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BA(Hons) Business Management and Economics (with Foundation Year)

Entry year
2024/25
Course code
NL1F
Application
UCAS
Level
Undergraduate
School
Bristol Business School
Tariff points
48
Campus
Frenchay
Duration
Four years full-time; Five years Sandwich
Delivery
Full-time; Sandwich
Programme leader
Deborah Kinnear

This course is open for applications

Page last updated 4 December 2023

Introduction

After graduating, you'll be eligible for a placement with the Government Economic Service (GES), one of the biggest employers of economists in the UK. You could work for all sorts of government agencies around the world.

Why business management and economics?

In an ever-changing global economy, economics in business is becoming increasingly significant.

Combining this discipline with business will broaden your knowledge, open up career paths and provide context when applying theory and practice to real-world businesses.

Why UWE Bristol?

BA(Hons) Business Management and Economics teaches a 50/50 split of academic disciplines in economics alongside a vocational knowledge of business.

If you're interested in a future in business and intrigued by economics, this is the perfect next step for you.

Bristol Business School will help you develop the practical skills you need for a future in the public or private sector. Discover how to use specialist tools for economic analysis. Learn excellent managerial skills, analytical expertise and how to factor the role of ethics and sustainability into decision making.

Regular guest speakers and case studies mean you'll broaden your knowledge of the industry, and stay on top of the latest developments.

Where can it take me?

With our emphasis on employability, you'll graduate with the skills and experience that you (and your future employer) need to succeed.

Our graduates go on to careers in business analysis, management, marketing, personnel, strategic management and planning in private and public sector organisations.

If you choose further study, you'll be ready for a master's in areas like financial management, economics, human resource management and marketing.

UWE Economics (BA and BSc Economics)

Economics at UWE Bristol is an exciting and cutting-edge applied course which focuses on real and relevant issues, using and applying the latest post-crisis economic theory. In this video Bristol Business School alumni and staff tell you about studying Economics at UWE Bristol, the opportunities available and the skills students take with them into the world of work.

Structure

Content

The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.

Year zero (foundation year)

You will study:

  • Becoming a Professional
  • Introduction to Organisations, Enterprise and Management 
  • Economics and Accounting for the Real World
  • Introduction to Law in a Social, Business and Global Context.

You normally need to pass your foundation year before going into Year one. 

Year one

You will study:

  • Introduction to Management
  • Economic Reasoning
  • Understanding Business and Financial Information (Accounting, Economics and Finance)
  • Introductory Microeconomics
  • Introductory Macroeconomics
  • Understanding Organisations and People (Accounting, Economics and Finance)
  • Understanding the Principles of Marketing (Accounting, Economics and Finance)
  • Statistics and Data Management.

Year two

You will study:

  • Managing People
  • Management and Cost Accounting
  • Economic Theory, Policy and Applications
  • Research Methods for Business
  • Operations and Business Systems  
  • Good Business, Bad Business and Sustainability.

Plus, two optional modules from:

  • Emerging Economies
  • Economics of Money, Banking and Finance
  • International Trade and Multinational Business
  • Introductory Econometrics
  • The Wellbeing of People and Society.

Placement year (if applicable)

If you study on the four year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year away from the University on a work or study placement after Year two.

Depending on which you choose, you'll either complete a placement learning or learning and development module.

See the Placements and Fees sections for more information.

Final year       

You will study:

  • Strategic Management (Accounting, Economics and Finance)
  • Applied Economics
  • Managing Organisational Change (Accounting, Economics and Finance)
  • Sustainable Business
  • Work Integrated Learning or Cross Cultural Learning and Development or Placement Learning or Learning and Development on Study Year Abroad.

Plus, one major project from:

  • Applied Business Project
  • Business Project
  • Final Year Project.

Plus optional modules from (the number depending on credit requirements): 

  • The Economics of Developing Countries
  • Econometrics
  • Economic Issues in International Business
  • Behavioural Economics
  • Islamic Banking and Finance
  • Political Economy
  • Economics of International Financial Markets
  • Interactive and Digital Marketing
  • Public Relations
  • Competing through Quality
  • Organisational Leadership
  • Integrated Business Simulation
  • Global Marketing Management
  • Feminist and Gender Economics.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we will inform you.

Learning and Teaching

You'll learn through a mix of tutor-led learning, independent student-led study and group projects.

Lectures, workshops/seminars and group project work make up 12 hours of contact time each week and you'll spend at least as much time again studying independently. This includes research, online work and preparation for assessment.

During your foundation year, you'll become a reflective learner and begin developing skills you'll need later on, such as self reliance and collaboration.

You'll go on to develop your communication and presentation skills and IT and numeracy skills, with a strong focus on data interpretation and analysis. Your improved problem solving, critical thinking, analysis, evaluation and innovation skills will help you stand out as a graduate.

You can gain work experience through short-term internships, paid work as a Student Ambassador or Peer Assisted Learning Leader, or through volunteering.

See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.

Approximate percentage of time you'll spend in different learning activities*:

YearScheduled learning and teaching studyIndependent studyPlacement study
024%76%0%
124%76%0%
224%76%0%
321%79%0%

*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year

Assessment

You'll be assessed through a mix of coursework and examinations to assess what you know and can do and help you develop the confidence and skills that employers value.

You'll complete essays and reports, business plans and applied research projects, portfolios and weekly notes, and assessed group and individual presentations and posters. You'll also reflect and comment on your own learning and personal development.

See our full glossary of assessment terms.

Approximate percentage of marks awarded by each assessment method*:

YearWritten exam assessmentCoursework assessmentPractical exam assessment
036%41%23%
134%54%12%
247%50%3%
338%60%2%

*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year

Features

Placements

We encourage you to do a 40-week paid sandwich placement after Year two. It can be in the UK or abroad.

You'll be eligible for a placement with the Government Economic Service (GES), one of the biggest employers of economists in the UK.

Study year abroad

You'll also have opportunities to study overseas on courses that are taught in English and relevant to your degree. The study year abroad is not a paid placement.

Study facilities

In our new £55m Bristol Business School, you'll have access to cutting-edge learning spaces like the Bloomberg financial trading room. Training in this state-of-the-art financial platform will give you a commanding view of global finance.

Designed with student input, the Business School offers learning spaces for individual and group study plus conference rooms you can book. It's a space for students and businesses to come together, collaborate and form new partnerships.

In our specialist library, business librarians manage vast collections to support your research. You'll have access to industry databases on and off campus, including recommended books, trade press and academic journals.

You'll also use exclusive databases and specialist software used by your future employers.

Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities and resources.

Take a Virtual Tour of the Business Management facilities and see what's on offer here for you.

UWE Bristol Trading and Investment Society (UWETIS)

Founded in 2011, this society brings together students who want to share knowledge and interest in finance and investing.

Through the virtual money fund, members can apply financial theory and analysis in real-life settings. Members also attend lectures by industry experts, networking events and trading games.

The society has excellent connections with major banks and accountancy firms and organises regular social events and trips.

UWE Bristol Economics Society

This society is open to students with an interest in economics. Members attend subsidised field trips, networking events and talks from guest speakers, as well as regular socials.  

Life

Accommodation

An excellent range of options for all of the Bristol campuses and the city centre.

Bristol

A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.

Sports, societies and activities

There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.

Health and Wellbeing

We provide support in the way you need it.

Campus and facilities

Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.

Careers

Careers / Further study

This degree is an ideal launch pad for a career in business analysis, management, marketing, personnel, strategic management and planning in either private or public sector organisations.

We have an excellent relationship with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and many of our graduates have started careers with them.

If you choose further study at UWE Bristol, you'll be ready for a master's in areas like financial management, economics, human resource management and marketing.

Get inspired

Our award-winning careers service will develop your employment potential through career coaching and find you graduate jobs, placements and global opportunities.

We can also help find local volunteering and community opportunities, provide support for entrepreneurial activity and get you access to employer events.

Visit our Employability pages to find out about careers, employers and what our students are doing six months after graduating.

Fees

Supplementary fee information

Your overall entitlement to funding is based on how long the course is that you're registered on. Standard funding is allocated based on the standard number of years that your course lasts, plus one additional year.

You'll apply for funding each year that you study and Student Finance will take into account how long the course is in each year that you apply. So if you register for the five year course and then transfer to the four year course, the number of years you can apply for funding will change. Student Finance will reassess your funding based on how many years you have been in study, not just those years for which you received student finance.

Always seek advice before taking any action that may have implications for your funding.

Learn more about funding.

Additional costs

This refers to items you could need during your studies that aren't covered by the standard tuition fee. These could be materials, textbooks, travel, clothing, software or printing.

Learn more about costs.

Entry

Typical offers

  • Tariff points: 48
  • Contextual tariff: See our contextual offers page.
  • GCSE: Grade C/4 in English and Mathematics, or equivalent.
  • English Language Requirement: International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).

    *The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Please visit our English language requirements page.

  • A-level subjects: No specific subjects required.
  • EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: No specific subjects required.

    For information on required Guided Learning Hours please see our minimum entry requirements page.

  • Access: No specific subjects required.
  • Baccalaureate IB: No specific subjects required.
  • Irish Highers: No specific subjects required.
  • T Levels: No specific subjects required.

Entry requirements

If you exceed the entry requirements you may be eligible for BA(Hons) Business Management and Economics.

International applicants

If you are an international student your recommended route of study for this degree is through our International College, which upon successful completion to the required level and with good attendance, guarantees entry to Year one of the degree.

Read more about entry requirements.

How to apply

Read more about undergraduate applications.

For further information

Unistats

UWE Main Campus

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