Business Economics BSc (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
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Our Business Economics BSc (Hons) course provides training in analytical and empirical methods that can be applied to a wide range of real-world economic and business problems.

Course option

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich

UCAS codes

L112

Start date

September 2023
January 2024

How to apply
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Available through Clearing

Clearing applications for September 2023 are now closed to international students due to visa and immigration requirements. Check out our January 2024 entry courses.

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Course overview

This course covers current real-world issues and aims to help you understand how economics can be applied to solve problems and address challenges affecting businesses, financial organisations and wider society.

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Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects

Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022
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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings
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Top 5 UK Student City (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2023

Why you should study this course

By studying this course, you will have the opportunity to:

  • Tailor your studies
    Our wide range of economics and finance courses share a common year one and aim to offer you opportunities to achieve a thorough grounding in economic and financial concepts and principles.
  • Build industry insight
    Learn from experienced staff who have worked extensively in economics and hear from industry professionals who in the past, have included speakers from HM Treasury, Lloyds Bank, Barclays and the European Commission2. (Staff may be subject to change).
  • Explore both microeconomics and macroeconomics with extensive exposure to how businesses and other organisations operate in a global context, drawing on business case studies from the UK and internationally.
  • Develop highly sought-after skills in economic analysis as well as a wide range of transferable skills relevant for a variety of career paths including those in business, finance, and the public sector.
  • Access maths and statistics support: our sigma centre offer maths and statistics support thought drop-in sessions and bookable appointments with experienced tutors.

Accreditation and professional recognition

Accreditation for the degree is being renewed as we are making some changes to our modules. This exciting new course is subject to approval from the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII)1.

Memberships

Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS)1

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.

European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD)1

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 90 countries.

Coventry Business School is recognised by the above memberships for the 2023/24 intake.

Additional certificates

As part of the degree you will have the option to work towards two additional certifications (outside of your study modules):

[1] Bloomberg Market Concepts Certificate: Optional certification to help our students stand out and demonstrate their understanding of financial markets, central banking and the application of economic indicators, as well as hone their skills in utilising Bloomberg terminal functionalities for a fast moving market.

[2] Bloomberg ESG Certificate: Optional certification for students to demonstrate their understanding of the Environmental, Social and Governance factors, and their implications for strategy development and regulatory compliance.

I like the fact that we have seminars where we can discuss the topics and hear other students’ ideas. Additionally, I enjoy the fact that we apply economic theory to relevant real-world events that impact our lives. The course, my work experience, my involvement with societies and sports have helped enhance my ability to work in a diverse team, express my ideas and communicate with other people.

Janete Angelina Pomacal, Economics BSc (quoted 2021)
Lecturer showing a student something on a Bloomberg terminal in the trading floor

What you'll study

This course has a common first year.

The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.  

If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).   

Common first year courses:

  • Banking and Finance BSc (Hons)
  • Business and Finance BSc (Hons)
  • Economics BSc (Hons)
  • Finance and Investment BSc (Hons)
  • Financial Economics BSc (Hons)
  • Global Financial Planning BSc (Hons)

In the first year, the curriculum is shared across related courses allowing you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline before going on, in the second and third years, to specialist modules in your chosen field.

Modules

  • This module is designed to provide you with an understanding of the basic concepts, principles and analytical methods of microeconomics. It aims to provide the microeconomic theory necessary for intermediate and other specialised economics and finance modules, as well as enable the student to understand and apply economic theory to policy issues and the real economy.

    Compulsory

  • This module is designed to provide you with an understanding of the basic concepts, principles and analytical methods of macroeconomics. It aims to provide the macroeconomic theory necessary for intermediate and other specialised economics and finance modules, as well as enabling you to understand and apply economic theory to policy issues and the real economy.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to provide you with the quantitative skills required for the study of economics and finance.

    Compulsory

  • This module seeks to empower you by teaching the key areas of personal finance, including personal financial planning, budgeting, saving, managing credit, investing, retirement planning, and tax planning. This knowledge will help you manage your finances, and make confident and informed financial decisions, thereby increasing your financial control, satisfaction and well-being.

    Compulsory

  • This module is designed to develop your understanding of the language, concepts, models and techniques commonly used in financial and management accounting. You will be introduced to the published financial statements that business organisations produce on a regular basis, and the tools that can be used to interpret these and evaluate financial performance.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is to enable you to engage critically and creatively with entrepreneurship in the context of responsible management practice. Using a variety of tools, you will be supported to develop a self-awareness of your own entrepreneurial mindsets, competencies and skillsets. During the module, you will be able to share your own experiences with those of other practitioners from business, role play different entrepreneurial archetypes and peer review their enterprising traits and entrepreneurial competencies.

    Compulsory

In year two, you will continue to develop the skills and knowledge you’ve learnt. We do this by embedding the following four principles into the curriculum and developing your:

  • Technical skills – digital fluency, backed with the right academic knowledge
  • Study skills – to be an adaptive, independent and proactive learner
  • Professional skills – to have the behaviour and abilities to succeed in your career
  • Global awareness – the beliefs and abilities to be a resilient, confident and motivated global citizen

In year two, you will develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with microeconomics and macroeconomics and enhance your quantitative and qualitative analytic skills, by interpreting data in an international and contemporary business context.

Modules

  • The module aims to build upon your understanding of microeconomics. It introduces intermediate level microeconomic concepts and provide examples of their real-world applications. In particular, the module will enable you to define and critically apply various analytical methods to complex problem solving in terms of firms, government, and individual decision-making. By considering the relevance and limitations of intermediate microeconomic theory as applied to labour economics, behavioural economics and industrial organisations, it provides the underpinning for subsequent study in economics.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to deepen and widen your understanding of macroeconomics at an intermediate level. It provides you with a thorough grounding in intermediate principles of macroeconomics as well as an appreciation of the potential applications of the analytical techniques, their limitations, and critiques.

    Compulsory

  • This module is designed to impact the way you interact with and think about business-related data, and its use in making decisions. It introduces you to the discipline of operational research by focusing on how data and tools of analysis and modelling can be used to address operational business challenges in key areas of basic quantitative planning methods, primary mathematical optimisation methods, operations planning, and their use for solving business economics and planning problems.

    Compulsory

  • This module introduces you to data analysis using econometrics with a particular emphasis on principles and applications of the Classical Linear Regression Model and violations of its underlying assumptions. The module introduces you to practical, real-world applications of regression analysis methods, and provides the necessary knowledge and skills required for those wishing to take Applied Econometrics in the final year.

    Compulsory

  • This module provides you with an introduction to business organisation and management. The module will give you the opportunity to develop a good understanding of how organisations are structured and managed, as well as offering you a pragmatic insight into the role and importance of some of the typical functional areas of organisations (marketing, finance, human resource management and supply chain management).

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is to provide you with the opportunity to identify current or global challenges in the environment and present ideas to address those issues in a proactive manner. You will develop an awareness and a critical understanding of key research methodologies within your chosen area of study and design a proposal for researching the relevant contemporary issues.

    Compulsory

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee3 of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Modules

  • This module2 provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

    Optional

  • This module2 provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

    Optional

Year three aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by consolidating your knowledge and skills from years one and two. You could also work on a large final project in an area of your interest, with the support of a supervisor.

Modules

  • The module provides you with the concepts, frameworks and techniques of strategic decision making to enable you to assess competitive conditions, evaluate corporate capabilities and identify means for organisations to establish sustainable competitive advantage in their industry. You will engage in debate on critical business issues such as corporate values, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and business ethics.

    Compulsory

  • This module provides an in-depth analysis of the theory of industrial organisation. You will be introduced to the theory of the firm, including the determinants of market structure, firms’ pricing decisions under different market structures and other business strategic decisions (product differentiation, quality signalling, and compatibility). Government regulations and competition policy will also be discussed. In addition, this module draws on business case studies from the UK and internationally.

    Compulsory

  • This module will provide you with the opportunity to apply and develop your research skills and extend your knowledge, understanding and ability to critically analyse a topic in a specialist area of interest. You will choose a research topic related to your programme of study and apply critical analysis skills acquired through this and other modules to research the topic in depth.

    Compulsory

  • You can choose two modules from the list of optional modules below:

    • Behavioural Economics – 20 credits
      This module introduces you to the field of behavioural economics. It examines the theoretical and empirical evidence and subsequently critically assess the usefulness of this sub discipline in interpreting consumer choice and behaviour. You will learn how to apply behavioural principles and employ experimental tests in analysing both economic and non-economic problems.
    • Applied Econometrics– 20 credits
      This module aims to strengthen your understanding of econometric models and techniques relevant to empirical analysis and policy evaluation applied to a wide range of economic and finance problems. The module will equip you with the advanced knowledge and skills to design, undertake, and evaluate quantitative empirical work within economics, finance and business.
    • Labour Economics – 20 credits
      Labour economics is very broad and covers many of the economic topics that are of concern in modern economies such as labour supply shortage, pay and incentive mechanisms and discrimination in the workplace. This module builds on the principles and techniques of microeconomics and macroeconomics, and applies them to the labour market.
    • Monetary Economics – 20 credits
      This module provides an overview of the role of money in the economy, including the nature and functions of money, theories of the supply and demand for money, the effects of money on the wider economy (neutrality vs. non-neutrality) and issues related to monetary policy. Teaching on the module uses numerous real-world examples of contemporary monetary policy interventions and their implications in the wider domestic and international economies.
    • Topics in Development and Environmental Economics – 20 credits
      This module provides you with an opportunity to critically study a variety of topics drawn from the fields of development and environmental economics and issues that arise at the intersection of the two. On completion of this module you should be able to appreciate relevant theories, evaluate them and be able to apply them to practical economic issues and policies.
    • Topics in Public Sector and Health Economics – 20 credits
      This module critically investigates the development of the market-based model of public services provision and the changing role of governments in the public economy, with a particular emphasis upon healthcare. To achieve its aims, the module introduces, applies and evaluates essential welfare economic concepts and principles. Topics include a critical assessment of the optimal scale and scope of public services, the impact of the public management model on performance assessment, the evaluation of healthcare outcome assessment methods, comparative analysis of international healthcare systems, the macroeconomics of health, medical tourism and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Optional

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.

How you'll learn

  • This course adopts a range of innovative teaching, learning and assessment methods such as the use of interactive teaching and learning online platforms, online quizzes, in-class feedback sessions, group projects, class experiments and bargaining simulations.
  • You will gain hands-on experience of relevant quantitative software and statistical packages, such as GRETL, as well as market leading economic and financial databases such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), World Economic Indicators, the Office for National Statistics (ONS), EuroStat, Refinitiv (Thomson Reuters Eikon and Datastream) and FitchConnect.
  • You will also be taught in one of the largest educational trading floors in Europe4, running Bloomberg trading terminals and giving access to a wealth of live and historical trading market data.
  • Typically, a module involves interactive lecture(s) weekly, delivered synchronously online or on campus, followed by a range of active learning sessions such as seminars and workshops.
  • In addition, you will meet other students on the course and your tutors weekly during term time to engage in community-building activities, receive support and raise concerns relating to the course.
  • We aim to offer you the opportunity to attend a range of guest lectures from industry experts who come to teach in our immersive authentic learning environments (subject to availability).

Teaching contact hours

We understand that everyone learns differently, so each of our courses will consist of structured teaching sessions, which can include:

  • On campus lectures, seminars and workshops
  • Group work
  • Self-directed learning
  • Work placement opportunities2.

If you would like more information, you can request information about teaching hours.

Part of university life is undertaking self-directed learning. During a typical week you will have time that allows you to work independently to apply the skills and knowledge you have learnt in taught or facilitated sessions to your projects or assignment briefs. This self-directed learning allows you to use your research skills, consolidate your knowledge or undertake collaborative group work

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2022/2023 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods include:

  • Formal examinations
  • Phase tests
  • Essays
  • Group work
  • Presentations
  • Reports
  • Projects
  • Coursework
  • Exams
  • Individual Assignments.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

International experience opportunities

You will have the opportunity to take part in an overseas study trip, or a full year abroad2. Coventry University aims to give you the global opportunities needed to become a truly global graduate, enhancing your employability on a global scale. Choose from language classes, studying or working abroad, international field trips, summer schools, leadership development or work experience2.

In the past, our students have had the opportunity to visit universities in China and Malaysia to study alongside students, see how finance is taught internationally, appreciate the issues in different countries and broaden their perspectives.

Closer to home, you might have the opportunity to participate in European field trips2 as part of events like the annual Tax Week initiative or the annual Audit Week, both of which are conducted in collaboration with European universities, and see students work collaboratively on related projects.

My research background is in the economics of healthcare, and I am passionate about applying research to contemporary global challenges. In my teaching, I embed research findings into economic concepts, which helps to stimulate a continuous learning process beyond the classroom. Learners begin to view their environments with an economic lens and become economic advisors, seeing the real impact of economic decisions in the world around them.

Dr Judith Kabajulizi, Assistant Professor and Lecturer in Economics, 2022
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Entry requirements

Clearing places available on this course

See if you have enough points (UCAS tariff 2023)

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Additional requirements may apply

Typical offer for 2023/24 entry.

Not got the required grades? We offer this degree with an integrated foundation year.

Fees and funding

2023/24 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £9,250 per year Not available
EU £9,250 per year with EU support bursary**
£16,800 per year without EU support bursary**		 Not available
International £16,800 per year Not available

If you choose to do a work placement2, you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee3 of £1,250 that will cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad)

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU support bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in-line with that of UK students. Students studying a Degree with a Foundation Year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

  • We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

    If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

Our facilities and technology aim to replicate what you would expect in real-world industry environments4.

  • The Trading Floor is an invaluable facility4 that allows you to get hands-on with industry-standard software. Housing 42 dual-screen Bloomberg terminals, adding a dynamic practical element to your course.
  • The sigma centre is housed in our Lanchester Library, and offers free maths and statistics support through drop-in sessions and bookable appointments with friendly tutors - the ideal place to help you navigate any issues you might have while studying an economics, accounting, or finance degree.
  • Employability is at the forefront of all our accounting and finance courses. You will have access to our dedicated employability service, the Talent Team, from the first day of your course, to graduation and beyond.

Careers and opportunities

Upon successful completion, 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 and business organisations, both within the UK and the wider global economy, including the ability to interpret relevant data and evaluate business strategies and government policies.
  • Apply economic theories and empirical methods to real-world business scenarios by making appropriate use of data, abstraction, and logical reasoning to analyse economic events and issues.
  • Communicate technical concepts related to economic analysis and policy debates to a diverse range of audiences, and develop the ability to influence relevant stakeholders, thus allowing students to successfully proceed to a professional career or further study.
  • Examine issues of sustainability and ethics from an economic perspective, and critically appraise the ethical and sustainability implications of business operations and relevant economic policies.
  • Integrate issues of national economic policy and analysis into a global business context, and hence appreciate the value of international cooperation.
  • Use a range of transferable, entrepreneurial and innovative 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, financial skills and self-motivation.

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.

Where our graduates work

Upon successful completion, you should be well placed to pursue a wide variety of potential future career options in investment banking, accountancy, business data analysis, the public sector, auditing, management, business consultancy, mergers and acquisitions, and many more. Past graduates have found employment in a wide variety of careers at the managerial level in both the private and public sectors.

Further study

Alternatively, you may decide to pursue postgraduate study opportunities which could further enhance your employability by studying courses such as our Accounting and Financial Management MSc or Finance MSc at Coventry Business School, or our Global Finance MSc, Global Financial Trading MSc or Financial Technology (FinTech) MSc. You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study.

How to apply

  • Coventry University together with Coventry University London Campus, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the “University”) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University. 

    1Accreditations

    The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

    *In the event that there is any delay in obtaining approval, we will run Economics BSc (Hons) for 2022-23 which has already been accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII).

    2UK and international opportunities

    Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or International opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

    3Tuition fees

    The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University 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.

    For International Students, we may increase fees each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

    4Facilities

    Due to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.

    Student Contract

    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 2023/24 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.

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