• Undergraduate

Business Economics with Foundation Year BSc (Hons)

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Overview

Overview

Why study at the University of West London?
  • Ranked 30th university in the UK - The Guardian University Guide 2025
  • Our Business and Management courses are ranked #1 in London for modern universities - The Guardian University Guide 2025
  • Number 1 London university for overall student satisfaction - National Student Survey 2024**
  • Best university for Student Experience and Teaching Quality in the UK - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024
Why study this course?

Do you want to learn how the global economy affects a business’s chances of success? This course in business economics will help you to understand the repercussions the wider economy can have on day-to-day business operations and to help business owners prepare for the impact.

Designed to give you a solid basis in theory, the course will also equip you with skills that will give you an edge in business.

This is a gateway course, which can launch your career in business economics without the need for a degree in a heavily mathematical subject. You do not need prior knowledge of business or economics to apply.

Foundation Year

The foundation year course is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to continue onto your Honours degree. You will study a range of subjects that will underpin your future study and also gain valuable experience of university life, with full access to campus facilities. Successful completion of the year allows you to progress straight onto Level 4 of this course. Please note that a £2000 Path to Success bursary is available to all UK foundation year students, which is non-repayable.

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Study options:
We support flexible study by offering some of our courses part-time or via distance learning. To give you real world experience before you graduate, we also offer some courses with a placement or internship. All available options are listed here. Your choices may affect some details of your course, such as the duration and cost per year. Please re-check the details on this page if you change your selection.
Without Foundation Year
Duration: 3 years

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study Business Economics with Foundation Year with us?

Why study Business Economics with Foundation Year with us?

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What our students say…

The connections the university has provides links for its student to meet prospective employers and know more about what it takes to make it in the industry. The teachers are specialised in their fields to ensure we get the most out of every single bit of text we go over. Classes are not blank with just words on paper, we have a selection of activities and seminars too.

Yara ElAggan
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Lifelong careers support from the UWL Careers Service.
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Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

On this course you will learn about business and economics in a globalised world, study contemporary issues affecting these fields and develop the professional skills you need to embark on a rewarding career.

You will examine core concepts in business and economics, as well as topical subjects, including:

  • 'boom and bust'
  • business decision-making
  • fashion or entertainment economics
  • globalisation and trade
  • politics and smart economics
  • economic decisions faced by business and managers
  • how to analyse the economic and social environment that inform those decisions

The course includes a diverse range of modules to help you find your specialism, so you can identify and work towards your career goals. This will allow you to focus on a particular business area once you graduate. There are options in a range of fascinating topics, such as:

  • fashion business
  • urban economics
  • global markets
  • behavioural and happiness economics
  • real estate investment and Islamic finance
  • entertainment economics
  •  innovation, start-ups and business social networks

For your final year dissertation, you can choose between a traditional academic dissertation or an investigative final project on practical business economics-related problems.

Foundation year

There are many reasons for joining a foundation year course; you may not have the exact subjects or grades at A level to meet the entry requirements, you may have been living abroad or want to change direction with your career. Whatever your starting point, the foundation year offers a firm grounding in the skills and knowledge that you will need to get the most from your studies and thrive at University. Successful completion of the foundation year allows you to progress straight onto Level 4 of this course.”

Compulsory modules

  • Introduction to Business

    During this module you will gain a basic knowledge and understanding of business organisations and the way they operate in the UK economy.

  • Recording Business Transactions

    During this module you will cover the methods of bookkeeping and financial accounting used by organisations to record their financial transactions.

  • Personalised Learning

    The Personalised Learning module is intended to equip you with the study skills needed to successfully progress onto level 4, the first year of undergraduate study. Tutor group sessions are an integral part of the module, where you will consolidate your learning and frame it in the context of your subject area. The module will focus on various aspects of study skills, such as those skills related to reading and writing, learning approaches, problem-solving techniques, critical thinking, researching, referencing, plagiarism, legal research and time management.

  • Data Handling and ICT

    You will develop skills and confidence in the use and application of numerical data and analysis. 

    You will also prepare, present and process data using business software.

  • Managing People and Systems

    In the course of this management module you will explore people management within business structures and how they lead to the fulfilment of business goals.

    You will learn about recruitment, different personalities, team dynamics, people assessment systems and understand basic theories of motivation and leadership.

  • Study Skills for Success

    This module will enable you to read critically, present an argument, and distinguish between the quality and suitability of materials. It will prepare you to use and evaluate a range of evidence sources throughout your degree.

Compulsory modules

  • Becoming an Economist

    During this module you will gain insights into questions such as: why don't we make things in Britain anymore? Will the economy enter a second recession? Is global capitalism in crisis? You will be introduced to basic economic concepts and problems, and you'll begin to understand how economists view the world along with the tools they use.

  • Understanding Business

  • Exploring Microeconomics

    During this module you will examine concepts including consumer choice, supply and demand, price control and taxes, and the differences between market structures. Your ability to understand, react to and, to some extent, control microeconomic influences on a firm are crucial business skills, so what you learn will apply to your working life.

  • Principles of Business Law

    During this module you will start to learn the basic principles that govern business law, focusing on contract law, company law and insolvency law. By examining these principles, you will be able to better understand the practical problems that arise in different market sectors.

  • Introduction to Researching in Business Economics

    On this practical module you will look at case studies and real-life data to learn basic research techniques in Business Economics (BE). You will be introduced to simple statistics through the use of everyday BE examples and learn how to interpret them.

  • Exploring Macroeconomics

Compulsory modules

Compulsory modules

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

72 UCAS points required from level 3 qualifications

These can include:

  • A-Levels at grades B and C (if you have two A-Levels) or grades D, D and D (if you have three), or above
  • BTEC Extended Diploma with Merit, Merit, Pass
  • Access to HE Diploma
  • T-Levels

You also need GCSE English and Maths (grade 9 – 4 / A* - C) or Level 2 equivalents.

Looking for BSc (Hons) Business Economics without Foundation Year?

View course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.

You may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees, or a maintenance loan. Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as those with dependants and disabled students.

Looking for BSc (Hons) Business Economics without Foundation Year?

View course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.
5.5 IELTS or above

You need to meet our English language requirement - a minimum of IELTS 5.5 for each of the four individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening). Visit our English language requirements page for information on other English language tests we accept.

You also need academic qualifications at the same level as UK applicants. In some countries where teaching is in English, we may accept local qualifications. Check for local equivalents. 

We offer pre-sessional English language courses if you do not meet these requirements.

Find out more about our English Language courses.

Looking for BSc (Hons) Business Economics without Foundation Year?

View course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.

You may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees, or a maintenance loan. Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as those with dependants and disabled students.

Looking for BSc (Hons) Business Economics without Foundation Year?

View course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.
Fees & funding

Fees & funding

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September 2025 tuition fees

Foundation Year 1 - full-time UK (Home) student: £5,760, full-time international student: £16,250

Year 2 onwards (subject to change) - currently full-time UK (Home) student: £9,250, full-time international student: £16,250 

Please note:

  • Fees for the 2026/27 academic year and onwards may be subject to Government regulation and change.
  • Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course. If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year.
  • If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.
  • If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

You may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees, or a maintenance loan. Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as those with dependants and disabled students.

Foundation year bursary

If you are a UK student joining a foundation year course with UWL, you will receive a £2000 Path to Success bursary to support your studies. This is not a loan and does not need to be repaid. You will receive £500 per year subject to your attendance, engagement and progression through your studies. 

To find out more, explore our Undergraduate scholarships and bursaries page.

Funding your studies
{{ formatCurrencyValue(currentVariantData.field_p_cv_int_main_fee.name) }} per year
September 2025 tuition fees

Foundation Year 1 - full-time UK (Home) student: £5,760, full-time international student: £16,250

Year 2 onwards (subject to change) - currently full-time UK (Home) student: £9,250, full-time international student: £16,250 

Please note:

  • Fees for the 2026/27 academic year and onwards may be subject to Government regulation and change.
  • Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course. If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year.
  • If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.
  • If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

International students - funding your studies

We offer scholarships for international students including International Ambassador Scholarships. 

Further information about funding and financial support for international students is available from the UK Council for International Student Affairs.

 

Financial support for international students
Teaching staff

Teaching staff

Lucie is wearing a white top and her blonde hair has a side parting and is blowing in the wind. She is standing outside and in the background are high-rise buildings. She is wearing pink lipstick and has blue eyes.

Dr Lucie Ingram

Areas of professional excellence:

  • Behavioural economics and happiness
  • Public economics / research methods
  • Econometrics / financial modelling
  • Macroeconomics
  • Microeconomics
  • Political economy business economics
  • The economics of entertainment

Areas of professional excellence:

  • Behavioural economics and happiness
  • Public economics / research methods
  • Econometrics / financial modelling
  • Macroeconomics
  • Microeconomics
  • Political economy business economics
  • The economics of entertainment
Study & career progression

Study & career progression

A man presenting during a meeting whilst using a Mac laptop

Popular careers for graduates include consultancy, research and marketing.

On graduation, you could start a career in one of the following areas:

  • economic, financial and real estate consultancy
  • market and business research
  • e-commerce
  • marketing, advertising, pr and sales
  • the civil service
  • intergovernmental organisations
  • management positions in the private and public sectors
  • entertainment, media and sports businesses

Alternatively, you could develop a related specialism or explore a new area on one of our postgraduate courses.

How to apply

How to apply

Search for courses

Important notes for applicants

Disclaimer

*Modern universities - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992.

**The National Student Survey 2023 and 2024 - Average of answers to all questions by registered student population. Excludes specialist institutions.

Testimonials - our students or former students provided all of our testimonials - often a student from the course but sometimes another student. For example, the testimonial often comes from another UWL student when the course is new.

Optional modules - where optional modules are offered they will run subject to staff availability and viable student numbers opting to take the module.

Videos - all videos on our course pages were accurate at the time of filming. In some cases a new Course Leader has joined the University since the video was filmed.

Availability of placements - if you choose a course with placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route, this is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.