Overview
The Brunel Economics and Management BSc offers students interested in careers in management a detailed understanding of how economies and corporations function.
You’ll examine how resources are allocated in response to consumer demand, business objectives and government policy, and how incentives are aligned between shareholders, managers and employees.
Specifically, your economics studies will give you a broad understanding of the production, distribution and capital formation activities within which organisations operate, while your management specialisation will focus on the coordination and use of materials and labour to achieve defined goals.
You’ll also study econometrics and develop sought-after skills in data modelling, and get training in analytical packages widely used by business and financial institutions such as SAS, EViews, Bloomberg, Reuters and STATA.
We offer two study options. You can choose three years full-time or four years full-time with a one-year professional placement between years two and three that will give you the chance to apply the theoretical principles you’ve learned to a working environment.
This degree is accredited the ACCA and CIMA, which means you’ll gain exemptions from certain professional qualifying exams should you decide to study further to become a chartered accountant.
In a world of integrating global markets, the expertise you’ll get from your Brunel degree in how corporate entities are organised and managed will make you a preferred job candidate to employers in business, finance and government.
Course content
This course is designed to give you a thorough knowledge of how economies and corporations operate and how they can be managed to achieve defined goals.
Our economics and management degree consists of compulsory and optional modules. In the final year students can furthermore choose whether to write a dissertation or take additional modules instead. The optional dissertation project is a year-long project students write under close supervision by a dedicated academic supervisor in one-on-one meetings.
Compulsory
- Statistics and Data Analysis
This module is designed to improve numerical and data analysis aptitude of students. It aims to provide an understanding of key statistical concepts and methods, such as descriptive statistics, probability theory, inference, testing and sampling. Students will be given the opportunity to work on data sets, develop theoretical, technical and software related skill, which are in high demand in industry.
- Microeconomic Principles
The aim of this module is to introduce students to core concepts, methods and techniques of modern microeconomics. The course prepares students for more advanced topics to be studied in following years.
- Mathematics for Economics and Finance
This module is designed to provide students with the mathematical skills and techniques necessary for further study in Economics, Finance and Accountancy. Students will develop their understanding of basic algebra and differential calculus and the way they are applied in Economics, Finance and Accountancy.
- Macroeconomic Principles
This module provides students with a firm foundation in the principles of macroeconomics at the theoretical level, which will provide the basis for further core modules at level 2 and level 3. It aims to demonstrate the application of theory to current issues in macroeconomics.
- Introduction to Financial Accounting
This module aims to develop knowledge and understanding of the underlying principles and concepts relating to financial accounting and technical proficiency in the use of double-entry accounting techniques including the preparation of basic financial statements.
- Organisational Behaviour
This module introduces students to the study of organisations. It outlines key sociological and psychological perspectives used to analyse organisations and occupational groups. Students encounter core topics including organisational design, bureaucracy and contingency theory. Theory and practice are linked via seminars, case study discussions and reflections on students’ experience of organisations.
Compulsory
- Intermediate Microeconomics
The objective of the course is to provide students with insights from economic theory which are relevant to a variety of real world decisions. The emphasis is on applying microeconomics ideas to solve problems.
- Intermediate Macroeconomics
The main aims of the module are to familiarise students with the assumptions, operation and predictions of the principal macroeconomic models. Enable students to understand current debate amongst Macroeconomists by examining the major theoretical controversies. And to explore policy implications relating to current macroeconomic performance.
- Services Marketing
This module aims to develop in students a critical understanding of service management theory and practice and provide knowledge of modern theory associated with the effective design and management of service operations.
- Human Resource Management and its International Dimensions
The aim of this module is to introduce students to issues, debates, and controversies relating to the field of Human Resource Management. The module intends to develop students’ awareness of people management issues within and outside the workplace. The people management issues are set against the background of national and international issues that affect HRM policies and practices.
- Critical Perspectives in Management
The module seeks to introduce students to a critical approach to the study of management and organisations. This will be achieved through an exploration of bureaucratic/post-bureaucratic organisations, new forms of work organisations, new forms of managerial control, resistance and power, new forms of employment, gender and work organisations.
Optional
- Ethics and Accountancy Research Methods
The aim of the course is to provide students with the theoretical and practical skills needed to understand and analyse main characteristics of financial and accounting data. Develop an understanding of relevant knowledge and skills related to the exercise of professional judgement in carrying out the role of the accountant in the areas of governance, internal control, compliance and the management of risk in an organisation, within the context of an overall ethical framework.
- Quantitative Methods
The aim of the course is to provide students with a review of statistical methods applied in economic analysis, the theoretical skills needed to understand and analyse data and the practical skills needed to construct and estimate relevant models. Students will learn about and practice techniques in performing and discussing data analysis.
- Money and Banking
This module aims to provide students with a good grasp of both the theoretical and practical issues related to the modern financial markets and intermediaries. The topics covered include financial system, banking, financial institutions and money. Special attention will be given to the topics of financial crisis and the need and role of regulation.
- Monetary Economics
The main aims of the module are to familiarise students with functions of money, interaction of money supply and demand, operations of financial intermediaries and banks, to enable students to understand to effect of monetary policy on welfare, business cycles, inflation and other macroeconomic variables in the short- and long-run and to explore inconsistencies and uncertainties in relation to monetary economics.
Optional
- Applied Research in Economics, Banking and Finance
The module aims to provide final-year undergraduates with the opportunity to provide evidence of their ability to independently pursue research in the area of the topics chosen by them, with the assistance of, and the recommendation by, members of the Department. Students will be expected to develop their analytical ability and skills to conduct a general investigation into issues relating to economics and finance.
- Managerial and Industrial Economics
This module introduces students to the latest theories on the organisation of the firms and industries. Practical examples will illustrate the role of each theory in current policy debates. The focus is on recent developments in the theory of oligopoly, including the study of cooperative and non-cooperative oligopoly behaviour based on game theory. In addition, the course covers some advanced topics in pricing and strategic behaviour. Case studies will indicate how and why industrial economics models are valuable tools for competition policy and antitrust activity.
- The Economics of Labour Markets
The aims of this course are to survey the broad area of Labour Economics and to analyse how individuals, families, firms and governments operate within a contemporary labour market. The approach is a two-fold one: a theoretical survey with the incorporation of empirical evidence from several developed countries.
- Data Analysis for Microeconomic Policies
This module will provide the theoretical and methodological tools to identify the causal impact of an event or policy on outcomes of interest. The module will introduce students to the potential outcome framework and the casual effects of interests, then study the ideal scenario: randomized control experiments, linking them to regression techniques. The module will also cover mainstream methods to overcome selection issues, such as instrumental variables and difference-in-difference. Economically relevant applications will be provided throughout the course.
- International Money and Finance
The module aims to provide students with an understanding of the key issues in International Money, International Macroeconomics, and International Finance.
- Developmental Economics
This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the main features of developing economies, how developing economies function, constraints and opportunities of the development process, economic growth in theory and practice, and the causes and consequences of extreme poverty and vulnerability. It also looks at how markets and institutions operate in developing economies, and the role of the household, ethnic and other networks, rural-urban migration.
- Economic History and Thought
The course will provide a broad outline of the history of the British economy through the last few centuries, and some additional understanding of the European economy. It will discuss many of the ideas about Economics that have been held by Economists in the past, and their contemporary relevance. The link between Economic Theory and Economic Policy will be discussed. There will be an evaluation of how Economic Policy affected the Economy, and how discussion about policy informed Economic theory.
- Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
This module aims to provide an understanding of the behaviour and interconnections between economic agents, markets and the environment, to apply economic tools and theory to problems relating to the environment and natural resources and interpret their findings. It also engages students in critical evaluation of these tools and theories against real-world phenomena.
- Issues and Controversies in Management Project
This core module helps students to conduct critical appraisals of issues and controversies involving contemporary organisations and of managerial responses to these challenges. It also provides focused support in appropriate research methods and in the effective communication of research findings in oral presentations, small group discussions and an extended written report.
- Entrepreneurship and Small Business Ventures
This module provides an integrated and critical analysis of entrepreneurship and small business management related theories and frameworks underpinning the practice and policy of entrepreneurship and small business management. It will enable you to draw on evidence and contemporary research to explore entrepreneurial value creation and capture, and the imperatives of innovative new technologies on small business growth, as well as identify and evaluate the opportunities and distinctive challenges faced by entrepreneurs and their firms.
- International Marketing
This module addresses critical understanding and ability in assessing the effectiveness of international marketing theory and practice. It targets principles and issues that drive markets world-wide. Students will develop insight and investigative ability concerning issues facing a business that needs to research markets and develop and implement market strategies, techniques and methods across a range of international sectors.
- Strategic Management
This module aims to enable students to appreciate the many, wide ranging issues and challenges that confront strategic managers, introduce concepts, topics and methodological approaches relevant to the analysis of the strategic position of the organisation and the development and implementation of strategies in complex uncertain environments, including a consideration of major operational implications, and to develop skills of strategic thinking, analysis and argument.
- Business Ethics, Environmental Sustainability and Governance
The module aims to provide students with the opportunity to gain critical understanding of theories and contemporary approaches to business ethics, corporate social responsibility and governance in the age of globalisation, and the challenges of sustainable development and business responses to it.
This course can be studied undefined undefined, starting in undefined.
This course has a placement option. Find out more about work placements available.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of undergraduate degrees at Brunel.
Careers and your future
Our aim is to teach you ‘employable knowledge’, which can be applied to real-world situations giving you the skills you need to find the right role after you graduate. Therefore, you’ll be well prepared for work, especially if you undertake a work placement. Securing economics and finance degree jobs is highly competitive so we’ll support you to gain a strong foundation in the skills employers are looking for. We offer opportunities within the Department of Economics and Finance as well as through the University’s Professional Development Centre (PDC) to help you build skills and experience.
Our graduates are employed in many fields, with roles at NatWest (Financing Futures), PricewaterhouseCoopers and KPMG, the Treasury and Bank of England. Within industry, graduates are working at businesses like BP, Xerox and Marks and Spencer.
UK entry requirements
2024/25 entry
- GCE A-level AAB-BBB (all subjects considered excluding General Studies).
- BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma DDM in a related subject.
- BTEC Level 3 Diploma DM in a related subject and an A-level at grade B.
- BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma D in a related subject and A-levels grade BC.
- International Baccalaureate Diploma 30 points, including 5 in Standard Maths or 4 in Higher Maths.
- Obtain a minimum of 120 UCAS tariff points in the Access to HE Diploma (Business/Computing/Engineering/Humanities & Social Science/Law) 45 credits at Level 3.
- T levels : Merit overall
A minimum of five GCSEs are required, including GCSE Mathematics grade B or grade 5 and GCSE English Language grade C or grade 4 or GCSE English Literature grade B or grade 5.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants as well as our full GCSE requirements and accepted equivalencies in place of GCSEs.
Brunel University London is committed to raising the aspirations of our applicants and students. We will fully review your UCAS application and, where we’re able to offer a place, this will be personalised to you based on your application and education journey.
Entry criteria are subject to review and change each academic year.
EU and International entry requirements
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 (min 5.5 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 63% (min 55% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 90 (min R18, L17, S20, W17)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2024/25 entry
UK
£9,250 full-time
£1,385 placement year
International
£19,430 full-time
£1,385 placement year
Fees quoted are per year and may be subject to an annual increase. Home undergraduate student fees are regulated and are currently capped at £9,250 per year; any changes will be subject to changes in government policy. International fees will increase annually, by no more than 5% or RPI (Retail Price Index), whichever is the greater.
More information on any additional course-related costs.
See our fees and funding page for full details of undergraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Please refer to the scholarships pages to view discounts available to eligible EU undergraduate applicants.
Teaching and learning
We expect that all lecture sessions for all modules will be delivered on campus, with recording software used to make recordings available afterwards. To enable lecture sessions to be interactive, where this is appropriate, some of the Level 4 lecture sessions will be repeated to reduce their individual size.
We expect that all seminars/workshops/labs will also be held on campus in person. We anticipate class sizes of around 40 students in these sessions at Level 4 and Level 5, and around 30 students at Level 6.
We believe that you'll learn most successfully as an active participant in your learning among a community of scholars, and our decision to return fully to campus is motivated by this. We expect you to return to campus and to actively engage with their learning programmes in real-time. Course materials will be made available on our virtual learning platform ahead of many teaching sessions so that you can prepare well prior to coming to class.
The timetable is being constructed to produce the most efficient allocation of time for students both when they are on campus, and when they are off campus.
Placements are available by taking a year out of full-time study between Level 5 and Level 6.
Personal Tutoring
Your Personal Tutor is responsible for monitoring and supporting your academic and personal development both in your transition to university and between years. It's someone you can discuss, in confidence, your academic progress with or any special requirements you may need.
We provide both - group tutoring sessions and (if you want), a one-to-one session. You can book this with your tutor at a time suitable for you. We provide online options for this too through some video conferencing platforms.
The tutoring relationship is introduced in induction and cemented by the guided essay that all L4 students compose in Term 1 of the EC1601 Professional Development and Statistics module.
Assessment
It's expected that examination-style assessments, excepting some computer-based tests, will be held on campus, and you'll be expected to attend their examination sessions. Assessment formats will include a mix of formal examination, coursework (problems, exercises and essays), computer-based tests, presentations, reports, individual projects and group projects, designed to meet the varied learning outcomes and develop a range of transferable skills.
Assessments for modules that lead to exam accreditations for ACCA, ICAEW and CIMA will be guided by the requirements of those professional bodies.
Feedback and Consultation
We provide set times where you can talk to your lecturers and module leaders, either in person or via phone or video conference, to discuss academic matters relating to your course. You can also use these opportunities to obtain and discuss feedback on an assessment and exams. These hours can be found on the virtual learning platform and at the Taught Programmes Office.
Please email your lecturer or drop by their office to make your booking and we'll find a time convenient for both of you.
Departmental Communication
You can keep up with subject and module updates through our virtual learning platform. We'll also send important updates to your student email account, so please keep an eye on those.
Co-curricula
We arrange and host many events designed to support your personal development and career path. We'll email you about these opportunities at the start of each term and send a reminder before the event. Some of these events will be on campus and some will be live-streamed, according to the requirements of the topic, the location of the speaker and what has worked most successfully in the past.
Students are strongly advised to purchase core texts from module reading lists, although copies are also available via Brunel Library.
Access to a laptop or desktop PC is required for joining online activities, completing coursework and digital exams, and a minimum specification can be found here.
We have computers available across campus for your use and laptop loan schemes to support you through your studies. You can find out more here.
Our staff have national and international reputations for their research, publications and applied work. This means that your education will be innovative, inspiring and cover the most up-to-date industry knowledge.
Your economics and management course will consist of lectures, workshops, seminars, one-to-one supervision, guest speakers from industry and site visits.
You'll have 12 to 14 hours of directed study a week in Level 1. This number decreases in Levels 2 and 3. Students are also expected to undertake substantial independent study.
Should you need any non-academic support during your time at Brunel, the Student Support and Welfare Team are here to help.
Assessment and feedback
Modules are assessed by combinations of coursework and examinations. In the final year you are also required to write a dissertation.
The proportion of exam to coursework is approximately 75% to 25%, with some courses having a higher proportion of continuous assessment. Level 1 does not count towards your final degree mark. Level 2 is worth a third, and Level 3 is worth the rest. The final year dissertation is worth a third of Level 3 marks.
