• Undergraduate

Business Economics 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 theoretical basis, 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.

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.
With Foundation Year
Duration: 4 years

Start date:

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

Why study Business Economics with us?

Why study Business Economics with us?

A collage of students

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.
Graphic advising on-site Macs and PC Labs
Get Ahead with Industry Focused Teaching
Access to Perlego
Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

In this course, you will delve into the intricacies of business and economics in a globalised world, gaining a comprehensive understanding of contemporary issues that shape these fields. This will equip you with the professional skills necessary to embark on a fulfilling career. 

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

  • analytical skills in economics
  • economics of climate change
  • economics of financial markets
  • behavioural economics
  • international economics
  • economic decisions faced by businesses and managers
  • how to analyse the economic and social environment that informs those decisions.

The course includes a diverse range of modules to help you find your specialism, identify your career goals, and work towards them. Once you graduate, you will be able to focus on a particular business area.

For your final year dissertation, you have the exciting opportunity to choose between a traditional academic dissertation or an investigative final project. The latter option allows you to tackle practical business economics-related problems, applying the knowledge and skills you've acquired throughout the course to real-world scenarios.

Compulsory modules

  • Principles of Management

    This module has been designed to give you a basic understanding of organisations with emphasis on conceptual and interpersonal skills, an overview of the challenges that arise for managers in organisational settings, and to provide you with an introduction to the concepts and theories that can be useful in facilitating effectiveness.

  • Professional Skills

    In this module, you will learn to outline academic writing skills and presentation skills, show effectively working with others towards the completion of a task (teamwork skills), present skills in oral and written communication in the business environment, as well as duplicate the importance of business etiquette and the importance of rules and values in an organisation. 

  • Quantitative Methods

    The module aims to provide an understanding of the role of data analysis in business and finance. Develop basic analytical and numerical skills into an ability to approach and solve business problems and develop the ability to interpret numerical results as an aid to decision-making.

  • Introduction to Economics

    The aim of the module is to help you to develop an awareness of the economic environment in which business operates, within a local, national and international context.

  • Employability Skills

    In this module, you will develop the personal and professional skills to prepare you for the world of work and understanding the concept of employability; reflecting on your career journey; and developing an active LinkedIn profile. The module will link closely with the other modules delivered during the semester and will help you to prepare for your future career and grasp core business theory.

  • Analysis of Real World Issues

    The aim of this module is to enable you to critically evaluate the challenges faced by organisations in today’s perplexing business environment nationally and internationally. Furthermore, this module will allow you to critically examine the type, nature and gravity of those challenges and create an organisation which is flexible and fluid to adopt to those challenges.

Compulsory modules

Compulsory modules

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

112 UCAS points required from level 3 qualifications

These can include:

  • A Levels at grade B, B and C, or above
  • BTEC Extended Diploma with Distinction, Merit, Merit
  • 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 with Foundation Year?

View Foundation Year 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.

Mature applicants (aged 21+): If you do not hold the qualifications listed but have relevant work experience, you are welcome to apply. Your application will be considered on an individual basis.

Level 5 (year 2) entry
To directly enter the second year of this course you will need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 120 undergraduate credits at Level 4 or a CertHE in a related subject area.

Level 6 (year 3) entry
To directly enter the third year of this course you need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 240 undergraduate credits (at Levels 4 and 5), a DipHE, Foundation Degree or HND in a related subject area.

Looking for BSc (Hons) Business Economics with Foundation Year?

View Foundation Year 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.
6.0 IELTS or above

You need to meet our English language requirement - a minimum of IELTS 5.5 for each of the 4 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 with Foundation Year?

View Foundation Year 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.

Mature applicants (aged 21+): If you do not hold the qualifications listed but have relevant work experience, you are welcome to apply. Your application will be considered on an individual basis.

Level 5 (year 2) entry
To directly enter the second year of this course you will need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 120 undergraduate credits at Level 4 or a CertHE in a related subject area.

Level 6 (year 3) entry
To directly enter the third year of this course you need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 240 undergraduate credits (at Levels 4 and 5), a DipHE, Foundation Degree or HND in a related subject area.

Looking for BSc (Hons) Business Economics with Foundation Year?

View Foundation Year 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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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.

We offer generous bursaries and scholarships to make sure your aspirations are your only limit. In recent years, hundreds of students have received our Full-time Undergraduate Student Bursary. We also offer a range of Business-related scholarships and bursaries. 

Funding your studies
{{ formatCurrencyValue(currentVariantData.field_p_cv_int_main_fee.name) }} per year

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.