Program Overview

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BSc (Hons) Economics and Finance

Your springboard to a career in the financial world

Overview

The BSc (Hons) Economics and Finance course focuses on the principles of macro- and microeconomics and econometrics and their impact on the world around us, from the individual to organisational level and on a global scale.

Course Details

• UCAS code: L112
• Institution code: Y50
• Start date: September 2026
• Length: 3 years full-time (plus optional placement year)
• Typical offer: AAB
• School/department: Department of Economics and Related Studies
• UK (home) fees: £9,535
• International and EU fees: £27,500

Course Content

This popular degree enables you to learn about the rapidly developing subject of finance, within the broader study of economics. Based in one of the largest Economics departments in the UK with one of the highest proportions of research-active staff, you will benefit from learning with those at the cutting-edge of their subjects.

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 national and international economies.

• Core modules:
  • Principles of Economics
  • Mathematics for Economists
  • Foundations of Economic History
  • Probability and Statistics
  • Introduction to Finance
• Option modules:
  • Data, Evidence and Policy
  • Open/Elective modules

Year 2

The second year will allow you to explore areas of interest in greater detail through a combination of core and option modules.

• Core modules:
  • Microeconomic Theory
  • Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy
  • Corporate Finance
  • Econometric Analysis
• Option modules:
  • Development Economics
  • Econometric Theory
  • Alternative Perspectives in Economics
  • Industrial Organisation and Strategy
  • Environmental Economics

Year 3

In the third year you will dig deeper in core economic topics and explore areas of your interest in greater detail allowing you to tailor the course to your future career path.

• Core modules:
  • Commodity Markets and Derivative Securities
  • Contemporary Economic Issues and Analysis
  • Structure and Regulation of Financial Markets
• Option modules:
  • Applied Econometrics
  • Bubbles, Panics and Crashes
  • Econometric Methods for Research
  • Economics of Social Policy
  • Financial and Time-Series Econometrics
  • Game Theory
  • Health Economics
  • Information and Institution Design
  • International Economic Growth and Development
  • International Economics
  • Macroeconomics: Topics in Theory for Policy
  • Monetary Economics
  • Political Economics
  • Economics Dissertation

Learning Outcomes

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.

• Identify issues and situations in society and business where economic or financial 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 and especially in the analysis of risk, 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 and financial models
• Engage with, and draw on, academic and professional research in economics and finance, with an ability to distinguish different themes within it, and to synthesise ideas from it.
• Recognise contemporary and historical economic and financial episodes and phenomena, confidently analyse their causes and significance, and understand the implications of future financial innovation
• Analyse and critically evaluate economic and financial policies, of government, companies 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

The fees and funding information here is for students starting in the 2025/26 academic year.

• Annual tuition fees:
  • UK (home): £9,535
  • International and EU: £27,500
• Fees for subsequent years:
  • UK (home) fees may increase within the government fee cap in subsequent academic years.
  • 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%).

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.

• Teaching format: At York we place a strong focus on applying theory to real-life situations and we incorporate practical work into our teaching to improve your planning, teamwork and research.
• Assessment and feedback: Assessment varies from module to module and includes a combination of exams, written essays and project work.

Careers and Skills

Career prospects for York graduates are excellent. This flexible course has been developed to meet the needs of the business world and provide you with the skills you need to succeed.

• Career opportunities: We have one of the strongest graduate employment records in the sector with graduates going on to work in:
  • Banking
  • Business
  • Finance
  • Central government
  • Law
• 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

Entry Requirements

Qualification | Typical offer
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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
European Baccalaureate | 80% overall including Mathematics
International Baccalaureate | 35 points with a minimum grade of 5 points in Higher level or 7 in Standard Level 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

English Language Requirements

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

• IELTS (Academic): 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
• IB English: A score of 4 in English A or 5 in English B (Higher Level or Standard Level)
• Cambridge CEFR: 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component
• Oxford ELLT: 7, with a minimum of 6 in each component
• Oxford Test of English Advanced: 136, with a minimum of 126 in each component
• Duolingo: Integrated subscores: 120 overall, with a minimum of 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 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component
• Kaplan Test of English Language: 478 Main Flight score with 444 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
• Other English language qualifications: We also accept other English Language qualifications, including various school-leaving certificates.

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI). Our partner status ensures you can take CISI professional exams at a significant discount price. You'll be offered CISI free membership, membership events and resources, opportunities to network with CISI practitioners. We fully sponsors some students to take the CISI Level "L3 Introduction to Investment" exam. You can also compete in the UK universities competition: the CISI educational trust award.