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Economics at UEA
Find out more about studying Economics at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreBSc (Hons) Economics and Finance with a Placement Year
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Science
- UCAS Course Code
- LN1P
- Typical Offer
- ABB
- Contextual Offer
- BBC
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2027
Other Start Dates
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Other Start Dates
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91%
Of graduates go on to work and/or study within 15 months after the course
Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022-23Course Overview
Why BSc Economics and Finance with a Placement Year at UEA?
Develop strong expertise in economic analysis and financial decision making while gaining valuable professional experience. Our Economics and Finance with a Placement Year combines rigorous economic training with specialist knowledge of financial markets, corporate finance and investment, alongside the opportunity to apply these skills in a professional setting.
Why choose UEA?
- Shape your expertise: Choose from a wide range of finance focused options and build expertise in areas such as financial markets, corporate finance and investment
- Markets in action: Use LSEG powered facilities and Bloomberg terminals to explore markets and analyse financial data
- Integrated professional placement: Spend 9 to 12 months in full time employment, applying economic and financial analysis in a professional environment before returning for your final year
What is BSc Economics and Finance with a Placement Year?
On a UEA Economics and Finance course, you'll study how financial markets operate and how economic forces shape investment, risk and corporate decision making. You'll combine core economic ideas with specialised finance topics, developing a strong understanding of financial systems, financial instruments and the behaviour of firms, investors and institutions.
You'll learn through lectures, seminars, workshops and IT lab sessions, applying economic and financial concepts to data, case studies and contemporary market developments. Alongside your studies, you'll receive support from your academic adviser and a dedicated skills and development module, helping you build confidence in quantitative analysis, communication and critical thinking.
A distinctive feature of this course is the opportunity to undertake a full-time placement, typically lasting 9 to 12 months. This experience allows you to apply economic and financial analysis in practice, develop professional confidence, build industry networks and gain insight into how financial and economic decisions are made within organisations.
You'll benefit from a range of hands-on opportunities that bring Economics to life, including the use of LSEG powered data facilities and Bloomberg terminals, alongside exploration of emerging tools such as LLMs and engagement with employers through guest lectures and events. You can also join student staff partnership initiatives that contribute to shaping teaching and amplifying student voice in our school. You can write for Norwich Economic Publications and participate in societies and skills workshops that help develop networks and practical experience.
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Placement Year
In your third year, you'll complete a full-time placement lasting between 9 and 12 months, gaining professional experience in a role related to your career interests.
This provides an opportunity to apply the economic and analytical skills developed during your degree within a real organisational environment. Placement roles may be in areas such as finance, consultancy, government, business analytics or similar fields.
The placement year helps you develop professional confidence, deepen your understanding of workplace practices, enhance your CV and build valuable professional networks before returning for your final year of study.
Careers
Career Pathways
As a BSc Economics and Finance with a Placement Year graduate, you'll be well prepared for roles that combine economic reasoning with financial analysis and investment decision making, including:
- Financial or investment analyst: Analyse financial data, evaluate assets and build models to support investment decisions in banks, asset managers and financial institutions
- Corporate finance analyst: Assess company performance, evaluate investment projects and support strategic financial decisions within firms
- Risk or quantitative analyst: Use data and financial models to evaluate market risk, pricing and financial market behaviour
- Economic or financial Consultant: Provide analytical advice to firms, financial institutions and public organisations on markets, strategy and policy
- Government or policy adviser: Apply economic and financial analysis to inform regulation, policy development and public decision making in government departments or international organisations
Career Support
You'll develop transferable skills through applied learning and varied assessment, including financial analysis projects, data driven reports, presentations and collaborative work. You'll gain experience using specialist software such as Stata, Python, and R, and work with financial and economic data using LSEG and Bloomberg resources in dedicated facilities.
Employer events, guest speakers and targeted workshops provide additional career insight and practical guidance, from CV development to understanding emerging tools such as LLMs. Your placement year will enable you to gain extended professional experience, apply economic and financial analysis in a workplace environment and return to your final year with greater professional confidence and clearer career direction.
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
After the Course
After graduation, you'll be equipped to interpret financial and economic evidence, evaluate investment and market developments and communicate analytical insights clearly. You'll be well prepared for careers in financial services, investment analysis, corporate finance, consulting and data driven roles across business and government. Many graduates also progress to postgraduate study in areas such as finance, economics, financial economics, or data science. Your academic training, combined with the professional experience gained during your placement year, will strengthen your profile for competitive graduate schemes and international career opportunities.
Study and Modules
Structure
In your first year, you'll build a solid foundation in economic thinking and evidence-based analysis. You'll examine how individuals, firms and governments make choices, how markets function and how fiscal and monetary policy shape economic outcomes at both national and global levels. Alongside core economic concepts, you'll also be introduced to the world of finance, discussing current financial developments and considering how firms make financial decisions in competitive and evolving environments.
You'll also develop the quantitative skills that underpin economic and financial analysis, strengthening your ability in mathematical reasoning, statistics and structured problem solving. If you do not have an A level in Mathematics or an equivalent qualification, a tailored introductory mathematics module will provide the techniques needed to support your studies.
Compulsory Modules
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Structure
In your second year, you'll deepen your understanding of microeconomic and macroeconomic analysis while further developing empirical skills through econometrics. You'll learn how to work with data, test economic relationships and interpret statistical results to investigate real world economic and financial questions.
You'll also gain a clearer understanding of financial decision making within firms through the study of corporate finance, exploring how organisations assess investments, manage risk and finance their activities. At this stage you can begin to shape your degree around your interests by selecting from a range of optional subjects, which may include behavioural economics, international trade, mathematical economics, programming or applied data analysis.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 20)Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Structure
Your third year is spent on a full-time professional placement, usually lasting between 9 and 12 months. This provides an opportunity to apply the economic and financial analysis developed during your degree in a professional setting, gaining direct experience of organisational environments, business decision making and strategic planning.
While you’re responsible for securing your placement, the school and UEA’s Careers Service offer dedicated guidance throughout the search and application process. This year allows you to develop valuable industry experience and return to your final year with greater professional confidence and a clearer sense of your career direction.
Compulsory Modules
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Structure
In your final year, you'll take a more independent and research-oriented approach to your studies, developing deeper expertise in financial markets and investment analysis. You'll examine how financial markets function and how risk and return are assessed, with opportunities to explore topics such as behavioural finance, alternative investments and financial risk management.
You'll also have the opportunity to undertake an independent research dissertation or a consultancy-based project, applying economic and financial analysis to a substantial research or policy question. A wide range of optional modules allows you to tailor your studies to your interests, with subjects spanning finance, economics, data analysis and public policy.
Your academic adviser and a module choice fair will support you in selecting options aligned with your academic interests and career ambitions.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Min Credits: 20, Max Credits: 60)Optional B Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)Optional C Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 40)Optional D Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 40)Optional G Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning, and Assessment
Teaching and Learning
Teaching takes place through lectures, seminars, workshops and IT lab sessions that connect economic theory with real business and policy applications. Classes are delivered by research active academics who integrate current research, empirical evidence and policy debates into their teaching.
Guest speakers from industry provide additional professional insight across finance, corporate strategy and the public sector. Digital learning tools, specialist software and structured academic support help you progress through the course while building confidence and independence.
In year one, you'll develop essential economic knowledge through lectures and seminars, with workshops and introductory data sessions helping you apply key ideas in practice. Academic skills guidance and opportunities to engage with fellow students support your transition to university study.
During year two, you'll expand your analytical capabilities through econometrics and more specialised subject areas, gaining practical experience using statistical software and analysing real world datasets.
During your placement year, in year three, learning takes place in a professional workplace. Support from the placement and careers teams helps you make the most of the experience while reflecting on the skills and knowledge you develop.
In year four, you'll return to advanced, discussion-based study alongside independent research. Specialist teaching and dissertation supervision will support you as you deepen your expertise and prepare for professional or postgraduate pathways.
Assessment
Assessment combines examinations, coursework and applied assignments, giving you a variety of ways to demonstrate analytical, quantitative and communication skills. From your first year onwards, you'll complete written reports, presentations, group work and data analysis tasks alongside formal tests. Regular formative and summative feedback help you improve your work and monitor your progress. This varied approach ensures you graduate with strong subject knowledge as well as transferable professional skills.
In year one, assessment includes coursework, presentations, collaborative activities and examinations that help establish core academic skills.
During year two, assessment becomes more technical and applied, incorporating analytical reports, data focused projects and exercises using specialist software.
Your placement year is assessed, in year three, on a pass or fail basis through a reflective presentation, supported by engagement with your line manager and the placement team.
In year four, you'll complete advanced coursework and presentations, with the opportunity to undertake a dissertation or consultancy project demonstrating independent research and applied analytical skills.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language at minimum grade C or grade 4 and Mathematics at minimum grade B or grade 5.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies(opens in a new window) page.
- Contextual Offers
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes(opens in a new window).
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
A levels
ABB
Contextual offer: BBC
BTEC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDM
Contextual offer: DMM
BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers.
Access to HE Diploma
Pass Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 30 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 15 credits at Level 3.
Contextual Offer: Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Merit in 30 credits at Level 3 and pass in 15 credits at Level 3.
T levels
Obtain an overall Merit.
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
International Baccalaureate
32 points overall
Irish Leaving Certificate
3 subjects at H2, 3 subjects at H3
Scottish Highers
AAABB
A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable.
Scottish Advanced Highers
BCC
A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable.
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- Progression
Once enrolled onto a course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement, or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language at minimum grade C or grade 4 and Mathematics at minimum grade B or grade 5.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies(opens in a new window) page.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
A levels
ABB
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students(opens in a new window).
- UEA International Study Centre
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, UEA International Study Centre(opens in a new window) offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies(opens in a new window) for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, UEA International Study Centre offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
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- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- Progression
Once enrolled onto a course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement, or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2027/28 are:
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UK Students: £10,050
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International Students: £24,250
We estimate living expenses at £1,171 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here(opens in a new window).
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships(opens in a new window) for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
You’re eligible for reduced fees during your placement year. Further details are available on our Tuition Fee website.
There may be extra costs related to items such as your travel and accommodation, which will vary depending on location.
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of other course-related costs.
How to Apply
Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub.
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information: