Economics
BSc (Hons)
- Typical offer for 2025
- Duration
- UCAS code
Suitable for applications.
Overview
Our 3-year BSc (Hons) in Economics will give you the skills you need for a career in the financial sector, or to pursue a managerial career.
You’ll develop a strong working knowledge of:
- microeconomics and macroeconomics
- qualitative and mathematical research methods
- financial markets and banking
- economic trends, institutions and policies – both national and international
You’ll study core Economics modules in each year, and choose optional modules from other complementary subject disciplines within the School of Management, ensuring you emerge as a well-rounded, commercially aware professional.
The programme focuses on the application of theory to real-world commercial situations. It is also oriented towards research-led teaching from academic staff with research interests in fields such as:
- international trade
- European economic integration
- dynamic macroeconomics and international finance
- financial economics
- emerging markets and transitional economics
You'll have a wide range of career opportunities open to you on graduation, in both the public and private sectors, along with the foundations for further study in finance, economics and business management.
Professional accreditation
We are proud to be in an elite group of business schools to hold the triple accreditations of Equis, AMBA and AACSB, often referred to as the "Triple Crown".
Placement Year
We provide access to high-quality internship opportunities at a variety of employers.
Our students are highly successful in securing both summer and year-long internships and placements with Government Economic Service placement scheme (e.g. the Treasury, Department for Work and Pensions, Department of Health, Office for National Statistics) and a range of private sector companies involved in marketing, finance and the voluntary sector.
Support to secure a placement comes from both the University’s Career and Employability Services and our Economics team (particularly in relation to the Government Economic Service placement scheme).
In our experience the completion of a placement is a transformative process. It not only provides experience and improves employability – it boosts the performance and professionalism of returning students.
Learning and assessment
Learning and teaching integrates applied and theoretical knowledge, taking into consideration the learning outcomes, progression through the levels of study, the nature of the mode of study and the need for you to take greater responsibility for your own learning as you progress through the programme.
Lectures are the main teaching method, and you'll experience a wide variety of other learning activities including supplementary reading, exercises, projects and workbooks, independent study and group work.
The final year dissertation is a substantial piece of work that gives you the opportunity not only to increase your specialist subject knowledge, but also to demonstrate your ability to undertake independent study.
All teaching is supported by information and activities provided through the University’s virtual learning environment.
In addition, the School offers an Effective Learning Service, which helps with the development of study skills both in group sessions and through individual coaching.
Methods of assessment vary according to the learning outcomes of particular modules and the stage of study.
Accordingly, a mixture of closed book examinations, essays and other written work, oral presentations, problem solving exercises and group work will be used in assessment of your work.
Classroom and mid-semester tests provide feedback on your progress.
Throughout the programme your learning will be supported using various methods of formative assessment and feedback. This is to help you progress your studies and support your continuing development.
Career prospects
Our Economics programmes develop your powers of analysis and critical thought, and build skills in communication, expression and rational argument. These are valuable in any area of employment.
Career support
The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.
Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.
AWS Academy program from Amazon Web Services (AWS)
The School of Management has joined the prestigious worldwide AWS Academy program from Amazon Web Services (AWS). All students will be given an opportunity to enhance their employability skills, helping to make them ready for the world of work.
AWS Academy is a global program that provides educational institutions with access to cloud computing content to support student learning in a competitive digital workplace. As a member of the AWS Academy, the University of Bradford will help students become proficient and certified in the use of AWS technologies and ready to join the dynamic cloud IT workforce.
All learners will have the opportunity to seek professional certification with the skills gained through AWS Academy content, delivered by University staff that are AWS Academy accredited.
Career Booster
During your time studying at the Faculty of Management, Law and Social Sciences you will have the opportunity to take part in our distinctive career booster programme throughout the duration of your course. The programme is designed to equip you with the necessary skills and graduate attributes to be job-ready when seeking employment with leading innovative organisations. The Career Booster Programme offers you the opportunity to gain certificates in:
- The European Computer Driving License (ECDL) - the benchmark for digital literacy
- Sage 50 Accounting and Sage 50 Payroll - training that will allow you to develop leading accounting and payroll software skills
- Project Manager Professional certificates - giving you the edge when seeking to become a Certified Project Manager
- Big Data analysis and reporting skills - using Software and Services (SAS) that will lead to certification.
In addition, the programme will also include activities to promote teamwork, confidence, communication and many other skills sought by employers.
Developing a portfolio of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Certificates will demonstrate to employers that you are not only ambitious but also take responsibility for your own professional development.
Study abroad
As a student at University of Bradford School of Management you'll have the opportunity to study abroad at one of our partner institutions around the world.
This gives you international experience, exposure to a different culture and opportunities to network with students and academics at other leading business schools.
Study tours
Students have an opportunity to broaden their international experience by taking part in study tours embedded alongside our programmes throughout the year. These tours are provided by the Faculty where all expenses are covered. Previous tours have included trips to Bahrain (Ahlia University) and Qatar (Qatar University).
These tours help our students to gain knowledge about international business and entrepreneurship, as well as providing opportunities to practice and develop communication and interpersonal skills. Students are given a hands-on opportunity to apply the knowledge they have gained in class, all whilst becoming more aware of diverse cultures and strengthening international relationships.
Students take part in a dynamic mix of both theory and practice-related activities including: interactive problem-solving workshops, company visits, talks by guest speakers (from the public and private sector), cultural visits, and social activities.
Study support
We offer an excellent student support system. On arrival you will be assigned to a member of the academic staff, who will be your Personal Academic Tutor.
You will have regular meetings with your tutor, who will help or advise if you have any general academic issues (e.g. in decisions about choosing modules, or even changing the subject of your degree).
In addition to designated office hours all staff operate an open door policy during working hours, so you don’t need to arrange an appointment.
Your Personal Academic Tutor is the first point of contact should you experience problems of any kind, whether directly related to your studies or not. They can also refer you to specialist agencies inside the University, if necessary, such as the Counselling Service, or Disability Service.
Alternatively, you can also use these office hours to see one of the module lecturers, or seminar tutors, if you are having problems understanding some of the ideas and concepts being taught.
This gives you the opportunity to benefit from one-to-one tuition to clarify your understanding.
Web-based simulations
In our classrooms, we are actively using different online educational web-based simulations. Online simulations are recognised as an innovative and effective problem-based learning tool that allows the active participation of students as value creators, ensuring the application of strategic marketing and data analytics in a simulated business world scenario. This provides an unparalleled opportunity for students to apply their learning to practice.
One example of this is DigiMark2Win, which takes students through a 6-8 week simulation where they act as a Senior Marketing Professional for a leading digital music company. Each simulation game allows five teams each representing a unique digital music company to compete against each other to develop a successful strategy and ultimately, make the most profit in the final period. Throughout the simulation, students are given the chance to practice and develop their digital marketing skills, while gaining a thorough understanding of marketing management, consumer behaviour and strategy development in a digital age.
Research
Research is central to the work of the Economics and Finance staff, and influences the core modules in final year such as Contemporary Issues in Economics and Risk Management and Derivatives, together with the supervision you will receive during your Dissertation in Financial Economics.
Our research themes include international trade, economic integration, macroeconomic policy, finance, banking and labour markets. Outputs include books with major publishers (e.g. Palgrave Macmillan, Routledge, Ashgate, Elgar), articles in leading Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS) journals and papers delivered at national and international conferences.