Study at Cardiff | Undergraduate

Understanding the theoretical aspects of Economics allows students to engage with a number of problems and policy issues. Business Economics appeals to those who wish to specialise in the application of economic theory to business decision making, matching a good knowledge of economic principles to an awareness of their uses and limitations in a business context. The Business Economics degree at Cardiff aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice in the areas of economics directly relevant to business.

Key Facts

UCAS Code	L114
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
Admissions Tutors	Dr Kevin Stagg
Tel Number	029 2087 5755
Email address	business-ug@cardiff.ac.uk
School website	business.cardiff.ac.uk

Understanding the theoretical aspects of Economics allows students to engage with a number of problems and policy issues. Business Economics appeals to those who wish to specialise in the application of economic theory to business decision making, matching a good knowledge of economic principles to an awareness of their uses and limitations in a business context.

The Business Economics degree at Cardiff aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice in the areas of economics directly relevant to business. It focuses on an understanding of economic theory relating to the organisational and managerial characteristics of the modern business enterprise. The mix of options available to students incorporates a number of varied and exciting business and economic disciplines. As well as improving the range of career opportunities, this attractive variety of modules carries a high interest factor and attracts considerable demand for places.

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

plus one compulsory double module per semester

Autumn

• Microeconomics

Spring

• Macroeconomics

plus Modules to the value of 40 credits from either Group 1 or Group 2

Group 1

Two double modules or one double module

and both single modules:

• Contemporary Economic Issues
• Legal Studies
• Introduction to Accounting

Autumn

• Principles of Business Management

Spring

• Principles of Marketing & Strategy

Group 2

One double in the Autumn Semester

• Introduction to Financial and Management Accounting

Two single modules in the Spring Semester

• Fundamentals of Financial Reporting
• Introduction to Finance

Year 2 – Requirements

Four compulsory double modules

• Introductory Econometrics
• Macroeconomic Theory
• Microeconomics Theory
• Managerial Economics

plus two further modules, at least one of which must be from Group 1

Group 1

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

Group 2

• Buyer Behaviour
• Employment Relations
• Human Resource Management
• Management Theory and Practice
• Managerial Accounting and Finance
• Marketing and Strategy
• Organisational Behaviour

Year 3 – Requirements

Four compulsory double modules

• Applied Macroeconomics and Finance
• Industrial Economics
• Business Applications
• Modern Business Enterprise

Plus two further modules, at least one of which must be from Group 1

Group 1

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

Group 2

• Accounting Theory and Practice
• Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development
• Ethics and Morality of Business
• Marketing Decision Making
• Strategic Management
• Work and Employment

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 from any combination of not more than three A-levels 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 and English (Standard Level) with scores of 5
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.