Economics Degree Entry Requirements
Economics degrees are among the most popular courses offered by universities today. They tackle the tricky world of finance and intersect with elements of the law, business and psychology along the way.
University entry requirements are always changing. Not all universities have the same standards, high or low, for their courses, and many universities favour different learning approaches. Some universities prefer a more focused one-on-one teaching standard, while others prefer more cooperative group learning.
What is Economics?
Economics is a subject that covers a spectrum of financial and socio-economic issues. Specifically, economics focuses on resource allocation, wealth, international markets, and political influence in the financial world, and specific strands of finance, such as microeconomics and macroeconomics.
Economics can also cover many other aspects that one may not normally associate with a subject of this kind. Economics can often focus on areas of psychology, establishing behavioural patterns and may even touch on more societal issues, including crime and law enforcement.
Economics entry requirements
The entry requirements for every university will differ. Some universities will not accept certain qualifications, such as T Levels or a BTEC for specific courses, while others actively encourage them.
The most common entry requirements for an economics degree are:
| Type | Min. grades/points required overall | Max. grades/points required overall | Average grades/points required |
|---|---|---|---|
| UCAS points | 116 | 188 | 144 |
| A Levels | CCB | AAA | BBB |
| BTEC | MMM | DDD | DMM |
| International Baccalaureate | 28 | 45 | 37 |
Though UCAS points are important, they are not the be-all and end-all of a university application. Many universities have been known to lower their UCAS points if their course enters Clearing, so keep an eye on the entry requirements if you decide to look for courses.
A Levels
All universities accept A Levels as part of their admissions process. Some universities will only accept A Levels, while others are known to be more lenient. To apply for an economics degree, students must have studied maths and English. Other subjects are welcome, but as long as they are supplemented by maths and English.
BTECs
BTECs are accepted at most universities. Some universities may ask you to have A Levels only for a degree of this type. However, BTECs are still widely accepted. For a subject such as economics, you must have qualifications in either business, engineering or science. Other subjects have also been known to be accepted. However, these are the core three subjects that are required.
International Baccalaureate
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is only for international students. Typically, international students looking to study an economics degree in the UK will need to have no lower than a level 6 in maths at Higher Level. Some universities may accept Standard Level maths. However, they may have specific guidelines for the minimum level they will accept.
T Levels
T Levels are a relatively new qualification type. Some universities have been known to accept T Levels as part of their admissions criteria, but not all do. In this scenario, you must have studied accountancy or a related subject area for an economics degree.
What jobs can I get with an Economics degree?
Economics is such a wide-ranging topic and it can open doors in many industries. People have been able to find challenging work in the financial sector, but have also discovered jobs in politics, business and construction, and data analysis.
The most common jobs for those with an economics degree are:
- Accountant
- Actuary
- Auditor
- Civil service worker
- Data analyst
- Economist
- Financial consultant
- Management consultant
- Quantity surveyor
- Risk manager
- Statistician
- Stockbroker
Some of these jobs may require a base-level understanding of another subject. As a result, you may look to do a combined degree or a professional qualification related to these careers. It is also possible to look into areas of teaching or lecturing too. However, you will need either a Master’s in Education or a PGCE degree before you study.
How do I write an Economics personal statement?
A personal statement should be a true reflection of you as a person and as a student. It’s a fine line to walk, and not all students are as adept at conveying both sides of themselves in just 4,000 characters.
Your economics personal statement should explain why you want to study this subject. Is there something about economics that interests you? Have you read a book, watched a film or a TV show or seen something on YouTube or TikTok that piqued your interest?
From the personal side, mention your accomplishments up to this point. These do not necessarily need to be related to economics, but it still helps to paint a picture of what kind of student you are and what kind of person you are.
Can I find Economics courses in Clearing?
Economics is one of the most popular courses in the UK. You will likely be able to find some Clearing economics courses when they become available.
You may also find that previous courses, ones you thought were inaccessible, are unavailable. This is because universities have been known to lower their university entry requirements when they enter their courses into Clearing. These entry requirements may not be lowered much, but they will be allowed a little.
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