BSc Business Economics

Study the world’s markets, business environments and industries with our BSc Business Economics degree.

This programme will develop specialist knowledge in business economics.

In the first two years, you will take many of the same core modules as our BSc Economics programme to ensure that you develop the skills and knowledge required to become an economist. You will then acquire specialist knowledge of business economics throughout your second and final years.

Going beyond ‘core’ economics gaining a wider perspective on business and economic issues, you will gain a rich body of knowledge and range of skills.

Optional modules allow you to explore further areas of economics. There are also optional modules from other subjects such as management and languages, allowing you to pursue your interests beyond economics.

You can choose to study this degree over four years with a work placement year as the BSc Business Economics with Placement Year, applying your newfound skills and getting a head start on your career.

Choose economics at the University of Reading

• Established for more than 50 years.
• 100% of our research impact has been classed ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ (REF 2021, combining 4* and 3* submissions – Business and Management Studies, and Anthropology and Development Studies).
• The University of Reading is ranked in the top 200 in the world for Economics (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023).

Your learning environment

Our research in the Department of Economics has real-world applications and has informed policy decisions by governments, major multinational organisations, and agencies such as the UN and the World Bank.

The Department of Economics has a strong history in business economics and played a leading role in developing International Business as a field of research, involving renowned business economists such as John Dunning and Mark Casson. The University of Reading remains home to a thriving community of business economists.

At Reading, our researchers are addressing some of the key issues of the twenty-first century.

• Professor Mark Casson and Dr Nigel Wadeson are researching the process of increasing internationalisation of markets and the development of multi-national enterprises.
• Professor James Reade combines his interests in sports and econometrics to understand what drives people's economic behaviour and how the sports industry work.

What you study throughout your degree will be aligned with our research clusters, keeping you up to date with the latest developments in economics. This learning is complemented by guest speakers from outside the University and the student-led Economics Society and Finance Society.

As well as lectures, you'll take part in small-group tutorials, enabling you to discuss and analyse both theory and practice through case studies, group presentations and open debate.

Supporting your learning

The Department of Economics will support your learning in several ways.

• Economics Surgeries offer one-to-one appointments with staff to discuss the topics you've studied and get help with specific study skills.
• Conversations with Economists provide the opportunity for you to discuss an economic issue in the news with staff and other students from across the department in a relaxed, informal setting.
• The Economics Society and Finance Society are student-led bodies that you can join. They arrange social events for students, careers-focused events, as well as lectures and discussions with economists and financiers on a range of topical matters.

Work placements with BSc Business Economics

Enhance your employability and build your network by applying for work placements during your degree.

If you are interested in a year-long placement, you can opt for our four-year BSc Business Economics with Placement Year degree, which includes an integrated professional placement between your second and third years.

We have a dedicated placement coordinator in the Department who can provide advice and support in your search for a placement.

Our students have undertaken placements with:

• 3M
• Airbus
• Bank of England
• Crowe
• Deloitte
• Disney
• Emperor
• HP Enterprise
• IBM
• Johnson & Johnson
• NHS England
• Nissan
• Oracle
• the Government Economic Service (including the Treasury, the Office for National Statistics, and Foreign & Commonwealth Office).

Read about Anna's experiences whilst doing a year-long placement at The Walt Disney Company and a summer internship at Goldman Sachs.

Study Abroad

As part of your degree, you can apply to study for a year or term abroad at one of our partner universities in Australia, Canada, the USA, or across Europe.

Visit our Study Abroad website for more information.