Economics and Management BA (Hons)
Successful managers make economic decisions every day. With this degree you'll get a solid foundation in both economics and management, skills you can apply to any business sector that interests you.
Key information
UCAS code:
L1N1
Accreditation:
This course is Accredited
Typical offer:
112-120 UCAS points from 3 A levels, or equivalent
Showing content for section Overview
Overview
To be a business leader you need to understand how to run a business and how to make financial decisions that will keep your business profitable. Our BA (Hons) Economics and Management degree will give you the skills and knowledge to do both.
You'll have the edge in the employment market when you graduate with a broad understanding of the core elements of business such as managing people, accounting, and operations management, as well as a deep understanding of how economic issues impact management practices and how data shapes decision making.
If you choose to take a paid placement, you’ll have the chance to apply your new economic management knowledge in the workplace and graduate with a year of industry experience. Past students have worked at companies like the Office for National Statistics, Amazon, or the Department for Energy and Climate Change.
The balance between business and economic applications is something I enjoy about my course. This has allowed me to tailor my studies and skills according to my interests and ambitions in my career.
Course highlights
- Learn about key economic topics that impact society and drive behaviour, such as the environment, the gender pay gap, productivity and poverty
- Personalise your studies to the areas of economics and business you're most interested in, whether that's sustainability, global business, financial markets or business development
- Develop your confidence and ability to analyse numerical data to drive decision making
- Benefit from expert teaching, informed by our academics' close relationships with organisations such as the Bank of England and the Office for National Statistics
- Gain a Bloomberg Certificate (a trading platform that's used by 250,000 financial service professionals) in our dedicated Bloomberg Suite
- See economics and business from a different angle by spending a year abroad at a partner university in the USA, Canada, Australia, Europe or the Far East
- Get support to set up your own business from our Entrepreneurs in Residence programme
- Learn a foreign language as part of your degree
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).
No. 3
influential business school in the world
Financial Times Teaching Power Rankings 2021
I loved my time at the University of Portsmouth and built friendships that will last a lifetime. I studied Economics and Management and completed a work placement in Prague in my third year. I worked for a leading consultancy and solutions provider of risk management.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsEntry requirements
BA (Hons) Economics and Management degree entry requirements
Typical offers
- A levels – BBB–BBC
- UCAS points – 112-120 points from 3 A levels, or equivalent (calculate your UCAS points)
- T-levels – Merit
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) – DDM–DMM
- International Baccalaureate – 29
You may need to have studied specific subjects – find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept at UCAS.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
See alternative English language qualifications
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
We look at more than just your grades
While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.
Ideal skills and qualities for this course
There is less emphasis on maths in this course than in our other economics courses, but we're still looking for good literacy and good numeracy skills.
Students who get the most from this course are those who have an interest in understanding economic decision making within the broader context of a business or organisation. We're looking for an interest in business and management, so we'd encourage you to read the business sections of a quality newspaper and get some work experience (of any kind).
Careers and opportunities
When you finish this degree you'll be highly employable. You'll understand how all parts of a business connect and how financial data and decisions influence success and failure. You can apply these skills to any business sector that you're interested in. These skills are valuable in a number of business sectors.
Graduates of this course have gone on to jobs as:
- Commercial analyst
- Product manager
- Claims handler
- Sales consultant
- Financial analyst
- Account manager
- Trader in financial assets
- Purchasing and acquisitions officer
Graduates of this course have gone on to work for companies such as:
- National Grid
- Cummins (power solutions)
- Prospect Legal
- H & M
- Toyota
- Total Gas and Power
- Majestic Wine
You could also choose to continue your studies at postgraduate level, or set up your own business with help and support from the University.
Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate
Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.
Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.
Work placement year
You can boost your employability by taking an optional paid placement year between years 2 and 3 of your degree, or after year 3.
Previous students have had placements in organisations such as:
- Microsoft
- Metropolitan Police
- Eaton Power Management
Economics placements
Economics students Mani, Jason and Ting-yi tell of their experiences doing work placements at Microsoft, ONS and HM Treasury.
Adam: I think it's really important for students to be really immersed and engaged in the real business environment. One of the most exciting opportunities is taking an industrial placement.
Mani: I relied on the placement office massively. They were so helpful, such as reviewing my CV before I was applying, they ran mock assessment centres and interviews and I went to them, which I found so beneficial.
Jason: The responsibility was pretty big right from the beginning.
Mani: At Microsoft, they encourage you to join extracurricular stuff going on. I joined the Social Impact team, where I had the opportunity to lead and create events.
Jason: One the first things I did was coordinating big bank meetings for the Business Department.
Ting-yi: I wrote a report which is called Changes in the Economy since the 1970s. It got published on the website.
Jason: At the end of the placement, I managed to oversee the entire thing, working with the Chancellor’s office. You get a lot to do.
Adam: That year long experience really does something to a student. They are a true economist.
Mani: We are really encouraged to do placements, which I had a great time doing so I definitely recommend it.
The average salary for a 12-month paid placement is £19,800 for students in the Faculty of Business and Law. It could be more or less than this amount depending on your placement. You'll only pay a very small percentage of your tuition fee for this year.
You could also set up your own business, or take a voluntary placement.
Ways to enrich your study
Entrepreneurs in Residence Programme (EiR)
We have over 20 experienced business entrepreneurs on our free EiR programme who can help you develop your business idea.
"I have a business idea, but I was not too sure about it. After this meeting, I felt so encouraged and positive about it! I felt so motivated to pursue my business venture. He gave me real life advice and helped me how to approach my ideas."
Rabab El Habchi Mahir meeting EiR Mark Smith
Study abroad year
Between your second and third year, you can choose to study abroad at one of our partner universities in Europe, Asia, Australia or North America. All classes are delivered in English and you'll still be able to get both your tuition fee and maintenance loans. You may also qualify for a government travel grant.
"Students that go abroad are more likely to obtain first-class honours [and] more likely to be in graduate employment than their non-mobile peers."
Universities UK International: 'Gone International, Rising Aspirations', 2019
I loved economics at A Level. It is such an interesting subject but I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do in my career. The BA Economics and Management option allowed me to explore this.
Modules
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, four modules worth 20 credits and one module worth 40 credits.
What you'll study
Core modules in this year include:
-
Business Accounting - 20 credits
-
Business Operations and Systems Management - 20 credits
-
Economics For Business - 20 credits
-
Managing People in Organisations - 20 credits
-
Introduction to Data Analytics - 20 credits
-
Issues in Economics - 20 credits
There are no optional modules in this year.
Core modules in this year include:
-
Data and Research Methods For Economics - 20 credits
-
Intermediate Economics - 20 credits
-
Managerial and Decision Economics - 20 credits
-
Corporate Financial Management - 20 credits
Optional modules in this year include:
- Behavioural Economics and Game Theory - 20 credits
- Contemporary Issues in Entrepreneurship - 20 credits
- Economics of Money, Banking and Financial Markets - 20 credits
- International Business - 20 credits
- International Economics - 20 credits
- Leadership, Ethics, Governance and Sustainability - 20 credits
- Learn a Foreign Language – 20 credits
- Psychology and Altruism in Economics and Finance - 20 credits
- Risk Management and Supply Chain Vulnerability - 20 credits
Core modules in this year include:
- Economics Research Project – 40 credits
- Market Economics and Business Strategy - 20 credits
- Strategic and International Management – 20 credits
Optional modules in this year include:
- Advanced Corporate Financial Management - 20 credits
- Business Forecasting and Data Analysis - 20 credits
- Crime, Conflict and Terrorism - 20 credits
- Development Economics - 20 credits
- International Banking and Financial Instruments - 20 credits
- Operations Strategy and the Supply Chain - 20 credits
- Public Policies and Labour Markets - 20 credits
- Behavioural Finance and the Psychology of Investment - 20 credits
- Business Improvement & Creativity - 20 credits
- Critical Leadership: Theoretical and Practical Perspectives - 20 credits
- Economics and Finance of Sport - 20 credits
- Energy and Environmental Economics - 20 credits
- Project Management For Enterprise - 20 credits
- Responsible and Sustainable Business - 20 credits
Build confidence and experience in the field, with an optional paid placement year after your second or third year of study. We'll help you find the perfect placement with an organisation that matches your career ambitions.
You'll get mentoring and support throughout the year and experience working in management or economics. You'll return to complete your studies with first-hand knowledge of the industry and valuable experience on your CV.
Previous students have secured placements at big name organisations, such as Rolls-Royce and Cummins UK.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Alternative economic courses
Not quite sure this course is right for you? Take a look at our other economics courses to compare you options.
If you'd like to know more about the banking sector or want to bring more money-savvy knowledge to your business career, take a look at our Economics Finance and Banking degree.
If you want to build a solid foundation on your way to becoming a professional economist by studying economic theory and practicing to an advanced level, take a look at our Economics degree.
Your facilities
Bloomberg Suite
Access data from the world's global financial markets and gain experience using industry standard software.
TEAL room
Our technology enhanced active learning space promotes social learning.
Business Suite
Experience the boardroom in our replica business suite.
Teaching
We listened to our students when they told us that they wanted to keep some of the positive changes we've made to teaching and learning, so we're keeping a blended teaching model with some online learning. Around 20% of your timetabled teaching will be online.
The majority of your learning will be face-to-face and will include:
- lectures
- seminars
- workshops
- tutorials
- practical sessions
In this course there's an emphasis on using the latest software and tech to support your learning and develop your practical knowledge.
We pride ourselves on the academic support we offer our students. You'll have a personal tutor, student engagement officers and study support staff to help you throughout your studies.
Assessment
Your assessment will depend on which modules you take. The majority of assessment is through coursework, but assessment methods are likely to include:
- analysis of topical case studies
- written reports
- essays
- presentations
- self-led independent study project
Teaching staff profiles
These are some of the expert staff who’ll teach you on this degree course.
Dr Adam Cox
I lead engagement with local authorities and businesses to develop ways of using economics to solve business and public policy problems. My involvement with shaping public policy stretches to Europe, where I'm helping to shape communications between EU policy makers and EU citizens.
I'm also particularly interested in corruption within sports organisations and the environmental impact of domestic and international tourism.
Dr Wolfgang Lohan
I'm the research lead for the University's Economics and Finance subject group. My main area of research is behavioural economics. I'm interested in people's behaviour, what factors influence their decisions, and why the standard economic model is mostly wrong.
I'm particularly interested in how people behave when bargaining or making decisions for other people.
How you'll spend your time
One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.
We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies. As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.
A typical week
We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for this degree.
Your total study time will depend on the modules that you take, but in your first year this is what your week may look like:
- timetabled teaching activities (lectures, seminars, tutorials, classes and workshops) = about 13 hours a week
- independent study (research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group) = about 22 hours a week
You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2 and 3, but this depends on which modules you choose.
Term dates
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
Supporting you
The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to postgraduate study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your Master's.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
In addition to the support you get from your personal tutor, you'll also have access to our student engagement officers. They can give you confidential, impartial advice on anything to do with your studies and personal wellbeing, and refer you to specialist support services if you need extra help or support.
The Maths Cafe offers free advice and help with maths skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your maths skills at a workshop, or use our online resources.
You'll have help from a team of study support tutors. Based within the Faculty of Business and Law, these tutors are familiar with the specific requirements your assignments and work closely with faculty academics. This means they can give you focused support with the specific study skills you need to be successful on your course. They're available face-to-face, by phone, email, and by video call.
They can help with:
- academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations, projects and literature reviews)
- reflective writing skills
- critical thinking skills
- delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
If you're a mature student, specialist support to help you return to learning is available.
As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University's Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
- academic writing
- note taking
- time management
- critical thinking
- presentation skills
- referencing
- working in groups
- revision, memory and exam techniques
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £9,250 a year, including our Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £17,200 a year (subject to annual increase)
You won't pay any extra tuition fees to another university for taking part in a study/work abroad activity if you choose to do it for the whole academic year. During a year abroad you'll only have to pay a reduced fee to the University of Portsmouth.
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Additional costs
Our accommodation section show your accommodation options and highlight how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
You’ll need to cover additional costs, such as travel costs, if you take an optional placement or placement abroad.
These costs will vary depending on the location and duration of the placement, and can range from £50–£1000.
During your placement year or study abroad year, you’ll be eligible for a discounted rate on your tuition fees. Currently, tuition fees for that year are:
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £1,385 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £1,385 a year, including Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £2,875 a year (subject to annual increase)
The costs associated with your specific destination will be discussed during your second year, as well as possible sources of additional funding.
Apply
How to apply
To start this course in 2024, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – L1N1
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
Applying from outside the UK
As an international student you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you’ll need to consider a few extra things.
You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.
Find out what additional information you need in our international students section.
If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.