Funding
Find out more about financing your studies and whether you may qualify for one of our bursaries and scholarships
Money MattersStudying economics equips you with analytical skills to understand how markets work, make informed decisions and address societal challenges – shaping a better future.
Businesses and governments rely on economists to help them examine issues, identify trends and deal with uncertainty.
Throughout the course, we’ll challenge you to think about choices people make and how those decisions affect every aspect of our lives. You’ll explore everything from employment to distribution of wealth and government spending to international trade.
We’ve designed the first year of this course to explore the principles of economics including micro and macro economics, critical thinking and the study of the global business environment.
In your second year, you’ll choose between the BA (Hons) and the BSc (Hons) route. This will influence whether you focus on the statistical or policy side of economics. On one hand, the BA (Hons) opti...
3 years full-time
4 years with placement year and/or overseas study
4 years with foundation
Joe"I chose Manchester Met because I was attracted to living in Manchester and was impressed with the employability focus that the university takes to ensure its students find work during and after their degree."
BSc (Hons) Economics
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Business School Impact System (BSIS)
EFMD Quality Improvement System
Teaching Excellence Framework 2023-2027
National Student Survey 2024 (NSS)
Please note that all students will apply directly to the BA (Hons) Economics. After studying BA (Hons) Economics in the first year, you can choose to continue on the BA (Hons) Economics, or transfer to BSc (Hons) Economics through the second and third year of study.
Transferring to BSc (Hons) Economics is subject to satisfactory progress and meeting the prerequisites set out for the core units on these programmes. Students can also choose to do an optional overseas or placement year.
During your first year you will study eight 15-credit core units. Please note that the following list of units is indicative and may be subject to change.
This unit evaluates the key domestic macro-economic objectives namely, growth, inflation, unemployment and exchange rate stability via modelling, analysis, and applications – with an emphasis on assessing the UK economy within its international context. Topics to be covered could include the circular flow of income, the four-sector Keynesian model, exchange rate and interest rate transmission mechanisms, money supply and money demand, supply-side economics, inflation, unemployment, exchange rate systems, and growth and sustainable development. The unit develops the macroeconomic foundations that underpin core units at Years 2 and 3 such as, Intermediate and Advanced Economic Principles I and II.
Students will explore the development of the economy and economics through parallels between contemporary and historical challenges. The students will be shown how how economic ideas have not progressed linearly to create one set of theories, but rather how a diverse set of schools have developed to address economic and social challenges in many different ways across many diverse historic economic and social contexts. As part of this students will take a global perspective on the diverse drivers of economic and social change.
This unit explores ethical positions adopted in economics and the associated supporting rhetoric. Through the exploration of social dilemmas, students should be more able to question and understand the foundations of economic models in terms of their own experiences and interests and apply them in wider economic debates.
This is an introductory unit to critical thinking. In a practical manner, students will explore how to evaluate arguments and hence how to approach their own formation of ideas and arguments when constructing assignments or when they reflect on and prepare for their subsequent careers. Critical thinking is a cognitive process of actively and carefully evaluating the reasoning and evidence behind knowledge and arguments from which we develop our own knowledge. The ability to do this needs careful guidance such that all students irrespective of previous learning, academic formation, protected characteristic or social class can participate fully and effectively within the academic community.
In Mathematical Economics I, we will develop your ability to think about economic problems quantitatively, and through the use and application of mathematical techniques will learn how to solve them. We cover topics including: differentiation and integration, which provide the theory behind the optimisation of our production or consumption levels; and matrix algebra, allowing us to write complex economic systems in a new, compact form.
Starting with a review of probability theory, this unit develops students’ knowledge of statistical distributions and inference, before moving on to statistical testing and basic statistical techniques for the analysis of data. As data collection and assessment are essential for economists, the unit also draws on PPD elements of data evaluation and presentation of key findings. The latter could take place on individual presentations, tailored to the specific needs of each student.
This unit introduces students to key introductory micro-economic concepts and objectives. Consumer demand and firms' supply and business supply models, the three basic microeconomic models of the market and the implications of market structures on the individual, business and wider society as a whole are examples of topics to be covered. Topic areas could also include environmental economics; income distribution, ethics - inequality and the impact on individual consumers; raising government revenues through individual and corporate taxation. The unit develops the foundations for the more advanced topics covered at Intermediate Economic Principles I and II, at Year 2 and Advanced Economic Principles I and II at Year 3.
Assessment Details
Teaching and Learning
Our BA/BSc (Hons) Economics degree offers the chance to spend a year getting a taste of professional life. It not only gives you the opportunity to develop your core skills and learn about how a business really operates in your industry, but also shows employers that you’re ready to get to work.
Find out more about what a placement can do for you. Visit our placements page.
Study abroad
Instead of a placement, you’ll have the opportunity to spend up to a year overseas, studying with one of our partner institutions across Europe or beyond. Go abroad in the third year of your degree, and you’ll not only learn about other cultures, improve your language skills and discover more about yourself – you’ll also boost your career prospects.
Having first-hand knowledge of another country’s cultures and traditions can take you far in a range of careers. And, by going abroad, you’ll also demonstrate the kind of independent spirit and adaptability that many employers want.
Working abroad
Gaining work experience with an international flavour offers a double benefit. While you’ll learn valuable professional skills in a real-world workplace, you’ll also experience different cultures, ways of working and new perspectives. Whether it’s a summer exchange, holiday internship or year-long international placement, global experience can make a world of difference to your career prospects.
In Year 2, you start to specialise with the option of choosing the quantitative analysis unit if you wish to progress to the BSc or BSc (Hons) Economics and Finance.
Please note that the following list of units is indicative and may be subject to change:
This unit introduces students to the core theory and application of econometrics using both cross sectional and time-series approaches. Topics covered include matrix algebra, linear regression theory, inferential statistics, functional form, diagnostic testing, model building and prediction. Year 2 students will develop the PPD skills introduced in Year 1.
In Mathematical Economics II, we build upon the skills learned in Mathematical Economics I and consider more complex means of optimisation by developing our knowledge of differentiation. Additionally, we continue to work with matrices in order to understand the mathematics behind statistical modelling techniques. Lastly, we consider some of the mathematics underpinning the study of financial valuation, which typically involve the application of time value of money formulae in the evaluation of various financial instruments, including equities, bonds and derivatives.
The unit's objective is to build upon the foundations of quantitative skills developed at Year 1 and to prepare students for applying advanced econometric models to different economic scenarios at Year 3. As a result, the unit applies and interprets more complex mathematical and statistical skills, which will underpin students' wider applied economic understanding. Topics include marginal rates of substitution, returns to scale, implicit functions, optimisation techniques, matrix algebra and integral calculus, partial differentiation, maximisation techniques, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing and introduction to econometrics with ordinary least square-OLS estimation (multicollinearity, autocorrelation, dummy variables, lags and multiple regression). Year 2 students will develop the PPD skills introduced at Year 1.
This unit provides students with the basic tools in statistical analysis. Topics to be covered include: comparison of means, cross-tabulations, ANOVA and basic regression modelling. The focus of the unit is on applying statistical techniques to real world issues, rather than a detailed exposure to the underlying theory.
Examples of current topics to be covered include immigration’s contribution to the economic activity, improving schools’ effectiveness, tertiary education challenges, the future of the NHS-health economics, environmental challenges and de-growth economics, the UK’s productivity puzzle and policies to improve productivity in the long-run. The unit provides an integrated academic framework for the study of applied economics within an international environment. By drawing on applied economic issues that challenge policy-makers the unit will focus on the literature review surrounding these and will require students to employ relevant research methods to derive potentially viable solutions. In this way, the unit (together with Applied Quantitative Analysis) provides sound foundations for the Qualitative Dissertation unit at Year 3.
This unit examines the way individuals, society and institutions (such as firms) make decisions in an environment of finite resources. The analysis is complex and mathematical, in order for more nuanced judgements, on which the most appropriate decisions in given contexts, can be reached. Cost-benefit analysis; market power and pricing decisions; imperfect completion including strategic behaviour.
This unit provides intermediate modelling in macro-economics, which forms the foundations for the advanced applied and theoretical units of the course in Year 3. Examples of topics to be covered include money supply-money demand; labour market models and applications; institutional economics; adjustments to shocks; the key determinants of consumption and the role of the rate of interest; business cycle analysis and the effectiveness of fiscal and monetary policy. The unit draws, in particular, on the challenges facing UK economic institutions.
The unit develops a pedagogic approach towards enhancing students' personal and professional development alongside their training in applied economics. The unit analyses topical debates in economics using a predominantly microeconomic framework, aiming to improve students’ understanding of the topics and the options available and by doing so boosting their employability. Topics draw on social policy and public goods provision.
Assessment Details
Teaching and Learning
Our BA/BSc (Hons) Economics degree offers the chance to spend a year getting a taste of professional life. It not only gives you the opportunity to develop your core skills and learn about how a business really operates in your industry, but also shows employers that you’re ready to get to work.
Find out more about what a placement can do for you. Visit our placements page.
Study abroad
Instead of a placement, you’ll have the opportunity to spend up to a year overseas, studying with one of our partner institutions across Europe or beyond. Go abroad in the third year of your degree, and you’ll not only learn about other cultures, improve your language skills and discover more about yourself – you’ll also boost your career prospects.
Having first-hand knowledge of another country’s cultures and traditions can take you far in a range of careers. And, by going abroad, you’ll also demonstrate the kind of independent spirit and adaptability that many employers want.
Working abroad
Gaining work experience with an international flavour offers a double benefit. While you’ll learn valuable professional skills in a real-world workplace, you’ll also experience different cultures, ways of working and new perspectives. Whether it’s a summer exchange, holiday internship or year-long international placement, global experience can make a world of difference to your career prospects.
In Year 3, you can complete the BA (Hons) Economics or transfer to BSc (Hons) Economics, which has a stronger focus on applied statistical knowledge and quantitative skills.
During this year, you will study a variety of units. Please note that the following list of units is indicative and may be subject to change:
The dissertation unit gives the opportunity to engage in independent study focusing on a relevant socioeconomic or social science topic which you wish to question, along with guidance and supervision. The unit encourages the development of autonomous learning, requiring a commitment to study, initiative, perseverance, self motivation and organisation in deploying knowledge, concepts and skills acquired throughout the degree. There will be a formal programme of weekly classes which will take place in the first semester. Information and support provided in dissertation classes will give students a clear idea of the process of writing a research proposal and dissertation. Students will be exposed to a range of key themes and topics related to the preparation of the research proposal, such as the clarification of the aim, objectives and research question, undertaking an extended and comprehensive critical literature review, applying the qualitative methods into the topic in practice, carrying out an in-depth analysis and presentation of clear results and conclusions. Students will work closely with supervisors in the development of research skills and meeting the demands of a sustained project including organisation, writing up and editing.
The dissertation unit gives the opportunity to engage in independent study focusing on a relevant socioeconomic topic of choice along with guidance and supervision. The unit encourages the development of autonomous learning, requiring a commitment to study, initiative, confidence, perseverance, self motivation and organisation in deploying knowledge, concepts and skills acquired throughout the degree. There will be a formal programme of weekly classes which will take place in the first semester. Information and support provided in dissertation classes will give students a clear idea of the process of writing a research proposal and dissertation. Students will be exposed to a range of key themes and topics related to the preparation of the research proposal, such as the clarification of the aim, objectives and research question, undertaking an extended and comprehensive critical literature review, applying the qualitative methods into the topic in practice, carrying out an in-depth analysis and presentation of clear results and conclusions. Students will work closely with supervisors in the development of research skills and meeting the demands of a sustained project, including organisation, writing up and editing.
The unit assesses advanced models in macro economics, with emphasis placed on their theoretical foundations and effectiveness against real world challenges. The models’ limitations in addressing economic problems emanating from the Great Recession are addressed. The focus of the unit content is the UK economy. As such, the complex nature of the economic dilemmas facing the UK government, the Bank of England and domestic organisations (such as the ONS, OBR, CBI etc.) and private sector firms are reflected. The unit will equip students with the tools required to advise policymakers, enhance their strategic decision-making skills and conduct independent research. Potential topic areas include: approaches to money creation, quantitative easing, monetary targeting, deficit financing, debt management, adjustment to economic shocks and exchange rate determination in open economy.
The unit assesses advanced models in micro economics, with emphasis placed on their theoretical foundations and effectiveness against real world challenges. The models’ limitations in resolving current economic challenges are addressed. The focus of the unit content is the UK economy. As such, topics such as the UK’s productivity puzzle, insurance and uncertainty are covered. Further issues include: decision-making under risk and uncertainty; critiques of and alternatives to expected utility theory; insurance markets; game theory; information economics. The unit will equip students with the tools required to advise policymakers, enhance their strategic decision-making skills and conduct independent research.
This unit focuses on developing skills in analysing economic questions using cross-sectional and panel data. A focus of the course is to design (micro)-econometric models to be able to answer causal questions, such as: does immigration increase unemployment? Does going to university increase your future salary? What makes people more likely to become entrepreneurs? For final-year students, their PPD will focus on career path choices and developing the personal skills required for careers in economics-related professions such as communication skills, resilience and confidence.
Econometrics II develops the theory presented in Econometrics I and considers time-series analysis. The unit determines whether economic events are to be causally related, or merely coincidentally timed. Major topics include co-integration modelling of long-term relationships, Granger Causality, Vector Autoregressions and univariate time-series forecasting. Applications include parameterising and estimating the Keynesian consumption function, considering evidence of the crime/poverty link in the UK economy and the impact of climate change on the local visitor economy.
This unit will provide students with an understanding of how economic policymakers are seeking to address ‘real world’ economic challenges – primarily in the UK, but also in other domestic environments and at the international level. It will build upon Economic Policy Institutions by analysing how political institutions and ideologies, and the distribution of power, affect the making of economic policy. Specifically, it will consider the aims, behaviour and performance of policymakers in relation to issues such as financial crisis, public service delivery, international development, trade, the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, industrial strategy, technological change and labour market inequalities.
The unit will provide students with an understanding of how economic policies are made in ‘the real world’ – primarily in the UK, but also in other domestic environments and at the international level. This will include an overview of how economic theory and data is used by economic policymakers in practice, but also how political institutions and ideologies, and the distribution of power, affect the making of economic policy, drawing upon a political economy perspective. Specifically, this unit will focus on the operation of institutions such as finance departments, central banks, local government, and international organisations. For final year students, their PPD will focus on career path choices and developing the personal skills required for careers in economics-related professions such as, communication skills, resilience and confidence.
The unit provides a critical examination of the global economy and the growing complexity of international business activity. It focuses on the nature and pattern of international economic activity, evaluating the suggested drivers of globalisation and of multinational corporations. In addition, international business environments and the various methods of servicing overseas markets will be evaluated. Finally, the growing complexity of international production systems and the new international division of labour will be discussed. Students will be able to interpret international business strategies and trends in the world economy. A good background in current affairs and international business and economic activity would be beneficial.
Assessment Details
Teaching and Learning
Our BA/BSc (Hons) Economics degree offers the chance to spend a year getting a taste of professional life. It not only gives you the opportunity to develop your core skills and learn about how a business really operates in your industry, but also shows employers that you’re ready to get to work.
Find out more about what a placement can do for you. Visit our placements page.
Study abroad
Instead of a placement, you’ll have the opportunity to spend up to a year overseas, studying with one of our partner institutions across Europe or beyond. Go abroad in the third year of your degree, and you’ll not only learn about other cultures, improve your language skills and discover more about yourself – you’ll also boost your career prospects.
Having first-hand knowledge of another country’s cultures and traditions can take you far in a range of careers. And, by going abroad, you’ll also demonstrate the kind of independent spirit and adaptability that many employers want.
Working abroad
Gaining work experience with an international flavour offers a double benefit. While you’ll learn valuable professional skills in a real-world workplace, you’ll also experience different cultures, ways of working and new perspectives. Whether it’s a summer exchange, holiday internship or year-long international placement, global experience can make a world of difference to your career prospects.
Whether you’ve already made your decision about what you want to study, or you’re just considering your options, there are lots of ways you can meet us and find out more about student life at Manchester Met.
We offer:
Your studies are supported by a department of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field.
We often link up with external professionals too, helping to enhance your learning and build valuable connections to the working world.
These typical entry requirements may be subject to change for the 2025/26 academic year. Please check back for further details.
A Levels – e.g. BBC-BBB
Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma – DMM
Pass Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 112 UCAS Tariff points
T Levels - We welcome applications from students undertaking T Level qualifications. Eligible applicants will be asked to achieve a minimum overall grade of Merit as a condition of offer.
Equivalent qualifications and combinations will be considered, including Extended Project (EPQ) at grade C or above.
AS levels (or qualifications equivalent to AS level) are not accepted.
Please contact the University directly if you are unsure whether you meet the minimum entry requirements for the course.
GCSE grade C/4 in English Language or Level 2 Functional Skills English pass
and
GCSE grade C/4 in Mathematics or Level 2 Functional Skills Mathematics pass
A Levels – e.g. BBC-BBB
Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma – DMM
Pass Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 112 UCAS Tariff points
T Levels - We welcome applications from students undertaking T Level qualifications. Eligible applicants will be asked to achieve a minimum overall grade of Merit as a condition of offer.
Equivalent qualifications and combinations will be considered, including Extended Project (EPQ) at grade C or above.
AS levels (or qualifications equivalent to AS level) are not accepted.
Please contact the University directly if you are unsure whether you meet the minimum entry requirements for the course.
There’s further information for international students on our international website if you’re applying with non-UK qualifications.
Tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year are still being finalised for all courses. You can find information on 2024/25 standard undergraduate fees for UK/Channel Islands and EU/Non-EU international students. All fees stated may be subject to change for the 2025/26 academic year.
Optional estimate: £400
All of the books required for the course are available from the library. The University also has PC labs and a laptop loan service. However, you may choose to buy some of the core textbooks for the course and/or a laptop. You may also need to print assignments and other documents. Campus printing costs start from 5p per page. Estimated costs are £300 for a laptop, and up to £100 each year for books and printing.
Find out more about financing your studies and whether you may qualify for one of our bursaries and scholarships
Money MattersMany organisations have already seen the value of having an economist on board. Upon completion of this course, you can go into roles within the public and private sector.
Examples of graduate roles include:
You can apply for this course for 2025/26 entry once UCAS applications open in autumn.
Visit UCAS for further details, including deadlines.
Get advice and support on making a successful application.
You can review our current terms and conditions before you make your application. If you are successful with your application, we will send you up to date information alongside your offer letter.
Programme review
Our programmes undergo an annual review and major review (normally
at 6 year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the
latest online learning technology. For further information on when we
may make changes to our programmes, please see the changes section of our
terms and conditions.
Important notice
This online prospectus provides an overview of our programmes of study
and the University. We regularly update our online prospectus so that
our published course information is accurate. Please check back to the
online prospectus before making an application to us to access the most
up to date information for your chosen course of study.
Confirmation of regulator
The Manchester Metropolitan University is regulated by the Office for
Students (OfS). The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education
in England. More information on the role of the OfS and its regulatory
framework can be found at
officeforstudents.org.uk.
All higher education providers registered with the OfS must have a student protection plan in place. The student protection plan sets out what students can expect to happen should a course, campus, or institution close. Access our current student protection plan.