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BSc (Hons) Economics

Lay the foundation for a career with global impact

Year of entry: 2024/25

UCAS code

L100

Institution code

Y50

Length

3 years full-time (plus optional placement year)

Typical offer

AAB (full entry requirements)

Start date

September 2024 (semester dates)

UK (home) fees

£9,250 per year

International and EU fees

£23,700 per year

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Discover York

‌Economics is at play every day, in all areas of our lives.

Whether it’s the global implications of the Euro crisis, fluctuations in employment or even the price of milk in the supermarket, economics is the driving force.

Many of our lecturers are recognised for their ‘internationally excellent’ research into economics and its application to the real world. This research-led approach will give you a valuable insight into the ways in which financial decisions affect individuals, businesses and societies on a local and global level.

Committed to equality

The Department received an Athena SWAN Bronze Award in 2020 in recognition of our commitment to gender equality.

Student Satisfaction

We're ranked 9th for 'overall satisfaction' in Economics of the Russell Group universities included in the National Student Survey 2022

Course content

The first year of our economics courses introduce the key areas that underpin the rest of the course. Years 2 and 3 consolidate and expand upon this knowledge via a series of study modules which have been developed to give you a thorough understanding of the subject. They enable you to tailor your degree to meet your academic and career interests.

Study abroad

There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:

Placements

There are opportunities to spend time in industry as part of this course.

Year 1

The first year provides a broad introduction, covering everything from small-scale economic decisions at an individual and local level, through to issues that impact upon the national and international economy.

Core modules

Option modules

You will also study one option module. In previous years, options have covered topics such as:

Academic integrity module

In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.

Year 2

In the second year you will dig deeper in core economic topics and explore areas of your interest in greater detail.

Core modules

Option modules

You will also study three option modules. In previous years, options have covered topics such as:

Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.

Learning by design

Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.

Students who complete this course will be able to:

  • Identify issues and situations in society where economic concepts and principles can provide insight, and confidently apply those concepts and principles as appropriate.
  • Apply flexibly the methods of logical and mathematical reasoning used by economists, including within formal models, with an understanding of the purpose and scope of such models.
  • Independently locate, compile and present social, economic and financial data, with an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of such data.
  • Use proficiently statistical, econometric and computer-based techniques for analysing data, including in applying and testing economic models.
  • Engage with, and draw on, academic and professional research in economics, with an ability to distinguish different themes within it, and to synthesise ideas from it.
  • Recognise contemporary and historical economic episodes and phenomena, and confidently analyse their causes and significance.
  • Analyse and critically evaluate economic and financial policies, of government and/or other institutions.
  • Clearly present, explain and communicate their analysis, drawing on PLOs 1-7, in a variety of modes including verbal, written and technical.

Fees and funding

Annual tuition fees

UK (home) International and EU
£9,250 £23,700

UK (home) or international fees?

The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.

Fees for subsequent years

  • UK (home) fees may increase within the government fee cap in subsequent academic years. We will notify you of any increase as soon as we can.
  • International fees are subject to increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).

More information

For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.

Funding

We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2024/25 throughout the year.

Nigel Thompson Memorial Scholarships

These scholarships are worth £3,000 each year to talented students from families of lower income.

Living costs

You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.

Teaching Excellence Framework Gold Award

Gold-standard education

Our teaching, learning and student experience is outstanding, recognised by a Gold rating from the Office for Students in the 2023 national assessment (Teaching Excellence Framework).

Why we’re gold-rated

Teaching and assessment

You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.

Teaching format

You will be encouraged to work creatively and independently but you won’t be on your own. Our expert tutors are available to offer guidance and support. Modules are taught via a series of lectures supported by discussion group seminars and practical classes. We place a strong focus on applying academic theory to real-life situations to improve planning, teamwork and research skills.

Our academics have links with industry and are knowledgeable about emerging developments in the sector, so you can be sure you will gain a well-informed account of the issues and challenges facing the field of economics. In addition, each module has its own area on the virtual learning environment that provides easy access to supporting learning materials.

Timetabled activities

In your first year, you can expect:

Lectures8-9 hours per week
Seminars1-2 hours per week
Workshops0-2 hours per week
Practicals0-2 hours per week

These figures are representative of a typical week. Your contact hours will vary throughout the year due to your module choices, non-compulsory classes, exam periods and changes to scheduled activities.

Outside your timetabled hours, you'll study independently. This may include preparation for classes, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.

In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.

Teaching location

You will be based in the Department of Economics and Related Studies on Campus West. Your teaching will take place in a variety of locations on Campus West.

About our campus

Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour.

Assessment and feedback

Assessment varies from module to module and includes a combination of exams, written essays and project work.

Your tutors will give feedback in a variety of forms depending on the specific needs of the module. This may consist of written feedback, in-class discussion, model answers, one-to-one discussions or online responses.

Lecturer stood in front of computer and tiered lecture theatre seating.
Three students in discussion. Picture taken over third students shoulder

Careers and skills

This flexible course has been developed to provide you with the skills to meet the needs of the business world. Whether you’re looking for a career in banking, finance, the public sector, an information organisation or in management consultancy, career prospects for graduates are excellent.

Following graduation around a third of our students go on to postgraduate study and many progress to an MSc here at York. The Department of Economics has one of the largest graduate schools in the country for training and research.

Career opportunities

In recent years graduates have gone on to work with:

  • KPMG UK
  • The World Food Programme
  • Jaguar Land Rover
  • HM Treasury
  • PwC
  • Nestlé

Transferable skills

Economics students graduate with a wide range of transferable skills. As well as developing your subject-specific knowledge, an economics degree will equip you with:

  • Analytical thinking
  • Empirical and interpretive skills
  • Communication skills
  • Problem-solving
I’d advise all students to get involved with student life. Aside from it being good for your employment prospects, it will also be a lot of fun. If you balance a serious society, like the debate club, with a more fun society, such as skydiving, you will mix with a wide variety of people and so you will be more adaptable in the future, this will certainly show up in interviews.
Wayne, Graduate, now working as an Economic Analyst.

Entry requirements

Typical offer
A levels

AAB including Mathematics

Access to Higher Education Diploma 36 credits at Distinction and 9 at Merit or higher plus Level 3 units in Mathematics or in conjunction with an alternative Level 3 Mathematics qualification
BTEC National Extended Diploma DDD including Mathematics or in conjunction with an acceptable alternative Level 3 Mathematics qualification
Cambridge Pre-U D3, D3, M2 including Mathematics
European Baccalaureate 80% overall including Mathematics
International Baccalaureate 35 points with a minimum grade of 6 points in three Higher level subjects including Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations).
T levels We are currently not accepting T Levels for this course unless an additional A Level (or equivalent qualification) in Mathematics has been taken.
Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers Advanced Highers - B in Mathematics plus Scottish Highers - BBBB

We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications.
International foundation programme Foundation Certificate from our International Pathway College or an appropriate alternative.
Other international qualifications Equivalent qualifications from your country

Alternative offers

Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.

Criteria Adjustment
Widening participation If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to three A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities, YESS, YorWay to York. More about widening participation.
Contextual offers If you have experience of local authority care or live in an area with low progression to university, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer. More about contextual offers.
EPQ If you achieve A or higher at EPQ, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer.

English language

If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:

Minimum requirement
IELTS (Academic) 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
Cambridge CEFR 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component
Oxford ELLT 7, with a minimum of 6 in each component
Duolingo 120, minimum 105 in each component
GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) Grade C / Grade 4
LanguageCert SELT B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component
LanguageCert Academic B2 Communicator with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component
KITE 459 Main Flight score with 426 in each component
Skills for English B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component
PTE Academic 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component
TOEFL 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component
Trinity ISE III Merit in all components

For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.

If you haven't met our English language requirements

You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.

The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.

After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.

Applying

To apply to York, you will need to complete an online application via UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).

Accepted applicants will be invited to visit between November and April. You'll meet our current students and staff, which may include a one-to-one conversation with a member of academic staff.

Next steps

Contact us

Get in touch if you have any questions

Learn more

Department of Economics and Related Studies

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