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Economics (Graduate Diploma)

Graduate Diploma

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Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:
September 2026
Study route:

  • One year full-time, on campus

  • One year full-time, online

  • Two years part-time, on campus

  • Two years part-time, online

Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | On campus | Online

Course overview

This Graduate Diploma in Economics is a specialist conversion course that is ideal if you have an undergraduate degree in another subject area but wish to switch to economics. You do not need any prior training in the subject, including in mathematics, as it equips you with a thorough grounding in the fundamental ideas and methods of modern economics.

  • Why choose this course?
    • This rigorous and intensive training will enable you to compete on equal terms with students graduating with undergraduate degrees in economics.  
    • It is an ideal conversion course if you have a degree in another subject and need the skills of an economics graduate to make progress in your career, or wish to study economics further at Master's level.  
    • All lectures are recorded and all course materials are made available online for this course, so you can access them when you need to.

  • What will I learn?

    First you will build the necessary mathematical and statistical toolkit you need to study economics. Then you will gain foundational knowledge in the principal ideas and methods of modern economics. You will then have the opportunity to conduct a research project of your own, learning to apply economic reasoning to practical problems.

  • How will I learn?

    You can study this Graduate Diploma in Economics either full- or part-time and either through attending lectures on campus or via live online streaming. The course has an evening timetable with classes taking place in the evening. 

    Lectures will introduce you to core material which is supported by weekly problem-solving classes. Assessment includes take-home assignments as well as written examinations, which you will take either at Birkbeck if you are studying on campus, or by arrangement at a wide range of sites throughout the world if you are studying the course online.

    If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. The online option will not be available to you because it may affect the conditions of your visa.

  • How often will I attend classes?

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

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

  • 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

  • Our September pre-sessional courses will provide you with an accelerated revision of core mathematics skills, as they start at - roughly - GCSE level, but progress very rapidly to more advanced techniques.
  • All modules on the course are designed carefully around targeted, accelerated learning, in contrast to conversion courses in other universities that simply offer modules that are already part of other undergraduate courses.
  • Birkbeck was ranked in the top 25 universities in the UK for its Economics and Econometrics research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
  • If you are able to demonstrate both academic excellence and financial need, you may be eligible for our Economics Postgraduate Scholarships. 

Modules and Teaching

  • One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus or online, starting in September 2026

    Course structure

    You must complete four modules worth a total of 120 credits, plus pre-sessional classes in September.

    Online students access teaching materials and video recordings of lectures via our online platform, Moodle, and actively maintain contact with lecturers via email or online.

    Compulsory modules (on campus or online)

  • Teaching

    We encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching to help ensure you have the best learning experience and provide a range of different modes of learning to help you juggle study with work and other commitments.

    Find out more about our teaching and teaching hours.

    What are the methods of teaching?

    Lectures and classes. Private study forms a crucial part of the learning process.

    A key feature of this course is its specially tailored lectures. This is in contrast to most other UK universities offering equivalent qualifications, where lectures are usually taken from existing undergraduate courses.

    If you choose to study by distance learning, you will have access to teaching materials and video recordings of lectures on our online platform, Moodle.

  • How will I be assessed?

    Mostly by unseen written examination. Each module includes some assessment based on in-class or online tests. Applied Statistics and Econometrics and Microeconomics include coursework.

    Please see individual modules for more details.

    Find out more about assessment at Birkbeck, including guidance on assessment, feedback and our assessment offences policy.

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Entry requirements

Our standard entry requirements for postgraduate courses are a second-class honours degree (2:2), or equivalent, in any area of study. Evidence of aptitude for mathematical and statistical analysis is advantageous.

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.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered, and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

  • 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.

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Fees

Graduate Diploma: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in September 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £5,700 per year
Full-time home students: £11,400 per year
Part-time international students: £8,400 per year
Full-time international students: £16,800 per year

Graduate Diploma: One year full-time or two years part-time, online, starting in September 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £5,700 per year
Full-time home students: £11,400 per year
Part-time international students: £8,400 per year
Full-time international students: £16,800 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 the Fees Policy.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

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

Graduates from this Graduate Diploma in Economics either go straight into employment in this field or progress on to the MSc Economics. 

On successfully graduating from this course, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including: 

  • the mathematical and statistical skills to learn economics 
  • fundamental knowledge of micro and macro economics and econometrics.

Studying this course will prepare you for roles in government, economic regulators, finance, business development, education or research.

Some of our graduates from this course have gone on to be employed at the following organisations: 

  • HM Treasury 
  • Bank of England 
  • Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office 
  • Deloitte
  • KPMG UK

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 directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.

You will need to prove your identity when you apply. Find out more about how to apply.

  • 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.

Related courses

Study routes for Economics (Graduate Diploma) (Graduate Diploma)

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.

Starting in September 2026

Full-time

Part-time