BA (Hons) Economics

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 or January
Duration 48 months or 36 months
Mode of study Part-time, Full-time, Campus based
UCAS Code L100
Study abroad opportunities

Accreditations

coreecon

Overview

Find out more about Changes at Stirling for 2020, including how you'll be taught, start dates and how we're making campus safer.

Economics at Stirling is delivered in a revolutionary new way of teaching through our commitment to the CORE Project – “Economics for a Changing World”. In using real-world data to answer real-world questions from the very beginning of your studies, you will understand global issues with historical and philosophical context, and be in a position to influence those positively for the good of business and society.

Economics is the study of how people interact with others and their surroundings, and here at Stirling we look at Economics in a rich and varied way: from artificial intelligence in the labour market to addressing climate change, and from behavioural economic insights in decision making to tackling global poverty and inequality. An Economics degree from Stirling empowers you with sharp analytical tools, from experts in their field, with an ever-present emphasis on intellectual curiosity.

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.

Top reasons to study with us

We're ranked 3rd in Scotland and Top 5 in the UK for Economics (The Guardian University Guide 2021)

Combine your course in Economics with one of eight complementary subjects

A degree in Economics can lead to a wide range of careers in business and finance

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for your country/region

Please select your country/region of residence:

Year 1 entry – Four-year honours

SQA Highers
ABBB – by the end of S5
AABB – by the end of S6

GCE A-levels
BBB

IB Diploma
32

BTEC (Level 3)
DDM

Essential subjects
Mathematics National 5 (B), Intermediate 2 (C), Standard Grade (3), GCSE (C/4) or equivalent

Widening 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.

Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.

Year 2 entry – Three-year honours

SQA Advanced Highers
ABB

GCE A-levels
ABB

IB Diploma
35

Essential subjects
Economics at Higher, A-level or equivalent

Mathematics 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 B

Essential 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 Distinctions

English, 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.

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.

English language requirements

Due to disruption in English Language testing caused by COVID-19, we are accepting alternative English Language tests (including online English Language Tests).

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

IELTS Indicator 6.0 with 5.5 in each skill
Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill
IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
TOEFL ITP Plus for China minimum 543 overall, 54 in listening, 53 in structure and written expression, 56 in reading and B2 in speaking
Trinity ISE II Pass overall and Pass in each sub-skill, ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills
Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills
Duolingo 95 overall with a minimum of 90 in all sub-skills
LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator - Pass with minimum 33 in each sub-skill

Last updated: 15 June 2020

For more information on ways that you can meet our English language requirements, including options to waive the requirement, please read our information on 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

Course details

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. Using the interactive CORE teaching approach, 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, in addition to a dedicated module in behavioural economics. 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 and Financial Economics, and Industrial Organisation.

Modules

The modules listed below are those currently intended for delivery in the next academic intake of this course. These may be subject to change as the University regularly revises and refreshes the curriculum of our taught programmes.

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.

Find out more about studying abroad.

Contact

Dr Maria Grydaki

+44 (0)1786 467476

maria.grydaki@stir.ac.uk

Fees and funding

Fees and costs

Select fee status:

Academic year:	2019/20	2020/21
Scottish/EU students	£1,820*	£1,820^*
Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland	£9,250*	£9,250^*
Overseas (non-EU) students	£12,450	£13,100

*This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.

You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.

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.

If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you’ll be liable for an additional fee.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.

Note for EU students

The Scottish Government has confirmed that EU students enrolling in the 2020/21 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 University will make decisions on fee levels for EU students enrolling in 2021/22 when further guidance is available from the Scottish and UK Governments, and we will publish any updates on our University and Europe information pages.

* This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.

You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.

You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. We also offer additional funding – such as our Honours Year Scholarship – for students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland. See our funding opportunities below for more information.

If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.

You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.

If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.

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.

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.

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.

Find out about the cost of living for students at Stirling.

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.

After you graduate

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)
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:

Discover Uni

Discover Uni provides official data on each university's undergraduate courses, including satisfaction scores from the National Student Survey, details of graduate jobs and salaries, and other key information for prospective students.

What our students said

View more student stories

Jan Duncan
Finland

I have learned a lot of practical, applicable skills during my studies and I currently have the great problem of deciding between a master's degree and a graduate job. Furthermore, due to a great offering of societies and other volunteering opportunities, I've managed to build valuable interpersonal skills that are of importance in more or less any career you can think of.

Read Jan's story

Robynn Cole
Oman
BA (Hons) Economics

During my time at Stirling, I was given the privilege of an internship with Barclays in Geneva, Switzerland, thanks to the Saltire Scholar Internship Programme. This allowed me to demonstrate and put to use all of the leadership skills I had acquired.

Read Robynn's story

Benjamin Benthe
Sweden

The lecturers in both economics and finance are incredible and what I particularly liked about finance was the bridging between theory and the real-world markets.

Read Benjamin's story

View more student stories

Flexible study

Are you interested in more than one of our courses? You might not have to choose between them. Here at Stirling, we believe in choice and offer more than 220 course combinations.

Economics and Accountancy	UCAS code for this combination: LN14
Economics and Business Studies	UCAS code for this combination: LN11
Economics and Environmental Science	UCAS code for this combination: FL91
Economics and Finance	UCAS code for this combination: LN13
Economics and Marketing	UCAS code for this combination: NL51
Economics and Mathematics	UCAS code for this combination: GL11
Economics and Politics	UCAS code for this combination: LL12
Economics and Politics/Philosophy	UCAS code for this combination: LOV0

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BA (Hons) Economics

Key facts

Accreditations

Overview

Top reasons to study with us

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for your country/region

Year 1 entry – Four-year honours

Year 2 entry – Three-year honours

Other Scottish qualifications

Other qualifications

Advanced entry

Additional information

Other routes of entry

English language requirements

Course details

Modules

Course details

Teaching

Assessment

Study abroad

Contact

Fees and funding

Fees and costs

Note for EU students

Additional costs

Funding opportunities

Cost of living

Payment options

After you graduate

What jobs can you get with an Economics degree?

Employability skills

Discover Uni

What our students said

Flexible study

What next?

BA (Hons) Economics

Key facts

Accreditations

Discover Uni

What our students said

Flexible study

Related courses

What next?