Economics and Finance BSc (Hons)

Key information

Duration:
3 years full time
UCAS code:
LN13
Start date:
September 2025

Develop the advanced skills and knowledge in economics and finance essential for a career in financial services. You’ll study economics and finance at both macroeconomics and microeconomics levels, while developing your understanding of economic principles through more advanced topics such as trade and risk. 

You’ll choose from a wide range of specialist options, gaining a high level of expertise in areas such as labour economics, energy and commodity finance, public economics and trading strategies. You can also boost your employability with an option to study abroad or apply for a professional placement year.

In Economics, you are introduced to the principles and their application to a range of practical and topical issues. You also study mathematics, statistics and econometrics, gaining important quantitative skills. You progress to advanced issues such as trade, global imbalances and financial crises.

In Finance, you cover concepts such as discounting and bond pricing. There is an emphasis on financial markets and institutions. This includes a study of corporate finance and risk management.

You also benefit from having an Academic Success Adviser who can help you with academic study skills including critical thinking, presenting, academic writing and note-making.

Accreditation

You’ll join the EQUIS and AMBA-accredited University of Sussex Business School. Learn more about all of our course accreditations here. Find out more

  • Recognised by the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA). Find out more
  • Accredited by the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI) for the purpose of eligibility to apply for associate membership with that body. Find out more
  • Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) for the purpose of exemption from some professional examinations through the Accredited degree accelerated route. Find out more

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.

I’ve really enjoyed Sussex, from the range of modules to the supportive faculty helping me get the most out of my degree.Jason Bennett
Economics and Finance BSc

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Entry requirements

Entry requirements for this course are currently under review – please check back in early March 2024.

Modules

This is a joint-honours course, offering you a combinations of subjects, each taking up 50% of your time.

Find out about our types of undergraduate degrees, their structure, modules and credits

Core modules

Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.

Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.

Core modules

Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

Options

Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.

While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.

Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.

Study abroad (optional)

Apply to study abroad – you’ll develop an international perspective and gain an edge when it comes to your career. Find out where your course could take you

If your application to study abroad is successful, you’ll have to meet the academic requirements at Sussex and also at the partner university. Find out more about studying abroad as a Sussex student

Placement (optional)

To help you gain experience and increase your employability, you can apply for an optional placement as part of your course. You’ll be responsible for applying for and securing your placement. Our dedicated careers team can provide you with information and advice. If you’re successful in obtaining a placement, this will form part of your course.

Find out more about placements and internships

Recent students have gone on placements at:

  • First Equity Partners
  • PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers)
  • Ernst & Young.

Find out more about placements and internships

Please note that if you’re receiving – or applying for – USA federal Direct Loan funds, you can’t transfer to the version of your course with an optional study abroad period in any country or optional placement in the USA if the number of credits for the placement/internship exceeds 25% of the total credits for your course. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid

Venture Creation Year (optional)

Do you want to develop your entrepreneurial skills, and explore business or a social enterprise start-up? As a University of Sussex Business School undergraduate on this course, you can apply to take a Venture Creation Year.

During the Venture Creation Year, you’ll set up and run your own start-up or social enterprise. This will help you gain practical skills and experience. You’ll have the University’s support throughout the year, including:

  • one-to-one coaching
  • specialist workshops
  • networking and mentor access
  • funding competitions
  • online resources.

For more details, visit Business School: Venture Creation Year

Please note that you can’t take two experience years or combine them.

Selection for the Venture Creation Year is competitive and there’s a limited number of places available.

Due to visa restrictions on business activity, international students studying on a Tier 4 Student visa cannot take part in the Venture Creation Year. However, all students can participate in Careers and Entrepreneurship workshops, get one-to-one guidance, and continue to develop their ideas.

Core modules

Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

Options

Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.

While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.

Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.

TEF 2023 silver

Silver

The student experience and student outcomes are typically very high quality.
This rating was awarded in 2023, for four years.
(Teaching Excellence Framework 2023)

Find out more about our approach to teaching and supporting you to thrive

Our staff

I love teaching economics. It has such profoundly important things to say about aspects of contemporary life that are directly relevant to our students.”C Rashaad Shabab
Senior Lecturer in Economics
Director of Student Experience in the University of Sussex Business School
Read Rashaad’s story

Economics

Finance

Fees

Fees are not yet set for the academic year 2025/26 – please check back in September 2024. Note that your fees, once they’re set, may be subject to an increase on an annual basis.

Find out about typical living costs for studying at Sussex

Find out about our terms and conditions

Scholarships

Details of our scholarships are not yet set for entry in the academic year 2025/26.

Careers

You will develop your ethical awareness, independent thinking, leadership, problem-solving and teamwork skills. You can become an economist, or work in: corporate or public-sector accounting and finance; management consultancy and financial services; investment banking, risk analysis and insurance.  

Away from your studies, economics students run an active student society that invites guest speakers and organises events, bringing together economics students with those from other courses who share an interest in economics. You can also join the Sussex Trading Society and try your hand at investing in the markets, and there is a thriving Business Society.

You are based in the University of Sussex Business School where you benefit from extensive career support and business connections, including mentoring by employers and alumni, networking, guest lectures and the development of your workplace skills. The School is home to the renowned UK Trade Policy Observatory (UKTPO), one of the most trusted voices in the analysis of the UK’s trading future after Brexit. You can also use the Bloomberg Lab, located in the University of Sussex Business School, where you can access real-time data from the Bloomberg Professional services platform.

 

Working while you study

Our Careers and Entrepreneurship team can help you find part-time work while you study. Find out more about career development and part-time work

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