Economics (BSc)
- Subject area: Economics
- UCAS code: L101
- Next intake: September 2025
- Duration: 3 years
- Mode: Full time
Why study this course
A public value ethos
Engage with the grand challenges facing society, thinking about how economics can contribute to solving them.
Opportunities outside the classroom
Consider a professional placement year or year of study abroad between your second and final years.
Learn from the best
Benefit from the expertise of a large, diverse faculty bringing unique insights from their own research into the classroom.
Tailor your studies
All final-year modules are optional so you can choose the ones that best fit your interests and aspirations.
Economics is everywhere. From the decision about how much to give to charity to global efforts to tackle climate change, economists are contributing their insights to the public discourse. As an economics student, you will learn to apply cutting-edge mathematical and statistical tools to understanding, and predicting, the behaviour of individuals, firms, markets and countries. These techniques will enable you to not only explain the world around you, but also to quantify how target groups are likely to respond to, for example, the introduction of a new policy or a change in the behaviour of competitors.
Formal economic analysis is, however, only one dimension of the skills you will develop as a Cardiff economist. The world is a complicated place, and no analysis can hope to account for every eventuality. You will learn to make evidence-based decisions about how to simplify reality to make your analysis meaningful, and to defend your decisions convincingly. You will also learn how to communicate both the complexity and nuance of your analysis to a range of specialist and non-specialist audiences both verbally and in written form.
Cardiff Business School is focused on generating Public Value. For economists, this translates to working ethically and with integrity, but also feeling confident applying economics to understand and help address society’s grand challenges. Over your three years with us, you will develop a deep understanding of the most pressing issues facing society and will be equipped with the tools to help to do something about them.
As an economics graduate, you will be highly sought after in many different occupations because of the uniquely diverse skillset you will develop. Cardiff graduates also go on to have successful careers in government, finance, banking, accountancy and consultancy, or to continue their studies at postgraduate level.
Subject area: Economics
Entry requirements
We accept a combination of A-levels and other qualifications, as well as equivalent international qualifications subject to entry requirements. Typical offers are as follows:
A level
AAB-BBB. Must include Maths.
Extended/International Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ/IPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.
- Our grade range covers our standard offer and contextual offer. We carefully consider the circumstances in which you've been studying (your contextual data) upon application. Eligible students will be given an offer that is lower than the standard offer (usually the middle or lower end of the advertised grade range).
- Where there is no grade range advertised and/or where there are selection processes in place (like an interview) you may receive additional consideration in the selection process.
Learn about eligible courses and how contextual data is applied.
International Baccalaureate
34-31 overall or 666-665 in 3 HL subjects. Must include grade 6 in HL Maths.
Baccalaureate Wales
From September 2023, there will be a new qualification called the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales (level 3). This qualification will replace the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (Welsh Baccalaureate). The qualification will continue to be accepted in lieu of one A-Level (at the grades listed above), excluding any specified subjects.
Other essential requirements
You must have or be working towards:
- English language or Welsh language at GCSE grade C/4 or an equivalent (such as A-levels). If you require a Student visa, you must ensure your language qualification complies with UKVI requirements.
We do not accept Critical Thinking, General Studies, Citizenship Studies, or other similar equivalent subjects.
We will accept a combination of BTEC subjects, A-levels, and other qualifications, subject to the course specific grade and subject requirements.
English language requirements
GCSE
Grade C or grade 4 in GCSE English Language.
IELTS (academic)
At least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each subskill.
TOEFL iBT
At least 90 overall with a minimum of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading, and 20 for speaking.
PTE Academic
At least 69 overall with a minimum of 59 in all communicative skills.
Trinity ISE II/III
II: at least two Distinctions and two Merits.
III: at least a Pass in all components.
Other accepted qualifications
Please visit our English Language requirements page for more information on our other accepted language qualifications.
Criminal convictions
You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course.
If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:
- access to computers or devices that can store images
- use of internet and communication tools/devices
- curfews
- freedom of movement
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Other qualifications from inside the UK
BTEC
DD-DM in a BTEC Diploma in Business and grade B in A-level Maths.
T level
We do not accept T Levels for this programme.
Please see our admissions policies for more information about the application process.
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.
Learn how we decide your fee status
Fees for home status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £9,250 | None |
| Year two | £9,250 | None |
| Year three | £9,250 | None |
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in the second and subsequent years of a course as permitted by law or Welsh Government policy. Where applicable we will notify you of any change in tuition fee by the end of June in the academic year before the one in which the fee will increase.
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2025/26 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.
Fees for island status
Learn more about the undergraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Fees for overseas status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £23,700 | None |
| Year two | £23,700 | None |
| Year three | £23,700 | None |
Learn more about our tuition fees
Financial support
Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.
Additional costs
Accommodation
We have a range of residences to suit your needs and budget. Find out more on our accommodation pages.
Living costs
We're based in one of the UK's most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Course structure
This is a three-year programme. Each year, you will study six 20-credit modules.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2025/2026 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2025.
Year one
The autumn semester lays the foundation for everything that follows. You'll take 3 compulsory modules in macroeconomics, microeconomics, and mathematics and statistics for economists. These will teach you the fundamental models that economists use to analyse markets and the national economy, along with the mathematical tools necessary to quantify and evaluate their predictions.
The spring semester provides opportunities to apply what you have learned. You'll do a deep dive into what it takes to be a successful economist, working in a team to deliver an economics project. You'll learn about our Public Value mission and the grand challenges facing society. Finally, studying economic history will give you a stronger sense of perspective, discussing major events that have shaped the modern economy.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics and Statistics for Economists | BS1515 | 20 credits |
| Professional Skills for Economists | BS1517 | 20 credits |
| Contemporary Economic Issues | BS1545 | 33 credits |
| Economic History | BS1546 | 20 credits |
| Microeconomics | BS1551 | 20 credits |
| Macroeconomics | BS1652 | 20 credits |
Year two
You'll take 6 double-semester modules in your second year. You'll continue your study of core micro- and macroeconomics, incorporating the mathematical tools of first year to make your analysis more precise. You'll also be exposed to econometrics, which seeks to identify statistical patterns in economic data whilst accounting for the data’s intrinsic interrelatedness and inaccuracies. Your understanding of policy in a range of areas related to the economy, along with how economists evaluate their efficacy in practice, will also be a focus.
You'll also choose two more applied optional modules as you start to focus on fields within economics that you find particularly interesting and that will be useful in your chosen future career.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Macroeconomic Theory | BS2549 | 20 credits |
| Microeconomic Theory | BS2550 | 20 credits |
| Introductory Econometrics | BS2570 | 20 credits |
| Economic Analysis of Policy | BS2589 | 20 credits |
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Money Banking and Finance | BS2551 | 20 credits |
| Economics of the EU | BS2558 | 20 credits |
| State, Business and the British Economy in the Twentieth Century | BS2572 | 20 credits |
| Economics of Industrial Organisation | BS2590 | 20 credits |
Year three
By your final year, you'll have already developed the core technical skills of a graduate economist. Your focus will shift instead to seeing how economics is applied to a wide range of questions in fields. All modules are optional, giving you the freedom to fully tailor your studies to your interests and future career plans. As ever, stress is placed on the influence each field has had on policy development. These modules will also emphasise evaluation of competing models and theories, highlighting the importance of empirical work in determining the suitability of different approaches.
You'll also have the opportunity to undertake advanced studies in the core subjects of microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics. These modules are principally designed for those seeking to undertake postgraduate study or those who wish to challenge themselves to develop a deeper understanding of the cutting-edge techniques employed by research economists.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| International Economic History | BS3556 | 20 credits |
| Labour Economics | BS3558 | 20 credits |
| Behavioural Economics | BS3625 | 20 credits |
| Economic Geography | BS3629 | 20 credits |
| Environmental Economics | BS3630 | 20 credits |
| Ethics and Morality of Business | BS3728 | 20 credits |
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
Each module is taught by active researchers in your field of study. This not only means that your lecturers are subject experts, but also that the module content is informed by the latest developments in the field. You will see state-of-the-art thinking and techniques, combined with contemporary examples drawn from across the globe that bring the theory to life.
Most modules adopt a blended approach, providing two hours of lectures or example sessions each week alongside weekly or fortnightly small group tutorials. These are complemented by a host of online, independent study activities (videos, assignments, discussion boards, reading etc). You will be required to attend all in-person elements and are expected to manage your time effectively to complete all assigned work. Technology is also brought into the classroom, with online polls and other forms of interaction common even in large lectures.
Some learning activities will take place in computer labs, as you get to grips with widely used software like Excel (which employers consistently place a high premium on) and more technical coding-based packages like R.
How will I be supported?
All students are assigned a personal tutor, who is available for pastoral support and to signpost you to the numerous specialist support teams within the Business School and University. These range from counselling or financial advice to disability support or help with visas. You will also meet your programme director during induction – a member of academic staff with overall responsibility for the BSc Economic degree – who is always available to answer your queries.
The Business School has several on-site specialist teams. Our student support officer can help you with a range of issues, from queries about fees and student loans to emotional support. Our Opportunities Zone is home to our award-winning careers and placements teams, who are on hand to offer specialist advice to help you land your dream job.
The programme places a strong emphasis on supporting your studies. Weekly or fortnightly small group tutorials are designed to be interactive, providing ample opportunity to discuss your work with your class tutor and peers. All module lecturers also host weekly office hours. During this time, you can visit their office without an appointment to get one-to-one guidance and advice.
Throughout your time with us, you will be given the opportunity to submit your assignment answers for feedback through our virtual learning environment: Learning Central. Feedback will always be aligned to the module marking criteria and learning outcomes, emphasising how you can improve your work in the future and providing helpful advice as you prepare to submit formal coursework or to undertake exams.
How will I be assessed?
The BSc Economics programme employs a diverse range of assessment. All modules have an element of coursework, enabling you to investigate aspects of the module content in more depth. Many of the courseworks reflect the types of activities professional economists undertake. Some modules will ask you to produce short policy briefs with deadlines of 24- or 48-hours, reflecting what happens when an urgent request comes in from a government minister. Others will have longer-term projects, with elements of group work, computer coding, trading simulations, presentations and/or final reports. Some modules will enable you to show off your creativity, producing concise videos that are common in fields like financial journalism. More traditional forms of assessment, such as exams and academic essays are also utilised where appropriate.
We understand that doing well in assessments is important to our students. For this reason, we have developed a marking criteria menu that is employed across all modules and provided to you on day one. Designed to be transparent and simple to follow, each assessment will choose several elements from the menu to indicate exactly what your assessor will be looking for.
We think this has several advantages. First, all modules employ a consistent approach, ensuring that marking is always transparent and fair. Second, and more importantly, by aligning the feedback you receive with the marking criteria, you will be able to immediately transfer its lessons to other modules where the same criterion is used.
What skills will I practise and develop?
The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will achieve by the end of your programme at Cardiff University and identify the knowledge and skills that you will develop. They will also help you to understand what is expected of you.
On successful completion of your Programme you will be able to:
Knowledge & Understanding:
- Describe a broad range of well-known economic models and techniques, and the policy problems to which they can be successfully applied.
- Combine appropriate economic theories, mathematical and econometric methods to understand a range of individual and social phenomena.
- Relate macro- and microeconomic analyses to their wider historical, political, institutional, social and/or ethical context.
Intellectual Skills:
- Evaluate the relative merits of alternative economic arguments, theories and evidence.
- Interpret the results of an economic analysis by combining verbal argument with mathematical, econometric and graphical representation.
- Formulate policy recommendations to achieve a given objective, informed by appropriate economic analysis.
Professional Practical Skills:
- Assess the quality and relevance of different evidence when addressing an economic problem.
- Simplify complex individual or social phenomena to enable meaningful application of the tools of economics.
- Employ appropriate technical software to conduct an economic analysis.
- Contribute to solving the grand challenges facing society.
- Communicate the results of an economic analysis to both specialist and non-specialist audiences in an impactful way.
- Apply appropriate economic reasoning to assist decision-making in a professional or personal context.
Transferable/Key Skills:
- Solve broadly defined problems in collaboration with others.
- Work independently to solve broadly defined problems.
Careers
Career prospects
Economics is unique insofar as it develops the technical, analytical, and abstract thinking skills often associated with degrees in quantitative subjects alongside the critical evaluation, argument and communication skills more common in qualitative degrees. For this reason, UK economics graduates consistently have some of the highest employability rates and graduate earnings of any subject. Graduates from our programme regularly go on to work as professional economists, or in associated industries such as finance, banking, accountancy, consultancy or financial journalism.
Our Economics (BSc) degree embeds employability throughout the programme. Some modules, such as Professional Skills for Economists or Economic Analysis of Policy, explicitly focus on the range of skills a successful economist should bring to bear, and are strongly aligned to the University’s graduate attributes. The range of learning activities and assessments adopted on other modules, from 24-hour policy briefs and more detailed economic analyses of contemporary issues to presentations and short videos, provide the chance to hone your skills through the kind of activities economics graduates often go on to do in their careers.
For students considering postgraduate study in economics, we also provide advanced optional modules that delve even deeper into the core fields of macroeconomics, microeconomics and econometrics getting them close to the research frontier.
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HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.
