Economics and Management

Economics and management together address two essential questions for anyone who wants to understand and lead organisations: how do markets and economic systems work, and how do you run a business successfully within them? Economics gives you the analytical tools to understand how resources are allocated, how prices are set, how incentives shape behaviour, and how policy affects commercial outcomes. Management gives you the frameworks for making strategic, financial, and operational decisions within organisations of all kinds.

The combination produces graduates who can think clearly about both the external economic environment and the internal workings of firms.

At the University of Portsmouth, this three-year full-time programme develops both bodies of knowledge alongside each other, with a sandwich year and year abroad available, as well as work placement opportunities. The sandwich year in particular allows you to apply your learning in a real business environment for an extended period, testing and consolidating your understanding in ways that complement the academic programme. You will study economic theory and its applications in business contexts, alongside modules in business strategy, marketing, finance, human resource management, and organisational behaviour.

The combination develops your ability to analyse commercial problems rigorously and to communicate your analysis clearly to a range of audiences.

Graduates go on to careers in business, finance, consultancy, the public sector, and international organisations. The combination of economic understanding and management knowledge is valued in roles such as financial analyst, business consultant, policy adviser, marketing manager, and operations manager. Many graduates pursue professional qualifications in accountancy, finance, or management, and postgraduate study in economics, business, or public policy is another route for those who wish to deepen their expertise.