Fascinated by what makes the financial world tick? Want to make your mark in business and investment?

Our BSc (Hons) Economics course builds the analytical skills and knowledge you’ll need to carve out a successful career in the finance sector. It’s designed around the research of our teaching experts and backed by excellent industry links.

During the course, you’ll dig deep into modern economics and how it influences the financial systems and organisations around us. And you’ll develop your understanding of microeconomics, macroeconomics, corporate governance and corporate social responsibility.

Your main base is the Newcastle Business School. In your third year, you’ll have the chance to venture further afield with an optional industry placement, applying your knowledge and securing critical experience in the real world.

 It’s not just about developing skills, but also boosting employability once you leave us. In recent years, our students have spent their placement working with some of the biggest names in the business – including the Bank of England and Bloomberg LP. Many have then gone on to secure full-time graduate positions with their placement year employer.

Why choose Northumbria to study Economics?

• Accounting & Finance at Northumbria is ranked Top 40 in the UK by the Complete University Guide for 2024.

• Business and Management is ranked 9th in the UK for research power (REF, 2021). This is a rise of 51 places, the largest rise in the sector.

• Over 95% of students studying Business Studies at Northumbria felt free to express their ideas, opinions, and beliefs (NSS, 2023).

• BSc (Hons) Economics is covered by the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation for Newcastle Business School.

How will I learn during this Economics course?

The course begins with an introduction to mathematical and statistical techniques – building familiarity with the core elements of micro and macroeconomics. As it progresses, you’ll pursue your own research and analysis – developing your microeconomic skills and analytical reasoning by studying the strategies firms use to compete and maximise profit.

The course culminates in a final year dissertation. As part of this, you’ll explore a topic of your choice – or one related to your undergraduate consultancy project – working to solve a real financial business problem.

You’ll learn through lectures, seminars and workshops, independently as well as in groups. Many modules focus strongly on problem-based learning and enable you to get hands-on with industry-standard financial and economics software.

Alongside our teaching, you’ll benefit from a well-designed support system to help you develop the academic study skills you need. And we make sure that we build extensive feedback, from both tutors and peers, into the course. If you’re a non-UK student, you can choose optional sessions to help develop both your academic language and study skills.

Who teaches this BSc Economics course?

Newcastle Business School has a global reputation for delivering some of the UK’s best business management education. We’re part of an elite group of business schools worldwide with double accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in business and accounting.

Our staff have come to us from a range of backgrounds and now share their passion with students. Specialisms include consumer decision-making, evaluations of sports events and business performance management. The School’s teaching team is always looking to explore new fields of knowledge and generate ground-breaking concepts and insights.

Where will I learn during my degree?

At Newcastle Business School you’ll experience a first-class education in a world-class environment. From our social spaces and hub areas to lecture theatres and exhibition spaces, our facilities are exceptional. For example, the 24/7 university library achieves some of the highest levels of student satisfaction in the UK and has held the Cabinet Office accreditation for Customer Service Excellence since 2010.

We’re also committed to helping you make the most of Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) by embedding it throughout the course. Tools such as the ‘Blackboard’ eLearning Portal and electronic reading lists are there to help you efficiently and thoroughly prepare for seminars and independent research. Lecture capture software means you can revise previously lectured material online in your time, as well as at your speed.

On the School’s ground floor, you’ll find our innovative Bloomberg Trading Room. It’s where you can put your financial and analytical skills to the test in a simulated trading environment using fully equipped Bloomberg terminals.

What’s more, there are plenty of opportunities to put your learning into practice through volunteering, internships and placements. This includes the Business Clinic that enables our students to participate in a ‘consultancy firm’ to provide advice for our region’s businesses.

How does this course set me up for my future career?

Our BSc (Hons) Economics course is all about creating the world’s next top investors, financiers and business analysts. It’s also designed to inspire the freshest business and management talent, both in the UK and on the global stage.

That’s why we introduced an optional year-long industry placement after your second year. Our placements team is constantly working to develop exciting opportunities at industry-leading organisations such as Central Bank, Bloomberg LP, Bank of England and departments within in-house companies.

By the end of the course you will be skilled at data and performance analysis, presenting complex findings in an easily understandable manner, making logical recommendations based on your research, understanding programming language and how to apply this in real-world contexts.

The course will also prepare you for further study on one of our postgraduate courses such as:

International Finance and Investment MSc

Accounting and Finance MSc

Applied Economics MSc

Whatever you decide to do, you will have strong employability as a result of having acquired the characteristics of a Northumbria graduate. These include critical reflection and self-learning, collaboration and curiosity, and the ability to apply your knowledge to solve problems in ways that are sustainable and ethical.