About this course
- 8th in the UK for Economics Satisfaction with Feedback (The Guardian University Guide 2025)
- Top 15 in the UK for Economics Student Experience (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)
- Top 20 in the UK for Economics Teaching Quality (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)
- Top 20 in the UK for Economics Student Satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2025)
Improve your knowledge of global markets and economic theory, and sharpen your decision making skills – an Economics degree at Nottingham Business School is your gateway to a career in financial services, and a wide range of other opportunities.
Economics is built on some simple, yet important, ideas known as threshold concepts. These apply to decisions taken every day by individuals, firms and governments. Some of these decisions can have very important effects for all of us – for example, decisions made by financial institutions in 2008 which lasted for five quarters and resulted in the deepest UK recession since the war.
You’ll study the key concepts of modern economics, learning how these principles are applied by individuals, businesses and governments. You’ll work with professionals and industry experts and test your knowledge in a range of real-world business environments.
As an Economics student you’ll have access to our unique Business Lab facility. With double-screen workstations, the room gives you a simulated experience of working in the fast-moving world of shares and trading. You can access sophisticated analysis tools and data on worldwide financial markets.
Nottingham Business School enrols its economics students with The Society of Professional Economists (SPE). SPE is the leading organisation serving professional economists in the UK and has more than 600 members, drawn from all areas of the profession including finance and commerce, industry, government departments, private sector consultants, business schools and universities.
This course can be studied over three years full-time or four years with a placement, and offers all students the opportunity to gain some industry experience or travel overseas to study abroad in one of our partner universities with our unique opportunities scheme.
Nottingham Business School is a UK leader in financial and business education – an Economics degree from NTU gives you the foundations and opportunities to pursue a wide range of exciting careers.
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Learn from the experts — we’re a UK top-20 university for Economics (Guardian University Guide 2025). -
Our students get great jobs — we’ve been ranked 1st in the UK for employability (Uni Compare 2025). -
Complete a paid placement — our students have secured experience with organisations like Oracle and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. -
Study in the heart of Nottingham — one of Europe’s top 25 student cities, and home to over 75,000 learners.
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What you’ll study
The course begins in September 2025. Take a look at the academic calendar for term dates. The academic calendar will apply throughout your course, aside your placement year (if you have chosen to undertake one).
Principles of Macroeconomics
This module will introduce you to key macroeconomic variables, such as growth, inflation, unemployment and trade, and to theoretical perspectives on their determination applying models in a national and international context. It provides the building blocks for further critical analysis later in the course.
Principles of Microeconomics
This module will provide you with a comprehensive introduction to microeconomic theory and enable you to analyse markets, institutions and policy. In doing so, you will learn to understand the interconnectedness of economic participants, such as consumers and producers.
Quantitative Methods for Economists
An ability to understand and analyse quantitative data is an important part of an economist’s toolkit. This module will develop your numeracy, enabling you to explore, describe and utilise data in economic and business analysis.
Introductory Finance for Economists
Learn how to apply economic principles to the analysis of business and finance issues. You will develop an understanding of the link between economics, finance, and business.
Economic Policy in Context
Provides an historical background to the process of economic development and introduces influential economic scholars and schools of thought. You will reflect on the parallels between contemporary economic issues and debates with those of the past.
Personal and Academic Development
Helps you recognise the personal skills, behaviours and attributes you currently have, and supports you in formulating a continuous personal and professional development plan to develop the skills and knowledge you need to achieve your future ambitions and realise your full potential.
First half of Year Two – Core modules
Intermediate Macroeconomics
This module looks to develop students understanding of macroeconomic theory. It will provide students with the necessary conceptual foundations to appraise alternative perspectives on key controversies in macroeconomics. In looking consistently to draw potential policy implications its focus will be on both the short- term dynamics of economies frequently buffeted by economic shocks and the longer-term drivers and influences on economic growth and development.
Intermediate Microeconomics
This module aims to deepen and widen students understanding of microeconomics by building upon the foundations students acquired from the Principles of Microeconomics module. This module will explore the complex interconnectedness of individual decisions, which arise because of rival demands on globally scarce resources. Additionally, this module will introduce students to some of the controversies associated with alternative theoretical approaches.
Economic Evaluation
This module provides a broad treatment of micro and macroeconomic policy issues that affect contemporary society. The module will use the toolkit of the economist to analyse contemporary economic issues.
Second half of Year Two
You can either select one of our unique opportunities initiatives or continue with your taught modules.
Option 1 – study abroad
Experience life in another country by studying at one of our partner universities. Choose from a host of countries in Europe or go further afield and study in the USA, South America, Australasia and South East Asia. This is a great opportunity to develop your independence and explore another culture.
Option 2 – enterprise project
Explore your entrepreneurial side and start to develop the meaningful and practical skills needed to run your own business. Supported by NTU Enterprise, NTU's centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, during this opportunity you'll work alongside other young entrepreneurs and a dynamic network of mentors and advisors, to develop your own ideas into a live enterprise project.
Option 3 – internship
Get a taste of the working world and gain some essential industry insight with a 16-18 week work placement. The experience will allow you to put your learning in to practice, with the experience gained improving your future career prospects, and sharpening your interpersonal and professional skills.
Option 4 – continue with taught modules
If you didn't fancy doing any of the above options then you can continue your studies at university. With a mixture of both compulsory and optional modules, the first will enhance your knowledge and skills set in your area of study, with the later allowing you to tailor your learning experience.
Core modules
Applied Professional Development
Following on from the Personal Development module in Year One, this module supports you to build upon and reflect on your personal and professional skills, attributes and behaviours. You will attend a conference with a varied programme of events focused on the future of work, and later in the module you will immerse yourself in a period work or work-like experience to develop a range of skills designed to enhance your employability.
Environmental and Resource Economics
This module will give you the opportunity to apply economic analysis to issues related to the use of the environment and natural resources. Indicative topic areas include:
- introduction to environmental economics and sustainability
- economic characteristics of the environment and natural resources- their public good characteristics and the role of externalities
- pollution control regimes: command and control regulation, taxation and tradeable permit schemes
- models of natural resource management, development and use
- economics of energy markets
- economics of climate change and the role of institutions and international environmental agreements.
PLUS ONE OPTIONAL MODULE FROM:
Econometrics
This module will develop further the tools and techniques that enhance your ability to use quantitative data to evaluate economic and business decisions. It will help you to build and test models of economic phenomena and introduce you to forecasting and hypothesis testing.
Survey Research and Analysis for Business
This module draws on conceptual material in the area of Survey Methods widely used in business and the application of analytic methods to the data generated. One of the primary focuses of this module is to help you understand how to plan and conduct surveys but also interpret the results within the appropriate business context. With the aid of appropriate professional statistical software you will be encouraged to apply statistical methods of analysis to data. The module is designed to allow you the opportunity to analyse and interpret “real data” from various areas of the business world. In studying this module you will develop your knowledge and skills in conducting survey research within business.
You will be given the opportunity to plan and execute a survey; design and implement a survey instrument; analyse survey results using applications software; and interpret and communicate analytical findings.
Placement year
In year three, you have the option to take a placement year. This time spent working in business provides our students with crucial work experience, which is highly prized and much sought after by employers upon graduation. We have links with a wide range of sectors, firms and organisations that offer student placements. If you have decided to undertake a placement year then this will last for a minimum of 48 weeks during your third year.
Our Employability Team is here to inspire and enhance every stage of your career planning and as a graduate of NTU, you will be able to access their services for three years after your course has finished.
Services they provide include:
- finding placements, internships and part-time work
- pursuing self-employment
- taking gap years and time out
- getting into volunteering
- providing advice on further study.
Or
Taught modules
If you have decided to continue with your studies please view the 'final year' tab for your list of modules.
Developing Professional Impact
This module is designed to expand your horizons and challenge your attitudes and behaviours both in relation to subject specific issues and wider business concerns such as global citizenship and sustainable business practices. It will encourage you to build on your strengths and explore a range of possibilities as you embark on your next steps.
Behavioural Microeconomics
The module builds on the microeconomic theory developed previously on the course to provide a critical analysis of economic theories, concepts and techniques of relevance to individual, government, business and managerial decision-making. In doing so, students will apply economic ideas to analyse a range of issues of concern to individuals, policy makers and businesses in a contemporary setting.
Macroeconomics Issues and Policy
The module extends and uses economic theory already encountered on the degree to analyse macroeconomic issues facing policy-makers in the modern economy. By applying economic concepts and theories to macroeconomic problems, the module aims to deepen understanding of macroeconomic debates about policy.
The World Economy
This module critically applies relevant economic theories to develop your understanding of key contemporary issues in the world economy. Individual country differences will see different countries exposed to, and respond to, common problems in different ways. The module therefore introduces you to several of the common economic issues and challenges that all countries face.
Plus one optional module from:
Applied Business Research Project
This module will see you undertake an individual in-depth study of a topic related to economics. During the project you will develop your skills to independently manage a major piece of work. The work will be written in the style of an academic article giving you the chance to practice writing for an academic audience.
Sustainability in Enterprise Project
This module is designed to give you a deeper understanding of sustainability issues affecting firms. It incorporates a live consultancy experience, where you are required to apply your knowledge to critically review aspects of enterprise practice and infrastructure and recommend ways to reduce carbon emissions. You will learn how to critically review sustainability issues presented by an enterprise and analyse evidence, arguments, concepts and data to formulate sustainability and carbon management recommendations for an enterprise.
Plus one optional module from:
Contemporary Economic Perspectives
This module will provide you with a critical perspective on the methods and analysis of economists. You will compare the different interpretations of contemporary economic issues and events and the lessons that can be drawn. The module adopts a pluralistic approach enabling a critique of mainstream economic thinking.
Investment Portfolio Management
This module examines appropriate Investment and Portfolio Management theory. You will have the opportunity to put this theory into practice principally via the construction and running of a portfolio of equities.
Econometric Methods
This module build on the econometrics from earlier in the course to develop your ability to use appropriate statistical methods to test economic and financial theories to aid the evaluation of government, business and investments policies and strategies.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
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How you're taught
We use a mixture of teaching methods including traditional lectures and seminars, IT workshops, guest lectures, problem-based learning and group discussions. You can explore one of our lecture theatres on our Virtual Tour. You'll then be expected to increase your understanding of the subject area through independent study for each module.
In addition to this you will also be involved in a variety of practical work such as individual and group presentations, student-led seminars, role play, industry-sponsored competitions, and project work. The project-based learning and group activities form important elements of your learning, developing your ability to work in a team and enhancing your employability.
Teaching and learning on the economics course involves a blend of three crucial elements.
- Exposure to a variety of economic perspectives.
- Application of theories and concepts to policy issues in business, trade and finance.
- Development of quantitative and qualitative skills of economic analysis.
You will also have a number of one-to-one sessions with your course tutor each year, which will allow you to:
- discuss your personal and professional development
- discuss and gain feedback about your work
- ask questions about the projects you're working on.
- raise any difficulties you are experiencing relating to your work, personal circumstances or your University experience.
You'll also use our virtual learning environment, NOW, which is a flexible web-based system that gives you 24-hour access to module learning materials and reading lists. It allows you to discuss work with tutors and submit coursework electronically from anywhere in the world.
How you're assessed:
This course uses a range of assessments across all levels to support you in building key skills alongside demonstrated your knowledge and application of what you have studies. Methods of assessment can include, but are not limited to, business reports, group presentations, essays, time-constrained assessments, in-class activities, and poster presentations.
This course has several modules that are assessed using on-campus, closed book examinations on key topics within the curriculum. Where this is the case a wide range of support is provided.
Careers and employability
Graduates from this course have gone onto working in both public and private sector, undertaking positions such as:
- Auditor
- Business Analyst
- Civil Servant
- Credit Controller
- Financial Consultant
In the last few years, graduates from this course have gone onto securing roles with well know employers such as:
- PwC
- Lloyds Banking Group
- Capita
- Acenture
- HSBC
- Department of International Trade
- ONS
- Treasury
Guest Lectures
Through our popular Business Leaders Lecture Series, you'll have the chance to listen to experts from a wide range of industries who will share their knowledge with you. Recent guests have included Jason Bates, the co-founder of digital banks Monzo and Starling.
Campus and facilities
You’ll mainly be studying in the Newton building, at the centre of our vibrant City Campus. As well as a range of classrooms and lecture theatres, our facilities include dedicated market research reporting platforms and digital resources (e.g. Mintel, Passport, SPSS, and Adobe Creative Cloud) and the Business Lab — a trading floor equipped with Bloomberg terminals, which enables you to delve into the global markets for real.
NTU’s City Campus has everything you’ll need to keep occupied between lectures. As well as the Boots Library and its beautiful roof garden, there’s our superb Students’ Union building and two-storey, 100-station gym; a whole host of cafés, bars, restaurants and food outlets catering to every taste; our much-loved Global Lounge; performance and rehearsal spaces for musicians; and so much more!
If that’s not enough, just take a few steps off campus, and you’ll find yourself in the beating heart of Nottingham — one of the UK’s top 10 student cities, and one of the top 25 in all of Europe. It’s a city stuffed with history, culture, and well-kept secrets to discover at your leisure: enjoy lush green spaces, galleries, hidden cinemas and vintage shopping by day, and an acclaimed food, drink and social scene by night.
For more details, why not take a Virtual Tour?
Entry requirements
UK students
Standard offer: 120 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications.
Contextual offer: 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications
Other requirements: GCSE English grade C / 4 and Maths grade B / 5.
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Additional requirements for UK students
There are no additional requirements for this course.
Contextual offers
If you don’t quite meet our entry requirements, we might be able to make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and your individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer, and we get data from UCAS to help make these decisions. We do this because we believe everyone with the potential to succeed at NTU should have the opportunity to do so, no matter what barriers you may face.
Meeting our entry requirements
Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS Tariff points attached to specific grades, including A-levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to four different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our Tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.
Other qualifications and experience
NTU welcomes applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds, either for year one entry or for advanced standing beyond the start of a course into year 2 or beyond.
We consider study and/or credit achieved from a similar course at another institution (otherwise known as credit transfer), vocational and professional qualifications, and broader work or life experience.
Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route. If you wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning, please contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
International students
Academic entry requirements: 120 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications. We accept equivalent qualifications from all over the world. Please check your international entry requirements by country.
Other requirements: GCSE English grade C / 4 and Maths grade B / 5.
English language requirements: See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.
Additional requirements for international students
If you need help achieving the academic entry requirements, we offer a Foundation preparation course for this degree. The course is offered through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC) based on our City Campus.
English language requirements
View our English language requirements for all courses, including alternative English language tests and country qualifications accepted by the University.
If you need help achieving the language requirements, we offer a Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course on our City campus which is an intensive preparation course for academic study at NTU.
Other qualifications and experience
If you have the right level of qualifications, you may be able to start your Bachelors degree at NTU in year 2 or year 3. This is called ‘advanced standing’ entry and is decided on a case-by case basis after our assessment of your qualifications and experience.
You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.
Sign up for emails
Sign up to receive regular emails from the International Office. You'll hear about our news, scholarships and any upcoming events in your country with our expert regional teams.
Getting in touch
If you need advice about studying at NTU as an international student or how to apply, our international webpages are a great place to start. If you have any questions about your study options, your international qualifications, experience, grades or other results, please get in touch through our enquiry form. Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world.
Policies
We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.
