BSc (Hons) Economics

This course covers current real-world issues and aims to help you understand how economics impacts individuals, businesses, financial organisations, governments and wider society. An emphasis is placed on equipping you with the knowledge and skills required to tackle contemporary challenges facing governments and businesses.

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

• Tailor your studies as 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. Explore both microeconomics and macroeconomics with extensive exposure to how national economies, businesses and other organisations operate in a global context. Learn alternative schools of economic thoughts and contrast heterodox approaches with the orthodox mainstream of economic theoryBuild industry insight2, learn from experienced staff and hear from industry professionals who, in the past, have included speakers from HM Treasury, Lloyds Bank, Barclays and the European Commission. (Staff may be subject to change) Develop practical skills in our Bloomberg Trading Floor4, which is currently one of the largest academic trading floors in Europe and features contemporary Bloomberg terminals. Access additional maths and statistics support; our sigma centre offers maths and statistics support through drop-in sessions and bookable appointments with experienced tutors4.

If you choose to start this course in January you will study exactly the same course but over a slightly shorter timescale in Year 1. This is ideal if you missed the September start, want to transfer from a different university or course or just need a bit more time to prepare for life at university.

What you'll study
Year one

This course has a common first year. 

• In the first year, the curriculum is shared across finance and economics 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. 
• We want your degree to fit around you, so 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)Business Economics BSc (Hons)Finance and Investment BSc (Hons) Financial Economics BSc (Hons)Global Financial Planning BSc (Hons)

Modules

• Principles of Microeconomics - 20 credits
• Principles of Macroeconomics - 20 credits
• Mathematics and Statistics - 20 credits
• Principles of Finance - 20 credits
• Business Accounting - 20 credits
• Entrepreneurial Thinking - 20 credits

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  

Modules

• International Economics – 20 credits
• Evolution of Economic Thinking – 20 credits
• Intermediate Microeconomics - 20 credits
• Intermediate Macroeconomics – 20 credits
• Econometrics and Data Analysis – 20 credits
• Designing a Research Proposal – 20 credits

Placement year

• 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

• UK Work Placement – 0 credits
• International Study/Work Placement – 0 credits

Final year

• 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

• Advanced Microeconomics – Game Theory – 20 credits
• Advanced Macroeconomics – Theory and Policy – 20 credits
• Project – 40 credits

Optional modules

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 terminals and having 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).

If you choose to start this course in January it will be run as a condensed programme. You’ll start your course in January and finish your first year in August. Upon successful completion of Year 1, you will progress onto Year 2 in September and then continue to start subsequent years of your course in September, completing your degree at the same time as the September starters unless you opt to do a placement year.

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.

Careers and opportunities
Upon successful completion, you will be able to:

• Critically evaluate modern economic theories 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, rooted in alternative schools of thought, and empirical methods to real-world situations 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.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 into a global context, and hence appreciate the value of international cooperation.Use a range of entrepreneurial, innovative and 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, financial skills and self-motivation.
• The course aims to give you 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

• The course aims to help you pursue a 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 variety of careers with prestigious employers such as Capita, Lloyd's Bank, Amey and the Department for Education.
• Typical roles that graduates from this course may progress to include Consultant, Business Analyst, Junior Trader or Buyer.  

Further study

• Alternatively, you may decide to pursue postgraduate study opportunities which could further enhance your employability by studying courses such as Accounting and Financial Management MSc or Finance MSc at Coventry Business School, or Global Finance MSc or Global Financial Trading MSc at Coventry University London. 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.