BA (Hons) Business Economics with Business Law
- UCAS code: L1M2
- Mode of study: Full time or sandwich (optional)
- Duration: 3 years full time, 4 years sandwich
- Entry requirements 2012/2013: 260-300 points from 3 A levels or equivalent.
Find out more:
Tel: +44 (0)23 9284 8200
Email: bus.admissions@port.ac.uk
Department: Economics
Course overview
Economics and law have always been similar in terms of the logical approach they bring to problem solving. In addition, legal professionals are now increasingly turning to economists to inform them in areas such as contract analysis, intellectual property rights and the assessment of damages.
This course enables you to study the fundamentals of economics alongside the subject of business law. Although this is not a qualifying law degree, by studying at least four of the foundations of legal knowledge, you can apply for exemptions from the relevant Common Professional Examinations or Postgraduate Diploma in Law. Examples of some of the subjects you will study on this course include applied economics for business, the English legal system, contract law, tort, employment law, company law and the economics of crime.
Within the Department of Economics there are five undergraduate programmes. The three BSc courses contain a distinctive core of economic theory and in contrast, this course and the BA (Hons) Applied Economics seeks to provide you with more general skills that would be useful in a business environment.
Concerning entry requirements, your academic potential and willingness to make a positive contribution are more important to us than the subjects that you have previously studied. However, you will need to have an interest in economics and a reasonable aptitude for working with numbers. You will also be dealing with current topics and issues, so an awareness of business and financial developments would be an advantage.
Applications are also welcomed from appropriately qualified candidates who are seeking direct entry onto a programme.
Course content
Year one
In the first year you will cover the foundations of economics and quantitative methods. You will also take units in the English legal system and contract law. An additional essential feature of year one is a unit that is designed to equip you with general study skills and offer careers advice.
Year two
In the second year, at least fifty per cent of the units are devoted to economics, while at least a third are related to law. The modules in economics look at business economics, the economics of crime and social issues, as well as a research methods. The core law units are employment law and the substantive law of tort. There is also the option to learn a language.
Work placement
You will have the option to undertake a one-year placement in a paid, full-time role consisting of continuous progression and a suitable level of responsibility.
With employers now requiring graduates to have the key business competencies and experience alongside a good degree, work experience is more vital than ever. Due to its very nature, a placement year is the best and most involving type of work experience you can do during your time at University. As such a placement will help insure you are as employable as possible upon graduation.
It will also allow you to return to your studies for the fourth year with contemporary business experience. This will enable you to engage in debate and develop your strategic thinking, which could boost to your degree classification. Upon successful completion of your work placement you can also obtain an external employability Senior Award from the City & Guilds Institute.
The PBS Placements Office will not only support you during your placement search and the subsequent recruitment processes, but also once you secure your placement and are working away from the University.
Don’t just take our word for it though, see what our students think.
Final year
In your final year, there are compulsory modules in company law and labour economics. You will be able to choose your other units from a wide range of topics in both subjects. An essential feature of the final year of all is your independent study project, which requires you to work as a group in order to perform in-depth research in a selected area of economics or law.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning are usually undertaken in lectures supported by smaller group seminars, workshops, tutorials and practical sessions which enable you to discuss issues in greater depth. The delivery of the lectures and seminars involves extensive use of information technology and other teaching innovations. Staff research and consultancy expertise also actively contribute towards our degree programmes.
You will encounter a variety of assessment methods. Many units use a combination of formal examinations and coursework assessment. Coursework can be the analysis of topical case studies, written reports or essays and formal presentations. The assessed work you complete from the start of the second year onwards can count towards the class of degree you will be awarded.
The Department of Economics places a considerable emphasis on student support. At the beginning of each academic year you will be assigned a personal tutor, who will be available for regular meetings in order to discuss your progress, as well as help resolve any problems that you encounter throughout your degree course. The University has a range of additional support facilities such as the Academic Skills Unit, the Maths Café, Careers and Recruitment unit, and counselling that you can access if you need to.
In addition, if English is not your first language, there are free courses available to help familiarise you with the use of English for academic purposes.
Career prospects
A good class of economics degree should enable you to obtain a fulfilling and financially rewarding job. It is possible to use this qualification as a basis for a career as an economist in either central government or the private sector. With an economics degree you will also be well placed to enter into the financial and business sector.
Moreover, some of our graduates have been appointed to respected positions within the local government sector, while others have elected to pursue a career in teaching.
Many of our graduates choose to continue with their academic studies. Some proceed to register on taught postgraduate courses, while others seek to achieve a higher qualification by means of research.
The University of Portsmouth is an accredited Centre for the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, and the Business School is a member of the European Foundation of Quality Management.
Facilities and features
The University has substantially invested in modern facilities. You will attend lectures in the purpose-built Richmond Building, where the Business School is located. Our lecture theatres are equipped with the latest multimedia audiovisual equipment and we have a computer drop-in centre equipped with state-of-the-art computers and software.
The University Library is at the centre of academic life and is only a short walk away. Open from 8am until midnight every day during term-time, it provides a variety of information to help with study and research.
The library has also invested heavily in the purchase of electronic resources. There are thousands of electronic journals and ebooks which can be accessed across campus, from home or wherever there is an internet connection.