Overview
The Brunel Economics BSc combines a thorough grounding in economic theory with the practical skills needed to apply that knowledge to business, industrial, financial or government environments.
You’ll learn how markets operate from microeconomic and macroeconomic perspectives and how trade and business priorities shape the ways societies function. Special attention will be given to financial marketins and the banking sector, as well as an introduction to accounting.
Further, you’ll develop the analytical, quantitative, statistical and computing skills used to predict how societies, governments, businesses and households will respond to events, trends and market behaviour.
You will study statistics and econometrics and develop skills in data presentation, analysis and modelling. This training will use 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 hands-on experience in a real-life working environment.
You can tailor the final year of your course to specialise in an area of particular interest.
Our economics undergraduate degree is accredited by ACCA and CIMA, and graduates will receive exemptions from professional papers should they wish to continue their study to become a chartered accountant.
The analytical, quantitative and transferable skills you’ll gain from your Brunel degree are highly valued by employers and will prepare you for a wide range of career and postgraduate study options in the areas of economics, business and finance.
Course content
This course is designed to give you a solid understanding of economic theory, statistics, econometrics and finance as well as the practical and transferable skills needed to apply your knowledge to real-world problems.
Our Economics BSc 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Financial Markets
This module aims to give students an understanding of the roles and functions of financial markets and an awareness of the financial system, in order to provide a necessary basis for further study.
- 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.
- 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.
- Introduction to Employability
This module aims to enable students to understand the job market for students of economics, finance, banking and accountancy, to develop their employability and the skills required to access insight events.
Compulsory
- Microeconomic Principles II
The objective of this module is to provide students with the essential analytical tools which are used in standard economic analysis. The aims of the module are to build on the foundations of Level 1 microeconomics and to develop analytical skills and to learn to use microeconomic tools for the analysis of economic problems which are expected to be seen in other courses of economics.
- Macroeconomic Principles II
The main aims of the module are to understand forces behind long-term prosperity and fluctuations in economic activity. To identify the role of banks, features of financial markets and labour markets, their interaction as well as consequences of the increasing globalisation for the economy. And to explore the role central bank and government play in stabilising macro economy.
- Mathematical Economics
The aim of this module is to provide mathematical tools needed to analyse economic problems, and to understand the role of mathematical modelling and how to translate economic problems into the language of mathematics.
- 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.
- Introduction to Econometrics
The aim of this module is to provide students with the theoretical skills needed to understand and analyse econometric studies and the practical skills needed to construct and estimate such models.
- 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.
- Economics Pre-Placement
This module aims to enable students to further develop their employability and to successfully obtain a suitable placement position by introducing students to the recruitment and selection methods used by organisations, enabling students to understand the range of placement and internship opportunities available to them, and enhancing the employability of the student into the placement and internship market.
Optional
- Economics Pre-Placement
This module aims to enable students to further develop their employability and to successfully obtain a suitable placement position by introducing students to the recruitment and selection methods used by organisations, enabling students to understand the range of placement and internship opportunities available to them, and enhancing the employability of the student into the placement and internship market.
Compulsory
- Game Theory
The aim of this module is to equip students with the advanced knowledge and analytical skills associated with game theory and its economic applications.
- Further Econometrics
This course will examine the basic regression model before considering how models should be specified and recent developments in the time series theory. The aim of the course is to provide students with the theoretical skills needed to understand and analyse econometric studies and the practical skills needed to construct and estimate such models.
- Panel Data Methods
This course will examine the basic regression model before considering how models should be specified and recent developments in panel data methods. The aim of the course is to provide students with the theoretical skills needed to understand and analyse econometric studies and the practical skills needed to construct and estimate such models.
- Advanced Macroeconomics
The main aims of the module are to familiarise students with an exposition of modern micro-founded macroeconomics, to enable students to understand decisions made by representative consumers and producers and to explore the role of government policies on the economy.
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.
- Behavioural Economics
The module aims to provide students with an understanding of the principles of behavioural economics, to apply behavioural economics tools to public policy and private sector business decision-making and to interpret their findings and to engage students in critically evaluating the theories and tools of behavioural economics and finance.
- 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.
- Political Economics
This module aims to introduce students to formal economic models of politics, provide students with the tools to apply economic principles and analytical techniques to the study of politics, and enable students to use these tools to analyse real world observations and practical economic problems in politics and other areas.
- 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.
- Economics of Information
This module aims to introduce students to the economics of information, provide students with the conceptual and analytical tools to analyse the role of asymmetric information in the determination of market outcomes, the design of contracts, and the provision of incentives, and enable students to use these tools to analyse real world observations and practical economic problems related to the design of contracts, compensation schemes, pricing menus, and more.
- 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.
- Public Economics and Finance
This module investigates the role of the government in the economy. It will explore the rationale for/against government interventions and evaluate the impacts of policy choices on individuals and the economy. It will investigate the provision of services by the public sector (e.g. health insurance or disability benefits) and how a tax system may be designed in order to provide funding for such services.
- 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.
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
2025/26 entry
- GCE A-level AAB-BBB, including grade B in Maths, Further Maths, or Maths & Statistics (General Studies not accepted).
- BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma DDM in any subject and A-level Maths or Maths & Statistics at grade B.
- BTEC Level 3 National Diploma DM in any subject and A-level Maths or Maths & Statistics at grade B.
- BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate D in any subject and A-levels grade BC (including grade B in Maths or Maths & Statistics).
- International Baccalaureate Diploma 30 points, including Higher Level 5 in Maths (Analysis and Approaches) or Mathematics (Applications and Interpretation), and GCSE English equivalent Standard Level 5 or Higher Level 4.
- Obtain a minimum of 120 UCAS tariff points in any subject in the Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3, and A level Maths or Maths & Statistics at grade B.
- T levels: Merit overall in any subject and grade B in A-level Maths or Maths & Statistics.
A minimum of five GCSEs are required, including GCSE Mathematics grade C or grade 4 and GCSE English Language grade C or grade 4 or GCSE English Literature grade B or grade 5.
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.
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.
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
2025/26 entry
UK
£9,535 full-time
£1,385 placement year
International
£20,400 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 £9,535 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, except for 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 courses 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 80% to 20%, 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.
