Program Overview

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Economics (BSc)

Award: Bachelor of Science Typical Offer: AAB Duration: 3 years Course Type: Full-time Campus: Highfield UCAS Course code: L100

About this course

Learn how our economic decisions affect others, and how business and financial institutions' choices can affect our society. This BSc Economics degree gives you an in-depth understanding of economic theory, and the skills you need to work in sectors like finance, commerce and industry.

Your A level results will determine which core or compulsory modules you'll need to take.

You'll study economics with experts whose research has influenced international policy, learning in lectures and small classes. Our facilities include the behavioural economics laboratory and the Financial Laboratory (FinLab) - a realistic trading room environment with the most detailed financial data available.

This flexible course has 3 separate pathways you can choose after the first year. These have slightly different module selections. The pathways are:

• Economics - this is the default pathway, which will give you a rounded education in the subject.
• Econometrics - focuses on the quantitative methods in economics, providing the relevant statistical tools you'll need to analyse economic data and policy.
• Behavioural economics - has an additional focus on explaining and predicting human behaviour, and using these insights to evaluate and design economic policy.

You'll also have the freedom to shape your studies by choosing optional modules to suit your interests or career plans. You could choose international banking, risk management or public economics, for example.

As part of this course you can also:

• complete a short internship during the vacation periods
• study a minor subject
• take part in a summer school with our Study Abroad programme
• spend a semester abroad in your third year
• spend a year in employment
• gain vital work experience on our Student Innovation Projects

Study Economics in Malaysia

You can also study this course at University of Southampton Malaysia.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Facilities

• Financial laboratory: The financial laboratory will give you valuable experience using Bloomberg terminals, which allow you to access to real-world financial market data.
• Course location: This course is based at Highfield.
• Awarding body: This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Entry requirements

A-levels

• AAB including Mathematics
• Excluded subjects are General Studies, Use of Maths and Critical Thinking. If you are taking four A levels, you will receive the standard offer as well as an alternative offer of ABBB including Maths.
• A-levels with Extended Project Qualification: If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: ABB including Mathematics and grade A in the EPQ
• A-levels contextual offer: We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

• Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 at Higher Level, including 5 points from Higher Level Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation)
• International Baccalaureate contextual offer: We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
• International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement: Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

BTEC

• RQF BTEC: D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AB from two A levels including Mathematics
• QCF BTEC: D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AB from two A levels including Mathematics
• We do not accept BTEC Extended Diploma unless A level Mathematics is taken alongside this qualification. If it has, the offer is DDD plus B in A level Mathematics
• We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Access to HE Diploma

• 60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 39 must be at Distinction and 6 credits at Merit
• Mathematics must be studied to level 3, A-level standard to be considered.
• We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Irish Leaving Certificate

• H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2 including Mathematics at H2

Scottish Qualification

• Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.
• Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

Cambridge Pre-U

• D3 D3 M2 in three Principal subjects including Mathematics at M2
• Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer
• We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Welsh Baccalaureate

• AAB from 3 A levels including Mathematics or AB from two A levels including Mathematics and A from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
• We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

T-Level

• There are no T levels accepted for this programme.

Other requirements

• UK students
• International students
• Other ways to qualify

GCSE requirements

• Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C)

English language requirements

• If English is not your first language, you must show that you can use English to the level we require. Visit our English language pages to find out which qualifications we accept and how you can meet our requirements.
• If you are taking the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), you must get at least the following scores:
  • overall score: 6.5
  • reading: 6.0
  • writing: 6.0
  • speaking: 6.0
  • listening: 6.0

Course structure

Each year is made up of core, compulsory and optional modules. Your modules in year 1 will depend on whether you studied economics at A level.

You'll also be able to broaden your experience beyond economics by selecting:

• interdisciplinary modules
• a language module

You do not need to choose your modules when you apply. Your academic tutor will help you to customise your course.

Year 1 overview

• Core modules this year will provide a foundation in economic topics, including:
  • mathematics
  • statistics
  • microeconomics
  • macroeconomics
  • exploring the social world
• You'll also take an employability module to help you plan your next steps.

Year 2 overview

• You'll continue to study core modules in:
  • applied and theoretical economics
  • macroeconomics
  • microeconomics
• There are also advanced optional modules in:
  • econometrics
  • games
  • financial markets
• You can also choose modules from outside the Economics department.

Year 3 overview

• You'll run your own research project and write up your findings in your dissertation. This is great preparation for postgraduate study, and demonstrates to employers that you're capable of meeting a challenge. A research supervisor will support you throughout.
• You'll also choose from a range of optional modules on topics such as:
  • international trade
  • risk management
  • choice and decision
• You can continue to choose options from outside the department. For example, you can take modules offered by the Business School.

Learning and assessment

The learning activities for this course include the following:

• lectures
• classes and tutorials
• coursework
• individual and group projects
• independent learning (studying on your own)

Course time

How you'll spend your course time:

• Year 1:
  • Scheduled learning & teaching: 20%
  • Independent learning: 80%
• Year 2:
  • Scheduled learning & teaching: 18%
  • Independent learning: 82%
• Year 3:
  • Scheduled learning & teaching: 14%
  • Independent learning: 86%

How we'll assess you

• coursework, laboratory reports and essays
• dissertations
• essays
• group essays
• individual and group projects
• oral presentations
• self-assessment
• teamwork
• written exams

Your assessment breakdown

• Year 1:
  • Written exam: 58%
  • Coursework: 36%
  • Practical exam: 6%
• Year 2:
  • Written exam: 72%
  • Coursework: 28%
• Year 3:
  • Written exam: 61%
  • Coursework: 39%

Careers and employability

Employability skills

This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.

The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:

• Research
• Critical thinking
• Teamwork
• EDI leadership
• Problem solving

Career pathways

Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:

• Central Government
• Private finance and equity firms
• Bank of England
• accountancy firms
• banks (high street and city)
• charitable and not-for-profit organisations
• Consultancies
• insurance companies
• Government departments
• Think Tanks
• non-government organisations (NGOs)

Careers directly related to this course:

• Actuary
• Chartered accountant
• Data analyst
• Economist
• Financial risk analyst
• Internal auditor
• Investment analyst
• Political risk analyst
• Stockbroker
• Tax adviser

Wider career opportunities:

• Business development manager
• Data scientist
• Diplomatic service officer
• Local government officer
• Management consultant
• Policy officer
• Procurement manager
• Quantity surveyor
• Risk manager
• Retail banker

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

• Fees for a year's study:
  • UK students pay £9,535.
  • EU and international students pay £23,400.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and standard exams.

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £36,200 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Hub offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

When you apply use:

• UCAS course code: L100
• UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for this course

What happens after you apply?

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

• predicted grades
• academic achievements
• personal statement
• academic reference

We'll aim to process your application within 2 to 6 weeks, but this will depend on when it is submitted. Applications submitted in January, particularly near to the UCAS equal consideration deadline, might take substantially longer to be processed due to the high volume received at that time.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.