Economics BSc (Econ)

A Levels

UK applicants qualifications

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

International applications

In addition to A level and International Baccalaureate, UCL considers a wide range of international qualifications for entry to its undergraduate degree programmes.

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Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates

UCL Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPCs) are intensive one-year foundation courses for international students of high academic potential who are aiming to gain access to undergraduate degree programmes at UCL and other top UK universities.

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: www.ucl.ac.uk/upc.

English language requirements

If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency. Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.

The English language level for this programme is: Good

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

• Gain the knowledge and skills necessary to research answers to problems.  Whatever you decide to focus on, be it policy-making or international business, you will learn how to make use of theories, empirical analysis and the ideas of other researchers to find solutions to questions.

• Learn from economists who run leading centres for research and provide policy advice to international governments and agencies, such as the United Nations and the World Bank.

• We are recognised for our internationally distinguished research, and in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF2014), UCL received the highest percentage in the UK for research in Economics and Econometrics, 99% rated either 4* (world-leading) or 3* (internationally excellent).

• Benefit from a range of lectures presented by eminent economists, including our Gorman Lectures, and from the activities of student societies including the Economist's Society which publishes The Drayton Tribune magazine and the UCLU Economics and Finance Society.

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).

The department's fundamental premise is that students should learn how to do economics themselves, rather than just learn how the academic staff or other economists do it.

In the first year you take compulsory modules on the core concepts of economics, applied economics, mathematics and statistics, and have the opportunity to take 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.

Most final-year modules introduce you to research papers and current research, including that of staff members. You will benefit from instruction by staff whose research impacts directly on the policy process, for example via contact with the Institute for Fiscal Studies and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.  You are required to undertake an assessed independent research project in at least one final-year module, using the tools and knowledge developed in the curriculum.

Modules

An indicative guide to the structure of this programme, year by year.

Your learning

The cornerstone of each module is a lecture series. Through demonstration classes and small-group work you will learn how to put economic models together, how to undertake quantitative analysis, and, potentially, formulate your own model to address a new problem. In the later parts of the programme, there is an increased emphasis on collaborative work and group presentations.

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 year-end written examinations and other forms of term-time assessment including, for example, multiple-choice quizzes, in-course essays and research project work.

Detailed course descriptions are available on the department website: Economics BSc (Econ).

Many useful skills can be gained through the study of economics, for example: finding solutions to real-world problems, mathematical skills and an enhanced understanding of contemporary political and economic events.

About one-third of our graduates move directly into graduate study, including MScs in Economics, MBA programmes and conversion courses in computing and law. Students have also proceeded to doctoral programmes including those in major US economics departments such as Columbia, Yale and Chicago.

Graduates entering employment predominantly move into management, banking and finance and the civil service.

UCL is commited to helping you get the best start after graduation. Read more about how UCL Careers and UCL Innovation and Enterprise can help you find employment or learn about entrepreneurship.

Tuition fees

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2020/21 academic year. The UK/EU fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2020/21 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.

UK/EU students

£9,250 (2020/21)

Overseas students

£23,290 (2020/21)

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

If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc. on this programme, please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).

Funding

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.

The Ian and Kate El-Mokadem Bursary has been established to support an undergraduate UK-domiciled student taking a 3-year Economics degree programme or a joint degree programme with another department which is anchored in Economics.

Departmental scholarships

Funding opportunities relevant to the department may appear in this section when they are available. Please check carefully or confirm with the programme contact to ensure they apply to this degree programme.

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.