BSc (Econ) (Hons) Economics
- UCAS code: L100
- Mode of study: Full time or sandwich with work placement
- Duration: 3 years full time, 4 years sandwich with work placement
- Entry requirements 2013: 280-320 points from 3 A levels or equivalent.
- Please see details of the range of other qualifications that will also be considered on the 'Entry Requirements' tab below. Please do contact us for advice on other qualifications that aren't listed here.
Find out more:
Tel: +44 (0)23 9284 8200
Email: bus.admissions@port.ac.uk
Department: Portsmouth Business School
Course overview
Should the Eurozone be dismantled and member countries, such as Greece, Ireland and Portugal, return to having their own currencies? Should the UK Coalition Government be implementing cuts in public expenditure or should it be seeking to reduce the budget deficit by operating more expansionary policies? If you are interested in debating these types of issues, then this course could be for you.
The programme has a strong emphasis, making it an excellent choice for those considering a professional career as an economist. Over three years, you will progress from introductory to intermediate and advanced level microeconomic and macroeconomic theory, integrating the study of econometric theory with the use of research standard software.
There will also be the opportunity for you to apply your skills to a diverse range of applied economics units, including those in game theory, financial economics, natural resource economics, development economics and managerial economics. In common with all our degrees, you may choose to study abroad through our links with overseas universities or take a placement year in industry so that you can apply your skills in the workplace. The course also provides an ideal grounding for those looking to undertake postgraduate training or study.
Bloomberg Suite
Students can access the same data, analytics and software used by city traders by using one of the terminals located in the University of Portsmouth’s Business School Bloomberg Suite. Bloomberg terminals, used by financial professionals daily to make fast-paced investment, trading and financial decisions will allow students to monitor and analyse real-time financial market data movements and trade virtually.
Created by the Mayor of New York, Mike Bloomberg, the system is used by over a quarter of million finance professionals globally. Our investment in this resource provides students with an essential business research tool and real-life financial experience helping them to enhance their employability skills in order to “hit the ground running” once they join the workforce.
There are five economics 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. In contrast, our BA (Hons) Economics and Management and BA (Hons) Economics with Law courses enable students to study the fundamentals of economics alongside relevant aspects of business and management and law programmes respectively.
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. Additionally, your academic potential and willingness to make a positive contribution are very important.
Applications are also welcomed from appropriately qualified candidates who are seeking direct entry onto a programme.
Course content
Year one
The three BSc programmes – BSc (Econ) (Hons) Business Economics, BSc (Econ) (Hons) Economics, BSc (Econ) (Hons) Economics, Finance and Banking – share a common first year. This offers the possibility to transfer between these courses at the beginning of the second year should your interests change and depending on academic performance. Year one involves studying:
- microeconomics
- macroeconomics
- quantitative economics
- business accounting
- contemporary and historical issues in economics
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. Compulsory units in econometrics and research methods will acquaint you with techniques which are in widespread use for analysing economic data. Additionally, there is the option of learning a language.
Work placement
You will have the option of undertaking 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 macroeconomics and microeconomics in even greater depth. You will also be introduced to more advanced and specialised econometric techniques. Furthermore, an essential feature of the final year of all of the 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
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.
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, Purple Door Careers and Recruitment, 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 go on to register on taught postgraduate courses, while others seek to achieve a higher qualification by means of research.
Portsmouth Business School has a nationally recognised Centre of Excellence in Quality Management and also hosts the Centre for the Economics and Management of Aquatic Resources and the Centre for Economic Analysis and Policy.
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 from Richmond Building. 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.