Economics at UEA
Find out more about studying Economics at UEA, and browse our other courses.
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Of graduates go on to work and/or study within 15 months after the course
Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022-23Why BSc Economics with Accountancy with a Placement Year at UEA?
Develop strong expertise in economic analysis while gaining valuable professional experience in a real workplace environment. UEA Economics with Accountancy with a Placement Year combines rigorous economic training with specialist knowledge of accounting, finance and business decision making.
What is BSc Economics with Accountancy with a Placement Year?
This course explores how economic forces influence business activity and how financial information helps organisations make strategic decisions. You'll combine economic analysis with accounting and finance, developing a strong understanding of how firms operate, how financial performance is measured and how economic conditions shape business outcomes.
You'll learn through lectures, seminars, workshops and IT lab sessions, applying economic and financial concepts to data, case studies and real-world issues. Throughout your studies, you'll be supported by your academic adviser and a dedicated skills and development module, helping you strengthen your quantitative, analytical and communication skills.
A distinctive feature of this course is the opportunity to complete a full-time professional placement, typically lasting 9 to 12 months. This experience allows you to apply economic and financial analysis in a workplace setting, develop professional confidence, build industry networks and gain insight into organisational decision making before returning to your final year of study.
Your learning will also be supported by practical opportunities that bring Economics to life, including access to LSEG powered data facilities and Bloomberg terminals. You can also engage with student staff partnership initiatives that help shape our teaching. You may contribute to Norwich Economic Publications, build networks and develop practical experience.
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Find out more about studying Economics at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreIn your third year, you'll undertake a full-time placement lasting 9 to 12 months, gaining professional experience in a field aligned with your career ambitions.
This is an opportunity to apply the economic and analytical skills developed in your degree within a real organisational setting. You may work in areas such as finance, consultancy, government, business analytics or related sectors.
The placement year allows you to build workplace confidence, develop commercial awareness, strengthen your CV and establish valuable professional networks before returning for your final year.
When you successfully complete this BSc degree you may qualify for some examination exemptions from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), depending on your choice of modules.
As a BSc Economics with Accountancy with a Placement Year graduate, you'll be well prepared for roles that combine economic reasoning with financial reporting and business analysis, including:
You'll develop valuable analytical and professional skills through applied learning and varied assessment, including financial and economic analysis projects, reports, presentations and collaborative tasks. You'll gain experience using specialist software such as Stata, Python and R, alongside access to LSEG and Bloomberg financial data in dedicated facilities.
Guest speakers, employer engagement events and targeted workshops provide practical support for career development, including networking opportunities, alumni talks and guidance on emerging analytical tools such as LLMs. Your placement year further strengthens your employability by giving you the opportunity to apply economic and financial analysis in a professional environment and gain substantial industry experience before returning to your final year.
UEA’s career centre offers practical opportunities such as internship lists and placement support, as well as advice and mentoring to help you build experience, develop skills and strengthen your CV.
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
After graduation, you'll be equipped to interpret financial and economic information, evaluate organisational performance and communicate analytical insights clearly. You'll be well prepared for careers in accounting, auditing, consulting, financial services and data driven business roles. Many graduates also progress to postgraduate study in areas such as accounting, finance, economics or management.
Your academic training, combined with the professional experience gained during your placement year, will strengthen your profile in graduate recruitment and support progression into demanding professional and analytical careers.
In your first year, you'll build a strong foundation in economic reasoning and evidence-based analysis. You'll explore how individuals and firms make decisions, how governments influence economic activity through fiscal and monetary policy and how these forces shape economic outcomes at national and global level. Alongside core economic ideas, you'll begin examining how financial information and accounting frameworks help organisations measure performance and support business decision making.
You'll also develop the quantitative and analytical skills needed for economic and financial analysis, strengthening your confidence in mathematical reasoning, statistics and structured problem solving. If you don’t have an A level in mathematics or an equivalent qualification, a tailored introductory mathematics module will provide the essential techniques needed to support your studies across the course.
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.
In your second year, you'll deepen your understanding of microeconomic and macroeconomic analysis while developing stronger empirical skills through econometrics. You'll learn how to analyse economic relationships using real world data, work with statistical software and interpret results critically.
At the same time, you'll expand your knowledge of accounting and business analysis, exploring how organisations report financial performance, manage resources and operate within regulatory frameworks. This combination of economic reasoning and accounting insight will strengthen your ability to understand how firms respond to economic conditions and financial incentives.
You'll also begin shaping your degree around your interests by choosing from a range of optional subjects offered by both the School of Economics and Norwich Business School. As you specialise, you'll continue developing professional skills through applied coursework, analytical projects and collaborative assignments that reflect real world tasks.
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.
In your third year, you'll undertake a full-time placement lasting 9 to 12 months. This professional experience allows you to apply the analytical and economic skills developed during your studies within a real organisational environment. You'll gain insight into workplace practice, develop commercial awareness and strengthen your professional confidence.
While you are responsible for securing your placement, our school and UEA’s careers service provide dedicated guidance throughout the search and application process. This year enables you to build industry experience and return to your final year with clearer career focus and enhanced employability.
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.
In your final year, you'll return to your studies with greater independence and professional perspective. You'll engage with advanced economic debates and explore how economic and financial analysis informs business strategy, financial decision making and public policy.
You may deepen your expertise in core areas of economics or explore specialist topics in finance, business and data analysis. You'll also have the opportunity to undertake an independent research dissertation or a consulting project with an external organisation, applying economic reasoning and financial analysis to a substantial real-world problem.
Your academic adviser and a module choice fair will support you in selecting options that align with your academic interests and long-term career goals.
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
You'll learn through lectures, seminars, workshops and IT lab sessions that link economic ideas with practical applications. Teaching is delivered by research active academics who incorporate contemporary evidence and policy discussions into their sessions. Guest speakers from industry and professional sectors provide additional insight into careers across finance, business and government. Interactive learning tools, specialist software and structured academic support help you build confidence and independence throughout your studies.
In year one, you'll develop core economic knowledge through lectures and seminars, applying concepts in workshops and introductory data labs. Academic skills support and peer engagement help ease your transition to university study.
During year two, you'll strengthen your analytical skills through econometrics and more specialised areas of study, gaining extensive experience working with statistical software and real-world datasets.
During your placement year, in year three, learning takes place within a professional environment. The placement and careers teams will support you throughout the experience to help you maximise your development and reflect on your progress.
In year four, you'll return to advanced, discussion led learning and independent research. Specialist teaching and dissertation supervision support the development of deeper subject expertise and professional readiness.
Assessment
Assessment includes examinations, coursework and applied assignments, providing multiple ways to demonstrate analytical, quantitative and communication skills. From your first year, you'll complete written reports, presentations, collaborative work and data analysis exercises alongside formal assessments. Regular formative and summative feedback supports your progress and helps you refine your work. This balanced approach prepares you for both academic achievement and professional environments.
In year one, you'll undertake coursework, presentations, group activities and examinations that establish strong academic foundations.
During year two, assessment becomes increasingly applied and technical, incorporating analytical reports, data driven projects and software-based exercises.
Your placement, in year three, is assessed on a pass or fail basis through a reflective presentation, supported by meetings 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 consulting project demonstrating independent research.
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.
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.
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).
ABB
Contextual offer: BBC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDM
Contextual offer: DMM
BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers.
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.
Obtain an overall Merit.
32 points overall
3 subjects at H2, 3 subjects at H3
AAABB
A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable.
BCC
A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable.
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.
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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:
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.
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
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.
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2027/28 are:
UK Students: £10,050
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.
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.
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:
Economics with Accountancy with a Placement Year starting September 2027 for 4 years