BSc (Econ) (Hons) Business Economics
- UCAS code: L112
- 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
Economic analysis is a core business function, enabling organisations to understand crucial factors such as efficiency and profitability in a dynamic international business environment. This degree will help you gain an in-depth knowledge of how economics offers powerful problem-solving techniques to enable a deep understanding of business issues and processes.
The key feature of this degree programme is the emphasis on a range of business-related themes, including competition within industries and the regulation of industries, management and decision-making, finance and investment. You will study a broad base of economic theory and econometric methods, and can select from a wide range of flexible course options.
The analytical skills and the experience which is gained from working independently, as well as part of a group, will make you an attractive proposition for employers once you graduate. In common with all our degree programmes, you may choose to study abroad through our links with overseas universities or undertake an internship to apply your skills in the workplace.
Within the Department of Economics there are available five undergraduate programmes. The three BSc courses contain a distinctive core of economic theory. In contrast, the BA (Hons) Applied Economics programme seeks to provide more general skills that would be useful in a business environment and the BA (Hons) Business Economics with Business Law programme enables you to study the fundamentals of economics alongside the subject of business law.
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
The three BSc programmes – BSc (Econ) (Hons) Business Economics, BSc (Econ) (Hons) Economics, and BSc (Econ) (Hons) Economics, Finance and Banking – share a common first year, enabling you to transfer between these courses should your interests change. Year one involves studying:
- microeconomics
- macroeconomics
- quantitative economics
- business accounting
- contemporary and historical issues in economics
Also, an essential feature is a unit that is designed to equip you with general study skills and offers careers advice.
Year two
In year two, microeconomics and macroeconomics are studied in greater depth, alongside managerial economics. Compulsory units in econometrics and research methods will also acquaint you with widespread techniques for analysing economic data. There is also the option of learning 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
Your final year will increase your breadth of knowledge of business and economics through the study of competition and regulation, and labour economics. 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.
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 which 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 services such as the Academic Skills Unit, Maths Café, Careers and Recruitment service, and counselling that you can access, should this be required.
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.