About Business Economics BA (hons) in Coventry University

The modern business world is characterised by rapid change from globalisation, technological advancements and increased customer expectations.

More than ever before commercial enterprises need to develop a sound understanding of the competitive environment in which they operate, the resources needed to succeed and where to allocate them to reach their objectives.

This course aims to apply the principles of microeconomics and macroeconomics to business orientated decision making, covering issues such as the impact of firms outsourcing jobs from the UK, the difference in wages between workers and the regulation of business to ensure competition. Recent graduates have found employment in managerial careers at companies such as Vodafone.

As one of the largest Business Schools in Europe, Coventry is rated ‘excellent’ by Eduniversal. You’ll benefit from industry-standard facilities, including the largest academic trading floor in Europe. Our experienced teaching team will share their professional or research expertise, having worked for organisations such as the Financial Service Authority, run national training courses for the Economics Network and published in leading journals, including The International Journal of Economics and Business Research.

Why Coventry University?

An award-winning university, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible experience. We continue to invest in both our facilities and our innovative approach to education. Our students benefit from industry-relevant teaching, and resources and support designed to help them succeed. These range from our modern library and computing facilities to dedicated careers advice and our impressive Students’ Union activities.

Course information

The Business Economics degree is one of three pathways we offer in Economics; the others being Economics and Financial Economics.

For greater flexibility, all of our Economics degrees have a common first year. This gives you the chance to experience and achieve a thorough grounding in economic concepts and principles, along with relevant quantitative techniques and skills, before you make your decision about which area you’d like to specialise in, depending on your interests or career aspirations.

In the first year, we will study core subjects including microeconomics, macroeconomics, mathematical techniques for economics and data analysis skills for economics. Then, if you choose to follow the Business Economics pathway, you will have the chance to gain a deeper understanding of the business sector. We will take a more in-depth look at how economics affects individual firms, their environment and the decisions those businesses subsequently have to take. We may examine issues such as the factors that determine the differences in wages between workers, bonus policies for senior managers in failing firms and whether regulators are ensuring fair competition.

Given the importance of human resources within organisations, we place an emphasis on the theoretical and empirical tools developed by economists to analyse the employment relationship. We will have the opportunity to analyse in detail a selected number of human resource issues, such as compensation schemes, performance measures, training, discrimination and the impact of government programmes. Traditional analysis of principal-agent theory will be complemented by evaluating recent developments in behavioural economics that focus on the psychology of incentives, including the effect of bonuses and piece rates on productivity, and what makes a good performance measure.

You also have the choice to take an optional placement or study abroad year after completing your first two years. In the past, our students have gone to work for NBC Universal, Ford Motors and the Government Economic Service (GES). Others have opted to study economics for a year at California State University San Marcos, and Charles III University of Madrid.

Career prospects

A key advantage of this degree is that, as well as providing highly sought after skills in economic analysis, it aims to give you extensive exposure to how businesses and other organisations operate in widely different international markets.

Through interaction with students from different countries and regular input from current professionals, you’ll already have made a start in building your professional network of peers from across the globe; one of the many reasons why 95% of Economics graduates were in work or further study after six months (DLHE 2014/15).

Students can benefit from our long-established links with HM Treasury and other government departments, which regularly offer a number of internships, as well as a unique mentoring programme for our students. Each academic year at least 10 second year students are paired with employees of different departments and can explore a variety of tasks and career opportunities, receiving assistance in the design of their curriculum vitae with a view to future employment.

On successful graduation, you should possess an in-depth knowledge of economic theories and models, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills and mathematical ability. You should also be able to demonstrate a wide range of desirable professional skills, including: team working; critical evaluation; self-directed learning; problem-solving; action planning and organising; written and oral communication; questioning and listening. The following personal qualities will also be addressed in each of the skills modules: achievement orientation; initiative and creativity; self-confidence; decisiveness; reflectiveness; adaptability and flexibility.

On successful completion, you should be well placed to pursue a wide variety of careers in investment banking, accountancy, tax consultancy, the public sector, auditing, derivatives trading, management consultancy, mergers and acquisitions, and many more. Recent graduates have found employment in a wide variety of careers at managerial level with prestigious employers including PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Bank of England, Government Economic Service (GES), Vodafone and HSBC. A number have also gone on to postgraduate study and professional training such as teaching.

Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The University's Careers and Employability team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career.

Where our graduates work

Recent graduates from our economics courses have found employment in a wide variety of careers at managerial level with a number of prestigious employers including PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Bank of England, Government Economic Service (GES), Vodafone and HSBC. A number of our graduates have also gone on to postgraduate study and professional training such as teaching.

Our International Student Hub offers information on entry requirements for your country, as well as contact details for agents and representatives should you need more advice.

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