Economics and Data Analytics BSc
3-4 years
Economic issues are fascinating but also very complex. The use of large datasets, together with insights from data science, can guide you through this complexity and give you an in-depth understanding of decision-making by governments, businesses and households.
Course information
Typical offer ABB
UK fee £9,250
UCAS code LL15
International fee £19,700
Institute code L34
Taught by School of Business
Course description
Course description
Economic events occupy the news, capture our attention and affect our lives on a daily basis. There is a wealth of data available, measuring a host of economic, financial, business and social indicators. This course will enable you to apply methods of data analysis and exploit large datasets to get a better understanding of the real-world applicability of economic concepts and ideas.
It will also facilitate your pursuit of an active role in the economic decision making of organisations and businesses. We will foster your analytical abilities and critical appraisal skills, which are particularly useful transferable skills for graduate employment and will prepare you for a career in the public or private sector, whether that be in economic research, statistical forecasting, financial services or industry. Your time here will also equip you with the research techniques that are vital for postgraduate study.
The first year of this course is shared with the following programmes:
- BSc Economics
- BSc Financial Economics and Banking
- BSc Business Economics
- BSc Economics and Accounting
This means you have the option to switch to any of these other courses at the end of your first year.
The close relationship between research and teaching is one of the great advantages of studying with us, and we welcome talented students from countries all over the world. Our staff are active researchers of international renown, and have acted as advisors and consultants to many international and national organisations. The School of Business has a dedicated research cluster on Data Analytics, offering advice and expertise on the data science aspects of the course.
Following completion of the course you will have a good understanding of the main economic theories and models, but you will also have a very strong set of skills in data analytics. You will be able to use traditional econometric techniques and more innovative ones (machine learning, artificial intelligence, genetic algorithms, etc) to analyse the large datasets which are used to inform the process of decision making in a business environment or policy setting. These skills are highly sought after by big companies or public organisations such as the ONS, World Bank, regulators, etc.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
- A/AS-levels: ABB. Two AS-levels considered in place of one A-level. General Studies or Critical Thinking not included. Own language may be considered.
- EPQ with A-levels: BBB + EPQ at grade B.
- GCSE: Grade B (5) in Mathematics and Grade C (4) in English Language.
- Access to HE Diploma: Pass relevant Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3, including 30 credits at Distinction.
- International Baccalaureate: Pass Full Diploma with 30 points, including a minimum of grade 5 in SL Maths Analysis and Approach or 6 in SL Maths Application and Interpretation or 4 in HL Maths Analysis and Approach if not held at GCSE. Must include a minimum of grade 4 in English A or 5 in English B if minimum of grade 4/C not held in English Language at GCSE.
- BTEC National Extended Diploma: DDD in Business (plus 5 GCSEs at grade 5/B including Maths and English Language)
- T Levels: Distinction in Finance (plus 5 GCSEs at grade 5 including Maths and English).
Other official national and international qualifications considered from across the world. You can review some of the qualifications we accept on our countries page and English Language equivalencies.
If your qualification or country is not listed, please contact us for more information, including the name and result of the qualification you have studied.
Second Year Entry is not possible on this course.
Contextual offers
The University of Leicester is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all applicants from all backgrounds. We make contextual offers to support students who may be impacted by the area they live in, their personal circumstances or who have completed one of our progression programmes. These offers are usually one or two grades lower than the standard entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must apply for an eligible course and meet specific criteria – check if you’re eligible.
Selection process
When considering your application, we will look for evidence that you will be able to fulfil the objectives of the course and achieve the standards required. We will take into account a range of factors including previous exam results.
Applicants are not normally interviewed. If you receive an offer you will be invited to visit the School of Business.
English Language Requirements
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability.
If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.
International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.
Countries ListFees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Starting in 2024
- £9,250 in your first year. Tuition fees are subject to government regulations and may change in future years
- Year Abroad: your fee will be £1,385 for that year
- Year in Industry: your fee will be £1,850 for that year
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
International Students
Starting in 2024
- £19,700 per year
- Year Abroad: £4,925, which is 25% of the full-time tuition fee
- Year in Industry: £2,955, which is 15% of the full-time tuition fee
If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
From 2022 onwards, EU nationals will pay the International fee. If you are an EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme, you may qualify for the UK fee (subject to criteria).
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
Whether you want to reach the top in an organisation, start your own business or make a difference in the voluntary sector, there are specially designed programmes and activities at Leicester that will support you in gaining the right skills, experiences and exposures you need. Employability is embedded in our courses with all offering a year in industry opportunity. In addition, the School of Business has a dedicated Careers Team who work to make sure you get support to achieve your aspirations.
Graduate destinations
Our economics graduates have gone onto work for employers such as:
- Santander
- PWC
- Virgin Media
- Deutsche Bank
- JP Morgan
- KPMG
- Deloitte
Get career-ready at Leicester with guidance from our award-winning Careers and Employability Service. We're here to give you a lifetime offer of support, even after graduation. Our team of specialist careers advisers and mentors will help you every step of the way. From supporting you with CVs and interviews, to volunteering opportunities and placements, we're here to help you reach your professional goals.
Course structure
Year 1
Year 1
- Contemporary Issues in Economics, Finance and Business
- Microeconomics
- Maths for Economics 1
- Statistics for Economists 1
- Contemporary Issues in Economics, Finance and Business 2
- Macroeconomics
- Maths for Economics 2
- Statistics for Economists 2
All five of our Economics courses share the exact same first year. This means you can switch to any of these degrees at the end of your first year:
- Economics BSc
- Economics and Accounting BSc
- Business Economics BSc
- Financial Economics and Banking BSc
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Year 2
Year 2
Core modules
- Intermediate Microeconomics
- Intermediate Macroeconomics
- Introductory Econometrics
- Methods for Data Analytics 1
- Topics in Applied Econometrics
- Methods for Data Analytics 2
Option modules
Choose two option modules from the following:
- Firms, Markets and Welfare
- Labour Economics
- Environmental and Resource Economics
- Principles of Finance
- Money and Central Banking
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Year in Industry or Abroad (optional)
Year in Industry or Abroad (optional)
On a ULSB course you have the option of spending your third year gaining work experience on an industry placement or studying abroad at one of our partner institutions.
Year in Industry
A Year in Industry is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience of a working environment within the sector of your choice. It is normally a paid position, more than offsetting the additional cost of your extra year and can take place either in the UK or overseas.
If you decide to undertake a Year in Industry you will be responsible for securing your own placement, with support from the School and the University Careers and Employability Service. Please note that deciding to search for a Year in Industry does not guarantee you a placement.
During your Year in Industry you will be supported by the School of Business Careers Team. This will include communication with you and your line manager and a visit to your place of work, which may be face to face or virtual (depending on location). You will also undertake written work to capture the learning from your experience, which will include reflection on your personal and professional development. This work will be assessed to allow you to gain recognition for your Year in Industry.
Your Year in Industry effectively begins in Year 1 when you will be introduced to various opportunities to develop your skills, your understanding and experience. In Year 2 will be given access to bespoke extra-curricular support to aid you in searching for suitable placement opportunities, and undertaking the recruitment and selection process.
A Year in Industry is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the types of professions you can choose after you graduate, and can also point you towards postgraduate studies that may help you on the path to your chosen career.
Year Abroad information
We'll make sure you have everything you need for your future career: not just by awarding you a high quality degree, but also by helping you develop the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to make your mark in the world as a Citizen of Change. One way you can do this is by opting to take a Year Abroad between Years 2 and 3 of your degree.
Studying abroad is not just for people who are interested in travelling and meeting new people. It is about acquiring life skills that are becoming increasingly significant for a wide range of jobs in our modern globalised society. Whether you go on to a career in the private, public or third sector - or plough your own furrow as an entrepreneur - you will find the experience invaluable.
For more information, including a list of destinations, please visit our Study Abroad website.
Please note
- A year spent abroad still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See the Fees and Funding tab of this page for details.
- You may be eligible for a travel grant from Student Finance England.
- Places are offered on a competitive basis, and eligibility is dependent on your academic performance in Years 1 and 2.
- Language courses, at beginners or advanced level, are available through our Languages at Leicester scheme.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Final year
Final year
Core modules
- Data Analytics in Practice
- Economic Forecasting
- Reflective Project
Option modules
Semester One
Choose one option module from:
And then two option modules from:
Semester Two
Chose one option module from:
And then one option module from:
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Why Leicester?
Our Brookfield campus is equipped with state-of-the-art learning facilities including the ULSB Trading Room. Our 16 dual-screen Bloomberg terminals let you see how traders work using real-time stock quotes 24/7 and providing access to industry-leading data, research, news and analytics.
Teaching and learning
During your first year you will typically have 9-10 hours a week of timetabled sessions – around 6 hours of lectures and 3-4 hours of seminars or small group work. Lectures will provide you with the framework and foundational knowledge for each subject, whilst seminars, held in smaller groups, provide you with the opportunity to discuss key ideas with your tutor and peers. A variety of teaching methods are used with the aim of creating a stimulating environment in which you are encouraged to develop your learning skills and to actively engage and participate in your learning process.
Assessment methods varied to allow you to develop a range of academic and transferable skills throughout your programme and these include examinations, individual and group based assignments, mid-term problem-solving tests and presentations.
Independent learning
When not attending lectures, seminars or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. To help with your independent learning, you can access the Library and our social study spaces in halls of residence and our learning spaces at Brookfield.
Academic support
Our Centre for Academic Achievement provides help in the following areas:
- study and exam skills
- academic writing
- presentations
- dissertations
- numerical data skills
- referencing sources
Our AccessAbility Centre offers support and practical help for students with dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties, including physical, mental health or mobility difficulties, deafness, or visual impairment.
Teaching staff
You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. PhD research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader. Our teaching is informed by the research we do. You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles.
Apply now
| Course | Qualification | Duration | UCAS Code | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Economics and Data Analytics | Qualification BSc | Duration 3 years, full-time | UCAS Code LL15 | Availability Apply now |
| Course Economics and Data Analytics | Qualification BSc | Duration 4 years, full-time | UCAS Code LL15 | Availability Apply Now |
| Course Economics and Data Analytics | Qualification BSc | Duration 4 years, full-time | UCAS Code LL15 | Availability Apply Now |
