Economics & Finance - BA (Hons) Degree

This degree can be studied as a three-year full-time degree or a four-year degree that includes a year of foundational study. Our foundation year is intended to prepare you for your subsequent years of studying, offering you the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence.

The foundation year will be relevant to:

1. Students who have not achieved the required A-level points (or equivalent) score to enter the first year of the degree programme.
2. Mature students who have been out of the formal education system for some time.

Find out more about the foundation year.

Please note: You will need to apply using a specific UCAS code if you wish to undertake the 4 years including foundation.

Year One (Level 4)

In your first year, all six modules (120 credits) are compulsory and designed to give you a solid introduction to Economics and Finance.

All modules are taught in English and there is provision for the Welsh language equivalent in a number of modules. These are indicated below with an asterisk (*).

Compulsory modules (20 credits each)

• Global Financial Services*
• The Economy: Microeconomics
• Economic Ideas Through Time
• The Economy: Macroeconomics
• Quantitative Methods for Data Analysis
• Sustainable Money Management*

Year Two (Level 5)

In your second year, five modules (100 credits) are compulsory, and you select one optional module (20 credits).

Compulsory modules (20 credits each)

• Intermediate Quantitative Methods
• Intermediate Microeconomic Theory
• Experiential Work or Volunteering Opportunities*
• Intermediate Macroeconomics
• Money and Markets

Select ONE optional module (20 credits each)

• Accounting for Responsible Management*
• Games and Information Theory
• Financial Management

Year in Industry

You have the option to spend a year in industry on a work placement after successfully completing your second year of study. We have a dedicated work placement team to support you in securing a placement. A year-long placement can boost your career prospects and give you an advantage when applying for jobs after graduation.

Year Three (Level 6)

In your third year, four modules (80 credits) are compulsory, and you select two optional modules (40 credits).

Compulsory modules (20 credits each)

• Macroeconomics: Theory and Application
• Investment Management
• Labour Economics and Health Economics
• Contemporary Finance*

Select TWO optional modules (20 credits each)

• Econometrics
• Advanced Financial Management
• Capital Markets and Derivatives
• Behavioural Economics
• Monetary Economics
• Operationalising Strategy*
• Industrial Work Experience^

Optional modules are delivered subject to demand and availability.

^ If you’re taking a year-long industry work placement between year two and three, you have the option to select ‘Industrial Work Experience’ as your optional module. If not, select another optional module.

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and practical workshops. You will also enhance your knowledge and understanding developed during lectures through guided independent study.

Opportunities to put theory into practice through real-life case studies and work placements will help you translate academic knowledge into practical real-world skills and experiences to prepare you for a career or further study in Economics and Finance.

Personal development planning is also embedded within the degree to develop and promote core study skills, and a reflective approach to learning.

All modules are supported through Moodle, the virtual learning environment. Reading lists are made available through Leganto.

You will be assessed through exams (seen/unseen, open book, essays/short answers), class-tests, practical assessments, presentations (individual or group), debates, written coursework, such as individual or group reports.

Economists with specialist financial knowledge are highly valued in today’s job market.

With our Economics and Finance degree, you’ll be prepared for careers in investment, financial services, government policy, consultancy and fast-growing areas such as FinTech and sustainability.

Progression to postgraduate study within the Cardiff School of Management is also an option.

Real-world experience is built into the degree through tasks and assessments that simulate real-world scenarios. Benefit from our extensive links with industry through guest lectures by industry experts, field trips and the opportunity to study abroad.

Learn from our economists and financial expert lecturers at Cardiff School of Management, who are not only academic thinkers and active researchers, but professionals sharing their own industry experience. Plus, you’ll have weekly sessions with your Year Tutor to help you develop employability and professional skills, as well as the networks needed for a successful career.

You will have the opportunity to gain valuable work experience through a compulsory experiential work opportunities module in your second year; we also offer a year in industry between year two and the final year to boost your employability.

Typical Offers

The following requirements are based on typical offers relevant to entering year 1 of the degree.

If you do not meet these entry requirements, we also offer a Foundation Year which allows progression to Year 1 upon successful completion.

• Tariff points: 112
• Contextual offer: See our contextual offers page.
• GCSE: Five GCSEs at Grade C / 4 or above to include English Language / Welsh First Language, Mathematics / Mathematics – Numeracy.
• English Language Requirement: Academic IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in all elements, or equivalent.
• A level subjects: Minimum three A levels to include Grades CCC. No specific subjects required. Welsh Advanced Skills Baccalaureate considered as a third subject.
• BTEC National / Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: DMM
• T Level: Merit.
• Access to Higher Education Diploma: No specific subjects required.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: 2 x H5. No specific subjects required.
• Irish Leaving Certificate: 2 x H2 grades. No specific subjects required. Higher level subjects only considered with a minimum grade H4.
• Scottish Advanced Highers: Grades DD. No specific subjects required. Scottish Highers are also considered, either on their own or in combination with Advanced Highers.

Combinations of the above qualifications are accepted if they meet our minimum requirements. If your qualifications aren’t listed, please contact Admissions or refer to the UCAS Course Search.

Further information on Overseas qualifications can be found here.

If you are a mature applicant, have relevant experience or RPL that you would like us to consider, please contact Admissions.

How to Apply

Further information on how to apply can be found here.

For general enquiries, please contact the Admissions Team on 029 2041 6044 or email askadmissions@cardiffmet.ac.uk.

For course specific enquiries, please contact the programme leader, Dr Surraya Rowe:

• Email: srowe@cardiffmet.ac.uk