- UCAS course code
- L100
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Bachelor of Arts (BAEcon)
BAEcon Economics
Duration: 3 or 4 years
Year of entry: 2026
UCAS course code: L100 / Institution code: M20
- Key features:
Study abroad
Industrial experience
- Typical A-level offer: AAA including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: ABB including specific subjects
- UK refugee/care-experienced offer: BBB including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 36 points overall with 6,6,6 at HL, including specific subjects
Overview
Course overview
- Develop an all-round understanding of social issues with economics and social sciences course units.
- Specialise in economics, or economics plus another social science.
- Enjoy the opportunity to study abroad or complete a professional placement.
- Study at a university ranked 6th in the UK, and in the top 40 globally, for Economics (Times Higher Education Ranking by Subject 2024).
- Our Economics department has been home to four Nobel Laureates. Our latest Nobel Prize winner, Simon Johnson, received his award in 2024 for his groundbreaking research into understanding wealth disparities between different nations.
A study experience that makes a difference
We place social responsibility at the heart of your learning which means you can take advantage of unique ways to make a difference while studying with us, through your course or through extra-curricular activities.
- Complete our Ethical Grand Challenges to learn how you can create a better world and become more socially responsible.
- Work with an external organisation to tackle real-world sustainability problems through our University Living Lab.
- Discover subjects that broaden your horizon with our interdisciplinary learning opportunities.
Explore how you'll make your mark
Every course at Manchester contributes towards the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, so no matter what you're studying you'll be playing an active role in the protection of people and planet.
You will explore the following goals in your course:
- Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
Open days
We are pleased to announce that we are returning to hosting on-campus open days in the summer and autumn.
Please see open days for the dates, registration, and other information.
If you're a prospective student, you can also find out more about student life by chatting with our student ambassadors at a time that suits you, and ask any questions you may have about life at Manchester.
Please check our Coronavirus FAQs for the most up to date information regarding events.
You can also look at our virtual open day content to help you learn more about the University.
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- School of Social Sciences
- Contact name
- Social Sciences Undergraduate Admissions
- Telephone
- +44 (0) 161 306 0100
- ug.baecon@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- https://www.socialsciences.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/about-baecon/
- School/Faculty overview
-
See: School Subjects
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
Entry requirements
A-level
AAA, including at least one of the following A-Level subjects (preference will be given to applicants studying two of these subjects):
Accounting; Economics; Finance; Business Studies; Development Studies; Government and Politics; Economic and Social History; Mathematics; Anthropology; Sociology; Philosophy; Religious Studies; English Language; English Literature; Geography; Psychology; Classical Civilisation; History; Archaeology; Communication Studies; Environmental Studies; World Development; Biology; Chemistry; Physics; Modern Languages.
We accept native language A Levels providing they are taken in the same sitting as your other subjects. We will not accept thecombination of Mathematics, Further Mathematics and a native language.
We accept the Level 3 Diploma in Financial Studies (DipFS) as equivalent to an A-level if taken alongside two full A-levels from the list of acceptable subjects above
Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken.
Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels.
A-level contextual offer
ABB, including at least one of the following A-Level subjects (preference will be given to applicants studying two of these subjects):
Accounting; Economics; Finance; Business Studies; Development Studies; Government and Politics; Economic and Social History; Mathematics; Anthropology; Sociology; Philosophy; Religious Studies; English Language; English Literature; Geography; Psychology; Classical Civilisation; History; Archaeology; Communication Studies; Environmental Studies; World Development; Biology; Chemistry; Physics; Modern Languages.
We accept native language A Levels providing they are taken in the same sitting as your other subjects. We will not accept thecombination of Mathematics, Further Mathematics and a native language.
Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken
Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels.
Contextual offers are available for applicants who:
- live in the UK and will be under the age of 21 on 1 September of the year they will start their course; and
- live in an area of disadvantage or with low progression into higher education; and
- have attended a UK school or college for their GCSEs or A-levels (or equivalent qualifications) that has performed below the national average over multiple years.
See our contextual admissions page for full details and to check your eligibility.
UK refugee/care-experienced offer
BBB, including at least one of the following A-Level subjects (preference will be given to applicants studying two of these subjects):
Accounting; Economics; Finance; Business Studies; Development Studies; Government and Politics; Economic and Social History; Mathematics; Anthropology; Sociology; Philosophy; Religious Studies; English Language; English Literature; Geography; Psychology; Classical Civilisation; History; Archaeology; Communication Studies; Environmental Studies; World Development; Biology; Chemistry; Physics; Modern Languages.
We accept native language A Levels providing they are taken in the same sitting as your other subjects. We will not accept thecombination of Mathematics, Further Mathematics and a native language.
Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken.
Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels.
UK refugee/care-experienced offers are available for applicants who:
- have been looked after in care for more than three months; or
- have been granted refugee status by the UK government or have been issued a UK visa under one of the Ukrainian schemes (Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Family Scheme or Ukraine Extension Scheme).
See our contextual admissions page for full details and to check your eligibility.
International Baccalaureate
36 points overall. 6,6,6 in Higher Level subjects
Applicants studying the International Baccalaureate Career Related Programme (IBCP) should contact the admissions team prior to applying so that their academic profile can be considered.
GCSE/IGCSE
Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade C or 4 in GCSE/iGCSE English Language and Grade B or 6 in GCSE/iGCSE Mathematics. GCSE/iGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/iGCSE English Language.
Please note that if you hold English as a second language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the admissions team in your academic School for clarification.
Other entry requirements
Other entry requirements exist for this course. You may view these by selecting from the list below.
Country-specific entry requirements
We accept a range of qualifications from different countries. For detailed information please refer to our country-specific requirements and requirements for foundation years .
For general requirements not listed above see Accepted entry qualifications from your country .
Still need help? Email us at socialsciences@manchester.ac.uk .
English language requirements
All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either:
- GCSE/iGCSE English Language grade C.
- IELTS 6.5 overall with no lower than 6 in any component.
- TOEFL (IBT) 90 overall with a minimum of 20 in each subset.
- iGCSE English (Second Language) grade B
- An acceptable equivalent qualification.
Please note that if you hold English as a second language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the academic School for clarification.
If you need to improve your English language skills to meet the entry requirements for your academic course, the University Centre for Academic English (UCAE) summer pre-sessional courses can help. Check if your academic course offers the option of taking a pre-sessional course on the UCAE page .
The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student requiring a visa to study in the UK must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language (common European Framework (CEFR B2 level) to be granted a Student Route visa (previously known as a Tier 4 visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level.
In addition, our academic Schools/Departments may require applicants to demonstrate English proficiency above the B2 level. Further information about our English Language policy, including a list of some of the English Language qualifications we accept, can be found here .
English language test validity
Fees and funding
Fees
Fees for entry in 2026 have not yet been set. For entry in 2025 the tuition fees were £9,535 per annum for home students, and are expected to increase slightly for 2026 entry.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
Scholarships and bursaries, including the Manchester Bursary , are available to eligible home/EU students.
Some undergraduate UK students will receive bursaries of up to £2,000 per year, in addition to the government package of maintenance grants.
You can get information and advice on student finance to help you manage your money.
Application and selection
How to apply
Advice to applicants
Potential candidates are expected to demonstrate why they have chosen this particular degree in their personal statement and express why the course interests them.
Applicants submitting mitigating circumstances
If you are submitting information about mitigating circumstances that have affected, or are likely to affect, your academic performance, you should include this in the referee's report.
We cannot usually take into account information that is supplied after an adverse decision has been made on an application by the admitting school.
(Examples of mitigating circumstances include family illness, problems with school facilities or an unusual curriculum followed by your school of college.)
Home-schooled applicants
Non-standard educational routes
Mature students are some of our most well-equipped learners, bringing skills and attributes gained from work, family and other life experiences. Students come from a whole array of backgrounds, study every kind of course, undertake full-time and part-time learning and are motivated by career intentions as well as personal interest. There is no such thing as a typical mature student at Manchester.
The application process is the same as for other prospective undergraduates. If you require further clarification about the acceptability of the qualifications you hold please contact the academic School(s) you plan to apply to. Further information for mature students can be found here .
How your application is considered
Interview requirements
Returning to education
Overseas (non-UK) applicants
Deferrals
NB Some English Language test results, such as IELTS of TOEFL, are only valid from two years from the test date.
Policy for applicants who resit their qualifications
Contact: socialsciences@manchester.ac.uk
Re-applications
If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you can apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry.
In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved. We may refer back to previous applications or registrations at the University.
If you are applying for a place for the same year of entry through UCAS Extra, you should include additional evidence of your suitability for the course.
If you are applying through clearing you will need to meet the clearing requirements. In both UCAS Extra and clearing places will be subject to availability.
Course details
Course description
In today's world, it is important to have skills that go beyond classroom knowledge.
The ability to critically analyse and communicate are skills highly valued by employers, and the variation and flexibility of the economics degree provides a platform for developing these areas.
Lucas Hille / BAEcon Economics and Social Studies
The BA(Econ) in Economics is an interdisciplinary course that allows you to specialise in Economics, plus another social science with units such as philosophy, politics, and sociology.
You'll have the opportunity to delve into technical units in Economics such as Econometrics and Mathematical Economics. You can also combine economics units covering topics including inequality and climate change with social science units to develop a well-rounded understanding on global issues, preparing you perfectly for a career driving social progress.
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
World-leading research and teaching in economics has been at the heart of higher education in Manchester since the early days of the University. Three winners of the Nobel Prize in Economics have worked or studied at Manchester: Sir John Hicks (1904-1989), Sir Arthur Lewis (1915-1991), Prof Joseph Stiglitz and Prof Simon Johnson. We are proud to offer research-led teaching in all areas of the discipline, including microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, financial economics, and environmental and development economics.
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 Opportunity
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 your 2nd year.
You will then complete your Professional Experience Year in 3rd year extending your degree to four years, before returning to University to finish your final year.
Your degree title will be extended to include 'with Professional Experience', giving you the added advantage of relevant work experience when entering the competitive 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 Year 1, you have an option to switch to a different pathway such as Economics and Philosophy.
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.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECON10232 | 10 | Mandatory | |
| ECON10241 | 10 | Mandatory | |
| ECON10262 | 10 | Mandatory | |
| ECON10331 | 10 | Mandatory | |
| SOCS15001 | 10 | Mandatory | |
| BMAN10552 | 10 | Optional | |
| BMAN10621B | 10 | Optional | |
| ECON10002 | 10 | Optional | |
| ECON10061 | 10 | Optional | |
| ECON10071A | 10 | Optional | |
| Displaying 10 of 40 course units for year 1 | |||
| Display all 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
If you specialise in one pathway, you take a maximum of 80 credits in that pathway and up to 40 credits from other pathways.
If you choose to specialise in Economics, you will take compulsory units in Microeconomics and Macroeconomics, as well as Econometrics or Quantitative Methods in Year 2.
You also need to take advanced Mathematics and Statistics units if you did introductory Mathematics and Statistics in Year 1.
Joint pathway
If you specialise on a joint pathway, you take a maximum of 80 credits in any one pathway, but you have the freedom to split these between the two disciplines depending on what you want to study.
Free choice units
You can also take up to 20 credits from across the University. For example:
- Study a language and improve your career prospects.
- Go beyond the boundaries of your degree with University College for Interdisciplinary Learning
- Expand your business and entrepreneurship skills with Business and Management for all Programmes
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.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECON20021 | 10 | Mandatory | |
| ECON20022 | 10 | Mandatory | |
| ECON20031 | 10 | Mandatory | |
| ECON20032 | 10 | Mandatory | |
| BMAN10552 | 10 | Optional | |
| BMAN10621B | 10 | Optional | |
| BMAN10632 | 10 | Optional | |
| BMAN20072 | 10 | Optional | |
| Financial Statement Analysis | BMAN20081 | 10 | Optional |
| BMAN21011 | 10 | Optional | |
| Displaying 10 of 80 course units for year 2 | |||
| Display all course units for year 2 | |||
Course content for year 3
In Year 3 you take 120 credits depending on your chosen pathway.
Single pathway
There are no compulsory units in Year 3. You will choose at least 80 credits of advanced Economics units that you are interested in.
You will also have an option to do an applied economics dissertation where you will work with an Economics Supervisor to develop your thesis.
Joint pathway
If you specialise on a joint pathway, you will choose a selection of units in each of the two pathways.
Free choice units
You can also take up to 20 credits from across the University. For example:
- Study a language and improve your career prospects.
- Go beyond the boundaries of your degree with University College for Interdisciplinary Learning
- Expand your business and entrepreneurship skills with Business and Management for all Programmes
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.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMAN23000A | 20 | Optional | |
| BMAN24052 | 10 | Optional | |
| BMAN30030 | 20 | Optional | |
| BMAN30060 | 20 | Optional | |
| BMAN30071 | 10 | Optional | |
| BMAN30091 | 10 | Optional | |
| BMAN30111A | 20 | Optional | |
| BMAN30131 | 10 | Optional | |
| BMAN30211 | 10 | Optional | |
| BMAN30242 | 10 | Optional | |
| Displaying 10 of 100 course units for year 3 | |||
| Display all 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
Careers
Career opportunities
The University of Manchester has an excellent reputation for employability. For the past 5 years, we have been in the UK's Top Two most targeted universities by the UK's top 100 employers (High Fliers Graduate Market Report, 2020-2024).
We offer a high-quality, research-led student experience that will prepare you for a career as a professional economist, employment in a range of economics-related areas or for further study in economics, business and finance.
Economics graduates have gone on to successful careers in areas including accountancy and professional services, finance and banking, and government. Recent graduates are now working at:
- Morgan Stanley;
- KPMG;
- the House of Lords;
- the Government Economics Service;
- the BBC.
Other popular avenues include journalism and the media, charities, consultancy, civil service, finance, marketing and PR, social work, teaching, law and postgraduate study.
Postgraduate study is also a popular option for progression, and we offer a wide variety of specialist taught master's courses.
For more information, visit our careers and employability page.
The University has its own dedicated Careers Service that you would have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate. At Manchester you will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability .
Regulated by the Office for Students
The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website.
You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website.