Bachelor of Arts (BAEcon)

BAEcon Economics and Philosophy

Develop specialist knowledge and your own response to current economic issues.
  • Duration: 3 or 4 years
  • Year of entry: 2025
  • UCAS course code: LV15 / Institution code: M20
  • Key features:
  • Study abroad
  • Industrial experience

Full entry requirementsHow to apply

Course description

It has been so wonderful and there are always ways to feel involved, meet people, engage with staff, and with the outside community.

I really do feel a part of Manchester - and not just as a student!

Sammun Mumtaz / Economics student

The BA(Econ) is an interdisciplinary course allowing you to specialise in Economics plus other social science units such as philosophy, politics, and sociology.

You have the flexibility to either delve into technical units in Economics such as Econometrics and Mathematical Economics or combine Economics units covering inequality and climate change with social science units to develop a well-rounded understanding on social issues.

Our Philosophy department covers a wide range of specialisms and choice of optional units, so you can tailor your studies to suit your interests.

Economics and all joint social science pathways share a common first year, allowing you to switch to a different pathway after Year 1, if you want to.

Special features

Leading research

The Economics Department is proud to be a leading centre for economic research, scholarship and research-led teaching in all areas of the discipline, including financial economics, economic theory and econometrics.

The Manchester Accounting and Finance Group is one of the leading and largest accounting and finance units in Europe and rated among top three in the UK. We have strong links with the three main UK accounting bodies: ACCA, CIMA and ICAEW, as well as the 'Big 4' accounting companies.

Study abroad

If you would like to broaden your horizons and your degree, you can apply to study overseas for a year at one of our partner universities. You apply in Year 2 to spend a year abroad in Year 3. If successful, you will put together a programme of study at the host university in consultation with your Academic Exchange Advisor, to complement your studies at Manchester. You will then come back to Manchester to study for a fourth year and graduate with a degree title including ‘with International Study'. See The University of Manchester Study Abroad pages for more information.

Professional Experience Year

You apply in Year 1 to boost your employability through a paid Professional Experience Year. If you meet the criteria, the Professional Experience Team and Careers Service will work with you to find a suitable placement in Year 2.

You will complete your Professional Experience Year in Year 3 extending your degree to four years, before returning to University to finish your final year.

Your degree title will include 'with Professional Experience', giving you an advantage of work experience when entering the graduate jobs market.

Teaching and learning

Course units feature formal lectures supported by smaller tutorials or seminars, where you explore the contents of lectures and recommended reading in greater depth. 

Tutorials and seminars are key in improving your written and oral communication skills through group discussions, essay-writing, and presentations. 

You are assigned an Academic Advisor who takes a friendly interest in your progress, and can advise you on selecting course units and career opportunities.

Coursework and assessment

The way that you study and are assessed will depend on which course units you choose. Our methods are designed to promote in-depth learning and understanding, including: 

  • essays, coursework, and other mid-term evaluations; 
  • dissertations; 
  • presentations; 
  • group projects; 
  • exams.

Course content for year 1

Year 1 gives you a broad introduction to Economics and Social Sciences. This will help you decide what to study in Years 2 and 3.

You will take 120 credits overall made up of:

  • 40 credits of Economics;
  • 20 credits of either Introductory or Advanced Mathematics/Statistics (depending on your A-level qualifications or equivalent);
  • 10 credits of an introductory core unit in Social Sciences;
  • 40 credits from a list of Social Sciences optional units (eg, Politics, Philosophy, Sociology, Social Anthropology and Data Analytics);
  • 10 credits other optional courses (e.g., Introduction to Mathematical Economics, Economic History, Development Studies, accounting and Finance).

At the end of your Year 1, you have the option to switch to a different pathway.

Course units for year 1

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Microeconomics 2 ECON10232 10 Mandatory
Macroeconomics 1 ECON10241 10 Mandatory
Macroeconomics 2 ECON10262 10 Mandatory
Microeconomics 1 ECON10331 10 Mandatory
Power and Value: Perspectives from Social Sciences SOCS15001 10 Mandatory
Fundamentals of Finance BMAN10552 10 Optional
Fundamentals of Financial Reporting B BMAN10621B 10 Optional
An Introduction to Development Studies ECON10002 10 Optional
Introductory Mathematics ECON10061 10 Optional
Computing for Social Scientists ECON10151 10 Optional
Introduction to Mathematical Economics ECON10192 10 Optional
Economic History ECON10212 10 Optional
Introduction to Ethics PHIL10021 20 Optional
Critical Thinking PHIL10042 20 Optional
Introduction to Metaphysics and Epistemology PHIL10622 20 Optional
Introduction to Philosophy of Mind PHIL10631 20 Optional
Introduction to Comparative Politics POLI10201 20 Optional
Introduction to Comparative Politics POLI10202 20 Optional
Making Sense of Politics POLI10302 20 Optional
British Politics: Power and the State POLI10401 20 Optional
Politics of the Global Economy POLI10502 20 Optional
Introduction to International Politics POLI10601 20 Optional
Introduction to Political Theory POLI10702 20 Optional
Power and Culture: Inequality in Everyday Life SOAN10301 10 Optional
Cultural Diversity in Global Perspective SOAN10312 10 Optional
Introduction to Business Anthropology: Consumers, Companies and Culture SOAN10361 20 Optional
Environment and Society SOCY10201 20 Optional
Inequalities in Contemporary British Society SOCY10402 20 Optional
Contested Foundations of Social Thought SOCY10421 20 Optional
Contemporary Social Thought SOCY10432 20 Optional
Media, Culture & Society SOCY10442 20 Optional
Global Social Challenges SOCY10461 20 Optional
Getting Personal: Intimacy and Connectedness in Everyday Life SOCY10471 20 Optional
Work, Organisations and Society SOCY10912 20 Optional
Understanding Social Media SOST10012 20 Optional
Measuring Inequalities (Unequal Societies) SOST10021 20 Optional
Introductory Statistics for Economists SOST10062 10 Optional
Applied Statistics for Social Scientists SOST10142 20 Optional
Displaying 10 of 38 course units for year 1

Course content for year 2

In Year 2, you study your chosen pathway in depth and take 120 credits over the year.

Single pathway

You take a maximum of 80 credits in your single pathway and up to 40 credits from other pathways from the BA(Econ).

Joint pathway

You also take a maximum of 80 credits in any one pathway but have the freedom to split these between the two disciplines depending on what you would like to study.

Free choice units

You can also take up to 20 credits from across the University. For example:

Course units for year 2

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Fundamentals of Finance BMAN10552 10 Optional
Fundamentals of Management Accounting BMAN10632 10 Optional
Investment Analysis BMAN20072 10 Optional
Financial Markets and Institutions BMAN21011 10 Optional
Financial Reporting and Accountability BMAN21020A 20 Optional
Intermediate Management Accounting BMAN21040A 20 Optional
Foundations of Finance A BMAN23000A 20 Optional
Mergers & Acquisitions: Financial Perspectives BMAN24102 10 Optional
FinTech, Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies BMAN24582 20 Optional
Business Law 1: Common Law and Common Business Liabilities BMAN24761 10 Optional
An Introduction to Development Studies ECON10002 10 Optional
Computing for Social Scientists ECON10151 10 Optional
Managerial Economics I ECON20001 20 Optional
Microeconomics 3 ECON20021 10 Optional
Microeconomics 4 ECON20022 10 Optional
Macroeconomics 3 ECON20031 10 Optional
Macroeconomics 4 ECON20032 10 Optional
Advanced Mathematics ECON20071 10 Optional
Advanced Statistics ECON20072 10 Optional
Environmental Economics ECON20101 10 Optional
Mathematical Economics I ECON20120 20 Optional
Introduction to Mathematical Economics ECON20192 10 Optional
Quantitative Methods ECON20222 20 Optional
Development Economics: Growth, Capital Accumulation and Structural Change ECON20321 10 Optional
Development Economics: Understanding Poverty ECON20332 10 Optional
Economics for Public Policy ECON20431 10 Optional
Macroeconomic Analysis 3 ECON20521 10 Optional
History of Economic Thought ECON20601 10 Optional
Energy Economics and Policy ECON20612 20 Optional
Philosophy of Religion PHIL20021 20 Optional
Philosophy of Race PHIL20042 20 Optional
Formal Logic PHIL20141 20 Optional
Ethics PHIL20232 20 Optional
20th Century Analytical Philosophy PHIL20242 20 Optional
Philosophy of Science PHIL20261 20 Optional
Introduction to Political Theory POLI10702 20 Optional
Politics by Numbers POLI20311 20 Optional
Security Studies POLI20332 20 Optional
Questions About International Politics POLI20521 20 Optional
Politics & Society in Britain Since 1940: From Blitz to Brexit POLI20531 20 Optional
Arguing About Politics: Political Theory in the World POLI20602 20 Optional
The Politics of Globalisation POLI20711 20 Optional
The Politics of Development POLI20722 20 Optional
Gender and Politics in Comparative Perspective POLI20742 20 Optional
The Politics of Policy Making POLI20802 20 Optional
Ideals of Social Justice POLI20881 20 Optional
Injustice and Resistance POLI20961 20 Optional
Environmental Politics POLI20982 20 Optional
Comparative West European Politics POLI21001 20 Optional
Southern European Politics POLI21012 20 Optional
Asia-Pacific Security POLI21041 20 Optional
Anthropology of Kinship, Gender and Sex SOAN20802 20 Optional
Anthropology of Religion SOAN20812 20 Optional
Political and Economic Anthropology SOAN20821 20 Optional
The Ethnographer's Craft SOAN20841 20 Optional
Materiality and Representation SOAN20852 20 Optional
Contested Foundations of Social Thought SOCY10421 20 Optional
Contemporary Social Thought SOCY10432 20 Optional
Work, Economy and Society SOCY20032 20 Optional
Social Network Analysis SOCY20042 20 Optional
Education and Society SOCY20052 20 Optional
Qualitative Research Design & Methods SOCY20091 20 Optional
Sustainability, Consumption & Global Responsibilities SOCY20231 20 Optional
Global Migration SOCY20272 20 Optional
Social Change in China SOCY20281 20 Optional
Decolonising Sociology SOCY20302 20 Optional
Youth, Politics & Activism in Contemporary Europe SOCY20411 20 Optional
Social Class and Inequality in Britain SOCY20601 20 Optional
Families, Relationships and Everyday Life SOCY20702 20 Optional
Gender, Sexuality and Culture SOCY20892 20 Optional
Racism and Ethnicity in the UK SOCY20961 20 Optional
Essentials of survey design and analysis SOST20022 20 Optional
Market Research SOST20042 10 Optional
Answering Social Research Questions with Statistical Models SOST20131 20 Optional
Applied Statistics for Social Scientists SOST20142 20 Optional
Displaying 10 of 75 course units for year 2

Course content for year 3

In Year 3, you take 120 credits depending on your chosen pathway.

Single pathway

You will take a minimum of 80 credits in your single area and up to 40 credits from other pathways from the BA (Econ).

Joint pathway

You will choose a selection of units in each of the two pathways to fulfil your credit requirements. You will also have an option to do a 20-credit dissertation working with a Philosophy Supervisor to develop your thesis.

Free choice units

You can also take up to 20 credits from across the University, such as:

Course units for year 3

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Business Law 2: Law and the Modern Corporation in an International Context BMAN24052 10 Optional
Contemporary Issues in Financial Reporting and Regulation BMAN30030 20 Optional
International Finance BMAN30060 20 Optional
Share Prices and Accounting Information BMAN30071 10 Optional
Financial Derivatives BMAN30091 10 Optional
Advanced Corporate Finance BMAN30111A 20 Optional
Accountability and Auditing BMAN30131 10 Optional
Corporate Governance in Context BMAN30211 10 Optional
Financial Engineering BMAN30242 10 Optional
Corporate Contracting and Managerial Behaviour BMAN30702 10 Optional
Advanced Management Accounting BMAN31040 20 Optional
Case Studies In Digital Transformation BMAN32051 10 Optional
Mathematical Economics I ECON20120 20 Optional
Quantitative Methods ECON20222 20 Optional
Development Economics: Growth, Capital Accumulation and Structural Change ECON20321 10 Optional
Development Economics: Understanding Poverty ECON20332 10 Optional
Advanced Microeconomics ECON30001 20 Optional
Advanced Macroeconomics ECON30002 20 Optional
Topics in Inequality & Poverty ECON30041 20 Optional
The Chinese Economy ECON30102 10 Optional
Natural Resource Economics ECON30232 10 Optional
Mathematical Economics II ECON30290 20 Optional
Mathematical Economics I ECON30320 20 Optional
Micro Econometrics ECON30342 10 Optional
Econometrics ECON30370 20 Optional
Mathematical Finance ECON30382 10 Optional
Financial Economics ECON30432 10 Optional
Topics in Development Economics ECON30451 20 Optional
Topics in Economic History ECON30542 20 Optional
Money, Banking & Financial Markets ECON30852 10 Optional
Managerial Economics II ECON31002 20 Optional
Advanced Econometrics ECON31031 20 Optional
Climate Change Economics and Policy ECON32111 10 Optional
Public Economics ECON32121 10 Optional
Behavioural Economics ECON32151 20 Optional
International Trade and Policy ECON32191 20 Optional
Health Economics ECON32202 10 Optional
Topics in Economic Growth ECON32221 20 Optional
Topics in Labour Economics ECON32242 20 Optional
Econometrics and Data Science ECON32252 20 Optional
Macroeconomics of Development ECON33001 20 Optional
Topics in Applied Macroeconometrics ECON33021 20 Optional
Topics in Education Economics ECON33032 20 Optional
Dissertation Semester 1 PHIL30001 20 Optional
Dissertation Semester 2 PHIL30002 20 Optional
Founding Mothers: Women Philosophers and their Role in The Development of Analytic Philosophy PHIL30351 20 Optional
Philosophy of Psychology PHIL30361 20 Optional
Philosophy of Action PHIL30552 20 Optional
Advanced Topics in Aesthetics PHIL30621 20 Optional
The Politics of the European Union POLI30032 20 Optional
Morality and Markets POLI30112 20 Optional
The Politics and Philosophy of Nationalism POLI30191 20 Optional
Gender, Sex and Politics POLI30231 20 Optional
Elections and Voters in Britain POLI30241 20 Optional
Dimensions of Peace and Conflict: Disciplinary and Regional Approaches POLI30262 20 Optional
Political Morality and Dirty Hands POLI30272 20 Optional
Chinese Politics POLI30282 20 Optional
Public Policy Problems POLI30292 20 Optional
Introduction to International Political Economy POLI30721 20 Optional
Gender, War & Militarism POLI30791 20 Optional
Africa & Global Politics POLI30862 20 Optional
War Memories and Reconciliation in East Asia POLI31011 20 Optional
Understanding Political Choice in Britain POLI31042 20 Optional
American Politics: Why Do They Do That? POLI31061 20 Optional
Knowledge Production in Peace-building: Practices and Processes POLI31081 20 Optional
Global Capitalism, Crisis and Revolt POLI31091 20 Optional
Contemporary Parliamentary Studies and the British Political Tradition POLI32041 20 Optional
Postcolonial Politics POLI32062 20 Optional
Between War and Peace POLI32071 20 Optional
The International Political Economy of Trade POLI32082 20 Optional
Race, Ethnicity, Migration POLI32161 20 Optional
Ukraine Rises: Democracy, Protest, Identity and War in Comparative Perspective POLI32172 20 Optional
Capitalism and Sexuality POLI32182 20 Optional
Indian Politics in Comparative Perspective POLI32192 20 Optional
Decolonising Human Rights POLI32212 20 Optional
Feminist Policymaking in Global Politics POLI32221 20 Optional
The Human and the Digital SOAN20871 20 Optional
Anthropology of Development and Humanitarianism SOAN30111 20 Optional
The Anthropology of Health and Wellbeing SOAN30251 20 Optional
Anthropology of Human Learning: Childhood and Education SOAN30372 20 Optional
Ethnographies and Adventures in Manchester SOAN30382 20 Optional
Anthropology of Displacement and Migration SOAN30452 20 Optional
Screening Culture SOAN30791 20 Optional
Anthropology of Vision, Senses and Memory SOAN30811 20 Optional
Food and Eating: The Cultural Body SOAN30882 20 Optional
Sociology of Human Animal Relations SOCY30042 20 Optional
Cities and Urban Life SOCY30061 20 Optional
Racism and Resistance in Education SOCY30102 20 Optional
Identity, Power & Modernity SOCY30171 20 Optional
Material Culture: The Social Life of Things SOCY30192 20 Optional
A Sense of Inequality SOCY30242 20 Optional
Sociology of Mental Health & Illness SOCY30261 20 Optional
Connections matter: Sociological Applications of Social Networks SOCY30292 20 Optional
Security, Radical Uncertainty and Global Pandemics SOCY30352 20 Optional
Power and Protest SOCY30462 20 Optional
Social Thought from the Global South SOCY30501 20 Optional
Visualising Society & Social Life: Photography in focus SOCY30521 20 Optional
Art and Society SOCY30731 20 Optional
The Survey Method in Social Research SOST20012 20 Optional
Essentials of survey design and analysis SOST20022 20 Optional
Introduction to Population Development & Social Change SOST20151 20 Optional
Theory & Method in Demography SOST30012 20 Optional
Network Analysis SOST30022 20 Optional
Data Science Modelling SOST30062 20 Optional
Causal Inference for Policies, Interventions and Experiments SOST30172 20 Optional
Displaying 10 of 105 course units for year 3

Course content for year 4

If you are selected for the Professional Experience opportunity in Year 3, then you will take Year 3 course content in Year 4.

If completing a year abroad, you will take the Year 3 course content in Year 4.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service.

For more information, please email dass@manchester.ac.uk .