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Economics and Business

BSc (Hons)

Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Key information for 2027-28

Course Overview

This BSc Economics and Business gives you the chance to develop leadership skills and knowledge of economic decision-making, market forces, government policy and data analysis. You will learn to intelligently connect business interests with economic realities and communicate your findings effectively at every level. 

  • Why choose this course?

    • This course equips you with a strong understanding of both economics and business, while its practical focus develops your ability to apply this knowledge confidently to a range of real-world situations. 
    • On this course, you will learn from leading academics who are professional practitioners in economics, providing advice and in-house training for government, City firms and banks.  
    • We have an excellent reputation for the quality of our teaching, providing training for employers such as the Treasury and the Bank of England.
    • Graduates of our economics-related courses are among the highest paid of London institutions. Earnings after five years have been the third highest among London universities for three consecutive reporting years. (Department for Education) 
  • What will I learn?

    This course will provide you with essential skills to prepare you for a range of jobs in both the private and public sectors. 

    The economics component builds your skills in data analysis, economic decision-making, identifying market failures, and monetary and fiscal policy. You will then develop further skills in leadership, teams management, marketing, innovation and financial management. You can also tailor your degree to your career goals and aspirations by choosing from a wide range of option modules in business management, data analysis and finance.   

  • How will I learn?

    You will be able to choose between full- and part-time study on this course which has an evening timetable to enable you to balance your studies with work or other commitments.  

    It is delivered through a combination of lectures, which provide you with foundational knowledge, and small-group tutorials which offer you hands-on learning.

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full-time: Three to four evenings a week, October to July.

    Part-time: Two to three evenings a week, October to July.

  • Foundation Year

    If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study during an additional year (full-time) or two years (part-time) of supported study. This option is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.

    Once you successfully complete your Foundation Year studies, you will automatically advance onto the main full-time degree.

  • Pathways

    This course is a Pathway of BSc Economics

  • Course disclaimer

    Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

    Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More Highlights

  • You will study with academics working at the frontiers of economic research who are recognised as world-class experts in their fields and whose research feeds directly into their teaching.
  • Birkbeck Economics and Econometrics research was ranked 25th in the UK in the most recent 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
  • We bring together research and teaching across economics and finance, mathematics and statistics, which creates significant interdisciplinary synergies.
  • Goldman Sachs and Birkbeck Diversity Scholarships  are available for this course for students from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. 

Modules and Teaching

Birkbeck Business School

The school is research-driven across a wide range of disciplinary themes with academic staff who create new knowledge, push boundaries and publish in leading academic journals.

Entry Requirements

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

  • Full-time study - how many UCAS points do I need?

    • Three years full-time: 112 points (e.g. A-levels BBC)
    • Four years full-time with Foundation Year: 48 points

    For full-time study on this course, you apply via UCAS. The UCAS tariff score applies if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a tariff calculator for you to work out what your qualification is worth.

  • Part-time study

    For part-time study our standard requirements are a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent.

  • What GCSEs do I need?

    Three years full-time and four years part-time: GCSE grade A*-C or 9-4 in English and mathematics is also required.

    Foundation Year degrees: Applicants are expected to have GCSE grade C or grade 4, or equivalent, in English and mathematics.

  • Alternative entry routes

    Three years full-time or four years part-time: Access to Higher Education Diploma with a minimum of 15 credits achieved at Merit or Distinction in business, economics or social sciences units.

    Three years full-time: Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma - DMM

  • What are the English language requirements?

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

  • What are the visa and funding requirements?

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).

    As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

  • Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

Fees

Three years full-time, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Full-time home students: £9,790 per year
Full-time international students: £18,500 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Full-time home students: £10,050 per year
Full-time international students: £19,320 per year

Four years part-time, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Part-time home students: £7,335 per year
Part-time international students: £13,875 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Part-time home students: £7,530 per year
Part-time international students: £14,490 per year

Four years full-time with Foundation Year, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Full-time home students, Year 1: £5,760 per year
Full-time international students, Year 1: £18,500 per year
Full-time home students, Year 2+: £9,790 per year
Full-time international students, Year 2+: £18,500 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Full-time home students, Year 1: £5,760 per year
Full-time international students, Year 1: £19,320 per year
Full-time home students, Year 2+: £10,050 per year
Full-time international students, Year 2+: £19,320 per year

Six years part-time with Foundation Year, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Part-time home students, Year 1&2: £2,880 per year
Part-time international students, Year 1&2: £9,250 per year
Part-time home students, Year 3+: £7,335 per year
Part-time international students, Year 3+: £13,875 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Part-time home students, Year 1&2: £2,880 per year
Part-time international students, Year 1&2: £9,660 per year
Part-time home students, Year 3+: £7,530 per year
Part-time international students, Year 3+: £14,490 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see our Fees Policy.

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this BSc Economics and Business, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including in: 

  • data analysis and visualisation  
  • the management of individuals in teams, and strategic direction of organisations  
  • the economic analysis of individual, business and government decisions  
  • the practical application of theoretical concepts  
  • effective communication to diverse audiences. 

Studying our course will prepare you for roles in a range of fields:

  • Finance: investment banking, asset management or financial consulting
  • Government: economic policy analysis, research, or in central banks, treasury departments or international organisations
  • Business: business analysis, market research, strategic planning or corporate finance
  • Data analysis: data analysis or econometrics in industries such as banking, insurance or market research firms
  • Nonprofit and NGOs: economic development, policy advocacy, or research positions
  • Academia: pursuing further education with a postgraduate degree for roles in research or academia

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student Support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

How to Apply

You apply via UCAS for our full-time undergraduate courses or directly to Birkbeck for our part-time undergraduate courses. For more detailed, step-by-step guidance on how to apply, visit our How to apply page.

  • How do I apply to study full-time (UCAS entry)?

    If you are applying for a full-time undergraduate course at Birkbeck you apply through UCAS. Use the Apply now button on this course page which will direct you to UCAS. There you will be prompted to sign in and create an account. You will have to give UCAS a few personal details, including your name, address and date of birth, and then you can start working on your application.

    The first UCAS deadline is in January, and the majority of university applications through UCAS are made by then. Find the exact deadline date on the UCAS website. We welcome applications outside of the UCAS deadlines, so you can still apply through UCAS after the January deadline, depending on the availability of places. We also take late applications via the UCAS Clearing system in August.

  • How do I apply to study part-time?

    If you are applying for a part-time undergraduate course (usually four or six years), you apply directly to Birkbeck online by using the Apply now button. You will need to prove your identity when you apply.

    Please note that online application opens in September.

  • When should I apply?

    You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places left, and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.

    You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.

  • How can I get help with my application?

    Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at Birkbeck.

    Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.

  • International agents

    If you are an international agent applying to Birkbeck on behalf of an international student, please use Birkbeck's agent portal.

Study routes for Economics and Business (BSc (Hons))

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Important: Applications to study part-time in 2027/28 will open in October 2026.

2026-27

Full-time

Part-time

2027-28

Full-time