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Economics BSc (Econ)

London, Bloomsbury

Gain a rigorous foundation in economic theories and quantitative tools, and consider their influence on real-world issues like climate change, inequality and inflation. Working with UCL’s renowned economists, you’ll learn to research and solve problems independently using evidenced-based economic analysis. Solid preparation for further study or roles in public policy, finance, banking, and management. 

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
3 academic years
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£9,535
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£36,500
Programme starts
September 2026
Application deadline
14 Jan 2026
UCAS course code
L100
Apply via UCAS

Entry requirements

A levels IB Diploma Other qualifications
Grades
A*AA
Subjects
A* in Mathematics required, plus if Economics is offered it must be grade A.
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4.

Contextual offer information

Grades
A*AB more about contextual offers
Subjects
A* in Mathematics required.
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4.
Points
39
Subjects
A total of 19 points in three higher level subjects including grade 7 in Mathematics and grade 6 in Economics if offered with no higher level score below 5. The programme will accept either 'Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches' or 'Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation' at higher level.

Contextual offer

Points
38 more about contextual offers
Subjects
A Score 18 in three higher level subjects including 7 in Mathematics, with no higher level score below 5. The programme will accept either 'Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches' or 'Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation' at higher level.

UK applicants qualifications

For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:

Equivalent qualification

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

D2,D3,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects, to include Mathematics D2, plus D3 in Economics if offered.

A1,A,A at Advanced Highers (or A1,A at Advanced Higher and A,A,A at Higher), to include Mathematics at A1, plus A if Economics being offered at Advanced Higher.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

International applications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

Resits

This programme does not accept resits. A resit is a second or subsequent attempt to improve a qualification outcome, for which you already hold an award. For further information on what UCL considers a resit, please see UCAS explained.

 

Additional tests

TMUA Admissions Test

For the 2026 cycle, alongside the UCAS application, UCL will require all applicants to sit the TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admission) run by University Admissions Tests UK.

There will be an entry fee for the test. You can find more information about the test, fees and bursaries available for the UK students in financial need on the University Admissions Tests UK website.


Access and widening participation

UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.
Check your Access UCL Scheme eligibility

Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates

The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.

Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.

For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.

English language requirements

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.

A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.

Course overview

UCL Economics fundamental premise is that students should learn how to do economics themselves, rather than just learn how academic staff or other economists do it. Alongside credit-bearing modules you can get involved with our optional not-for-credit series of Dedicated Academic Support Sessions which will help you learn how to study independently and acquire skills useful for the professional economist. 

You will be taught by economists whose research confronts real-world issues, such as, migration, inequality, and inflation. Several of our professors are directors of leading research centres, Research Fellows at the prestigious Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), and advisors to governments and agencies, such as Bank of England, and World Bank.

In recognition of the quality and impact of their research, our academics have won several prestigious awards including the ONS Research Excellence Award, the Jacob Mincer Award, the BBVA Foundation Frontiers Knowledge Award, the Philip Leverhulme Prize and the Carl-Friedrich-von-Weizsäcker Prize. 

In the first year you take compulsory modules in economics, applied economics, mathematics and statistics, as well as optional modules.

In your second year, principles of model-building, problem-solving and quantitative techniques are emphasised, and you will take compulsory core modules in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics, as well as optional modules.

In your final year you can choose from a wide range of optional modules. You are required to choose one module with an assessed research component per term, in which you will use the tools and knowledge you have developed during your degree. Most final-year modules introduce you to research papers, including those of staff members, and require you to combine all that you have learnt across the degree. You can also elect to do a dissertation.

Available optional modules can vary year to year. You can access the current list of modules for this programme on the department's website.

What this course will give you

You will benefit from research-based education, informed by the  research of our economics professors at the Centre for Teaching and Learning Economics (CTaLE).

Your first year will be taught using CORE Econ resources which emphasises how economics allows students to analyse the world's most pressing problems and formulate policy ideas to approach them. CORE Econ has received praise from prestigious publications including The Financial Times, The Economist, The New Yorker and The Washington Post.

You will benefit from small group tutorials and will join a truly global department, with 50-60% of our student body made up of international students

You will have access to a range of events and activities, including the opportunity to present your own research at the annual economics student research conference, attend talks by leading economists at the annual Gorman Lectures, and participate in events organised by the UCL Policy Lab. 

Our students run the Economist's Society, which organises social and academic events, and publishes the student-led magazine, The Economic Tribune. 

Teaching and learning

In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

Upon successful completion of 360 credits, you will be awarded a BSc (Econ) (Hons) in Economics.

Modules

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Year 1: 
Four compulsory modules in economics, mathematics, statistics, and applied economics. Select optional modules to the value of 30 credits, including those from a list of pre-approved modules of other departments, including languages.

Year 2: 
Three compulsory modules in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics. Optional modules to the value of 30 credits.

Year 3:
Select optional modules to the value of 120 credits. You will be required to take at least one module with an assessed research project component. You can also elect to do a dissertation.

Optional modules vary from year to year but cover abroad range of topics, such as Game Theory and Economics of Information, Industrial Organization, Advanced Econometrics and Data Science, Economics of Finance and Financial Markets, Public Sector Economics and Tax Policy, and Economic Inequality. Visit the department's website to access the current full module list. 

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

Compulsory modules






Optional modules




Compulsory modules





Optional modules





Compulsory modules





Economics of the Public Sector







Your learning

Each module is taught differently depending on the content and skills required, but in each you are expected to read and watch assigned materials (texts, articles, and multimedia) independently, attend lectures and smaller group tutorials, actively participate in group discussions, and where appropriate, work in collaboration with your peers for formative and summative assessments.

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.

Assessment

Your progress is monitored throughout the year on a module-by-module basis, which will provide feedback aimed at improving your understanding and technique. You will be assessed by a mix of methods including, written end of year assessments, term-time quizzes, essays, and group projects with written and video outputs and presentations.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Virtual Open Event: Economics Q&A

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Join us for an engaging online Q&A session, where you can ask any questions you may have about the programme. Speak directly with the Programme Director, current students, and Teaching & Learning staff to gain a thorough understanding and clarify any uncertainties. This interactive session is designed to provide you with valuable insights, helping you make an informed decision about your academic future. Don’t miss this chance to explore what the programme has to offer! 

The foundation of your career

Around one third of students embark on graduate study in subjects including Economics, Data Science, Finance, Computing and Law, with many also going on to doctoral programmes in Economics in the UK, EU and US.

A UCL BSc in Economics is an excellent basis for graduate employment. Over 96% of UCL BSc Economics graduates were either in professional work or postgraduate study 15 months after graduating. Our graduates are employed in areas including management, consultancy, accountancy, banking and public policy. (Graduate Outcomes survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at the destinations of UK and EU graduates in the 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21 cohorts).

Support for your career and further study journey is provided by the Economics Careers Tutor in conjunction with UCL Careers and – through various skills development – alumni and employer events run by the Economist's Society and Students' Union UCL societies.

Employability

You will gain skills including finding solutions to real-world problems; combining evidence, mathematical techniques and quantitative tools to critically analyse questions robustly; and understanding the relevance of context – contemporary and historic – when considering economic and political events.
 

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £9,535
Tuition fees (2025/26) £36,500

Fees are for Undergraduate 2025/26 entry and are for the first year only. Fees for subsequent years may be subject to increase: Student Terms and Conditions. UK fees are in line with the Government announcement on fee cap increases and are subject to the passing of secondary legislation. Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2025/26 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.

Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.

Additional costs

Additional costs include the purchase of books and a UCL-approved calculator (approx. £20 depending on model). A laptop computer is also required for online assessments and activities during lectures (approx. £500 depending on model).

For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).

Funding your studies

Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Scholarships

The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.

Next steps

Your application

We are looking for applicants who can demonstrate quantitative ability, and a willingness to use mathematics as a tool of reasoning and communication. Applicants should evidence independent engagement with the subject – this could be as simple as sharing your views on something you’ve read outside of school. Relevant skills include: critical evaluation, logic, communication, creative problem solving.

How to apply

Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.

Selection

For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.

Most applicants who have been made an offer will be invited to attend an offer holder event (in-person in Bloomsbury or online)  to find out more about the programme from the Admissions Tutor and other academics, ask questions and meet current students.

Please note this programme does not consider applicants who are resitting qualifications.

Apply via UCAS
Application guidelines
Download prospectus

Got questions? Get in touch

Economics
Economics

econ-ug-admissions@ucl.ac.uk

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