Study at Cardiff | Undergraduate

An Economics degree at Cardiff will provide you with a thorough understanding of economic analysis and will stimulate you to value this analysis in understanding economic problems and a wider range of social and political issues. Studying Economics at Cardiff will provide you with rigorous training that will be a useful grounding for your future career.

Key Facts

UCAS Code	L100
Duration	3 years
How to apply	www.cardiff.ac.uk/howtoapply
Accreditation
Typical places available	The School admits 550 students each year to its undergraduate degree programmes
Typical applications received	3,500
Scholarships & Bursaries	www.cardiff.ac.uk/scholarships business.cardiff.ac.uk/degree-programmes/undergraduate/scholarships/
Fees	www.cardiff.ac.uk/fees
Typical A-level offer	AAB with an A-level in Mathematics
Admissions Tutors	Dr Kevin Stagg
Tel Number	029 2087 5755
Email address	business-ug@cardiff.ac.uk
School website	business.cardiff.ac.uk

Can governments reduce unemployment without inducing inflation? What are the implications for the UK of the introduction of the single currency? How can the NHS be reformed to increase efficiency and equity? These are just some of the many issues and debates which may lead students to study Economics.

An Economics degree at Cardiff provides students with a thorough understanding of economic analysis and aims to stimulate students to value this analysis in understanding economic problems and a wider range of social and political issues. Studying Economics provides a rigorous training that will be a useful grounding for future careers.

At Cardiff, we provide breadth of interest with a broad range of options in the final year along with the opportunity to specialise, with the option of undertaking a dissertation on a research topic within Economics. Economics is a numerate subject and consistent with other universities, some modules will have a quantitative element.

Applicants to the single honours degree in Economics are therefore required to offer A-level Mathematics or its equivalent. Students not taking A level Mathematics can apply to join the programme in the second year if they achieve a good mark in the first year core modules: Applied Statistics and Mathematics in Business, Microeconomics and Macroeconomics.

Trading Room

The Trading Room is used as part of the BSc Economics and Finance programme but is open to all students, supervised by trained PhD students who will help students to become familiar with the new software.

Students are offered the opportunity to undertake the Thomson Reuters Certification qualification, an industry qualification to prove their ability in using the platform to access all the information that they need. This five-module training process involves one-to-one training and phone conferences with a Reuters representative. The Trading Room gives students the opportunity to become attractive potential graduates in the City, where the job market is becoming ever more competitive.

Year 1 - Requirements

Two compulsory double modules

• Applied Statistics and Mathematics in Economics and Business
• Economic History

one compulsory double module per semester

Autumn

• Microeconomics

Spring

• Macroeconomics

and two double modules or one single module from

• Contemporary Economic Issues
• Introduction to Accounting
• Legal Studies

Autumn

• Principles of Business Management

Spring

• Principles of Marketing and Strategy

Year 2 – Requirements

Three compulsory double modules

• Introductory Econometrics
• Macroeconomic Theory
• Microeconomic Theory

and three double modules from

• British Economy
• Money, Banking and Finance
• Economics of the EU
• Modern British Economic History
• Social Economics

Year 3 – Requirements

Two compulsory double modules

• Macroeconomic Analysis
• Microeconomic Analysis

and four double modules from

• Applied Welfare Economics
• Business History
• Econometrics
• Financial Economics
• International Economic History
• International Finance
• International Trade
• Labour Economics
• Public Finance
• Industrial Economics
• The Economics of Development

Visit the Cardiff Business School website for more information about modules and credits.

Cardiff Business School’s teaching is research-led, combining academic rigour with practical relevance. Our faculty consists of world-leading academics who are at the forefront of knowledge within their field. They bring the lessons from their most recent research into the classroom, giving students access to the latest information and business thinking.

You will find that the phrase ’learning and teaching’ is commonly used in UK universities. This phrase emphasises the two-way nature of the process in which you will be taking part. You, we hope, will be doing the learning; we will be providing not only teaching, but also many other things which contribute to a good environment for learning, such as computer resources, a  well stocked library, suitable lecture rooms, and so on.

Unless both sides of the ‘learning and teaching’ equation are in place, satisfactory educational outcomes cannot take place. It follows that the responsibility is divided equally between staff and the University as a whole on the one hand, and students on the other. The Business School and University will provide good quality teaching and learning resources, and will be responsive to the needs and views of you, our students. For your part, you will need to put in the necessary amount of work both during and outside formal teaching sessions, and to make good use of the facilities provided. Only when both these aspects are present will you be able to reach your full potential in your chosen subject.

Methods of teaching:

Most modules involve a mixture of lectures and small group teaching (classes/seminars/workshops/tutorials). In the lecture, the lecturer will mainly be giving an overview of an aspect of the module content (as well as giving opportunities for the student to ask questions and be reflective), while in classes and workshops you will have an opportunity to practice techniques, discuss ideas, apply concepts and consolidate your understanding in the topic

Independent Study:

All modules will require a considerable element of independent study alongside the formal scheduled teaching. Independent study is designed so that you can expand on the knowledge given to you during lectures, seminars and tutorials. Independent study is an important component of Higher Education because it helps you to develop the ability for enquiry and critical evaluation, which in turn leads to you developing transferable skills, helps you to learn how to respond to change and it is key to ensuring that you have sufficient understanding of the subject you are studying. The amount of independent study you are expected to undertake will increase throughout the duration of your degree as your expertise also increases.

Office Hours:

All academic staff in the Business School have designated office hours when they are available to meet with students and these are posted on their office doors along with their contact details. Office hours provide an important source of contact with your lecturers and enable you to ask questions you may not wish to ask in a large class setting. This time can help you to clarify anything you have been taught that is unclear or can give you advice on further reading or preparation for assignments.

Personal Tutors

You will be allocated a Personal Tutor at the beginning of your studies. Normally, your Personal Tutor will teach on your own degree programme and you will keep the same Personal Tutor throughout your course.

Your Personal Tutor will be able to give you advice on academic issues, including module choice and assessment. If you encounter any problems which affect your studies, your Personal Tutor should always be your first point of contact; she/he will be able to put you in touch with the student support services provided by the University and the Students’ Union as appropriate. It is normally the Personal Tutor who writes references for job applications and therefore you should keep your personal tutor informed about how you are getting on. Students are required to meet with their personal tutors at three points during the year but you are also encouraged to get in touch with them at any other point if you need help or advice. 

Typical A-level Offer	AAB One of the A-levels must be in Mathematics at grade B or above, excluding General Studies, Critical Thinking and Citizenship
Typical WBQ Offer	Pass the Advanced Diploma and grades AA at A- level
Typical Int Bacc Offer	35 points, including Mathematics at 6SL or 5HL
Other	Applications from those offering alternative qualifications are welcome. Please see detailed admissions and selection criteria for more information.

A list of commonly accepted alternative entry qualifications and admissions and selection criteria for this degree programme can be read here.