Business Economics | BA (Hons) | University of Lincoln

Dr Aleksandar Vasilev - Programme Leader

Dr Aleksandar Vasilev is Programme Leader for the BA (Hons) Business Economics programme. He is a macroeconomist with two books, more than 90 published articles in peer-reviewed journals with impact factor, and 25 technical reports.

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Field Trips

LIBS100 Funded Field Trips

Business School students can broaden their horizons and see international business in action by joining funded international field trips to exciting overseas destinations.

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Welcome to BA (Hons) Business Economics

The ability to analyse and solve business problems in market economies is highly sought after in many types of careers, both in the UK and around the world.

BA (Hons) Business Economics at Lincoln combines topics in business and economics with the opportunity to develop the skills and problem-solving abilities needed to tackle the multi-faceted problems faced by today's business managers.

The course explores business, industrial, macro-economic, and international economic contexts from an economist's analytic perspective. It enables students to develop key skills in economics, finance, and business.

The programme has been designed to provide a theoretical understanding of the economic decisions faced by businesses, with a focus on application within national and international settings. It is aimed at students who wish to study an economics degree, but who have not followed economics or mathematics at A Level, or its equivalent, and who are looking for a business-focused programme without a considerable mathematics component.

How You Study

Business Economics combines the study of economics with a wide variety of business and finance-related topics. In the first year, students can gain a solid grounding in economics, marketing, business finance, and law. This is built on in the second year, with topics including fundamental econometrics, and competition and regulation. Industries and firms are examined from an economic perspective.

During the final year, students are able to choose optional modules in finance and economics, enabling them to tailor the degree to match their individual interests and career aspirations. They have the opportunity to undertake a substantive independent research project on a topic of their choice, with guidance from their academic supervisor.

What You Need to Know

We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. To help you choose the course that’s right for you, we aim to bring to your attention all the important information you may need. Our What You Need to Know page offers detailed information on key areas including contact hours, assessment, optional modules, and additional costs.

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An Introduction to Your Modules

† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.

Finance for non-specialists 2023-24FIN1012MLevel 42023-24This module is designed to provide an introduction to basic business finance for non-specialist students. The module explores the essential elements of business finance, which are required for a career in business, in any discipline.CoreIntroduction to Business Law 2023-24ACC1026MLevel 42023-24This module aims to serve as an introduction to the English legal system and English contract law. The module is designed to give students the opportunity to develop a basic understanding of contract issues in England and seeks to enable students to appreciate when a legally binding agreement comes into existence, the obligations involved and the consequences of breaking such agreements. Contract law underpins a companys dealings with its customers, employees and suppliers. It is important that students appreciate the legal context in which everyday business decisions are made.CoreOrganisational Behaviour 2023-24MGT1022MLevel 42023-24This module is intended for students who are interested in understanding the way people work, as individuals and as group members in firms. The module explores essential topics in a clear, concise and informative manner, aiming to introduce students to the interpersonal perceptual processes in a work environment; the key behavioural factors determining effective and ineffective groups; the usefulness of theories on leadership/management styles; and the difficulties in implementing change in organisations.CorePrinciples of Economics 2023-24ECO1003MLevel 42023-24This module aims to provides the non-Economist with with an amalgam of economic theory and contemporary comment which prepares them for a further study in Economics. There is a grounding in basic tools and concepts. It provides ideas about labour markets and market structure, the market, inflation and deflation, growth and stagnation and balance of payment issues and exchange rates.CorePrinciples of Marketing 2023-24MKT1001MLevel 42023-24This module provides an introduction to the theory and practice of marketing, as well as marketing technologies that will underpin the more specialist marketing modules at higher levels. Students are introduced to the key concepts, terminologies, and issues of marketing not only in specific businesses, but also in a broad social context. The module shows how sustainable market success can be achieved through business environment analysis and customer-centred product/services development. The module will examine the customer journey and stakeholder engagement to evaluate the impact of marketing activities on consumers, the environment, and society. Students will also benefit from gaining insights on the latest marketing thinking, trends, and techniques; learning from experienced marketing practitioners and developing creative mindset, cognitive flexibility, social and emotional intelligence to manage the plethora of opportunities and challenges that will help them to success in future world of work.CoreStatistics for Finance and Economics 2023-24ECO1028MLevel 42023-24CoreLincoln Student Managed Investment Fund - Year 1 2023-24FIN1014MLevel 42023-24Initiated from 2015 and officially founded in 2018, the LSMIF is set up with a structure similar to any other professionally run fund management company with students running every aspect of the fund, from CEO to analyst. It is one of only few of this kind in the United Kingdom. The fund uses money raised from donors to invest in shares of companies listed on London Stock Exchange. It is organized, run and managed the same way as an investment company in the real world. The fund has got sponsorship and advisory support from UK leading wealth management companies such as Brewin Dolphin and Mattioli Woods with senior officers from them joining the Board of Advisors. This fund gives students the opportunity to work as analysts, investment managers, CFO, CIO, CEO etc. Students also have the chances to meet, discuss and learn from experts in the field in Quarterly Investment Committee Meetings series. Students are given additional training relating to their works.OptionalCompetition and Regulation 2024-25ECO2103MLevel 52024-25This module explores some key areas of microeconomic policy for business. At its heart it is a consideration of competition theory and industrial structure. This informs the analysis of competition policy in sectors, such as telecoms and airlines. This is extended to a consideration of injecting competition into the state sector. Other areas of state intervention are explored where activities are taxes; prices are regulated; or industry is incentivised to relocate. Throughout, concepts and applications are made relevant to real world examples.CoreFundamentals of Econometrics 2024-25ECO2003MLevel 52024-25This module is designed to introduce the principles and methods for statistical and econometric modeling. It provides students with the opportunity to develop the fundamental skills of using econometrics software packages that are essential for students who wish to pursue further studies or a professional career in economics, finance or related disciplines. Real-world data can be used in this module to help students to develop problem-solving skills.CoreHistory of Economic Thought 2024-25ECO2007MLevel 52024-25The module is designed to provide an overview of the development of political economy and its evolution into the subject of economics from the 18th Century onward. It seeks to introduce key figures in the history of economics and their classic texts, and through giving students an opportunity to develop an understanding of the historical contexts in which they developed their ideas, aims to enable the concepts and models used in other economics modules to be analysed more thoroughly.CoreInternational Economics 2024-25ECO2006MLevel 52024-25This module aims to provide students with the opportunity to develop knowledge of the gains to be made from trading internationally. It focuses also on the gains to be made from economic integration and the globalisation process. The module also seeks to examine the main patterns of trade and exchange and aims to demonstrate how free trade can be influenced by government and the future risks of protectionism.CoreMacroeconomic Environment for Business 2024-25ECO2110MLevel 52024-25This module provides an opportunity for students to extend their understanding of macroeconomics. It emphasises the role of macroeconomics as an applied discipline, focusing on issues facing the worlds economies featured in the Financial Times. By the end students are expected to be able to use the techniques learned to interpret changing macroeconomic aggregates, events and policies.CoreManagerial Economics I 2024-25ECO2204MLevel 52024-25The aim of this module is to provide students with an opportunity to develop an understanding of how economic theory can be used to aid marketing and management decision-making in businesses. The module, building upon Principles of Economics, seeks to examine applications in managerial economics at an intermediate level.CoreBudgeting for Business 2024-25FIN2142MLevel 52024-25OptionalContemporary Issues in Banking 2024-25FIN2138MLevel 52024-25In the last couple of decades the banking industry was at the heart of dramatic changes, including deregulation, financial innovation and globalization. This module is designed to examine these developments and their effects on the banking sector. The module continues by providing students with the opportunity to analyse contemporary issues in banking that emerged as responses to these global developments. These issues include the provision of credit and in particular credit rationing, securitization of debt, and competition and mergers in the banking sector.OptionalFinance for Business 2024-25FIN2144MLevel 52024-25The module is designed to equip students with understanding and skills to help them deal with the financial issues they will face in whatever business discipline they eventually practise. At its conclusion, students should have a solid understanding of the key elements of financial accounting and financial management that inform and affect the manager.OptionalFinancial Markets and Institutions 2024-25FIN2139MLevel 52024-25This module is designed to make students aware of international financial markets and institutions. The need for financial markets and institutions is the underlying scope of the module and students have the opportunity to investigate this importance for their own countries.OptionalLIBS International Year Abroad 2024-25MGT2286MLevel 52024-25Lincoln International Business School (LIBS) believes that an option to study overseas is a valuable educational opportunity for our students. The optional year is intended to: -enable students to benefit from studying similar subjects within a cross cultural environment, by exposing students to a wider academic and cultural experience; -facilitate reflexivity in learning and personal and professional development; -enhance their future employment opportunities by increasing their cultural and professional mobility. This module is optional for all taught on campus undergraduate students within Lincoln International Business School. Study Abroad is a year long module which enables students to spend time studying abroad at one of the Universitys approved partner institutions. During the year spent abroad, students share classes with local students and study on a suite of locally-delivered taught modules which have been approved in advance by the University. As many partner institutions support internships it is anticipated that some students will elect to combine study (minimum one semester equivalent) with work and or a period of volunteering. Eligible students must have completed their second year of study to a satisfactory standard (normally with an average of a 2.2 or above, dependent upon partner requirements) standard and successfully completed the application process. Upon completion of the study period abroad, each student will be required to submit a portfolio including a reflection on the experience of living and studying in a different cultural environment and the skills acquired.OptionalLincoln Student Managed Investment Fund - Year 2 2024-25FIN2146MLevel 52024-25The LSMIF will be designed to provide students with the essential knowledge on the following main knowledge blocks - at intermediate level for Year 2: - How stock markets work and how to read financial data - Valuation techniques including cash flow projections, dividend growth modelling, and comparative analysis. - Market timing and technical analysis. - Asset allocation optimization - Quarterly investment committee meetings with experts from the industry. - Investment discussion meetings.OptionalMoney, Banking and Financial Markets 2024-25FIN2141MLevel 52024-25This module focuses upon the primary statement of roles which participants in the financial landscape provide. These roles are central to the idea of money and role which it plays in the modern landscape in terms of the flow of funds as a framework. The module aims to provide a brief introduction to the major participants; banks, pension funds, insurance companies and the management role of funds which they have.OptionalProfessional Practice 2024-25MGT2037MLevel 52024-25This module is aimed at those students who have decided to take a year out of formal studies to gain accredited work experience and are registered on a degree programme with an accredited professional practice element. The Professional Practice Year aims to give students a continuous experience of full-time work within an organisation. It should be a three way co-operative activity between employer, student and University from which all parties benefit. Students can choose to pursue a variety of options including a placement year, a consultancy project or a work-based dissertation. Potential costs relating to this module are outlined in the Features tab.OptionalDecision-Making and Game Theory 2025-26ECO3101MLevel 62025-26This module aims to provide an introduction to decision-making in different environments. After a short review of the rational choice paradigm, the module seeks to explore intertemporal decision problem and Expected Utility Theory.CoreEconomic Policy Analysis 2025-26ECO3004MLevel 62025-26This module provides students with an opportunity to explore the way in which economic theory and evidence can be used to analyse policy issues. The process by which economic policy is made given the choices that are available can be explored. The module aims to make students aware of the difficulties that the policy diviner faces when seeking to forge acceptable trade-offs in a world of diverse, competing interests.CoreMultinational Enterprises and the Global Economy 2025-26ECO3102MLevel 62025-26On this module students have the opportunity to explore the historical development of foreign direct investment activity. This aims to give them the chance to develop an understanding of the main advantages to be gained from firms engaging further in international business activities as well as understand the workings of a global enterprise in a dynamic world economy.CorePersonnel Economics 2025-26ECO3103MLevel 62025-26Personnel economics is among the fields that stand out as one that has changed the thinking in a primarily business-oriented topic, namely the management of people. The typical business spends between sixty and seventy percent of its resources on labour. To this end, understanding the human part of business can be of paramount importance. Personnel Economics endeavours to answer questions that were, until fairly recently, generally deemed to be outside the realm of economic analysis. But far from being non-economic, the issues that were the central focus of human resources can be informed by economics, and this approach has made rapid progress in changing the field.CoreBehavioural Finance and Economics 2025-26ECO3003MLevel 62025-26This module aims to widen the concepts and motivations in understanding the economic activities of agents, and develops an appreciation of why these are different from standard/neo-classical economics. The module draws on the recent research from the area of behavioural finance, biology and psychology to present a foundation, upon which to build a more critical understanding of the rational economics foundations. The module covers alternative modus operandi for economic interactions, such as Prospect Theory and other models. The module investigates situations and the assumptions about behaviour which gives rise to certain behavioural biases, which constitute observable phenomena. These are then generalised to the probable effects on markets.OptionalEconometrics: Cross-sectional and Panel Data 2025-26ECO3203MLevel 62025-26OptionalEconometrics: Time Series Data 2025-26ECO3204MLevel 62025-26OptionalEconomics of Banking 2025-26ECO3108MLevel 62025-26OptionalEuropean Economies and European Integration 2025-26ECO3013MLevel 62025-26OptionalHousing Economics 2025-26ECO3008MLevel 62025-26OptionalIndependent Study and Research Design (Econ) 2025-26ECO3205MLevel 62025-26OptionalLincoln Student Managed Investment Fund - Year 3 2025-26FIN3035MLevel 62025-26Initiated from 2015 and officially founded in 2018, the LSMIF is set up with a structure similar to any other professionally run fund management company with students running every aspect of the fund, from CEO to analyst. It is one of only few of this kind in the United Kingdom. The fund uses money raised from donors to invest in shares of companies listed on London Stock Exchange. It is organized, run and managed the same way as an investment company in the real world. The fund has got sponsorship and advisory support from UK leading wealth management companies such as Brewin Dolphin and Mattioli Woods with senior officers from them joining the Board of Advisors. This fund gives students the opportunity to work as analysts, investment managers, CFO, CIO, CEO etc. Students also have the chances to meet, discuss and learn from experts in the field in Quarterly Investment Committee Meetings series. Students are given additional training relating to their works.OptionalPrivate Banking and Wealth Management 2025-26FIN3030MLevel 62025-26Private Banking and Wealth Management is a module targeted at students who wish to build upon their previous knowledge of financial markets and products by analysing and evaluating the core financial service of wealth management. The module aims to both broaden students knowledge and understanding of the financial services industry and further develop their intellectual and practical skills via the analysis and evaluation of the wealth management process.OptionalShort Dissertation (LITERATURE REVIEW) 2025-26FIN3037MLevel 62025-26OptionalShort Dissertation 2025-26FIN3036MLevel 62025-26Optional

How you are assessed

The way students are assessed on this course may vary for each module. Examples of assessment methods that are used include coursework, such as written assignments, reports or dissertations; practical exams, such as presentations, performances or observations; and written exams, such as formal examinations or in-class tests. The weighting given to each assessment method may vary across each academic year. The University of Lincoln aims to ensure that staff return in-course assessments to students promptly.

Fees and Scholarships

Going to university is a life-changing step and it's important to understand the costs involved and the funding options available before you start. A full breakdown of the fees associated with this programme can be found on our course fees pages.

Course Fees

For eligible undergraduate students going to university for the first time, scholarships and bursaries are available to help cover costs. The University of Lincoln offers a variety of merit-based and subject-specific bursaries and scholarships. For full details and information about eligibility, visit our scholarships and bursaries pages.

Entry Requirements 2023-24

United Kingdom

A Levels: BBC (112 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of 3 A Levels or equivalent qualifications).

International Baccalaureate: 29 points overall.

BTEC Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit or equivalent.

T Level: Merit

Access to Higher Education Diploma: 45 Level 3 credits with a minimum of 112 UCAS Tariff points.

A combination of qualifications which may include A Levels, BTEC, EPQ, etc.

Applicants will also need at least three GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above, which must include English and Maths. Equivalent Level 2 qualifications may also be considered.

The University accepts a wide range of qualifications as the basis for entry. We will also consider applicants with extensive and relevant work experience and will give special individual consideration to those who do not meet the standard entry qualifications.

International

Non UK Qualifications:

If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/ for information on equivalent qualifications.

EU and Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page:

https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/

If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-sessional English and Academic Study Skills courses.

The University of Lincoln's International College also offers university preparation courses for international students who do not meet the direct entry requirements. Upon successful completion, students can progress to Bachelor's study at the University of Lincoln. Please visit https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/internationalcollege/ for more information.

If you would like further information about entry requirements, or would like to discuss whether the qualifications you are currently studying are acceptable, please contact the Admissions team on 01522 886097, or email admissions@lincoln.ac.uk

Work Placement Year

All full-time students on this course have the option to undertake a year-long work placement after their second year, enabling them to gain hands-on experience in industry. Students are expected to source their own placement, and tutors can provide support during the process if required. Those who choose this route do not pay tuition fees for that year but will be required to cover their travel, accommodation, and general living costs.

There are also opportunities for relevant work experience and career development as part of the degree course itself, as well as through various other Lincoln Business School and University schemes. For more information, please visit LIBS work placement pages.

Student Managed Investment Fund

Lincoln International Business School offers the Student Managed Investment Fund (LSMIF), which is an investment fund created, operated, and maintained by students within the school, with everything running within the real-world environment of finance.

Students will be managing real money with the with objective of positive returns whilst managing risk. Industry veteran and long-time lecturer Hao Quach will help support the students throughout, with many years of experience in all aspects of investment banking and 20 years teaching in multiple countries, Hao will use his experience to ensure the stability of the fund and provide guidance. Find out more about the Student Managed Investment Fund.

"I decided to study Business Economics because I wanted a more applied type of Economics degree, and I chose Lincoln because of its small and welcoming community – here you aren’t just a student ID number."

Lydia Gallyer-Barnett, BA (Hons) Business Economics graduate and currently Assistant Economist at HM Treasury

Career Opportunities

This course aims to equip students with transferable skills in preparation for a career in business, including roles in business management, communication analysis, and data interpretation. Students may choose to continue their studies at postgraduate level.

Working in Partnership

Lincoln International Business School works with students and organisations to enhance the contribution of business to society. For students, that means developing their business skills and knowledge to improve their career readiness.

The University of Lincoln is a member of AACSB, a global nonprofit association connecting educators, students, and businesses to achieve a common goal: to create the next generation of great leaders. Find out more.

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Visit Us in Person

The best way to find out what it is really like to live and learn at Lincoln is to join us for one of our Open Days. Visiting us in person is important and will help you to get a real feel for what it might be like to study here.

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Key Information

BA (Hons) Business Economics