Economics and Management BSc

About the Course

Economics courses at Brunel combine an understanding of theory with the practical skills necessary to apply your knowledge to a business, industrial, financial or government environment. It is this combination, together with a strong background in finance, that distinguishes Brunel’s courses from other economics degrees.

Aims

This course aims to produce high quality graduates with the analytical and practical skills necessary to understand and deal creatively with a range of economic, financial and management issues. It will appeal in particular to economists who would like a career in management.

Enquiries

Course Enquiries
For questions about the degree itself or Home/EU enquiries prior to application.
E-mail: admissions@brunel.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1895 265265

Application Enquiries (Home/EU)
For Home/EU applications already submitted.
E-mail: admissions@brunel.ac.uk
Tel. +44 (0)1895 265265

International Students
For all questions about this degree:
Fill in our Webform
Email: brunel-international@brunel.ac.uk
Tel. +44 (0)1895 265519

Related Courses

• Business and Management (Accounting) BSc
• Economics and Business Finance BSc
• Economics and Business Finance with Professional Development BSc

Special Features

• Many of our staff are internationally and nationally recognised for their work in this field. Many lecturers from Brunel Business School have practical and personal experience in business, have run their own companies, and/or work as consultants for major companies and government bodies. Their work is often widely published, and their academic insights and hands-on practical experience in the commercial world ensure that course content is lively, interesting, and up-to-date.
  
  
• The use of computers is an integral part of all our courses. You will make extensive use of computers attached to a powerful network. You will then be linked to other UK and international information sources. You will also become familiar with the analytical packages widely used by business and financial institutions.
  
  
• This programme results in selective exemption from some professional accountancy exams after you graduate. Not only is this a fast-track way to professional qualifications after you graduate, but it is also a symbol of the quality of the courses offered at Brunel.
  
  
• We have good links with business. This means:

Facts and Figures

Our Management specialisms include:

Small business management; human resource management; organisational change; marketing; technology and business; copy right and property rights; entrepreneurialism; gender; and management thinking and learning. Students also benefit from a University-wide specialism in eCommerce and multimedia. 

Our Economics specialisms include:

Financial markets; financial reporting; stocks and shares; mergers and acquisitions; the impact of EMU and European policies; labour-supply issues; wages; training; inflation; exchange rates; privatisation; banking; accountancy; public expenditure; economic cycles; regional development; economic policies; costs of childcare; and macroeconomics.

Necip Ozkan is studying Economics and Management

Brunel was my first choice because it ticked every box in terms of what I was looking for in a university: it’s situated on a clean and stylish campus; it’s in London; it has a very good reputation for producing strong economics graduates; and it offers economics students the opportunity to go on a work placement in the penultimate year of their studies.

Three years on and I’m thoroughly enjoying my time here. After successfully completing my first two years of study, I completed a year-long placement at HM Treasury, which was a fantastic experience. I worked as an economist in the European Economics team and was given many responsibilities. As well as providing regular briefings for the Prime Minister and Chancellor (whom I also had the opportunity to meet), I was given the role of housing market expert. This enabled me to produce high level research on the topic and I also had the opportunity to present to an audience.

The year’s work experience was hugely beneficial as it gave me the opportunity to implement and develop many core skills in a very high profile institution. At the same time, I was gaining first-hand experience in a field that genuinely interested me. Now that I’ve had a taste of it, I’m seriously considering it as a career path.

Overall, the opportunity to undertake a placement separates Brunel from most other universities in London. Brunel’s specialist Placement and Careers Centre (PCC) has very strong links with prospective employers and this can only be beneficial from a student’s perspective. I would certainly recommend Brunel to anybody considering it.

Course Content

Typical modules

• Macroeconomic Principles
• Microeconomic Principles
• Introduction to Financial Accounting
• Organizational Behaviour and Analysis
• Statistical Research Methods
• Financial Markets

• Macroeconomic Principles II
• Microeconomic Principles II
• Introduction to Economic Modelling
• Marketing Research
• Human Resource Management
• Critical Perspectives in Management
• Work Placement Module (four-year programme only)

• Economics Projects
• Managerial and Industrial Economics
• Issues and Controversies in Management

• Econometric Methods and Applications
• International Money and Finance
• Labour Economics
• Entrepreneurship and Small Business Ventures
• International Marketing
• Strategic Management
• Business Ethics, Environmental Sustainability and Governance

Final year project

In your final year you will undertake a major project which is linked to your degree. This is a piece of personal research which is often seen by prospective employers and which may stem directly from a work placement. Alternatively, the subject will be stimulated by topical issues such as directors’ pay, regulation of utilities or the European monetary union.

Teaching and Learning

Hours

You will have about 12 to14 hours of directed study a week in Level 1. This number decreases in Levels 2 and 3. Students are also expected to undertake substantial independent study.

How will I be taught?

Lectures – These provide a broad overview of key concepts and ideas relating to your course and provide you a framework from which to carry out more in depth study.

Workshops – These are generally used for modules in finance or quantitative subjects. They often take the form of working through answers to a previously distributed assignment sheet of exercise questions.

Seminars – These relatively small groups are used to examine the lecture material in more detail, and to analyse and apply theoretical concepts in specific contexts.

One-to-one – You will have one-to-one supervision for your final year dissertation, and at all levels you will have a personal tutor who is available to discuss personal and academic problems. If you go on placement, you will also be allocated a work placement tutor who will monitor your progress and provide further support if you need it.

Other – This may include guest speakers from prominent organisations, research seminars and external site visits.

Assessment

Each subject is assessed in the term when it is studied. The proportion of exam to coursework is approximately 75% to 25%, but some courses have a higher proportion of continuous assessment. Level 1 does not count towards your final degree mark. Level 2 is worth a third, and Level 3 is worth the rest. The final year dissertation is worth a third of Level 3 marks.

Employability

Economics plays a crucial role in the operation, management and regulation of financial institutions, industry and government agencies. As a senior manager in public and private enterprise, a knowledge of economics significantly enhances strategic decision making, efficient resource allocation, cost saving implementation and sustainable management. Further, such knowledge is crucial in a world of integrating global markets and the information superhighway. The aim of our teaching is to give students 'employable knowledge'.

Economics graduates from Brunel have an excellent employment record and go into a wide variety of occupations. Some go on to further study and become professional economists or accountants. Others are employed in industry, the financial sector or government. In some cases, a job offer comes from a former work placement employer.

Careers

As one of our graduates you will have a wide range of career options at your fingertips as well as key skills and knowledge which are in great demand.

Past graduates have gone on to work in the following areas:

• The City: Merrill Lynch (Brokers), NatWest (Financing Futures)
• Chartered Accountancy: PricewaterhouseCoopers, KPMG
• Central Government: the Bank of England, the Treasury, the Cabinet Office, the Department of Transport
• Local Government: Finance Departments, Corporate Planning, the National Audit Office, Health Trusts/Authorities
• Industry: BP, Rank Xerox, Marks and Spencer, ICL
• Other: CBI, the Civil Aviation Authority, British Airways

Placements

You can choose to study either a traditional three-year course or the prestigious four-year sandwich course. Sandwich course students have the chance to undertake paid, professional work experience in the heart of the financial, business and public sector, in the UK or overseas. You will gain invaluable professional skills and knowledge through work replacement, leading to a higher employability.

The positive impact of a sandwich placement on graduate employment outcomes across Brunel is considerable. Those who have done placements are also much more likely to be in employment for which their degree was a formal requirement or where they believe their degree gave them a competitive advantage in recruitment.

Placement leavers from Economics and Finance experienced the following outcomes:

• 87.2% progressed into employment or further study
• 76.5% were engaged in a graduate-level activity (employment or further study)
• 75.8% employed leavers were working in the top three categories of graduate level employment
• The average starting salary was £24,800.
  

Fees for 2013/14 entry

UK/EU students: £9,000 full-time

International students: £12,000 full-time

We are introducing over 700 scholarships for 2013, meaning that one in five applicants who join Brunel next year will receive financial support from the University. See our fees and funding page for full details

Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to an annual increase.

Entry Requirements for 2013 Entry

• GCE A-level ABB, with a Grade C in AS-level Maths or Statistics (if A level Maths is taken, grade B will be required) (General Studies/Critical Thinking not accepted).
• Irish Leaving Certificate AABBB, including Maths or Statistics.
• Scottish Advanced Highers ABB, including Maths or Statistics.
• Advanced Diploma Progression Diploma Grade A in Business, Administration and Finance or Public Services, including A-level Maths/Statistics at Grade C for Additional and Specialist Learning.
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma D*DD in a related subject, plus Grade C in AS-level Maths or Statistics.
• IBDP 33 points, including 5 in Standard Maths or 4 in Higher Maths.
• Access Complete and pass a related subject Access course with 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher, plus grade C in AS-level Mathematics or Statistics.

For all of the above, 5 GCSEs or equivalent at Grade C or above are also required, to include English and Maths at grade B (please note that these must have been gained by the time you submit your UCAS application).

English Language Requirements

Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.