BA (Hons) Economics
UCAS Code L100
Study Economics at the University of Stirling and open the door to endless career opportunities in the world of business.
Key facts
- Award BA (Hons)
- Start date September
- Duration 48 months or 36 months
- Mode of study Part-time, Full-time, Campus based
Almost every decision taken in our fast-moving social, commercial and technological world revolves around economic factors. What causes inflation? How can unemployment be reduced? How do energy and environmental markets work? Big questions such as these demand big answers, and with an Economics degree from the University of Stirling you’ll be perfectly placed to play your part in answering them.
Our Economics course is ranked 2nd in Scotland and top 10 in the UK (The Guardian University Guide 2020). Our expert staff will give you an insight into professional practices through their cutting-edge research and links to industry. You’re also free to combine your studies with one of eight other courses, sharpening your focus on a specific area that complements your growing knowledge of economics.
Broaden your knowledge at one of the UK’s leading Business and Management institutions, and discover why our Economics course ranks among the best in the country.
Entry requirements for your country/region
- Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
SQA Highers
ABBB – by the end of S5
AABB – by the end of S6GCE A-levels
BBBIB Diploma
32BTEC (Level 3)
DDMEssential subjects
Mathematics National 5 (B), Intermediate 2 (C), Standard Grade (3), GCSE (C/4) or equivalentWidening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages. - Year 2 entry – Three-year honours
SQA Advanced Highers
ABBGCE A-levels
ABBIB Diploma
35Essential subjects
Economics at Higher, A-level or equivalentMathematics National 5 (B), Intermediate 2 (C), Standard Grade (3), GCSE (C/4) or equivalent
- Other Scottish qualifications
Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.SWAP Access course - for mature students only. Please check the SWAP progression routes document for details.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade BEssential subjects
Mathematics National 5 (B), Intermediate 2 (C), Standard Grade (3), GCSE (C/4) or equivalent - Other qualifications
English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and DistinctionsEnglish, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Essential subjects
Mathematics National 5 (B), Intermediate 2 (C), Standard Grade (3), GCSE (C/4) or equivalent - Advanced entry
Advanced entry is not available for this course.
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Additional information
General entrance requirements apply
If you’ve taken exams over two sittings, repeated an exam, or been upgraded, the entrance requirements may be higher.
- Other routes of entry
INTO University of Stirling offers an International Foundation programme for international students who don’t meet the required academic and English-language criteria. This course offers a pathway to study at the University of Stirling through an excellent teaching and learning experience in the high-quality study facilities on campus.
International Foundation
Successful completion of the International Foundation in Business, Finance, Economics and Marketing to the required standard provides direct entry to year two of a range of BA Honours programmes, including Accounting (either as single honours or as combined honours with Business Law, Business Studies, Economics, Finance or Marketing).
Subject to additional entry qualifications. year 3 entry to the BA Honours in Accounting and the BA Honours in Finance and Investment is also available to INTO International Foundation students via the Integrated International Year Two pathway.
For more information, and to apply, visit INTO University of Stirling.
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English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS - 6.0 with 5.5 minimum in each skill
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): Grade C
- Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): Grade C
- Pearson Test of English (Academic): 54 with 51 in each component
- IBT TOEFL: 80 with no subtest less than 17
More information on our English language requirements
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
You can study Economics as a four-year single honours degree or take it in conjunction with one of eight other subjects to earn a combined honours degree. The first four semesters of your studies will introduce you to micro- and macro-economics, before you move on to gain a deeper understanding of both subjects and expand your knowledge of economics and business.
Modules in semesters 5-8 are designed to develop your knowledge and understanding of the central methods of economic analysis and major policy issues. You’ll also write a dissertation in your final year, as well as choosing from elective modules that can give you a specialist understanding of areas such as Environmental Economics and Financial Economics.
Modules
The module details given below are subject to change as the University regularly revises and refreshes the curriculum of our taught programmes. The modules outlined below represent those offered in 2019/20 on this course of study.
Course details
- Teaching
Our research-led teaching builds on the latest thinking from the business world and provides you with insights that will set you out from the crowd when you enter the job market. Our teaching in Economics has been assessed by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education and achieved the highest possible rating in every area.
In a typical week you’ll attend two or three lectures and a tutorial or seminar for each module you’re taking. Your timetable will vary depending on whether you’re taking Economics as a single honours course or as a combined degree with the available subjects.
- Assessment
Assessment will be a mixture of exams and coursework.
- Study abroad
You’ll have the opportunity to broaden your horizons and study abroad through our well-established connections with several international universities.
- Contact
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Fees and costs
Fees shown are per year (Fees are different for each course)
2019/20 Scottish/EU Students
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, students domiciled in Scotland or the EU will be able to apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have tuition fees paid by the Scottish government on their behalf. If you’re unsure of your fee status, you can check your eligibility online.
You will be liable to pay tuition fees for every year you’re in attendance, and your fees will be held level upon entry. Please note if you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for an additional fee.
Important note for EU students
The Scottish Government has confirmed that EU students enrolling in the 2019 and 2020 academic year will be entitled to free tuition fees in Scotland. EU students will retain that status for the duration of their four year degree. The future fee status of EU students enrolling in UK universities will depend on the timing and terms of the UK’s exit from the European Union. The University will make decisions on fee levels for EU students enrolling in 2021 when further guidance is available from the Scottish and UK governments, and will publicise information about fee levels and financial support available on the University website.
While students should be aware this may mean a change from the current position where EU students are treated with equivalence to Scottish students, it is also important to note that any changes would also require changes to existing UK and Scottish legislation. Current indications are that the UK would leave the EU at the earliest in 2020, so any changes would not take effect before the academic year 2020/21.
£1,820* *This tuition fee is set by the Scottish Government, and may be subject to change.
Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland
If you’re domiciled in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, you’ll be able to apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body.
You will be liable to pay tuition fees for every year you’re in attendance, and your fees will be held level upon entry. Please note if you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for an additional fee.
If you successfully complete Years 1-3 of your course, you will also be eligible to receive an Honours Year Scholarship valued at £9,250 to cover the tuition fee costs of your fourth and final year of study. Learn more about the Honours Year Scholarship.
There is additional funding available for students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland – please see Funding opportunities below.
£9,250 Overseas (Non-EU) Students
You will be liable to pay fees for every year you’re in attendance, and your fees will be held level upon entry. Please note if you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for an additional fee.
£12,450 You should expect to pay fees for every year you attend. Fees are subject to revision and may increase annually. Students on programmes of study of more than one year should take this into account when applying.
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Funding opportunities
See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.
Students domiciled in Scotland and the EU
The University of Stirling offers undergraduate funding opportunities for students domiciled in Scotland or the EU. To find out if you’re eligible to apply for an award, use our scholarship finder.
Students domiciled in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (RUK)
The Undergraduate Choice Scholarship provides a £1,000 cash award to all students from England, Wales or Northern Ireland who meet the conditions of their offer and select the University of Stirling as their Firm or Insurance choice on UCAS.
The University also offers the Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, which is awarded to selected students and provides a £1,000 cash award per year for years 1-3 of study. To be considered for the Merit Scholarship, students require a minimum of AAB at A-level or equivalent.
In addition, students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland who enter in year 1 and progress successfully through years 2 and 3 will receive our Honours Year Scholarship, which covers the cost of undergraduate tuition fees in the Honours year of study.
You don’t need to apply for the awards listed above - we'll automatically identify your eligibility as part of the admissions process.
To explore other scholarships and learn more about funding opportunities, use our scholarship finder.
Students domiciled overseas
The University of Stirling offers generous undergraduate funding opportunities for overseas students. To find out if you're eligible to apply for an award, use our scholarship finder.
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Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
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Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
EU and overseas students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
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Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
What jobs can you get with an Economics degree?
Good Economics courses prepare you for a wealth of career opportunities, and the business skills you’ll learn during your studies have boundless applications. The opportunity to study Economics with a complimentary subject at Stirling can also give you a unique edge in your chosen field, as can our range of specialist career services for students.
Find out more about how we prepare you for the world of work.
- Over 97% of University of Stirling undergraduate leavers are in employment or further study within six months of graduating (HESA DLHE 2016/17)
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Economics graduates are the second highest earners of all graduates 10 years after graduating (Institute for Fiscal Studies Report 2016)
In addition to careers in business and government, there are a range of jobs in companies that directly use economics and seek graduates who hold a good degree in the discipline. Economics graduates from Stirling are working in diverse careers that span everything from Portfolio Managers and Economic Analysts to Social workers, IT Specialists and Members of Parliament.
Recent Stirling graduates have started their careers in some of the following roles:
- Debt Products Analyst, Merrill Lynch
- Economic Analyst, Scottish Water
- Insurance Consultant, Aviva
- Credit Risk Analyst, Lloyds Banking Group
Other graduates have forged careers as:
- Principal Research Officer, Scottish Government
- Head of Business Transformation, AEGON Scottish Equitable
- Investment Manager, Deutsche Bank
- Executive Director, Goldman Sachs
- Employability skills
Your employability is one of our highest priorities, and we want to make sure you have every possible advantage when you enter the job market. Our module in Professional Development and Practice (Semester 8) places a special focus on preparing you for the workplace, and our overall focus on personal and professional development is designed to help you achieve your career ambitions.
Your course will equip you with skills in the following, plus much more:
- In-depth grasp of economic imperatives
- Communication and presentation
- Independent learning
- IT and statistical analysis
- Research methods
- Problem solving and analytical thinking
The opportunities I was offered to improve my skills and employability, such as the mentor programme and Amplify, really positions Stirling as peerless.
The campus is so beautiful and unique, it's been a pleasure to study here.
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