Economics and Finance

Economics and finance together form one of the most powerful analytical frameworks for understanding how the modern world works. Economics gives you the conceptual tools to understand markets, incentives, growth, inequality and the behaviour of firms and governments, while finance extends that thinking into the practical management of money, investment decisions and risk. The two subjects reinforce each other: economic theory provides the foundations for financial reasoning, and financial practice gives economic ideas real-world application.

This four-year full-time programme at the University of Bedfordshire includes a foundation year, which provides the academic grounding needed to engage confidently with the quantitative and analytical demands of degree-level study. The foundation year is particularly valuable if you have a non-traditional academic background or are returning to study after time in work. Through the degree years, you will study microeconomics and macroeconomics, financial markets, investment analysis, econometrics and financial reporting, developing both theoretical understanding and the ability to work with data and financial information.

The typical entry tariff is 72 UCAS points, reflecting the programme's commitment to widening access to a high-value subject area.

Graduates from economics and finance programmes are sought across a broad range of sectors. Banking, investment management, financial analysis, insurance, corporate finance and government economic services are common graduate destinations. The analytical and quantitative skills you develop are also valued in management consultancy, data analysis roles and the wider professional services sector.

Many graduates go on to professional qualifications in finance or accountancy, supported by employers who see degree-level training as the starting point for a longer professional journey. Postgraduate study in economics, finance or financial economics is a natural next step for those who want to specialise further or pursue research and academic careers.