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 which include business forecasting, corporate investment policy and investment and finance.

The analytical abilities, independent skills and familiarity with group work gained on this course 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.

There are five undergraduate programmes. The three BSc courses - BSc (Econ)(Hons) Business Economics, BSc (Econ)(Hons) Economics and BSc (Econ)(Hons) Economics, Finance and Banking - contain a distinctive core of quantitative analysis and economic theory, while BA (Hons) Economics and Management and BA (Hons) Economics with Law programmes focus more on a core understanding of economic principles and their application to related areas. A key distinction is that BSc (Econ) (Hons) Business Economics is a more technical economics-based degree with a particular focus on issues related to the world of business whilst BA (Hons) Economics with Business is a course with less of a technical and mathematical focus, which teaches core principles of economics alongside relevant units from business and management programmes.

If you have not previously studied economics, you will need to have an interest in the subject 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. Your academic potential and willingness to make a positive contribution are also very important us.

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
• Economic Issues

Furthermore, an essential feature of year one is a unit designed to equip students with general study skills and formal career guidance.

Year two

In year two you will study microeconomics and macroeconomics in greater depth, alongside a detailed study of managerial and decision economics. Compulsory units in econometrics and research methods will acquaint you with techniques for analysing economic data.

Work placement

You will have the option to undertake a work placement after your second year. We encourage students to take a placement year as an integral part of this degree course. Work experience will help significantly with getting a job after you graduate, as many of our students go on to work full time for their placement employer. Experience is also the best way of finding out if a particular career path is for you. Our Placements Office will support you in maintaining and developing business contacts, advise you of vacancies and help you prepare for interviews and other selection methods.

Final year

In the final year, you will study economics units with a particular focus on the world of business, such as Labour Economics and Business Competition and Regulation. Furthermore, an essential feature of the final year of all of our degree programmes is an independent study project, which requires students to work as a group in order to perform in-depth research in a selected area of economics. You also have the chance to take several optional units, which include the opportunity for you to learn more advanced and specialised econometric techniques.

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.

There is 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.

Entry requirements

View all the entry requirements for BSc (Econ) (Hons) Business Economics for the academic year 2013/14 (opens in new window).