Overview
We’re ranked 7th in London for Economics (Complete University Guide 2026).
Sharpen your economics and maths skills on this one-year course before progressing to an economics, finance or accounting degree. Enjoy the benefits of studying in an inter-disciplinary department with expert lecturers from a range of subjects. This course is great for taking your algebra, calculus and statistics to another level before starting your degree – without having to re-apply to UCAS.
Once you have successfully completed your foundation year, with the grades required for your chosen degree course, you can progress directly into Level 1 of that degree.
The BSc courses linked to this foundation year are:
- BSc Banking and Finance
- BSc Economics
- BSc Economics and Accounting
- BSc Economics and Business Finance
- BSc Economics and Management
- BSc Finance and Accounting
- BSc Accountancy
Accreditation by ACCA, CIMA and ICAEW is available on selected BSc courses.
Whether it's been a while since you last studied, you want to improve on your previous academic performance, or you’re just ready to try something new, your foundation year gives you the basics needed to go on and graduate with a full degree.
You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.
Course content
The foundation year is designed to improve your skills in economics and maths to the level required to begin BSc degrees in economics and finance.
Compulsory
- Introduction to Finance and Accounting for Business
- Study Skills
- Economics
- Calculus
- Statistics
Optional
- Algebra A
- Algebra B
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This course has a placement option. Find out more about work placements available.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Careers and your future
Our aim is to teach you ‘employable knowledge’, which can be applied to real-world situations giving you the skills you need to find the right role after you graduate. Therefore, you’ll be well prepared for work, especially if you undertake a work placement. Securing economics and finance degree jobs is highly competitive so we’ll support you to gain a strong foundation in the skills employers are looking for. We offer opportunities within the Department of Economics and Finance as well as through the University’s Professional Development Centre (PDC) to help you build skills and experience.
Our graduates are employed in many fields, with roles at NatWest (Financing Futures), PricewaterhouseCoopers and KPMG, the Treasury and Bank of England. Within industry, graduates are working at businesses like BP, Xerox and Marks and Spencer.
UK entry requirements
2026/7 entry
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Brunel University London is committed to raising the aspirations of our applicants and students. We will fully review your UCAS application and, where we’re able to offer a place, this will be personalised to you based on your application and education journey.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants as well as our full GCSE requirements and accepted equivalencies in place of GCSEs.
Five GCSEs at grade C or grade 4 and above are also required, to include Maths and English Language.
Standard Offer: CCD
Contextual Offer: CDD
We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who meet one or more of our contextual markers – please see our contextual admissions page for more information.
Standard Offer: MMM
Contextual Offer: MMP
We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who meet one or more of our contextual markers – please see our contextual admissions page for more information.
Standard Offer: MM in any subject with A level grade D
Contextual Offer: MP in any subject with A level grade C
We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who meet one or more of our contextual markers – please see our contextual admissions page for more information.
Standard Offer: Merit in any subject with A level grade CD
Contextual Offer: Merit in any subject with A level grade DD
We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who meet one or more of our contextual markers – please see our contextual admissions page for more information.
Standard Offer: International Baccalaureate Diploma 26 points. GCSE English equivalent SL 5 or HL 4 and Mathematics SL 2 or HL 2
Contextual Offer: International Baccalaureate Diploma 25 points. GCSE English equivalent SL 5 or HL 4 and Mathematics SL 2 or HL 2
We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who meet one or more of our contextual markers – please see our contextual admissions page for more information.
Standard Offer: Obtain a minimum of 88 UCAS tariff points in the Access to HE Diploma course with 45 credits at Level 3
Contextual Offer: Obtain a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points in the Access to HE Diploma course with 45 credits at Level 3
We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who meet one or more of our contextual markers – please see our contextual admissions page for more information.
Pass (C or above on the core)
If your qualification isn't listed above, please contact the Admissions Office by emailing admissions@brunel.ac.uk or call +44 (0)1895 265265 to check whether it's accepted and to find out what a typical offer might be.
Brunel's committed to raising the aspirations of our applicants and students. We'll fully review your UCAS application and, where we’re able to offer a place, this will be personalised to you based on your application and education journey.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants, as well as our full GCSE requirements and accepted equivalencies in place of GCSEs.
EU and International entry requirements
If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6 (min 5.5 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all sub scores)
- BrunELT: 58% (min 55% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 77 (min R18, L17, S20, W17)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2026/27 entry
UK
£9,790 full-time
£1,385 placement year
International
£17,400 full-time
£1,385 placement year
Fees quoted are per year and may be subject to an annual increase. Home undergraduate student fees are regulated and are currently capped at £9,535 per year; any changes will be subject to changes in government policy.
For the 2026/27 academic year, tuition fees for home students will be £9,790, subject to Parliamentary approval.
In England and Wales, tuition fees for home undergraduate students are subject to the Government fee cap. The Government has confirmed that this will be £9,790 for 2026/27 and £10,050 for 2027/28 (subject to Parliamentary approval).
From 2028 onwards, the fee cap is expected to rise annually in line with inflation. This means your tuition fees in future years may increase to reflect these changes.
More information on any additional course-related costs.
See our fees and funding page for full details of undergraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Please refer to the scholarships pages to view discounts available to eligible EU undergraduate applicants.
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Modules are assessed by combinations of coursework and examination.
Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.
