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UCL Department of Economics

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Economics Frequently Asked Questions

Here you can find a range of our most frequently asked questions related to applying to our BSc Economics programmes.

Please use the links below to jump to the FAQs that you are interested in. 

Before you apply

Can I visit the Department of Economics?

The best way to visit us, virtually or in-person is at one of our Open Days. UCL's Virtual Open Days normally take place in the Spring and the UCL in-person Open Days take place in June/July, when staff and students are available to discuss our degree programme. Economics in-person Offer Holder Days are usually held during the Spring for UK-based offer holders, with a Virtual Offer Holder Day for Overseas offer holders in May/June. You can take a self-guided tour of UCL's campus by following the self-guided tour map. Alternatively, UCL runs campus tours on selected afternoons where you can look around UCL with a student guide. To book a place on a tour, you should contact Campus Tours at campustours@ucl.ac.uk.

Am I eligible to apply?

Our undergraduate entrance requirements are available on the UCL website. If your qualifications are not included in the list of standard entrance requirements, please contact us at: econ-ug-admissions@ucl.ac.uk or call +44 (0)20 8138 7798.

Is it worth applying for admission to a BSc Economics degree with a predicted grade in A Level Mathematics lower than A*?

Applicants who are not likely to achieve a grade A* in A Level Mathematics are advised not to apply as it is an entrance requirement and mathematics plays an important part in the course.

Will resitting A Level modules affect my chances of success?

Unfortunately, due to the level of competition for places, we don't consider re-sits even if you meet our requirements.

How much competition is there for places on the BSc Economics degrees?

Competition for places on our programmes is strong, and we receive a good number of applications for each place, with the majority of these being from suitably qualified applicants.  This means that meeting our entrance requirements does not absolutely guarantee that an application will be successful, but we encourage all who meet the academic requirements to apply.

The Application Process

How do I apply?

You should apply through UCAS.  Apply to UCAS via this link.

Can I defer my entry? 

We accept applications from students who wish to defer a year. It is not possible, however, to hold an offer beyond the following year of entry. If you're not able to attend the course at either the next year of entry or the following year of entry, you should delay submitting your application until the appropriate admissions cycle. For more information, see the UCL deferment advice.

What is taken into consideration during the selection process?

The admissions selector considers all the information contained in the UCAS application form. When making a decision, the personal statement, referee’s report, academic record and predicted examination results are all taken into account.  

How important are my GCSE grades in the selection process?

The admissions selector looks at each application on its own merits, but those applicants with a high number of GCSEs passed at grade 8 or above are more likely to be successful.

Are A Level Mathematics and A Level Further Mathematics considered as two separate subjects?

Yes, we regard these A Levels as two separate A Level subjects.

Will I be offered an interview?

We don't conduct interviews for our Economics programmes, your application will be assessed entirely on the basis of your UCAS application form.

How will I be informed of the outcome of my application?

As soon as a decision on your application has been reached, it will be sent to you via UCAS. If you are offered a place, you will also receive an email with details of the offer.

If I am unsuccessful, will it be possible to receive more detailed feedback or have my application reviewed?

Due to the large volume of applications we receive, we are unable to provide feedback in addition to the comments that are communicated to unsuccessful applicants via UCAS. Please note that revised predicted grades will not be accepted after a decision has been made.

If I receive a conditional offer, do I need to send my examination results to UCL?

Results for A and AS Levels, Scottish Advanced Highers or Highers, Irish Highers and some International Baccalaureate are sent to UCL directly by the awarding bodies via UCAS. If your offer is conditional on other exam results, you should forward these results as soon as you receive them and no later than 31 August. 

Is it possible to apply for the BSc Economics degrees through Clearing?

The number of offers made exceeds the number of places available to allow for those who choose to go elsewhere or do not meet their offer conditions. This means that we rarely have any available places in August/September and do not participate in Clearing, nor do we operate a waiting list.

What happens if I do not achieve the offer conditions?

As the BSc Economics degrees are heavily oversubscribed, there is very little scope for lowering offer conditions and unfortunately the offer of a place is unlikely to be confirmed.

Questions for all BSc Economics programmes

What is the course structure?

Please see the Module List for more information on the course structure. Please note that the modules offered each year are subject to change.

How important are Mathematics and Statistics skills?

The study of economics at university level requires a good grounding in school mathematics and a willingness to use mathematics as a tool of reasoning and communication. You'll take two mathematics courses in your first year which will teach the mathematics you'll need for the rest of your degree. You will also take a first year statistics course, and a second year quantitative economics and econometrics course. In addition, mathematically and statistically oriented optional courses are available in the second and final years if you wish to take them.

How many weeks of tuition will I receive each year? 

The academic year is divided into one 12-week Autumn Term, one 11-week Spring Term and a 7-week revision and examination term in the summer.

How will it be taught? 

You'll be taught in lectures and small-group classes. Each course delivers two lectures per week. Classes are given in groups of about 15 students and take place four or five times a term, depending on whether the course is optional or compulsory. In all courses you'll be required to submit written exercises or essays. The classes then review this work, and enable you to discuss ideas from the course with your teacher and fellow students. Attendance at classes and submission of written work are compulsory, and both are monitored.

How many hours of work should I do per week?

Contact time will vary according to the options chosen, but students can expect to have approximately 10-15 hours of timetabled lectures and small group classes per teaching week. In addition, students are advised to undertake around 25-30 hours of independent study per week.

How will I be assessed?

There is a varied set of assessment forms used in the modules in the BSc Economics degree. Assessments range from formative course work for feedback that does not count towards your final mark for a module, to quizzes, essay assignments, research projects, presentations and other work that will be assessed and count towards your final mark.

Is it possible to transfer directly into the second or third year of any of the BSc Economics degrees?

We do not permit students to transfer directly into the second or third year of our BSc programmes and credits from other universities are not accepted. This policy applies to all students, including those who have studied at other universities.

Give me some ideas to read, listen or watch before coming to UCL Economics

Absolutely! You don't need to do anything to prepare but you can find some resources below to help you get started before joining the Department. 

Books

Classic books

  • Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations (Oxford Paperbacks)
  • David Ricardo, On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation. [Freely Accessible] (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform)
  • John Stuart Mill, Principles of Political Economy (Penguin Classics)
  • John Maynard Keynes, A Tract on Monetary Reform (Prometheus Books)

Blogs and Press

Other resources

What type of accomodation is available to UCL undergraduates?

UCL offers a wide range of student accommodation. Further information is available on the UCL website accomodation pages. 

BSc Economics with a Year Abroad (L101)

How competitive is application to BSc Economics with a Year Abroad?

Places available at host institutions are limited and the application process is competitive.

Can I apply for both the three-year BSc Economics degree and the four-year BSc Economics with a Year Abroad?

Yes, applications can be made to both programmes.

How are marks factored into the degree while studying abroad? 

You are assessed at the host institution during your year abroad and the modules you have completed are recorded generically as ‘shell modules’. Once we have received a transcript from the host institution detailing your results we will evaluate and record them as Pass/Fail against the Year abroad shell modules. Passing the year is a programme requirement but results are not factored into your degree classification.

How is my final degree classification determined?

As described above, at least 90 credits must be passed during the year abroad. The final degree classification will be based on marks obtained at UCL during years 1,2,4 under the same scheme used for BSc Economics degree classification.

Can I choose where I study abroad? What are the options? 

You'll take your year abroad at an approved institution. Previous student destinations have included:

The list of approved institutions is subject to change annually and spaces at each partner institution are limited. Attempts will be made to accommodate student preferences, in accordance with an allocation process in the second year, but it is not possible to guarantee that students will secure a spot at one of their preferred destinations.