Business and Management (Economics)

Economics is about choice and the impact of our choices on each other. When you study economics you gain a toolkit of skills, approaches and ways of thinking that you can apply to a wide range of problems.

The Economics pathway of this Business and Management degree will enable you to address global challenges and local opportunities by applying economics to policy problems - focusing on issues such as climate change, sustainability, wellbeing and obesity, inequality and unemployment.

Year one
The first year ensures you have a broad and grounded knowledge of business today, giving you a platform to develop specialised knowledge as you progress through the course.

You'll explore how organisations work, how they are managed and how they interact with the business environment. You'll gain an understanding of the fundamental principles of economics, including microeconomics and macroeconomics. You'll also develop management skills in gathering and assessing information and data, in making and communicating decisions and in evaluating their effect.

Year two
In year two, you'll specialise in economics as well as learning about the functions of a business and how these interrelate. You’ll start to form opinions about how businesses manage the challenges they encounter on a daily basis. You will learn to apply economic reasoning to the study of relevant problems and policies in economics. You will demonstrate an understanding of the graphical and statistical representation of economic ideas using the appropriate techniques. You will have the opportunity to work on projects using business techniques to solve problems, while starting to develop your employability skills before seeking a work placement.

At the end of the second year you have the option to choose either a ten-month placement or a shorter ten week placement in a business. This is an invaluable chance to apply your newly gained economics knowledge and business skills in the real world, making you even more attractive to employers.

Year three
In your final year, you'll practice, develop, challenge and explore all your business learning, and examine management as an integrating activity.

In your economics-related dissertation you'll explore in depth a topic that especially interests you - be it sustainability, real estate, wellbeing or the economic implications of current affairs - exhibiting an appropriate depth of analysis. You’ll also have the opportunity to work individually or with colleagues to develop and set up a business.

You'll be assessed in a wide range of ways that will test your business knowledge and management skills. These could include presentations, work related projects, group-work, computer based simulations, podcasts, examinations, essays, videos and business reports.

We offer variety in the way we teach: sometimes we will set you problems so you can find the answers for yourself, sometimes we will lecture. Most modules use a mix of lectures and small group seminars. There is a good blend of online activities using our Virtual Learning Environment, Minerva. We invite business leaders in to talk about their experience and we arrange visits to local businesses. All of our teaching methods facilitate your development as a self directed learner.

You’ll be given personal support in your study – we are a friendly team of academics who are committed to helping students achieve their goals.

To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our Learning and Teaching Delivery Statement.

As part of your degree, you could study abroad on a placement at one of Bath Spa’s partner universities.

We give you the opportunity to work with regional and national businesses. You’ll be working on live project briefs, helping organisations find creative solutions to their business issues.

Depending on your pathway and the modules you study, you can gain accreditation by professional bodies and get exemption from professional exams.

In addition to the business community projects, you’ll have fantastic opportunities to work closely with business and industry through placements, projects and internships.

Employers such as Logica, NHS, Liberty, Ocado, IBM, Marks and Spencer, American Express, Sky and Numatic International have recruited graduates from this course. Students have also gone into roles including Business Analyst, IT Services Analyst, Project Officer, Business Development Manager, Account Executive and Brand Planner.

Recent Business and Management graduates have gone into the following roles: Sales Campaign Manager, Social Media Marketing Manager, Stock Purchaser, Financial Planner, Product Development Advisor, Supply Analyst, Data Analyst, Marketing Executive, Strategist, Operations Manager, Marketing Analyst, Management Analyst, Social Media Content Creator, SEO Consultant, Marketing Executive, Merchandiser, Specialist Recruitment Consultant, Retail Systems Manager, Client Services Manager, Media Editor, Human Resources Officer and Catering and Events Manager.

If you’re a full-time undergraduate student starting your first year at Bath Spa University, you can apply for the Certificate in Global Citizenship, which you’ll study alongside your degree.

You’ll gain global awareness and add an international dimension to your student experience, and funding is available. On successful completion of the programme, you’ll be awarded a Certificate in Global Citizenship. This is in addition to your degree; it doesn’t change your degree title or results.

This optional placement year provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.

By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of 'with Professional Placement Year' to your degree title.

Before your Professional Placement Year, you'll work to secure your placement, constructing a development plan with your module leader and your placement coordinator from our Careers and Employability team.

On your return to University for your final year, you'll submit your Placement Portfolio, detailing your development on your placement.

You'll have access to excellent facilities at our Newton Park campus and city centre studios as well as online resources. These include:

• Commons building
• Newton Park library
• Writing and Learning Centre
• Specialist resources and subject librarian
• Our Virtual Learning Environment
• Free access to courses via LinkedIn Learning
• English Language Unit
• The Studio in Bath
• Immersive Promotion Design

Our libraries offer a wide range of business resources, including a wealth of online material that can be accessed on- and off-campus, enabling you to work at times that suit you.