BSc Business Economics
-
UCAS code
L113 -
Typical offer
ABB -
Year of entry
2023/24 -
Course duration
Full Time: 3 Years
-
Year of entry
2023/24 -
Course duration
Full Time: 3 Years
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.
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.
- Dr Tho Pham is carrying out research on how social media can affect economic behaviour and outcomes.
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).
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.
Overview
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.
Learning
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.
- Dr Tho Pham is carrying out research on how social media can affect economic behaviour and outcomes.
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).
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.
Entry requirements A Level ABB
Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.
Typical offer
ABB
International Baccalaureate
32 points overall, including 5 in Maths at standard level
GCSE
Maths at grade A (or 7). Grade B (or 6) 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.
Structure
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
EC113 | Introductory Microeconomics | DR Vivien Burrows |
EC114 | Introductory Macroeconomics | DR Mark Guzman |
EC115 | Introductory Quantitative Methods in Economics and Business 1 | DR Kiran Karrouchi |
EC116 | Introductory Mathematics for Economics 1 | DR Andy Chung |
EC120 | Introductory Quantitative Methods in Economics and Business 2 and Study Skills | PROF Simonetta Longhi |
EC128 | Intermediate Mathematics for Economics | DR Fangya Xu |
EC1CORE | Core Competencies in Economics | DR Carl Singleton |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
EC107 | Introduction to Economic Institutions and Policy | DR Maria Asensio |
EC110 | The Economics of Climate Change | DR Stefania Lovo |
EC123 | Globalisation and the History of Western Capitalism | PROF Mark Casson |
EC126 | Communicating Economics | PROF Simonetta Longhi |
EC130 | Placement Support | MRS Purnima Darji |
EC131 | Thinking Like an Economist | PROF Giovanni Razzu |
AP1SB1 | Introduction to Management | PROF Julian Park |
AR1EMP | Early Empires: Mesopotamia, Egypt & Rome | PROF Roger Matthews |
AR1EMP10 | Early Empires: Mesopotamia, Egypt & Rome [10 credits] | PROF Roger Matthews |
AR1REV | Revolutions in Human Behaviour: 4 Million Years BC to the Present | PROF Steve Mithen |
AR1REV10 | Revolutions in Human Behaviour: 4 Million Years BC to the Present [10 credits] | PROF Steve Mithen |
AR1SOC | Contemporary world cultures: an introduction to social anthropology | DR Alanna Cant |
AR1SOC10 | Contemporary world cultures: an introduction to social anthropology [10 credits] | DR Alanna Cant |
CL1G1 | Ancient Greek 1 | PROF Amy Smith |
CL1L1 | Latin 1 (C) | MRS Jackie Baines |
CL1SO | Ancient Song | PROF Ian Rutherford |
FA1MM | Modernisms & Mythologies | DR Jenny Chamarette |
FT1ATF | Approaches to Film | DR Adam O'Brien |
FT1ATP | Analysing Theatre and Performance | DR Matt McFrederick |
FT1CSS | Comedy on Stage and Screen | DR Simone Knox |
IL1GICC | Intercultural Competence and Communication | MS Joan McCormack |
IL1GMB | Modern Britain Society, History and Politics | MRS Daniela Standen |
LS1GL | Globalization and Language | DR Tony Capstick |
ML1IL | Introduction to Linguistics | MR Federico Faloppa |
MM1F10 | Student Enterprise | DR Lebene Soga |
MT1CC | The Science of Climate Change | PROF Nigel Arnell |
PO1BRI | British Society | DR Dawn Clarke |
PO1INE | Inequality | DR Jonathan Golub |
PP1GJ | Global Justice | DR Shalini Sinha |
PP1RP | Radical Philosophy | PROF Maximilian De Gaynesford |
PY1IPY | Introduction to Psychology | DR Katie Barfoot |
TY1WTF | What the font? Making and using typefaces | DR Rob Banham |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
EC201 | Intermediate Microeconomics | DR Carolyn Molesworth-St Aubyn |
EC202 | Intermediate Macroeconomics | DR Mark Guzman |
EC204 | Introductory Econometrics | DR Hussein Hassan |
EC208 | Business Economics | DR Nigel Wadeson |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
EC205 | Intermediate Econometrics | DR Shixuan Wang |
EC206 | Intermediate Mathematics for Economics | DR Christos Mavrodimitrakis |
EC221 | Economic Theory | DR Mark Guzman |
EC224 | Games and Economic Behaviour | DR Steven Bosworth |
EC238 | Economics of Social Policy | DR Samantha Benvinda Rawlings |
EC243 | Economic History | DR Andrew Primmer |
AR2F17 | Forensic Archaeology and Crime Scene Analysis | PROF Mary Lewis |
AR2M8 | Medieval Europe: power, religion and death | DR Gabor Thomas |
CL2AE | Ancient Epic | DR Christa Gray |
CL2CGH | Greek History: Persian Wars to Alexander | DR Emma Aston |
CL2DR | Ancient Drama | PROF Barbara Goff |
CL2RO | Roman History: From Republic to Empire | PROF Annalisa Marzano |
FT2WD | Wildlife Documentary: Ecology and Representation | DR Adam O'Brien |
IL2GICC | Intercultural Competence and Communication | MRS Daniela Standen |
IL2GMB | Modern Britain Society, History and Politics | MRS Daniela Standen |
LS2LAT | Introduction to English Language Teaching | MRS Suzanne Portch |
LS2LNM | Language and New Media | PROF Rodney Jones |
ML2GF | Science, perversion, and dream in global fantastic literature | DR Alice Christensen |
ML2STA | Society, Thought, and Art in Modern Europe | DR Veronica Heath |
MM2101 | Founder Dilemmas | DR Norbert Morawetz |
MT2CC | The Science of Climate Change | PROF Nigel Arnell |
PO2AMG | American Government and Politics | DR Graham O'Dwyer |
PO2GPH | Global Politics and History | DR Kerry Goettlich |
PO2MIR | Modern International Relations | DR Joseph O' Mahoney |
PO2PWS | Politics of the Welfare State | DR Christoph Arndt |
PO2THI | Political Thinking | DR Alice Baderin |
PP2EA1 | Ethical Argument 1: Philosophy and How to Live | DR Luke Elson |
PP2GP1 | Global Philosophy 1 | DR Shalini Sinha |
PP2HKW1 | Hume, Kant, and Wittgenstein 1 | DR Severin Schroeder |
PP2IDR1 | Ignorance, Doubt, and Relativism 1 | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
PP2MM1 | Meaning and the Mind 1 | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
PP2OID1 | Oppression, Inequality, and the Enemies of Democracy 1 | DR Charlotte Newey |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
EC320 | Money and Banking | DR Christos Mavrodimitrakis |
EC347 | Industrial Organisation | DR Joo Young Jeon |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
EC301 | Advanced Microeconomics | DR Steven Bosworth |
EC302 | Advanced Macroeconomics | DR Alexander Mihailov |
EC311 | International Economics | DR Hussein Hassan |
EC314 | Public Economics | DR Vivien Burrows |
EC317 | Urban Economics | DR Vivien Burrows |
EC318 | Econometric Methods | MR Chaowen Zheng |
EC319 | Development Economics | DR Samantha Benvinda Rawlings |
EC322 | Economics of Labour | DR Sarah Jewell |
EC325 | The Economics of Sports and Games | PROF James Reade |
EC327 | Economics of Banking | DR Tho Pham |
EC334 | Environmental Economics | DR Stefania Lovo |
EC343 | Behavioural Economics | DR Joo Young Jeon |
EC349 | Financial Economics | DR Fangya Xu |
EC350 | Macroeconometrics | DR Shixuan Wang |
EC3DIS | Dissertation | DR Hussein Hassan |
FB3LNPA | Lifestyle, Nutrigenetics and Personalised Nutrition | DR Vimal Karani |
GV3CC | Climate Change | PROF Maria Shahgedanova |
GV3ESM | Ecosystems Modelling | DR Shovonlal Roy |
GV3TRC | Tropical Rainforests, Climate & Lost Civilisations | PROF Frank Mayle |
LS3IC | Intercultural Communications | DR Erhan Aslan |
LW3CRY | Criminology | PROFESSOR Jo Phoenix |
ML3IC | Identity and Conflict in Modern Europe | DR Athena Leoussi |
ML3LP | Language and Power | MR Federico Faloppa |
MM302 | Entrepreneurial Project | MR Keith Heron |
PO3FPT | Feminism and Political Theory | DR Sarah Goff |
PO3GAP | Gender and Politics | DR Rose De Geus |
PO3IPE | International Political Economy | DR Jonathan Golub |
PO3USF | US Foreign and Defence Policy since 1950 | DR Graham O'Dwyer |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Fees
New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250*
New international students: £20,300
*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
Your analytical skills and specialist knowledge of economics and business are highly valued by employers. You will gain unique practical skills, as well as knowledge of business and industrial organisation, providing a head start for a career in finance, consultancies, and bodies that regulate markets.
Your degree will also equip you with valuable transferable skills, from problem-solving to communication and presentation.
Overall, 92% of graduates from Economics are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation. [1] Many of our graduates are employed as economists with governmental and commercial organisations. Others have entered related careers in accounting, finance, consulting, business, marketing, publishing, public relations, and the media.
Recent graduates from the Department of Economics have started their careers with organisations such as:
- Government Economic Service - Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
- Government Economic Service - HM Treasury
- Government Economic Service - Home Office
- The Financial Conduct Authority | FCA
- Association of British Insurers | ABI
- Nationwide Building Society
- Grant Thornton UK LLP
- University of Oxford
- NHS England
- PwC
- Intel.
[1] Based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2022, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20; includes first degree Economics responders.