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Undergraduate Study

BSc Business Economics - 2025 entry

Please note: The below is for 2025 entries. Click here for 2024 entries.
UCAS code L112
Duration 3 years
Entry year 2025
Campus Streatham Campus
Discipline Economics
Contact

Web: Enquire online
Phone: +44 (0)1392 726679

Typical offer

View full entry requirements

A levels: A*AA - AAA 
IB: 38/766 - 36/666
BTEC: D*DD - DDD

Contextual offers

A-Level: AAB - ABB
IB: 34/665 - 32/655
BTEC: DDD - DDM

Overview

  • The BSc Business Economics degree will provide you with a comprehensive and practical understanding of the economic decisions faced by businesses, as well as the ability to analyse the economic and social environment in which these decisions are taken
  • You will develop key skills in economics, accounting and management and combine these with the application of skills to the solution of many interacting problems that face business managers
  • This flexible degree programme will appeal to anyone interested in applying the principles of economics to a career in business, who is not looking for a high mathematical component to their degree
  • The ability to take modules outside the Economics department gives you the opportunity to broaden your perspective and demonstrate insight into a number of areas
  • First year modules provide a solid background in economics and management, while your second and final years are more flexible, allowing you to tailor your degree according to your interests

View 2024 Entry

Request a prospectus

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How to apply

Contact

Web: Enquire online

Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72

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Business School of the Year

Times Higher Education Awards 2022

Top 15 icon

Top 15 in the UK for Economics

14th in the Complete University Guide 2025 and joint 15th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

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Top 10 for graduate prospects

Joint 8th for Economics graduate prospects in The Complete University Guide 2025

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Top 10 in the Russell Group for student satisfaction in all 7 themes

National Student Survey 2023: Economics

Trophy icon

Business School of the Year

Times Higher Education Awards 2022

Top 15 icon

Top 15 in the UK for Economics

14th in the Complete University Guide 2025 and joint 15th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Medal with star on icon

Top 10 for graduate prospects

Joint 8th for Economics graduate prospects in The Complete University Guide 2025

I chose my degree because of the flexibility to choose optional modules from a variety of disciplines.

This allowed me to customise my degree and explore various areas within economics as well as from other departments. This greatly compliments my knowledge and allows me to understand economics from a wider context.

Read more from Nikita

Nikita

BSc Business Economics

Entry requirements (typical offer)

Qualification Typical offer Required subjects
A-Level A*AA - AAA N/A
IB 38/766 - 36/666 N/A
BTEC D*DD - DDD N/A
GCSE C or 4
A or 7
Grade C or 4 in GCSE English Language
Grade A or 7 in GCSE Mathematics (or GCE A-level/AS Mathematics, Pure Mathematics or Further Mathematics or Core Mathematics)
Access to HE 30 L3 credits at Distinction Grade and 15 L3 credits at Merit Grade.

30 L3 credits at Distinction Grade and 15 L3 credits at Merit Grade. (with Professional Placement/Study Abroad)
N/A
T-Level Distinction* to Distinction N/A
Contextual Offer

A-Level: AAB - ABB
IB: 34/665 - 32/655
BTEC: DDD - DDM

Specific subject requirements must still be achieved where stated above. Find out more about contextual offers.

Other accepted qualifications

View other accepted qualifications

English language requirements

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B1. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.

NB General Studies is not included in any offer.

Grades advertised on each programme webpage are the typical level at which our offers are made and provide information on any specific subjects an applicant will need to have studied in order to be considered for a place on the programme. However, if we receive a large number of applications for the programme we may not be able to make an offer to all those who are predicted to achieve/have achieved grades which are in line with our typical offer. For more information on how applications are assessed and when decisions are released, please see: After you apply

Course content

The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

You may take option modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.

Compulsory modules

(A) Students who have achieved a Grade B or above at A-Level Mathematics (or equivalent) may apply to take BEE1024 Mathematics for Economists, BEE1036 Economics I AND BEE1037 Economics II instead of BEE1029 Economics Principles with the permission of the Programme Director. BEE1036 and BEE1037 will be non-condonable.
(B) This module is only compulsory for students who do not have a Grade B or above at A-Level Mathematics (or equivalent).

CodeModule Credits
BEE1029 Economic Principles (A)30
BEE1025 Statistics for Business and Management 15
BEM1023 Discovering Management 30
BEE1035 Basic Quantitative Methods (B)15

Optional modules

  • 30 or 45 credits of optional modules (depending on note A above)

*BEM1024 is equivalent to BEE1025 for students transferring to this programme at stage two* 

Compulsory modules

(C) This is a compulsory second-year module.  However, students who have passed BEE1036 Economics I, BEE1037 Economics II and BEE1024 Mathematics for Economists may do BEE2025 Microeconomics II and BEE2026 Macroeconomics II with the permission of the Programme Director.
Note: BEM1024 is equivalent to BEE1025 for students transferring to this programme at Stage 2.

CodeModule Credits
BEE2038 Intermediate Microeconomics (C)15
BEE2039 Intermediate Macroeconomics (C)15

Optional modules

  • 60 or 90 credits of optional modules (depending on note C above)

This degree offers you the opportunity to spend a year working in a related industry or studying abroad.

If you choose one of these options your placement year will take place in your third year, before returning to complete your degree at Exeter in your fourth and final year of study.

You can apply directly to one of these options, or you can apply to the standard 3 year course and transfer onto one of these options in the first term of your first year.

More about placement options

Optional modules

120 credits of optional modules, 30 out of this 120 credits should be Economics modules (not to include BUS3001 if you decide to take this module).

Course variants

The BSc Business Economics degree offers you the opportunity to spend a year working in a related industry or studying abroad.

If you choose one of these options your placement year will take place in your third year, before returning to complete your degree at Exeter in your fourth and final year of study.

You can apply directly to one of these options, or you can apply to the standard BSc Business Economics course and transfer onto one of these options in the first term of your first year.

UCAS code: L192

Why choose a year in industry?

  • Gain a proven work history that is excellent to discuss at job interviews and gives you a head start in the working world
  • Get paid! Typical salaries range from £19,000 to £23,000 but can extend from £15,000 to £52,000
  • Over 50% of students are offered graduate jobs from their placement employer
  • 97% of With Industrial Experience graduates were in graduate employment or postgraduate study within 6 months of graduating, compared to 93.5% of non-WIE graduates (DLHE 2017)
  • Increase your confidence and resilience, and make friends for life

What does a year in industry mean for me?

The ‘With Industrial Experience’ (WIE) pathway is a four year version of your degree, in which your third year is spent in a professional placement before returning to university for your fourth and final year. The Business School Careers Team supports you every step of the way, helping you identify placement providers, create a strong application, practice interview techniques, and support you while you are in placement. The placement year assessment currently comprises of:

  • Progress reports provided by employers
  • A reflective essay
  • A business report

How do I secure a placement and where can I go?

You are responsible for sourcing and securing a work placement, but you will be supported throughout by the Business School Careers Team and assigned an academic tutor for the duration of your placement. Placements are available internationally. Previous placement providers include Adidas, Apple, ASOS, Bank of England, Deloitte, Disney, EY, GlaxoSmithKline, Goldman Sachs, PwC

Does it count towards my degree?

The placement year is assessed and contributes 1/7th of your final degree classification when you graduate.

Does it affect my tuition fee?

During your placement year you will pay a reduced tuition fee of approximately 20% of the maximum fee for that year. Find out more on our tuition fee webpages.

How do I apply?

'With Industrial Experience’ is available on all our undergraduate programmes. You can apply through UCAS or ask to transfer onto WIE in the first term of your first year. Find out more on our careers pages.

Other work experience options

If you choose not to undertake the four year WIE pathway, there are other ways to gain work experience, from the Business Internships and Placements Module, to summer internships. Find out more on our careers pages.

UCAS code: L196

Why choose a year abroad?

  • In a complex and hyper-connected world, it is more important than ever to demonstrate a global outlook to employers
  • A report by Universities UK International shows that graduates who are mobile during their degree are more likely to earn more than non-mobile peers
  • Broaden your perspective in a way that benefits you for life: accelerating your resilience and flexibility, developing your ability to communicate across cultures, and demonstrating that you take the initiative
  • We find students return from their year abroad with heightened self-confidence and an impressive work ethic.

What does a year abroad mean for me?

The ‘With Year Abroad’ (WYA) pathway is a four-year version of your degree, in which your third year is spent studying at one of our 60 partner universities (spanning 26 countries), before returning to university for your fourth and final year. There is also the opportunity to combine study and work abroad, doing a semester of study at one of our partner universities followed by a semester of work in a placement that you secure anywhere in the world. The Business School Study Abroad Team supports you every step of the way, helping you to decide where to go, create a strong application, and supporting you while you are abroad.

Where can I go?

We have partners in: Canada, USA, Mexico, Peru, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Slovenia, Italy, Turkey, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand

Does it count towards my degree?

The placement year is assessed and contributes 1/7th of your final degree classification when you graduate.

Does it affect my tuition fees?

If you spend a full academic year studying abroad you will pay a reduced fee of approximately 15% of the maximum fee for that year.

How do I apply?

Year abroad options are available on all our undergraduate programmes. You can apply for the four year ‘With Year Abroad’ variant of your degree through UCAS or ask to transfer onto the WYA programme in your first year. Acceptance is dependent on satisfactory academic performance and the level of research you have undertaken into your chosen institution. Find out more on our study abroad webpages.

Other study abroad options

If you choose not to undertake the full year studying abroad, there are other ways to gain a taste of the study abroad experience. You can spend two to six weeks at one of our international partner universities. Find out more on our study abroad webpages.

Fees

Tuition fees for 2025 entry

UK students: £9,535 per year
International students: £24,700 per year

Scholarships

The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships*.

Financial support is also available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed and progress through higher education.

* Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.

Find out more about tuition fees and scholarships

Learning and teaching

How will I learn?

You will learn through a mix of:

  • Lectures of one or two hours once a week for each module. These give you the information central to the module and help you understand complex ideas.
  • Seminars and tutorials every week or every other week for each module. They cover in-depth discussions of topics introduced in lectures.
  • Total timetabled study hours (lectures, seminars, tutorials) for your whole degree are on average between 11 and 14 hours per week. In addition you are expected to complete an average of 20-25 hours of independent or group study per week.

How will I be assessed?

Modules are assessed through a mixture of:

  • Group work
  • Coursework
  • Project work
  • Examinations

The weighting of these components varies according the module. Coursework is typically between 2,500 and 6,000 words in length, and exams are usually held at the end of the module in January and May/June.

Where will I study?

You will be based at the purpose built University of Exeter Business School located on the Streatham Campus in Exeter, Devon.

Optional modules outside of this course

Each year, if you have optional modules available, you can take up to 30 credits in a subject outside of your course. This can increase your employability and widen your intellectual horizons.

Proficiency in a second subject

If you complete 60 credits of modules in one of the subjects below, you may have the words 'with proficiency in [e.g. Social Data Science]' added to your degree title when you graduate.

  • A Foreign Language
  • Data Science
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Innovation
  • Law (Penryn Campus only)
  • Leadership
  • Management
  • Social Data Science

Find out more about proficiency options

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Your future

The University of Exeter Business School provides a range of careers and employability support for Undergraduate students. Visit the Business School Career Zone web page for more information.

Global opportunities

The BSc Business Economics degree adopts an international outlook meaning you will develop an understanding of the global business environment. Combined with the opportunity to study abroad or work a year in industry, you will be well placed to work for local or international companies.

Your degree demonstrates that you have the following professional skills

  • Evaluate government policy and assess performance against home and global economies
  • Apply mathematical and statistical analysis to qualitative and quantitative data
  • Present findings and explain complex data to a wide range of audiences
  • Perform confidently in group discussions and produce a high standard of written technical and non-technical materials
  • Make logical recommendations whilst considering the wider social and political influences
  • Use Information and Communications Technology (ICT) skills – including word processing, databases, internet communications, information retrieval and online searches

Examples of BSc Business Economics graduate roles

  • Business Analyst
  • Technology Risk Analyst
  • Sponsorships Executive
  • Commercial Project Manager
  • Actuarial Analyst
  • Assistant Economist

BSc Business Economics graduates have worked for

  • Goldman Sachs
  • Facebook
  • Diageo
  • HM Treasury
  • Fortress Wealth Partnership
  • Bloomberg LP
  • Accenture
  • Royal Bank of Canada

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Top 10 in the Russell Group for student satisfaction in all 7 themes

National Student Survey 2023: Economics