Overview
The modern business world is characterised by rapid change, in the form of globalisation, technological advancements and increased customer expectations.
Against this backdrop, commercial enterprises need to develop a sound understanding of the competitive environment in which they operate, the resources needed to succeed and where to allocate them to reach their objectives – something economists can help to provide.
By studying our Business Economics course, you will have the opportunity to focus on the application of economics to situations related to commerce and enterprise. By exploring a range of analytical and quantitative tools that can be applied to business situations through our ‘Economists Toolkit’ modules, you should be able to gain the skills to help companies in a variety of sectors make informed decisions.
Through a focus on contemporary business economic debates and the applications of economics, our course aims to help you to develop the quantitative skills and real-world expertise to support your potential future employability upon successful graduation. Former graduates of the course have gone on to find successful careers in areas such as management, consultancy and the civil service.
Why Coventry University?
An award-winning university, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible experience. We continue to invest in both our facilities and our innovative approach to education. Our students benefit from industry-relevant teaching, and resources and support designed to help them succeed. These range from our modern library and computing facilities to dedicated careers advice and our impressive Students’ Union activities.
To ensure an optimised and continual student experience, the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via emerging online technologies and methods across all courses.
Global ready
An international outlook, with global opportunitiesEmployability
Career-ready graduates, with the skills to succeedTeaching Excellence
Taught by lecturers who are experts in their fieldCourse essentials
A degree which offers you more, at no extra costAccreditation and Professional Recognition
This course is accredited and recognised by the following bodies:
European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD)
European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) – Coventry Business School is currently an active member of the European Foundation for Management Development, a global membership organisation dedicated to management development, covering over 900 members across 91 countries.
Chartered Association of Business Schools
Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS) – Coventry Business School is currently an active member of the Chartered Association of Business Schools, which has a membership of over 120 business schools and higher education providers, and supports its members in maintaining world-class standards of teaching and research.
Coventry Business School is recognised by the above memberships for the 2021/22 intake. There is currently no intention for either of these memberships to lapse however if either of these memberships were not to be renewed we would notify applicants and students as soon as possible.
Chartered Insurance Institute (CII)
This course is recognised by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) for the 2021/22 intake. CII recognition allows you to gain certain exemptions from some professional examinations, upon successful completion of this course (subject to application, availability, meeting applicable visa requirements and additional fees may apply). If there is any change to the recognition of this course by the CII, we would seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.
Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW)
This course is recognised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW) for the 2021/22 intake. Upon successful completion of this course you will be able to secure particular exemptions from certain ICAEW papers, depending on your selection of modules, and you will also need to fulfil the practical experience requirement to qualify as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. Please note this is subject to availability, meeting any applicable visa requirements and additional costs. If there is any change to the recognition of this course by the ICAEW, we would seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.
Our Facilities
Trading Floor
Students have opportunities to practice simulated trading and other finance-related activities using the various types of demo software available in the Trading Floor.
Business Simulation Suite
Coventry Business School's Business Simulation Suite utilises the latest business simulation software to give students the opportunity to improve their business skills.
DigiComm Lab
Designed to build creative minds, the DigiComm Lab is equipped with the latest industry-standard marketing and advertising software and devices to support your creative development.
What our alumni say
I really enjoyed how easily real world situations are applied to topics and how factors can be avoided/repeated. I feel as though knowing theories and practices can help me to create a better future, either by learning from mistakes or from repeating successes.
Course information
The Business Economics course is one of three pathways we offer in Economics; the others being Economics and Financial Economics.
For greater flexibility, all of our Economics courses have a common first year. This gives you the chance to experience and achieve a thorough grounding in economic concepts and principles, along with relevant quantitative techniques and skills, before you make your decision about which area you’d like to specialise in, depending on your interests or potential future career aspirations.
In the first year, you will have the opportunity to study core subjects including microeconomics, macroeconomics, mathematics and statistics. The second and final years will provide you with the chance to gain a deeper understanding of the business sector, seeing how economic concepts can be applied to understand the structure of markets, the key factors that influence firms’ pricing decisions, the determination of wages across different occupations and the organisational structure of businesses.
Given the importance of human resources within organisations, we place an emphasis on the theoretical and empirical tools developed by economists to analyse the employment relationship. You will have the opportunity to analyse in detail a select number of human resource issues, such as compensation schemes, performance measures, training, discrimination and the impact of government programmes. Traditional analysis of principal-agent theory will be complemented by evaluating recent developments in behavioural economics that focus on the psychology of incentives, including the effect of bonuses and price rates on productivity, and what makes a good performance measure.
Course Specification
Download PDF
Modules
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
In more detail...
The ever-changing global economy makes headlines on a daily basis, shaping the world in which we live socially, politically and economically. Consequently, there is a strong demand in businesses throughout the world for economics experts who can contextualise a financial situation, spot opportunities for savings and profit or identify the root of financial problems.
We have a strong focus on graduate employability, with employment skills embedded in our Economist’s Toolkit modules alongside research methods and analytical skills. Our university’s employability team will also be on hand to offer you help and guidance in securing placements or internships*, as well as preparing you to apply for graduate roles.
This course, one of three pathways offered in the field of economics, aims to give you a thorough grounding in economic concepts and principles, along with all the mathematical, computing and statistical tools you will need to make informed business decisions. Upon successful completion of your first year, which has the same modules as our Economics BSc (Hons) and Financial Economics BSc (Hons), you will have the opportunity to switch to one of those courses, giving you the flexibility to work out what area of economics interests you before deciding to focus on it (for international students, course changes are subject to Tier 4 compliance approval - for more information contact the International Office).
If you choose to study Business Economics BSc (Hons) in your second and third years, you will have the opportunity to select optional modules that can help you to tailor your course to your own potential future career aspirations or areas of interest. Optional modules offered cover topics as wide-ranging as the economics of business organisations, the economics of globalisation, and health economics. Throughout the course, we will provide you with the training to help you to think like an economist; you will have the opportunity to become adept in numeracy, IT and the use of statistical methods, designed to develop advanced skills in problem solving and decision making.
A major strength of our course is its practical focus; you’ll have opportunities to participate in skills development workshops, as well as economic experiments based on real-life situations, such as the chance to run your own production line. You will also have the opportunity to gain exposure to relevant software through hands-on experience. This experience aims to familiarise you with analytical programmes that economists use in practice, from quantitative software such as Oxmetrics or GRETL to economic and financial databases, such as OECD.Stat, World Economic Indicators, ONS, EuroStat, FRED, Thomson Reuters Eikon, and FitchConnect.
You will also have the opportunity to apply for a Placement Year* to take in your third year, which in the past has seen previous students working for a wide range of organisations and companies, including Barclays and the Government Economic Service, or studying at one of our partner institutions* that are spread across Europe, Asia and America.
*Please note that we are unable to guarantee any internships, placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.
- Current experienced staff who have worked as economic advisors, e.g. for Deutsche Bank in the Netherlands (please note staff are subject to change).
- The opportunity to learn economic skills, while also being exposed to how businesses operate in widely different international markets.
- Hands-on experience using a range of economics and business software packages, such as Bloomberg Faculty research expertise in exchange rate equilibria, international trade, foreign direct investment (FDI) and conflict economics.
- Opportunity to change course to either Economics BSc (Hons) or Financial Economics BSc (Hons) after successfully completing your first year, allowing you the opportunity to gain an understanding of the subject before confirming your specialism (course change is subject to Tier 4 compliance approval for international students).
- Expert contributions by professionals from industry (subject to availability) which in the past have included our own alumni, HM Treasury, Lloyds Bank, Barclays, and the European Commission.
- Student-led Economics Society organised social events, visiting speakers and field trips which in the past have included a visit to Amsterdam to visit the stock exchange (opportunities are subject to availability, competitive application, meeting applicable visa and additional fees may apply).
- Facilities available include our Trading Floor, currently one of the largest of its kind in Europe, featuring 42 dual screen Bloomberg terminals.
- Support offered for maths and stats through the university’s sigma centre, which offers drop-in sessions led by experienced staff (subject to availability).
- Opportunity to gain exemptions from professional examinations with the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) and Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), which could help you to progress your potential future career upon successful completion. Please see the Exemptions section of the Overview tab for more details.
- Faculty research expertise in exchange rate equilibria, international trade, foreign direct investment (FDI) and conflict economics.
Your main study themes are:
- Economic Theory: Provides an overview of the main concepts, principles and analytical methods used in macroeconomics and microeconomics. This will include the study of scarcity, choice, and opportunity cost; analysis of how consumers and firms make optimal decisions given limited resources; the effects of government intervention on markets; economic growth, business cycles, and stabilization policies.
- Quantitative Methods: Aims to provide an understanding of the statistical techniques and analysis used by the professional economist, which should enable you to read and understand published empirical work, as well as formulating your own research hypotheses.
- The Economist’s Toolkit: Designed to equip you with the full range of skills required for successful academic study and potential future career options, including presentation preparation and report writing skills.
- Managerial Economics: You will have the opportunity to learn how to use economic analysis to solve problems and make effective decisions in the complex world of business. We place an emphasis on the global aspects of managerial economics and its application in the international marketplace.
- Industrial Organisation: In-depth analysis of market structure and its implications for business and consumers. You will have the chance to see how game theory can be applied to understand strategic interactions between firms; the opportunity to learn how barriers to entry restrict competition; explore business strategies such as price discrimination and bundling; discuss the importance of product differentiation; and consider the implications of collusion between firms.
This course is available on a three-year full-time basis or a four-year sandwich basis, where between Years Two and Three there is one year of supervised work experience or a 12-month period studying abroad*. The course can also be studied part time over six years. Find out more information on part-time study, including how to contact us directly to discuss how this course will be structured if you choose to take it on a part-time basis.
The Faculty’s employability team, the Talent Team, will assist you in applying for a suitable placement*, preferably in a business- or finance-related position in a private, public or charitable organisation (opportunities are subject to availability, a competitive application process, meeting applicable visa requirements, and additional costs may apply).
Your course will be taught through a combination of formal lectures, seminars, tutorials, self-directed study, computer-based workshops, and the use of statistical/econometric software (such as SPSS and Oxmetrics). Our team of Progress Coaches will be available for advice throughout your time on the course, and are able to offer support for any academic or personal issues (subject to availability).
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods may include formal examinations, in class and/or online tests, essays and/or reports, group projects and presentations.
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards the achieving the intended learning outcomes.
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Critically evaluate modern economic theory and the empirical methods used by economists.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the workings of economic systems, both within the UK and the wider global economy, including the ability to interpret relevant data and evaluate government policies.
- Apply economic theories and empirical methods to real-world situations, by making appropriate use of data, abstraction, and logical reasoning in order to analyse economic events and issues.
- Communicate technical concepts related to economic analysis and policy debates to a diverse range of audiences.
- Examine issues of sustainability and ethics from an economic perspective, and critically appraise the ethical and sustainability implications of economic policy.
- Integrate issues of national economic policy and analysis in a global context, and hence appreciate the value of international cooperation.
- Use a range of transferable skills, such as: writing clear and concise reports based on evidence and logic; making effective use of information technology; confident delivery of presentations; creative problem solving and self-motivation.
We set out below the typical teaching contact hours that you will receive on this course. Teaching contact hours will vary in different semesters and years of study and may vary due to module selection. In addition to the contact hours below, we offer the opportunity to attend additional optional sessions, including sessions with the Faculty’s Progress Coaches, or to meet with staff during their advice and feedback hours.
Within your first and second years, you will have around 12 contact hours of teaching a week which includes:
- Medium group teaching: practical classes, seminars or workshops each week
- Large group teaching: lectures each week.
In your final year, if you are undertaking a project/dissertation, there is a greater emphasis placed on independent study and therefore total contact hours may be reduced.
In addition, you will be expected to undertake a significant amount of self-directed studying and revising in your own time each week, which may include, for example, guided study using hand-outs, online activities.
A variety of international Field Trips are offered each year, both tied to the course, as part of the Business School, or as University wide Field Trips. Our international experiences will give you the opportunity to apply the practical skills learnt through activities in a new international setting, as well as giving you the chance to meet international employers and gain an understanding of the varying economic climates that exist around the world.
If you opt to undertake the optional Placement/Study Abroad Year* in your third year, it is possible to spend a year studying or working abroad as part of your studies. We currently have links with institutions across Europe, Asia and America. Past students have studied applied economics at Zhejiang Gongshang University, Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics and California State University Long Beach.
We also support you in finding an internship* (working with a host company) both here in the UK or abroad, during breaks in your studies. Past students have gone to work in countries as far afield as China to teach English as a foreign language and Belgium to work for Toyota.
*Please note that we are unable to guarantee any internships, placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.
Global ready
Did you know we help more students travel internationally than any other UK university according to data from the experts in higher education data and analysis, HESA?
In 2018/19, we provided a total of 5,469 experiences abroad that lasted at least five days.
Much of this travel is made possible through our Global Leaders Programme, which enables students to prepare for the challenges of the global employment market, as well as strengthening and developing their broader personal and professional skills.
Explore our international experiences1st for
international experiences
Sending more students overseas than any other UK uni in 2016/17
5,469
Student experiences
The number of student trips abroad for at least 5 days in 2018/19
12,000
and counting
The number of students we’ve helped travel internationally since 2016
12
global programmes
As well as trips, we offer other opportunities like language courses
What our students say
I really enjoyed how easily real world situations are applied to topics and how factors can be avoided / repeated. I feel as though knowing theories and practices can help me to create a better future, either by learning from mistakes or from repeating successes.
Entry Requirements
What our students say...
I really enjoyed how easily real world situations are applied to topics and how factors can be avoided / repeated. I feel as though knowing theories and practices can help me to create a better future, either by learning from mistakes or from repeating successes.
Tuition Fees
We pride ourselves on offering competitive tuition fees which we review on an annual basis and offer a wide range of scholarships to support students with their studies. Course fees are calculated on the basis of what it costs to teach each course and we aim for total financial transparency.
For more information, please visit our Finance pages.
Course essentials at no extra cost
We're committed to communicating study costs clearly to make sure you're not faced with having to make any unexpected payments.
This is why our ‘Flying Start’ package provides you with a few course essentials. Your full-time fee for an undergraduate degree will cover the following:
UK field trips
Any mandatory site visits and trips within the United Kingdom.Key material
This can include core textbooks, software and equipment.Laser prints
1,000 A4 sides of black and white laser printing credits per year.Optional year
Pay no tuition fees for optional work placements or study abroad trips.The following are additional costs not included in the fees:
- Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip
This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips, placements or work experience, study abroad opportunities or any other opportunity (whether required or optional), which could include (but is not limited to) travel, accommodation, activities and visas.
EU student fees
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year remain eligible for the same fees as home students and the same financial support. Financial support comes from Student Finance England, and covers undergraduate and postgraduate study for the duration of their course, providing they meet the residency requirement.
For tuition fee loans
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year must have resided in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland for the three years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that three year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
For maintenance loans
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year must have resided in the UK and Islands for the five years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that five year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
What our students say...
I really enjoyed how easily real world situations are applied to topics and how factors can be avoided / repeated. I feel as though knowing theories and practices can help me to create a better future, either by learning from mistakes or from repeating successes.
Career prospects
Graduate Immigration Route visa
Based on current information from the UK Government, international students whose study extends beyond summer 2021 may be eligible for a visa under the UK Government’s Graduate Immigration Route, which will enable students to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to two (2) years. Check the most up to date guidance available to check your eligibility and any updates from the UK Government before making an application or enrolment decision.
A key advantage of this course is that, as well as giving you the opportunity to acquire highly sought-after skills in economic analysis, it aims to give you extensive exposure to how businesses and other organisations operate in widely different international markets.
Students at Coventry University can benefit from our long-established links with HM Treasury and other government departments, which currently offer a number of internships*, that can be undertaken during your optional Placement/Study Abroad Year* or outside of term time, as well as a unique mentoring programme for our students, Each academic year, at least 10 second year students are paired with employees of different departments and can explore a variety of tasks and potential future career options, receiving assistance in the design of their curriculum vitae with a view to potential future employment. Please note, the unique mentoring programme is subject to a competitive application process and availability.
Upon successful graduation, you should possess an in-depth knowledge of economic theories and models, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills and mathematical ability. You should also be able to demonstrate a wide range of desirable professional skills, including: team working; critical evaluation; self-directed learning; problem-solving; action planning and organising; written and oral communication; questioning and listening. The following personal qualities will also be addressed in each of the skills modules: achievement orientation; initiative and creativity; self-confidence; decisiveness; reflectiveness; adaptability and flexibility.
On successful completion, you should be well placed to pursue a wide variety of potential future career options in investment banking, accountancy, tax consultancy, the public sector, auditing, derivatives trading, management consultancy, mergers and acquisitions, and many more. Past graduates have found employment in a wide variety of careers at managerial level with prestigious employers.
Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your potential future career options and giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The University's Talent Team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your potential future career.
*Please note that we are unable to guarantee any internships, placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.
Where our graduates work
Past graduates from our economics courses have found employment in a wide variety of a number of prestigious employers in the public and private sectors including PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Bank of England, Government Economic Service (GES), Vodafone and HSBC. A number of our previous graduates have also gone on to postgraduate study and professional training such as teaching. Please note that further study and training opportunities are subject to competitive application, availability, meeting any applicable visa requirements and additional fees may apply.
Our graduates earn an average salary of £24,000 six months after the course (DLHE 2014/15)
What our students say
I enjoy the diversity of the modules – although they are mainly economics based, I like the Economist’s Toolkit module which allows you to gain employability skills.
Disclaimer
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the 2020/21 Contract can be found here. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.
The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance from time to time.
For International students the tuition fee that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.
