51Âþ»­

Undergraduate courses/Economics courses/Economics

Key facts

Entry requirements

112 or DDM

Additional entry requirements apply to this course. Full entry requirements

UCAS code

L102

Institution code

D26

Duration

3 yrs full-time

Three years full-time, four years with a placement

Fees

2025/26 UK tuition fees:
£9,535*

2025/26 international tuition:
£16,250

See all the key facts

Entry requirements

112 or DDM

Additional entry requirements apply to this course. Full entry requirements

UCAS code

L102

Institution code

D26

Duration

3 yrs full-time

Three years full-time, four years with a placement

Fees

2025/26 UK tuition fees:
£9,535*

2025/26 international tuition:
£16,250

See all the key facts

Our graduates have gone on to secure professional roles at globally renowned organisations, including Government Economic Service (GES), KPMG, PwC, and Weetabix.

Economics is key to understanding some of the critical questions facing our world. On this course, you will explore these questions and examine the principles and theories that can help answer them.

Led by a team of highly-skilled academics, you will develop a thorough understanding of Economics in the modern day. Data analysis is at the heart of this course, allowing you to understand and evaluate economic ideas and policies and their effects on the wider world.

Employability is at the heart of the course and you will build transferable skills applicable to a variety of careers, including knowledge of digital software and applications, as well as core skills in writing, presenting and teamwork.

Your learning will be complimented with hands-on experience in our new, state-of-the-art Trading Floor, which is one of the largest of its kind. You will have the opportunity to use industry-standard software, including Bloomberg and Eikon, which is used by leading finance professionals across the world, and develop key practical skills, readying yourself for an exciting career in the world of Economics.

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What you will study

Block 1: Applied Microeconomics

This module will introduce students to the fundamentals of the economic approach to problem-solving and analysis. Economic issues of scarcity, exchange and trade-offs will be used to explore a variety of contemporary issues in the modern economy relating to choices by individual consumers, firms and government policy-makers.

Block 2: Maths and Statistics for Economics and Finance

This module is designed to avail students with the key mathematical and statistical techniques that will enable them to understand the models and arguments used within economic and finance theory and applications. 

Block 3: Applied Macroeconomics

This module introduces students to mainstream macroeconomics from a quantitative perspective, including its core principles. The content facilitates understanding how economists practically approach and analyse societal problems at the national and regional levels.

Block 4: Data Management and Visualisation

A career in Economics or in the private sector requires technical experience in using spreadsheets, data visualisation, economic and business models. This module offers a deep insight into the realm of data science and visualisation, exploring a wide range of tools in MS Excel and complementary software packages.

Block 1: Microeconomics and Game Theory

This module develops the understanding of microeconomics established in the first-year module. Both consumer and producer behaviour will be analysed using fundamental tools of economic analysis. Students will be introduced to the programming of economics problems and will develop their communication skills.

Block 2: Econometrics and Data Analytics

Econometrics introduces quantitative methods for both qualitative and quantitative data analysis. The focus includes a variety of estimation methods for economic data with diverse structures and uses applied applications of these econometric methods to estimate empirical models.  These techniques provide a foundation for the final year dissertation project.

Block 3: Global Financial Markets and Institutions

This module uses economic theory to build asset models in order to analyse how the prices of financial securities are determined and how asset prices may reflect time preferences, uncertainty and risk.

Block 4: Contemporary Macroeconomics: Policy and Practice

The module will emphasise the analytical skills developed by examining macroeconomic theory in a theoretical and applied context. It will equip participants to think conceptually and holistically about how to approach macroeconomic policy making at an institutional level.

Block 1

Advanced Microeconomics: Theory and Application

The module will review recent developments in microeconomic theory and their applications. Institutions will be examined using recent advances in game theory, contract theory and mechanism design. The digital economy will be analysed from a microeconomic perspective.

 

OR

 

Advanced Macroeconomics: Theory and Application

The module will equip participants to understand how to approach macroeconomic modelling in a critical manner, and apply this understanding to analyse contemporary debates in macroeconomic policy.

Block 2

Industrial Economics

This module will provide students with an introduction to the implications of competition, investment, mergers, innovation, and R&D on the performance, survivability and growth of firms in today’s dynamic and competitive economic environment.

OR

Behavioural Economics and Finance

The purpose of the module is to examine behavioural concepts and their application to both theoretical and empirical challenges in economics and financial markets, which are difficult to explain with a traditional economics approach.

Block 3

Digital Economics and Artificial Intelligence

This module focuses on the Economics of digital change and Artificial Intelligence (AI), their implications, and how crucial they have become to comprehend real-world situations.

OR

Global Trade and Development Economics

This module has been designed to equip students with critical knowledge of the different theories of trade and development including the links between trade, development and the environment.

Block 4: Applied Economics Dissertation

The module provides an opportunity for students to undertake independent empirical or theoretical research study in an area of special interest within selected subject areas of economics. Students will be able to communicate their ideas visually, verbally and in written format.

The research work should use econometric analysis or experimental methods in the solution of economic problems or in answering research questions of interest in economics. Students may also complete a dissertation that includes mathematical modelling or computational simulations when the appropriate requirements are met.

Initial thinking about topics and methods for this project will be done at level 5 in the module ‘Econometrics and Data Analytics’.

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

Structure

On this course, you will benefit from block teaching, where most students study one subject at a time. A simple timetable will allow you to really engage with your learning, receive regular feedback and assessments, get to know your course mates and enjoy a better study-life balance.

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, lab sessions, online activities, group work and self-directed study. Assessment is through coursework (presentations, essays and reports), exams and tests. 

Contact hours

This is a full-time course and in total you should be prepared to devote approximately 38 hours a week to your studies. You will typically have up to 10 contact hours of teaching. 

In addition, each module provides a two-hour surgery each week for individual consultation with the academic leading the course. You will also have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor and careers and/or subject meetings scheduled throughout the year.

In order to prepare for, and assimilate, the work in lectures and seminars you will be expected to use our on-line resources, participate in flipped or virtual classroom discussions on our virtual learning environment (VLE) and engage in personal study and revision for approximately 28 hours per week.

All years follow a similar pattern, however, the contact time will vary depending on your subject mix and options chosen, and the teaching methods appropriate to the module. Further details are contained in each module description.

Economics in the spotlight

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Our facilities

You will be taught in our purpose-built Hugh Aston Building equipped with lecture theatres and classrooms, break-out spaces for group work, quiet study zones for individual work, and high-spec IT labs installed with professional software.

You’ll also have access to the building’s new £5.5 million extension called The Yard, which provides more than 22,000 square metres of extra space. This is designed to facilitate your learning experience with large and airy breakout spaces, a new Student Advice Centre, and a balcony on the top floor. The Yard also features more comfortable classrooms and self-study spaces, allowing you to carry out independent study as well as group work.

The Trading Floor

51Âþ»­’s Trading Floor is a revolutionary space that has been thoughtfully designed to empower the next generation of finance professionals. These impressive facilities provide our students across Leicester Castle Business School’s undergraduate and postgraduate Accounting, Economics and Finance courses with an authentic simulation of financial trading and investing, equipping them with the knowledge and skills required to succeed in the world of work. Find out more about the Trading Floor.

What makes us special

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Block Learning

With block teaching, you’ll learn in a focused format, where you study one subject at a time instead of several at once. As a result, you will receive faster feedback through more regular assessment, have a more simplified timetable, and have a better study-life balance. That means more time to engage with your 51Âþ»­ community and other rewarding aspects of university life.

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51Âþ»­ Global

Our innovative international experience programme 51Âþ»­ Global aims to enrich studies, broaden cultural horizons and develop key skills valued by employers.

Through , we offer an exciting mix of overseas, on-campus and online international experiences, including the opportunity to study or work abroad for up to a year.

Economics students have recently visited the financial district of New York where they learned about the financial institutions there and went on an exclusive tour of the Bloomberg headquarters.

Where we could take you

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Graduate Careers

Our Economics degree helps to open up a wide range of career opportunities for graduates in areas such business, finance and the civil service.

Economics has been at the centre stage of policy analysis in the aftermath of the financial crisis and the coronavirus pandemic, with sound economic and data analysis skills and competencies being sought-after in many areas.

Our graduates have gone on to secure a range of professional roles at globally renowned organisations, including positions such as economic adviser and international finance manager. Some graduates have also forged successful careers working for major brands and companies such as the Government Economic Service (GES), KPMG, PwC, and Weetabix.

Hamza Zaheer landed a graduate job in people and talent consultant while studying in his final year at 51Âþ»­.

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Placements

During this course you will have the option to complete a paid placement year, an invaluable opportunity to put the skills developed during your degree into practice. This insight into the professional world will build on your knowledge in a real-world setting, preparing you to progress on to your chosen career.

Previous students have taken up placements in the private and public sectors, with leading companies such as TSB Head Office and Government Economic Service (GES).

Our Careers Team can help to hone your professional skills with mock interviews and practice aptitude tests, and an assigned personal tutor will support you throughout your placement.

Lauren landed a job offer after a successful placement year with the Government Economic Service (GES).

Take your next steps

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Find out how to apply

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Open Days - Book your place

Course specifications

Course title

Economics

Award

BSc (Hons)

UCAS code

L102

Institution code

D26

Study level

Undergraduate

Study mode

Full-time

Start date

September

Duration

Three years full-time, four years with a placement

Fees

2025/26 UK tuition fees:
£9,535*

2025/26 international tuition:
£16,250

*subject to the government, as is expected, passing legislation to formalise the increase.

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements

We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds.

  • Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English and Maths

Plus one of the following:

  • A typical offer is 112 UCAS points. You need to study at least two subjects at A Level or equivalent (e.g. BTEC)
  • T Levels - Merit
  • BTEC National Diploma - Distinction/Distinction/Merit
  • BTEC Extended Diploma - Distinction/Distinction/Merit

Plus five GCSEs grade C or above including English or equivalent

Alternative qualifications include:

  • Pass in the QAA accredited Access to HE overall 112 UCAS tariff with at least 30 L3 credits at Merit.
  • English and Maths GCSE required as separate qualification. Equivalency not accepted within the Access qualification. We will normally require students to have had a break from full-time education before undertaking the Access course.
  • International Baccalaureate: 26+ points.

Mature students

We welcome applications from mature students with non-standard qualifications and recognise all other equivalent and international qualifications.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each band (or equivalent) when you start the course is essential.

English language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

Scholarships

51Âþ»­ offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships and bursaries to help you realise your academic ambitions.

International student scholarships

Find out about available international scholarships or visit our fees and funding page for more information.