Economics and Management

BSc (Hons)

Study some of the most challenging and controversial issues facing society today and examine how the economy and organisation’s function.

Location: Aston University, Birmingham

Course type
Full-time
Entry requirements

BBB (standard offer)

BBC (contextual offer)

Duration

4 years with integrated placement year (international students may opt out of the placement year)

UCAS code(s)

LN12

Start date

Course overview

This degree combines essential economics and management knowledge to enable you to understand how organisations develop and implement competitive strategies in domestic and international markets.

It fosters an understanding of organisational dynamics and their economic interactions, emphasising practical applications and real-world examples. Our economics teaching team includes experienced practitioners, well-respected authors, and Global Economic Service (GES) assessors. Learning from them provides a unique opportunity to gain insights from those involved in hiring for the prestigious Government Economic Service – the largest employer of economists in the UK.

The programme offers comprehensive business knowledge encompassing the science of management functions and decision-making. You will be taught by experts from Aston Business School which is part of an elite group of global business schools that hold the gold standard of ‘triple-crown’ accreditation from AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS.

Profile picture of Delicious Orie

“I thought Aston University was brilliant and I enjoyed every single year. The people were great. I got to meet different people from all over the world with different goals and aspirations. It was definitely one of the best experiences of my life.”

Delicious Orie
BSc (Hons) Economics and Management
Boxer, GB Boxing

Why Economics and Management at Aston University?

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Recognised for quality
Aston Business School is proud to be among 1% of business schools worldwide with triple accreditation
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Professionally accredited
This programme leads to accreditation or exemptions from several professional bodies, including CIMA, ACCA, and CII
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Gold standard teaching
Aston University was awarded Gold - the highest possible rating for the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2023)
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Excellent prospects
Aston University was named runner-up in the University of the Year for Graduate Employment Award (Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2024)
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Earn more
Our graduates are among the highest paid in the country, earning on average £36,100 five years after graduating (Longitudinal Education Outcomes, 2023)
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Added value
Economics at Aston University was ranked 8th in the UK for ‘value added’ (Guardian, 2024)

Course description

BSc (Hons) Economics and Management

With a focus on applying theory to solving real-world problems. Everything you learn will be applied to a real-world context, even down to the way that you are assessed, where you will communicate complex economic theories to non-specialists.

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What we will provide
First class teaching in the UK’s second largest city, delivered by a diverse array of staff who will inspire and excite you. You will benefit from applied learning, research-informed teaching and authentic assessment. Our teaching staff include co-authors of a leading economics textbook used by most UK universities, and many are recognised with awards for teaching and economics.

We are also an Adobe Creative Campus meaning you will have access to top-notch software licenses, including Adobe and Solidworks, commonly used in industry.

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What you will provide
It is important you learn how to adapt a growth mindset to your studies – understanding that intelligence and success come from applying yourself, a passion to learn and an ambition and drive to excel. A willingness to ask questions and take risks.

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What skills we teach
We teach both theory and practical application, helping you understand the usefulness of theoretical tools and how to apply them in real-life professional contexts. Theories and frameworks in both management and economics education also develop your decision-making skills and your ability to manage teams effectively.

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Placement year
We all know that taking a placement year will boost your employability – it’s what makes Aston University graduates some of the most employable in the country. It’s for this reason that we encourage every student to take one. The placement year gives you the chance to put theory into practice, gain relevant work experience, and develop professional and transferable skills.

The placement year is compulsory for BSc (Hons) Economics and Management students. International students can request permission to opt out of the placement year, but we strongly recommend that it is completed where possible.

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Career prospects
As an Aston University Economics and Management graduate, you will be equipped for a range of different career options. Our recent graduates have gone on to work across the public, private and third sectors for organisations including: Lloyds Banking Group, CrossCountry, Civil Service, PwC, J.P.Morgan, KPMG, Deloitte and PepsiCo.

How you will learn

Our teaching approach is both modern and innovative. Alongside traditional lectures and training in the latest analytical tools, you'll gain valuable hands-on experience during your placement, enhancing your overall learning. At the beginning of your course, you'll be assigned a personal tutor for individual study guidance. Module tutors are readily available to answer questions, and all lectures are recorded for future reference.

Our emphasis is on practical knowledge application, with guest lectures from prominent business leaders and mentoring programs offering unique insights. Our renowned Visiting Professors, top UK business figures, share their expertise and expectations from students and graduates.

Complementing traditional teaching, our virtual learning environment provides electronic support materials. You'll have access to the University Library's extensive collection of over 25,000 books and electronic journals. University-wide services like the careers service, Jobshop, counselling and advice services, sports facilities, and Chaplaincy enhance your overall university experience and prepare you for your professional career.

Aston University also offers an array of extracurricular activities, including clubs and societies like Aston Economics Society, which enhances career prospects and networking with employers while fostering a tight-knit community through social events, from club outings to off-campus trips and sports activities.

What you will learn

Driven by the needs of industry, our programme empowers you with vital theoretical and practical knowledge for success in diverse management careers or entrepreneurship. You will gain insights into strategic decision-making, bolster analytical and quantitative skills, and master the essential statistical and experimental methods required for a thriving professional journey.

First year

In your first year you will study a wide range of modules designed to ensure you have a broad foundation and knowledge of management and economics. You will consider the economic, financial, human and legal issues managers deal with and the tools and techniques that they use.

Second year

In second year, you will develop your understanding of economic principles and learn to critically analyse their application to business and management issues. You will develop vital professional skills including corporate finance and problem-solving, and you will gain awareness of ethical, sustainability and global diversity issues within economics and management.

Placement year

The Aston University placement year forms an integral part of your educational journey and gives you the chance to put theory into practice, gain relevant work experience, and develop professional and transferable skills. Our award-winning careers and placements team are on hand to support you through every step of your placement journey.

Placement stories

This course offers an Exchange Partnership Second Degree Pathway, meaning you could study overseas at one of our partner institutions during your placement year and graduate with two undergraduate degrees for the price of one.

Exchange Partnership Second Degree Pathway

Final year

In your final year, you will master advanced economics and strategic management concepts, demonstrating in-depth knowledge and critical evaluation skills. You will adeptly apply economic reasoning to assess and improve policy and business decisions, preparing for a successful professional journey beyond graduation.

Delicious Orie

My placement year at St Philips Chambers

Delicious Orie spent his placement year working at St Philips Chambers in Birmingham city centre as a fee controller, helping the barristers to organise their cash flow.

Course objectives

  1. Provides education and training in a range of economic concepts, theories and techniques that are important in the analysis of management and financial decision making.
  2. Develops your critical understanding of how organisations make effective investment and strategic decisions.
  3. Enables you to critically evaluate the usefulness of economic theories and data analysis in the analysis of business and managerial decision-making.
  4. Develops your ability to apply the concepts, theories and quantitative methods studied to business and policy decisions in a diverse range of international settings, whilst recognising important cultural differences.
  5. Stimulates your interest in the theories of economics and management and their application to a range of real-world issues and relevance in a variety of contexts.
  6. Facilitates you to work effectively as a self-directed and independent learner.
  7. Develops a range of generic skills that will be of value to you in employment and self-employment such to proceed to further studies in areas that involve economics and management.

Modules

Modules and learning outcomes

Year 1 modules

In your first year you will study the following core modules:

Module TitleCredits
Introductory Accounting for Business15
Introduction to Organisational Behaviour15
Mathematics for Economics15
Statistics for Economics15
Introduction for Marketing Management15
Applied Topics in Economics15
Principles of Macroeconomics15
Principles of Microeconomics15
Total120

Year 1 outcomes

On successful completion of the first year, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the key principles in economics and a range of business and management disciplines.
  • Apply concepts from both economics and management theory to analyse a range of real-world issues.
  • Utilise basic statistics and mathematics techniques to analyse business and managerial decision making.
  • Represent economic ideas graphically using appropriate techniques.
  • Work effectively as an independent and self-managed learner to complete tasks by deadlines.

Year 2 modules

In your second year you will study the following core modules:

Module TitleCredits
Intermediate Microeconomics15
Intermediate Macroeconomics15
Business, Government and Society15
Business Management Simulation15
Corporate Financial Management30
Total90

You will choose two of the following optional modules:*

Module TitleCredits
Markets, Games and Strategy 15
Econometrics 115
Econometrics 215
International Business and Emerging Market Economies15
International Business Economics15
Sports and Economics15
Sports Economics and Finance15
Public Economics15

*Availability of any optional modules will be subject to staff availability and a minimum number of students who express an interest in studying the optional modules.

Year 2 outcomes

On successful completion of the second year, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a knowledge of the fundamental principles of economics.
  • Discuss critically the application of economic reasoning to the study of relevant problems and policies in business and management.
  • Communicate economic concepts, models and techniques in a clear and precise style.
  • Demonstrate professional skills and abilities needed by managers, including concepts of corporate finance and problem solving.

Placement year modules

You will spend your third year on placement. You will be fully supported throughout the process by our award-winning Careers and Placements team.

Placement year

Module TitleCredits
Integrated Placement Year120

Placement year outcomes

On successful completion of the placement year, you will be able to:

  • Identify and analyse an issue or process relevant for your placement organisation using academic theory and/or techniques.
  • Recommend appropriate actions for your placement organisation.
  • Evaluate the use of academic theories and/or techniques in analysing issues, processes and supporting recommendations.
  • Reflect upon and articulate your own learning, plan and implemented strategies to build upon this learning.

Final year modules

In your final year you will study the following core modules:

Module TitleCredits
Strategic Management15
Behavioural Economics15
Total30

You will choose at least one of the following optional modules:*

Module TitleCredits
Further Topics in Microeconomics15
Further Topics in Macroeconomics15

You will choose five of the following optional modules (or four if you have chosen both of the above modules):*

Module TitleCredits
Competition Policy15
Microeconometrics15
Macroeconometrics15
Environmental Economics15
International Trade15
Economics of Entrepreneurship15
Derivatives15

*Availability of any optional modules will be subject to staff availability and a minimum number of students who express an interest in studying the optional modules.

Final year outcomes

On successful completion of the final year, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of advanced concepts and theories in economics and strategic management.
  • Evaluate critically economic theories and strategic decision making.
  • Apply economic reasoning to analyse policy and business decisions.

We may update our courses to reflect best practices and academic developments. If we do, we’ll let you know of any changes at the earliest opportunity by updating our course webpages. If you have already received an offer, we’ll write to you directly to let you know of the changes.


 

Entry requirements

  • A Levels

    BBB (standard offer)
    BBC (with EPQ or Core Maths minimum grade B)
    BBC (contextual offer)

  • Contextual offers

    Aston Ready is our contextual offer scheme that could reduce your undergraduate offer by one or two grades. Assessed at the point of application, there are no additional forms to fill in.

Contextual offer criteria

BTEC Extended Diploma – DDD (standard offer)

BTEC Extended Diploma – DDM (contextual offer)

The University also accepts the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate/BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma and BTEC Level 3 National Diploma/BTEC Level 3 Diploma for entry onto degree programmes, provided that they are studied in combination with other qualifications that are equivalent to three full A2 Levels.

31 points overall in the IB diploma with grades 5,5,5 in 3 higher level subjects.

You must also have Standard Level grade 5 in both Mathematics and English Language.

We accept the QAA-recognised Access Diploma which must consist of 45 credits at Level 3.

You must obtain a minimum of 30 distinction and the rest must be at merit or distinction.

Please note that we do not accept the English and Maths components within the Access qualification and you must meet the GCSE entry requirement.

 

The following T Levels are accepted qualifications for this course:

  • Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction - grade D
  • Digital Production, Design and Production - grade D
  • Education and Childcare - grade D
  • Onsite Construction - grade D
  • Building Services Engineering for Construction - grade D
  • Digital Business Services - grade D
  • Digital Support Services - grade D
  • Health - grade D
  • Healthcare Science - grade D
  • Science - grade D
  • Accounting - grade D
  • Finance - grade D
  • Management and administration - grade D
  • Design and development for engineering and manufacturing - grade D 
  • Maintenance, installation and repair for engineering and manufacturing - grade D
  • Legal Services - grade D 

GCSE grades A*/9 - C/4 to include:

  • GCSE Maths – grade B/5
  • GCSE English Language or English Literature – grade C/4
Year 1 entry: We may consider applicants for year 1 entry who are undertaking a first year degree elsewhere. You must meet the GCSEs and A Level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference.
Year 2 entry: Please note that second year transfers are not part of the standard admissions process and is up to the discretion of the admissions team and tutor. Applications are only considered if there is space on that year of the programme. Typically, applicants for second year entry must meet the GCSEs and A Level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. Alongside this you must have successfully passed (or be expected to pass) your first year with 120 credits on an equivalent programme at another recognised university with very similar module content. The equivalency of the programme is reviewed by the Admissions Tutor and you will be required to provide an official copy of the programme specification of this. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference.
Year 3 entry onwards: We will not be able to consider any application for Year 3 or final year. 

International students

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year. Based in the centre of Birmingham, Aston is not only a great place to study, it’s also a great place to live.

Qualifications in your country

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification.

English language requirements

International students can enter at Year 2 of this course having completed an undergraduate year one programme at the required academic level with approved teaching partners ONCAMPUS Aston or NCUK.

Aston University provides a range of opportunities for international students to join our community and study on our campus. A key part of our strategy is our relationships with teaching partners, providing multiple pathways to Aston.

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and, as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career. One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability. Our close links with businesses, industries and professions make this possible.

Find out more about applying

Post-study work visa

Aston University welcomed the creation of a new Graduate Immigration Route which enables international students to remain in the UK for two years after you complete your studies to find work. This new post-study work visa applies to international students completing full-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Graduate Immigration Route

Fees and scholarships

Course fees

UK students
(2024/25)

Annual tuition fees:£9,250
During placement year:£1,250

International students
(2024/25)

Annual tuition fees:£18,250
During placement year:£2,500

More information on fees

For Home students: Tuition fees for UK/Home students may change in line with government policy.

For International students: The International students fee is a fixed annual fee for the duration of the Programme, except whilst on placement when a placement year fee applies.

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs.

Explore our scholarships 

Assessment

Assessment is provided through a mix of coursework and examinations. In addition, you will also be assessed on your portfolio that will be produced as part of your placement experience. You will reflect on your experience and evidence your analysis of a situation identified within the placement organisation which draws on learning from your previous studies.

Career prospects

Our BSc (Hons) Economics and Management programme will prepare you for a range of careers across the public, private and third sectors. Our graduates are among the highest paid in the country, according to the 2023 Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO). This data shows that five years after graduation, employed Aston University graduates have the 15th highest median salary among all UK Higher Education Institutions, with a median salary of £36,100.

The transferable skills that our economics and management programmes provide mean that our graduates are successful in finding employment in a wide range of roles such as:

  • Revenue management analyst
  • Credit risk analyst
  • Cyber security consultant
  • Finance analyst
  • Risk consultant
  • Business analyst
  • Project manager
  • Business development manager
  • Economist
  • Compliance officer

Our graduates have gone on to work at companies such as the Civil Service, Deloitte, Ernst and Young, KPMG, CrossCounty, Lloyds Banking Group, J.P.Morgan, National Grid and PepsiCo.

Victoria Rogers Economics and Politics graduate

My graduate role at Microsoft UK

Victoria Rogers' passion for economics led her to Aston University, where she was supported to achieve her ambitions.

Aston Business School graduates achieve some amazing things - whether it's setting up their own businesses, landing competitive graduate schemes, or making real differences within their communities.

Hear from our graduates

Alumni

Be part of our community

Once you have joined us at Aston University, you’ll always be part of our community, even beyond graduation.
 

Frequently asked questions

Why study economics and management?

You won’t just learn about the theories, models and methods of economics and management, you’ll get real-world examples and practical experience within your placement year, helping you to develop your understanding and skill set to prepare you for your career.

What is the Exchange Partnership Second Degree Pathway?

You can deepen your learning and stand out from other graduates whilst gaining a fantastic learning experience overseas. The Exchange Partnership Second Degree Pathway is similar to an exchange programme, but during your placement year you’ll follow a particular curriculum, setting you on the track for our partner institutions degree award. This means, if successful, you will graduate with two undergraduate degrees.

Exchange Partnership Second Degree Pathway

How will a placement year benefit me?

Whether you choose to study abroad or do a work placement, Aston University’s links with employers and universities around the world mean you will have a wide range of options to boost your employability and explore the world of work.

Our work placements give you the opportunity to apply what you have learnt on your course while gaining valuable professional and paid experience. It can enhance your graduate employment prospects and help you to make more informed career decisions. Around one in five of our placement students are offered graduate jobs by their placement employer.

Find out more

Is Birmingham a good place to study?

Our campus is based in the centre of Birmingham, the youngest major city in Europe and a great place to live, work and study.

  • Great music and entertainment with a vibrant nightlife. Bars, clubs, pubs, live music, festivals, concerts. Whatever your tastes, there's something here for everyone.
  • Fantastic food. Birmingham's diverse community means you can try anything from the famous Balti triangle, the Chinese Quarter, high street chains, halal and vegan food, and Michelin-star dining.
  • World-class shopping. The Bullring and Grand Central is a shopper's paradise. From the world's biggest Primark to luxury brands at the Mailbox.
  • Arts and culture. Museums, galleries, theatres, concerts and Birmingham's art collection is as wide as it is impressive - not to be missed.
  • Green, open spaces. One of the greenest cities in Europe, Birmingham has hundreds of publicly accessible parks and green spaces across the city.
  • Sporting action. Birmingham has some of the most exciting venues for watching or participating in sport in the UK.

Discover Birmingham

 

Register your interest