Why Leeds?
With great music venues, culture, shopping and parks – we've got it all. Leeds city centre has been named one of the Best Places to Live in the UK*.
*The Sunday Times Best Places to Live Guide, 2026
Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Undergraduate BA (Hons)
Business Economics
Be the change employers seek - learn how social and economic environments affect organisations and how to make positive changes on this BA Economics degree.
Course overview
-
4T5B -
L27 -
City Campus -
Full-Time -
3 Years -
21 Sep 2026
Acquire essential skills in business economics, business management courses, accounting, and strategic management with a focus on real-world application.
As part of your course, you'll:
- Investigate the fundamentals of economics and their relevance to business management
- Gain an understanding of sustainable business behaviour, strategy, and corporate performance and its interaction with the policy environment
- Achieve a solid theoretical and practical grasp of the economic challenges faced by business managers
- Enhance your ability to assess the economic and social environments influencing business decisions
Enhance your employability
By opting for a paid work placement in your third year, you'll boost your employability skills. Previous business management courses students have interned with leading companies such as Mercedes Benz, Price Waterhouse Cooper, and prominent high retail banks.
We promote the development of your entrepreneurial skills through various national student competitions, including the Universities Business Challenge.
Industry speakers
Our guest lecture series will enrich your learning experience. Notable past speakers include the CEO of the London Stock Exchange, the Chief Executive of the British Bankers Association, and the Chief Economist of Yorkshire Bank. To view and register for any upcoming guest lectures, visit our university events webpage.
Why study the BA (Hons) Business Economics degree at Leeds Beckett University?
- 92% of BA (Hons) Business Economics students were positive about the way teaching staff explain things*
- Explore the principles of economics and their application in business management
- Engage with representatives from firms such as Deloitte to understand how economics work in business
- Utilise the university's local, national and international connections for a year's paid work placement opportunity
- Consider studying abroad for a semester in year two at venues around the world
*National Student Survey 2025
Explore videos and blogs
Make every moment matter at Leeds Business School Discover the kind of moments you could look forward to at Leeds Business School, from learning from experts to being inspired by business leaders. Our students have gone on placements, worked on live industry projects and benefitted from connections with employers such as Disney, Sky Sports, Nestlé, Flamingo Land and North Brewing. Together we can power your future advantage.
How FOMO is fuelling ‘throw away fashion’ Alistair Macauley, senior lecturer within Leeds Business School, explains how our desire to wear the latest fashion trends is having a devastating effect on the planet and what we can do to bring positive change. Find out how Alistair is empowering students to become successful business leaders who understand the importance of addressing climate change alongside finding innovative solutions to meet customer demands.
Sustainable Development Stephen Woods, Senior Lecturer at Leeds Beckett University, believes when it comes to the crisis around sustainability, the mainstream conversation is rooted in fear, denial and blame. With the help of a new Sustainable Development module he has created, he is inspiring business and economic students to find innovative solutions that make real change.
Why Leeds for business? Discover what the city of Leeds has to offer and why it’s a great choice for students studying business, finance or communications.
Everything you need to know
Discover all there is to know about the course, from entry requirements and fees to exploring the school you’ll be joining - we’ve got it covered.
Entry requirements
104
points required
If you’re unsure how to work out your UCAS points we have a UCAS Tariff Calculator which will do it for you. All you need to do is enter your qualifications and let the UCAS Tariff Calculator do the maths.
We have welcomed students from over 140 countries to study at Leeds Beckett University. If you are interested in studying with us you can find all the information you need about entry requirements and how to apply on our country specific pages.
Entry requirements
104
points required
UCAS Tariff Points: 104 points required.
(Minimum 64 from two A Levels or equivalent, excluding General Studies).
GCSEs
GCSE English Language Grade 4 or above and GCSE Maths Grade 5 or above (Grade C (English) and Grade B (Maths) for those sitting their GCSE before from 2017 onwards) or equivalent. Key Skills/Functional Skills Level 2 and the Certificate in Adult Literacy are accepted in place of GCSE Grade 4 English Language. Key Skills/Functional Skills Level 3 are accepted in place of GCSE Grade 5 Maths.Access to HE Diploma
Pass overall with a minimum of 104 UCAS tariff points.T Levels
Pass overall with a minimum of 104 UCAS tariff points, including a C or above on the core.Scottish Awards
104 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 5 Highers of which at least 2 must be grade B or above.Irish Leaving Certificate
104 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 5 subjects at higher level of which at least 3 must be grade H3 or above.International baccalaureate
104 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 3 Highers of which at least 2 must be grade H5 or above.IELTS
IELTS 6.0 with no skills below 5.5, or an equivalent qualification. The University provides excellent support for any applicant who may be required to undertake additional English language courses.
How we assess your application
At Leeds Beckett we look for students who demonstrate a good knowledge, curiosity and passion for your chosen course and would benefit from the University’s learning environment.We aim to give every student a fair chance to progress and succeed on their chosen course and we recognise that your grades may not always reflect your true potential. Therefore, when assessing your application, we will consider the following:
- Your completed qualifications (such as GCSEs, A Levels, and their equivalents).
- Your predicted grades in future examinations.
- Your personal statement.
Our offers
All our offers are made by trained professionals who are committed to making offers that are appropriate to each applicant, regardless of their background.* They have the discretion to vary the level of offer to ensure every student with the potential to succeed at Leeds Beckett receives an offer that is achievable for them. This could mean that you may receive an offer to study on this course with lower (predicted or achieved) UCAS Tariff Points than our published tariff.  Your offer will be based on our belief that you are capable of benefiting from, and successfully completing, your course. We believe that it is people who think differently, independently, people with ‘unlike-minds' that make big things happen.*We operate a contextual admissions policy, which means we consider a range of additional factors when we assess a student’s application. Applicants who meet at least one of our contextual admissions criteria may be offered a place on this course with lower (predicted or achieved) UCAS Tariff Points than our published tariff.
Our contextual admissions criteria are:
- Home postcode is in an area where few people go to University (POLAR4 quintile 1 or 2 area. This can be checked on the Office for Students website).
- Declared disability on the UCAS application form (or direct application for part-time applicants).
- Over the age of 21 on the 1st of September before the course starts.
- Declared as a care experienced on the UCAS application form (or direct application for part-time applicants).
Our place as an Anchor Institution
To further strengthen our position as a key provider of education and training for West Yorkshire we apply an Anchor Institution Policy in our admissions process. Students who apply to us from any of the five Local Authority areas in West Yorkshire (BD, HD, HX, LS, WF) may be offered a place on this course with lower (predicted or achieved) UCAS Tariff Points.Mature Applicants
Our university welcomes applications from mature applicants who demonstrate academic potential. All students will be considered through the contextual admissions policy described above. If you do not meet the requirements through the contextual admissions policy, we may still be able to make you an offer if you have recent relevant work experience through our 'Recognition of Prior Learning' policy. Please ensure that you list both your qualifications and any relevant work experience in your application so that we can consider you under both schemes where applicable. All applicants should meet our standard entry requirements of GCSE grade 4 in English language and, where specified, Maths. Alternative qualifications such as functional skills are accepted in lieu of GCSEs for most courses.We have welcomed students from over 140 countries to study at Leeds Beckett University. If you are interested in studying with us you can find all the information you need about entry requirements and how to apply on our country specific pages.
International baccalaureate
104 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 3 Highers of which at least 2 must be grade H5 or above.IELTS
IELTS 6.0 with no skills below 5.5, or an equivalent qualification. The University provides excellent support for any applicant who may be required to undertake additional English language courses.
Additional entry requirements:
Verify your qualifications
If you are an international student, we can help you to compare and verify your qualifications. Please contact our International Office on +44 (0)113 812 1111 09.00 to 17.00 Mon-Thurs / 09.00 to 16.30 Fri GMT or email internationaloffice@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.Need to improve your English Language skills?
Don't worry if you don't have the level of English required for your chosen course. We offer a wide range of courses which have been designed to help you to improve your qualifications and English language ability, most of which are accredited by the British Council. Check your English and find out more about our English courses.More questions?
No matter what your questions, we are here to answer them, visit our International website to get more information and find out about our online open days.Independent study is a crucial part of learning at university and you will be required to undertake many hours of self-directed research and reading, and preparation and writing of assessments. Your course is delivered through a number of modules, which will help you to plan your time and establish a study routine. Outside of your lectures, workshops and tutorials, a range of support is available to assist with your independent study. Our subject-specific librarians will be on hand to direct you to the specialist learning and study-skill resources. You’ll also be assigned an academic advisor to give you tailored feedback and support.
Modules, teaching and learning
The tabs below detail what and how you will study in each year of your course. The balance of assessments and overall workload will be informed by your core modules and the option modules you choose to study – the information provided is an indication of what you can expect and may be subject to change. The option modules listed are also an indication of what will be available to you. Their availability is subject to demand and you will be advised which option modules you can choose at the beginning of each year of study.
What you'll learn
Explore the fundamental microeconomic concepts and principles and some of the essential mathematical techniques used in economic analysis. You'll gain knowledge of modern microeconomic theories and methods, the ability to apply those methods to analyse government policies, and be able to understand and apply relevant mathematical methods.
Develop an understanding of responsible business objectives and functions. During this module, you'll explore the role of finance, accounting, and the accountancy profession. Using the PESTLE framework, you'll analyse the environment in which responsible businesses operate by identifying the key external factors (political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental) that influence decision-making in the modern economy. By the end of the module, you'll be able to identify the role governance plays in managing a business. You'll also demonstrate how a business can promote an ethical culture, including the importance of sustainability and its impact on the economic environment in which it operates.
This module is designed to strengthen your academic scholarship and critical thinking, providing essential support for your work in concurrent subject modules. You'll begin developing the core knowledge, practical skills, and professional behaviours expected of economics practitioners, while also honing your research capabilities for both academic study and real-world application.
Create, manipulate, and interpret business data using the appropriate basic statistical methods. This module covers measures of dispersion, probability, probability distributions, sampling, hypothesis testing, simple and multiple regression, and time series forecasting. You'll learn how to calculate and interpret measures of central tendency and spread for numerical data. Upon completion, you'll be able to analyse and solve problems involving uncertainty using appropriate probability distributions. Additionally, you'll develop an understanding of sampling techniques and appreciate the significance of the Central Limit Theorem.
Gain an overview of macroeconomics by exploring and debating issues such as unemployment, exchange rates, economic growth and inflation, among others. You'll understand the role of fiscal and monetary policy and the need for a stable macroeconomic environment for business.
Examine how managers can understand and use different financial information. You'll consider how shareholders can use financial statements as a means of evaluating a firm's performance.
This module will help you to understand contemporary economic and political debates. You'll explore the origins of these different perspectives / world views / ideologies and what the different views mean when we look at real world issues in economics and finance.
Learn to create, manipulate, and interpret business data using fundamental mathematical methods. Starting with basic concepts, you'll explore elementary matrix theory, differentiation, and integration. As you progress, you'll deepen your understanding of powers, roots, logarithms, and simple algebraic functions. You'll develop the skills to solve linear and quadratic equations, as well as systems of equations. By the end of the module, you'll grasp the concept of integration and its role as the reverse process of differentiation.
What you'll learn
Gain a rigorous grounding in the essentials of microeconomic analysis and start to explore some of the essential data analysis techniques used in economic analysis. You'll develop a sound knowledge of modern microeconomic theories and methods and how to apply those methods to analyse government policies. You'll also be able to apply relevant quantitative methods.
This module will provide theoretical viewpoints on business and market scenarios in a modern capitalist economy. This will include perspectives on forces shaping big business; understanding how firms interact with each other strategically; and gaining knowledge of how firms address internal problems of information, agency and multiple stakeholders.
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the main concepts, debates, and theories in the study of contemporary political economy. You'll begin to appreciate the range of perspectives that inform economic theory and policy, providing a foundation for the formal study of economics.
This module will provide an historical introduction to the methodology of economics. You'll study the history of the subject, using examples to show how the practice of economics has developed over time and how changes in the methods and techniques have been used to analyse reality.
Understand recent developments in economics theory and policy through the examination of national economies and the relationships between international economies. You'll study topics including economic growth, theoretical models, aggregate supply, and demand in the open economy and stabilisation polices.
Develop an understanding of elementary econometric techniques and principles. You'll be able to apply these techniques appropriately in the statistical testing of business and economic theories and models. You'll gain hands-on experience and familiarity with econometric software packages. The module will provide a basis for further work in business and economic forecasting in future employment. It will allow you to explore more advanced areas of econometric theory as you progress through your studies. You'll gain the ability to critically assess published applied econometric studies. You'll also undertake quantitative analysis of business and economic data as an integral part of your dissertation.
Option modules may include
Explore the global dimensions of environmental impacts and a broad range of environmental concerns with a focus on global climate change. You'll learn about competing perspectives on sustainable development and evaluate the policies that seek to enable individuals, businesses, and governments to behave in an environmentally sustainable way.
Develop an understanding of key aspects of corporate finance and investigate the legal and governance framework within which businesses operate.
Examine complex businesses and organisations to determine how their operations and supply chains produce competitive advantage and improve performance. You'll use a range of real-life scenarios along with qualitative and quantitative data to understand, apply, and analyse concepts and principles from the field.
Develop your understanding of the nature and complexities of managerial decision making, including the tensions between ethics and cost effectiveness. You'll study the role of cognition, perception, and motivation in decision making and the managerial negotiation skills needed in effective decision making.
This module will introduce you to the basic concepts and theories of ecological economics. You'll examine the relationship between economic activity and the environment.
This module will introduce old and new approaches to the study of institutions in economics. Emphasis will be placed on applications to economic history, evolution and development, and to theories of institutional stability and change.
Develop the key mathematical and statistical techniques to understand the models and arguments used both within economic theory and application, and applied topics within business and finance.
What you'll learn
Learn to apply the approaches and tools of microeconomic analysis and broaden and deepen your understanding of issues important to business success and public policy. This module will focus on enterprise and the competitive process to strengthen your understanding of industrial dynamics and will highlight aims and limitations of the social oversight of business.
Develop your understanding of the nature and application of the financing and management of organisations other than private businesses. You'll build the skills and knowledge necessary to manage them to contribute to social sustainability.
Develop an awareness of current macroeconomic issues and the challenges they pose for policymakers. You'll be introduced to what these challenges are and the various macroeconomic models that attempt to provide an insight into policy solutions. You'll also consider how different policies around the world are able to complement one another.
Develop a critical understanding of the process of economic globalisation and the role played by Transnational Corporations as both cause and consequence of this process through control of global production networks and foreign direct investment.
Option modules may include
Improve your understanding of econometric principles and modern methods, and learn how to apply these techniques in the statistical testing of economic theories and models, and forecasting of economic and financial variables.
Study the ways in which the decision-making process influences decisions that are made in practice. This module will combine psychology and economics while you learn about the emerging field of behavioural economics.
This module will explore the theoretical and empirical perspectives of the economics of energy demand, energy supply, energy markets, policy instruments affecting energy, and carbon markets. You'll apply economic analysis to energy policy and cover subjects such as energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, the design of policy instruments, smart grids, electricity market structures, and externalities associated with energy generation and use.
This module will provide you with a detailed introduction to some key issues, actors, organisations, processes and instruments in the finance system. Exploring these issues will highlight how regulation creates spaces for aspects of finance, but also creates vulnerabilities that are systemic. You'll consider how different parts of the system are currently regulated and how that regulation is changing.
This module is the culmination of your degree studies and involves a major piece of independent research. You'll have the option to undertake academic research in the form of either a) a dissertation or b) an academic journal article.
Study the main theoretical models used by labour economists and how they apply to policy making. You'll explore how labour economics informs the discussion of many social and sustainability issues, such as causes and implications of unemployment; the role of human capital investment in income inequality, and the causes of gender and racial wage and employment gaps.
Apply for a placement and undertake a period of paid employment to give you the opportunity to develop business contacts and gain an understanding of the jobs and career market.
This course offers the opportunity to take a ‘placement’ year – a year of paid employment in industry which will build your skills and experience. This is usually taken between the second and third year of your degree and will extend the length of your course by an additional year.
Students who choose the placement route find it helps with both their studies and getting a job after graduation. It can build your confidence, contacts, and of course your CV. Leeds Beckett advertise lots of placement opportunities and provide support in helping you find the right placement for you.
Fees and funding
£9,790
UK
The annual tuition fee for students entering in the 2026/27 academic year is anticipated to be £9790 (the maximum annual tuition fee cap announced by the UK Government, which is subject to parliamentary approval).
For each subsequent year of study, the University may charge up to the maximum annual tuition fee cap set by the UK Government, which may increase in line with any uplift determined by the UK Government by law or government policy (such increases are expected to be linked to inflation).
Placement Year
You will normally spend a whole year in placement. For this year you will be charged a reduced fee, which is yet to be confirmed.
£16,840
International 2026
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2026/27 is £16840.
Placement Year
You will normally spend a whole year in placement. For this year you will be charged a reduced fee of £2526.Fees and funding
£9,790
For students entering in 2026
The annual tuition fee for students entering in the 2026/27 academic year is anticipated to be £9790 (the maximum annual tuition fee cap announced by the UK Government, which is subject to parliamentary approval).
For each subsequent year of study, the University may charge up to the maximum annual tuition fee cap set by the UK Government, which may increase in line with any uplift determined by the UK Government by law or government policy (such increases are expected to be linked to inflation).
Placement Year
You will normally spend a whole year in placement. For this year you will be charged a reduced fee, which is yet to be confirmed.Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
£16,840
For students entering in 2026
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2026/27 is £16840.
Placement Year
You will normally spend a whole year in placement. For this year you will be charged a reduced fee of £2526.Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
Scholarships and bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that an education at Leeds Beckett University is open to all. If you're thinking of joining us for undergraduate study, you may be eligible for a non-repayable scholarship or bursary to help with the cost of university. To find out if you are be eligible visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
We also offer a range of non-repayable scholarships for international students. To find out if you may be eligible visit our scholarships for international students page and select your home country from the drop-down list.
92%
of students on BA (Hons) Business Economics were positive about the way teaching staff explain things
Career prospects
There’s a lot to consider when choosing a course. Take a look at the team you’ll be working with, employability statistics and career prospects to help make up your mind.
Career Prospects
With a degree in BA Economics, you'll gain the skills necessary for a career as an economist, or you could venture into other fields such as management or accountancy. You'll be primed for a trainee management role or a graduate programme that accelerates your path to leadership. Our alumni thrive in diverse sectors ranging from banking to car manufacturing. Potential career paths include:
- Economist
- Economic Analyst
- Financial Analyst
- Data Analyst
Dr John Embery
Course Director / Leeds Business School
Course Director for undergraduate economics programmes, researcher in social regional economy; combining interests in collective choice and experiences and regional development. His research is pluralistic and multidisciplinary, combining approaches from across the disciplines and using open-systems methodologies.
Our Graduate Promise
We have a dedicated team of people who will support you with all aspects of your career planning, from day one until 18 months after you graduate.
Getting you career ready is an integral part of your university life and this is embedded throughout your lectures and seminars. Outside of your course there is a wide range of support available to help you achieve your career goals, including:
- Getting ready to apply for jobs
- Working on your CV
- Interview skills and assessment centres
- Connecting with employers and organisations
We’re ranked in the Top 10 universities in the UK for job prospects
(Student Crowd, 2025 - the only awards based entirely on student reviews).
Find out why...
Student life
At Leeds Beckett your experience is important to us, find out more about what to expect from your time on this course and life at uni.
Guest lecture events
Gain insight and network at our guest lecture events
Leeds Business School hosts guest lectures open to students, businesses, professionals, alumni and staff. Gain insight from industry experts, leading business figures and entrepreneurs who are invited to speak across a range of subjects including business and management, leadership, marketing, PR, economics, finance, accounting, and HR.
Find out about any future events by visiting our university events pages.
Explore Leeds Beckett
Step inside our immersive 360° virtual tour and discover cutting-edge facilities, dynamic learning spaces, and everything our campus has to offer.
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