester social-sciences Americas guide requires Calculus BC at 5 for its Economics BSc. |
- University College London: Undergraduate entry requirements. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
- University of Manchester, School of Social Sciences: Americas country guide. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
- University of Manchester, Civil Engineering: USA country entry requirements. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
- University of Bristol: USA international qualifications. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
A-level subjects
Mathematics is required or strongly preferred for many economics degrees, especially BSc courses. A few BA courses publish a lower mathematics expectation. Check.
Often recommended: Economics, Further Mathematics.
Useful preparation: History, Politics.
GCSE and IGCSE
Mathematics at GCSE or IGCSE is widely expected, sometimes at a higher grade than for other degrees. Check the course.
Indicative only. Some courses use TMUA. That is not universal.
Other ways in
- Professional economist posts often expect a postgraduate degree.
Admissions tests and extra requirements
TMUA
Used by some courses only. A mathematics reasoning test.
Selected mathematics, economics, computer science and related courses. The list changes by year.
Checked 2026-10-14.
Official test site
Course costs
For many standard full-time courses in England, the home-fee maximum in 2026 to 2027 is Up to £9,790. This is the maximum standard full-time fee published for approved English providers with a TEF award and an access and participation plan. It is not the fee a named university charges, and it does not decide whether you pay home or international fees.
Clinical, laboratory and studio courses are not given a different home-fee figure here, because the regulated maximum is not the same thing as an international or clinical fee.
International tuition is set by each university and is not stored here. Clinical courses are often much higher than classroom-based courses. A school in Qatar does not decide home-fee status.
Source: Changes to tuition fees: 2026 to 2027 academic year. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Living costs, field trips and professional fees are not included.
Where you could study
UK degrees in this subject are numerous. This page does not list every university, because a list without a checked entry requirement would look more certain than it is.
No individual UK course page is stored yet for this subject. Use the university site.
No overseas course has been checked for this subject yet.
Where could this degree take you?
Economist
Direct qualifying route
The closest undergraduate degree. Many economist jobs also expect postgraduate study.
Investment analyst
Common route
A frequent graduate route, alongside mathematics and finance.
Business analyst
Alternative route
Relevant. Business and other degrees also lead in.
Stockbroker
Alternative route
One possible background, not a requirement.
Financial adviser
Alternative route
Possible. Professional advice qualifications come later and the role is open to other degrees.
Explore your pathway
A course sits between school subjects and a career. It does not guarantee either admission or a job.