Skip to main content

University of Reading Cookie Policy

We use cookies on reading.ac.uk to improve your experience. Find out more about our cookie policy. By continuing to use our site you accept these terms, and are happy for us to use cookies to improve your browsing experience.

Continue using the University of Reading website

  • Schools and departments
  • University of Reading Malaysia
  • Henley Business School
  • Applicants
  • Students
  • Staff
  • Alumni
Show/Hide navigation
University of Reading
Mobile search categories
  • Study and life
  • Research
  • About us
  • View courses
  • Home
  • Study and life
    • Study
    • Student life
    • Accommodation
    • Open Days and visiting
    • International and EU students
  • Research
    • Themes
    • Impact
    • Innovation and partnerships
    • Research environment
    • Get involved
  • About us
    • Business
    • Working with the community
    • Visit us
    • Strategy
    • Governance
    • Contact us
  • Applicants
  • Students
  • Staff
  • Alumni
  • Schools and departments
  • University of Reading Malaysia
  • Henley Business School
  • View courses

BSc BUSINESS ECONOMICS

  • UCAS code
    L113
  • Typical offer
    ABB
  • Year of entry
    2021
  • Course duration
     3 years
  • Year of entry
    2021
  • Course duration
     3 years
View all

COVID-19 update


Find out about how we'll be delivering our courses in 2020.

Study BSc Business Economics and use economic theory and methods to investigate markets, business environments and industry.

You will develop a strong understanding of quantitative techniques and the conceptual underpinnings of microeconomic and macroeconomic theory and how they can be applied to the analysis of business behaviour. You will cover topics including money and banking, industrial organisation and business history.

In the first and second year, you'll take many of the same core modules as our BSc Economics course to ensure you develop the skills and knowledge required to effectively study economics. You'll acquire specialist knowledge of business economics through core modules in your second and final year, which cover the topics of money and banking, industrial organisation and business history.

Optional modules allow you to explore other areas of economics or learn more about the practical aspects of business, such as accounting. Modules from other subjects such as history and politics are also available and are a good way to broaden your knowledge and pursue other interests.

In addition to traditional lectures, you'll take part in small group tutorials in which you can discuss and analyse theory and practice through case studies, group presentations and open debate. You can also apply what you learn to a placement and gain valuable real-world experience at the same time.

You also have the option of studying this degree over four years with a placement year.

Overview

You will develop a strong understanding of quantitative techniques and the conceptual underpinnings of microeconomic and macroeconomic theory and how they can be applied to the analysis of business behaviour. You will cover topics including money and banking, industrial organisation and business history.

In the first and second year, you'll take many of the same core modules as our BSc Economics course to ensure you develop the skills and knowledge required to effectively study economics. You'll acquire specialist knowledge of business economics through core modules in your second and final year, which cover the topics of money and banking, industrial organisation and business history.

Optional modules allow you to explore other areas of economics or learn more about the practical aspects of business, such as accounting. Modules from other subjects such as history and politics are also available and are a good way to broaden your knowledge and pursue other interests.

In addition to traditional lectures, you'll take part in small group tutorials in which you can discuss and analyse theory and practice through case studies, group presentations and open debate. You can also apply what you learn to a placement and gain valuable real-world experience at the same time.

You also have the option of studying this degree over four years with a placement year.

Entry requirements A Level ABB | IB 32 points overall including standard level Maths at grade 5 minimum

Typical offer

ABB

International Baccalaureate

32 points overall including standard level Maths at grade 5 minimum.

GCSE

GCSE Maths at grade A (7). B accepted if taking AS or A level Maths.

Extended Project Qualification

In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

Further requirements

If you are an international student planning to apply for one of our degree programmes, you may need to take a foundation course or pre-sessional course if you do not have qualifications that are equivalent to British A levels or if you need to improve your English language level.

  • Look at entry requirements by country.
  • Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme.
  • Learn more about our international foundation programme.

Structure

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3
  • Year 4

Core modules include:

  • Introductory macroeconomics
  • Introductory mathematics for economics 1
  • Introductory mathematics for economics 2
  • Introductory microeconomics
  • Introductory quantitative methods in economics and business 1
  • Introductory quantitative methods in economics and business 2 and study skills

Optional modules include:

  • Economy, politics and culture from the fall of Rome to the rise of feudalism
  • Economy, politics and culture in the Roman world
  • Economic policy and social problems
  • Introduction to economic institutions and policy
  • The economics of climate change
  • British and European economies since WW2

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Core modules include:

  • Business economics
  • Intermediate macroeconomics
  • Intermediate microeconomics
  • Introductory econometrics

Optional modules include:

  • Economic history
  • Economic theory
  • Economics of social policy
  • Economics of the environment and energy
  • Intermediate econometrics
  • Intermediate mathematics for economics

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Core modules include:

  • Money and banking
  • Industrial organisation
  • Business history
  • Dissertation

Optional modules include:

  • Banking in emerging economies
  • Business and financial forecasting
  • Advanced microeconomics
  • Advanced macroeconomics
  • Applied econometrics
  • Econometric methods
  • Economics of labour
  • European economic integration
  • European urban and regional economics
  • History of economic thought
  • International economics
  • Macroeconomics for developing countries
  • Microeconomics for developing countries
  • Behavioural economics
  • Processes of long-term political and economic change
  • Public economics
  • Economics of land, development and planning

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

During your degree you may have the opportunity to do a paid placement at a company or organisation. Past students have undertaken placements with Rolls-Royce, the Government Economic Service and the Department for Work and Pensions. Usually, you would take a year out from your course between your second and final year, but it's also possible to do a summer placement.

The Department of Economics has a specialist placement officer who can provide you with one-to-one support in securing and preparing for a placement.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9250* per year

New international students: £16,475 per year

*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Careers

Our graduates are in high demand as a result of the analytical skills and specialist knowledge of economics they develop through this course. Over the last three years an average of 82% of graduates in Economics are in professional/managerial roles six months after graduation (Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) survey 2014-2015 to 2016-7).

Our recent graduates have secured roles as economists with the Government Economic Service and consultancies such as PwC and KPMG. Others have entered related and non-related careers in finance, business, marketing, publishing, PR and media.

During your degree, you will have the opportunity to do a paid placement at a company or organisation. Past students have undertaken placements with Rolls-Royce, Disney, UBS, and the Government Economic Service (including the Treasury, the Office for National Statistics and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office). The Department of Economics has a specialist placement officer who can provide you with one-to-one support in securing and preparing for a placement.

You can choose to study your degree over four years, with a professional placement year. You would receive timetabled support and training focusing on the search, application and selection processes associated with placements.

Meera discusses the course

Contextual offers


We make contextual offers for all our courses.

Take the next step


How to apply

Come to an Open Day

Get a prospectus

Ask us a question

Chat to our students

Related Courses

  • BSc Business Economics with a Placement Year L114
    Full Time: 4 Years
  • BSc Economics and Econometrics L140
    Full Time: 3 Years
  • BSc Economics and Econometrics with a Placement Year L141
    Full Time: 4 Years
  • BSc Economics and Finance LN13
    Full Time: 3 Years
  • BSc Economics L100
    Full Time: 3 Years
  • BSc Economics with a Placement Year L103
    Full Time: 4 Years
More
View all Economics degree courses at University of Reading courses
mask
Close
CHOOSE A SUBJECT
2020
2021
Undergraduates
Postgraduates
Undergraduates
Postgraduates

Subjects A-B

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Science
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management, Accounting and Finance

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Medieval History
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutritional Sciences
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teaching
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

Subjects A-B

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Science
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management, Accounting and Finance

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Medieval History
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutritional Sciences
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teaching
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

Ready for more?

How to apply
Visit an Open Day
Get a prospectus
View courses
  • Charitable status 
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies
  • Terms of use
  • Sitemap

© University of Reading