BA (Hons)
Economics with Law
Study the fundamentals of economics alongside relevant topics in law
Course Overview
Why take this course?
In many ways economics and law go hand in hand. Legal professionals are now increasingly turning to economists for information, especially when it comes to dealing with the issues of contract analysis, intellectual property rights and the assessment of damages.
Uniting these subjects makes for a sought-after, dynamic course that will develop your understanding of legal and economic institutions.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Use the University’s Bloomberg terminals to monitor and analyse real-time financial market data movements and trade
- Opt to do a year in industry to gain meaningful work experience and build up your employability skills
- Choose to study abroad through our links with overseas universities
What opportunities might it lead to?
Although this is not a qualifying law degree, by studying at least four of the foundations of legal knowledge over the three years, you may apply for exemptions from the relevant Common Professional Examinations or the Postgraduate Diploma in Law. You’ll find that career opportunities are considerably enhanced by combining these two highly respected disciplines.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- the government sector
- commercial banks
- insurance companies
- regulatory bodies
I feel the skills you learn are second to none and I think coming out of university with a placement year under your belt, it's less daunting going into a graduate role.
George Whiting, economics student 2013
Key Facts
- UCAS Course Code:
- L1MF
- Duration
- 3 years full time, 4 years sandwich with work placement
- Entry
260-300 points from 3 A Levels or equivalent.
Other qualifications- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £8,750 p/a* International full-time students: £10,500 p/a*
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- bus.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 8200 - Department
- Portsmouth Business School
Subject:
Accounting, Economics and Finance
Find out what our students say about studying at Portsmouth, including:
- How they apply theory to real-world issues by looking at current affairs
- The ability to gain relevant work experience in the local community as well as through a placement year
- The friendly and challenging environment that will enable you to gain the skills and knowledge employers need
Visit us at our open day
Wed 10 Jul
Structure & Teaching
Year one
Though similar to our other economics programmes in the first year, this course has a slightly reduced emphasis on core theory and an increased focus on law. It will provide you with a firm foundation in each subject area.
Core units in this year include:
- Economics for Business
- The English Legal System
- Contract Law
- Quantitative Economics
- Economic Issues
Year two
As well as strengthening your understanding of this course’s two disciplines, you can also take control of your learning by tailoring your studies through optional units. Choose areas from either discipline that interest you most.
Core units in this year include:
- Business Economics
- Employment Law
- Substantive Law of Tort
- Research Methods
Options to choose from in this year include:
- Money, Banking and Financial Markets
- Elements of Commercial and Consumer Law
- Econometric Analysis
Year three*
In your final year, there are several optional units allowing you to concentrate on the areas that you find most fascinating and for you to learn more advanced and specialised econometric techniques. There is also an independent study project, which initially requires you to work as a group with other students in order to perform in-depth research in a selected area of economics.
Core units in this year include:
- Company Law
- Labour Economics
Options to choose from in this year include:
- European Law
- Intellectual Property Law
*This course is also available as a 4-year sandwich (work placement)
Teaching and Assessment
We go to great lengths to ensure you will have an excellent learning experience with a high level of support. Teaching is usually undertaken in lectures supported by smaller group seminars, workshops, tutorials and practical sessions. Extensive use is also made of information technology and other teaching innovations.
How are you assessed?
There is a mix of formal examinations and coursework assessment throughout your course including:
- analysis of topical case studies
- written reports
- essays
- presentations
- self-led independent study project
Visit us open day
Facilities & Features
Bloomberg Suite
You too can virtually access the same data, analytics and software used by city traders via one of our Bloomberg terminals
Computing
Great working spaces with high-spec PCs, Macs and printing facilities
Placements Office
Our Placements Office is here to help you find your ideal work placement
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment
Bloomberg Suite
You can use this essential business research tool and gain real-life financial experience. Created by the Mayor of New York, Mike Bloomberg, the system is used by over a quarter of million finance professionals globally. You too can virtually access the same data, analytics and software used by city traders via one of our Bloomberg terminals.
Computing
We have invested heavily in open access computer suites across campus. Great working spaces with high-spec PCs (multimedia and CAD), Macs and printing facilities. There is also more specialised software and equipment available such as large format printing, audio-visual equipment and language laboratories. Should you need any assistance, there are specialist technicians on hand to support you in using the facilities.
Placements Office
Take advantage of our Faculty’s Placements Office. Advertising a great variety of work placements, the experienced team is always on hand to offer advice on everything from producing high-quality applications through to preparation for a company assessment day.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
A good class of economics degree should enable you to obtain a fulfilling and financially rewarding job, while a degree in economics with law offers an added flexibility when making your career choices. There is scope to pursue further in-depth study in either of the two subjects or enter a career in management, business, industrial relations or human resources.
This course also provides an ideal grounding if you are looking to undertake postgraduate training or study.
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- financial analyst
- account manager
- trader in financial assets
- purchasing and acquisitions officer
- econometrician
Work experience
Doing a work placement could be the best decision you make during your time at university. We strongly encourage you to take a placement year as an integral part of this course.
Work experience will help significantly with getting a job after you graduate, and you may even go on to work full-time for your placement employer. Plus, it can also be the best way of finding out whether a particular career path is for you.
Our Placements Office is the one-stop shop for all things placement related. Providing you with a huge portfolio of employers offering great business-related placement opportunities, we are always on hand to advise and help you through the recruitment process and beyond.
Career planning
6.04 minutes
Finding a job is a competitive business, but the statistics show that 89 per cent of our 2011graduates went into employment, further study or training within six months of finishing their degrees.
To make sure you take the right steps on your career path, we’re here to give you help, support and advice throughout your study. Even after you’ve graduated, we continue to give you support for up to five years.
Employers tell us that they want graduates to be able to demonstrate certain skills when they come out of university. Our courses take account of this. We make sure we prepare you for employment through work-related learning, projects, placements and working in simulated environments that are designed to prepare you for the working world.
Open Day
Our next open day is Wed 10 July
VISIT US! Have a look around and get a feel for what it’s like to live and study here. We’ll be on hand to talk to you about your course interests and show you all of our amazing facilities. You’ll also get to meet tutors and other students…
Application, Fees and Funding — find out more