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Fascinated by what makes the financial world tick? Want to make your mark in business and investment?

Our BSc (Hons) Economics course builds the analytical skills and knowledge you’ll need to carve out a successful career in the economics sector. It’s designed around the research of our teaching experts and backed by excellent industry links.

During the course, you’ll dig deep into modern economics and how it influences the financial systems and organisations around us. And you’ll develop your understanding of microeconomics, macroeconomics, corporate governance and corporate social responsibility.

Your main base is the Newcastle Business School. In your third year, you’ll have the chance to venture further afield with an optional industry placement, applying your knowledge and securing critical experience in the real world.

 It’s not just about developing skills, but also boosting employability once you leave us. In recent years, our students have spent their placement working with some of the biggest names in the business – including the Bank of England and Bloomberg LP. Many have then gone on to secure full-time graduate positions with their placement year employer.

Why choose Northumbria to study Economics?

  • Business and Management is ranked 9th in the UK for research power (REF, 2021). This is a rise of 51 places, the largest rise in the sector.

  • BSc (Hons) Economics is covered by the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation for Newcastle Business School. 

    According to AACSB, “Approximately 6% of the world's schools offering business degree education have achieved AACSB accreditation, demonstrating a commitment to high-quality, rigorous standards, innovation, and continuous process improvement”. Read more about our 'double' AACSB Accreditation.

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See other similar courses you may be interested in: Accounting BSc, Economics and Finance BSc

Course Information

UCAS Code
L110

Level of Study
Undergraduate

Mode of Study
3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department
Newcastle Business School

Location
City Campus, Northumbria University

City
Newcastle

Start
September 2025

Fees
Fee Information

Modules
Module Information

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Entry Requirements Modules Overview Fees, Funding  and Scholarships Apply Now

Entry Requirements 2025/26

Standard Entry

112 UCAS Tariff points

From a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-level, T Level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.

Find out how many points your qualifications are worth by using the UCAS Tariff calculator: www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator

Northumbria University is committed to supporting all individuals to achieve their ambitions. We have a range of schemes and alternative offers to make sure as many individuals as possible are given an opportunity to study at our University regardless of personal circumstances or background. To find out more, review our Northumbria Entry Requirement Essential Information page for further details www.northumbria.ac.uk/entryrequirementsinfo

Subject Requirements:

There are no specific subject requirements for this course.

GCSE Requirements:

Applicants will need Maths, Statistics, or Physics at minimum grade 6/B and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or equivalents.

Additional Requirements:

There are no additional requirements for this course.

International Qualifications:

We welcome applicants with a range of qualifications which may not match those shown above.

If you have qualifications from outside the UK, find out what you need by visiting www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry

English Language Requirements:

International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent*).

*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades in our English Language section: www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications

Fees and Funding 2025/26 Entry

UK Fee in Year 1: £9,535

* You should expect to pay tuition fees for every year of study. The University may increase fees in the second and subsequent years of your course at our discretion in line with any inflationary or other uplift, as decided by the UK Government, up to the maximum amount for fees permitted by UK law or regulation for that academic year. To give students an indication of the likely scale of any future increase, the UK government has recently suggested that increases may be linked to RPIX ( Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments)


International Fee in Year 1: £20,950


Please see the main Funding Pages for 25/26 scholarship information.

 


ADDITIONAL COSTS

Optional text book costs - Whilst books are available via the University Library, there are various advised/recommended books you may wish to purchase throughout the duration of the course, costs are approximately £1,080.00 (£60 per module, 6 modules per year). Optional - Choice of field trip over the course of the programme (e.g. dissertation workshop) Cost to Student - Returnable deposit Optional - Overseas field trip e.g. New York Cost to Student - £1350

If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.

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Modules Overview 2025/26

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

Year one Year two Year three Year four

Year one

AF4030 -

Introduction to Mathematics and Statistics (Core,20 Credits)

This module will introduce you to general mathematical and statistical methods used to analyse and interpret accounting, financial and economic data. The module will address and review essential preliminaries of algebra and mathematical functions, such as linear, polynomial, exponential, and logarithmic functions; expanding on numerical series as well as context- based optimisation problems. These topics will be complemented with a comprehensive review of descriptive statistics and an introduction to the normal distribution function, the process of statistical estimation, and hypothesis testing carried out by means of both parametric and non-parametric tests. Key-topics included in this module:

1. Review of Basic Algebra for accounting, Finance and economics;
2. Introduction to Differentiation;
3. Introduction to Numerical Series;
4. Constrained and Unconstrained Optimisation;
5. The Normal Distribution Function in the financial world;
6. Introduction to Statistical Estimation;
7. Hypotheses Testing of accounting, financial and economic data.

More information

AF4031 -

Accounting, Economics and Finance in a Global Business Environment (Core,20 Credits)

This module will enable you to better understand the economic, institutional, accounting and financial forces influencing the development of markets and exchanges and interactions within the global business environment. This module will introduce you to analytical models and principles that will help you understand and analyse the global environment in which business decisions are made. You will develop an
appreciation for the variety of factors that influence the choices and compromises that are made in international business and the implications of these choices on businesses.

This module will help you to understand and critically evaluate globalisation, its different dimensions and the surrounding theoretical debates. The module will equip you with real-world, problem-solving skills and an understanding of academic theory that underpins professional accounting, finance and economics practice. The module will place emphasis on real-life examples and case studies to position the subjects
within the realm of professional accounting, international finance and economic studies. This will enable you to develop your entrepreneurialmindset by developing your problem solving and analytical skills.

You will study and analyse the business environment at a global level, with a focus on how this impacts the national business environment. On completion of this module you will be able to analyse the consequences of changing regulatory and cultural environments for business within the context of professional accounting, international finance and economics. Throughout the module you will develop a deep understanding of the modern economy and the role that accounting and finance play within organisations.

You will explore basic economic theories around international trade and multinational corporations. You will also gain an understanding of elementary concepts of accounting (internal and external) and auditing and how these support global capital markets. You will also learn about the financial decision-making processes at the company level in the context of the analysis of financial performance measures.

You will use this knowledge to explore the scale, scope and trends in international business activity and evaluate various methods that firms use to assess, enter and develop domestic and non-domestic markets. The module will develop your multicultural awareness and knowledge, to introduce you to fundamental principles for purposive ethical decision making.

Finally, you will explore the wider concept of accountability, for example, sustainability reporting and the “Triple Bottom Line”. You will explore issues of financial literacy and the impact of global poverty, the digital divide and the economic and social consequences of global uneven income distribution.

More information

AF4032 -

Careers in Accounting, Economics and Finance (Core,20 Credits)

This module provides you with the skills and knowledge you need to successfully secure a relevant undergraduate placement and/or a graduate-level role in your chosen discipline of Accounting, Finance and Economics.

You will cover a number of key topics including career planning, writing CVs, cover letters and application forms, psychometric testing, competency-based interviews, assessment centres and current trends in recruitment and selection practice in accounting, finance and economics.

On completion of this module, you will be equipped with the skills and confidence to make an impactful application to any employer.

More information

AF4038 -

Financial Decision Making (Core,20 Credits)

You will learn how financial information can be used to assist managers and external user groups in their decision-making processes. You will initially look at the informational needs of outside user groups, the nature of the information they are provided with, and how this information can be analysed and interpreted in order to enhance the effectiveness of their decision making.

Topic areas will include:

• The reporting frameworks and ethical principles that underpin financial reporting
• The nature of international financial reporting standards
• Format and content of the statement of profit or loss and statement of financial position
• The statement of cash flows
• Analysis and interpretation of financial statements using ratio analysis

You will then examine how financial information can facilitate managers in making operational decisions in relation to planning and control.

Topic areas will include:

• Costing (full and variable costing)
• Cost, volume, profit analysis
• Relevant costs for decision making
• Budgeting and variance analysis
• Balance scorecards
• Working capital management

Finally, you will explore the motivations for entrepreneurial activity and techniques that can be used to appraise investment decisions.

Topic areas will include:

• Investment appraisal techniques (payback, accounting rate of return, net present value and internal rate of return)
• Practical aspects of investment appraisal (inflation and capital rationing)
• Risk and uncertainty

More information

AF4040 -

Introduction to Macroeconomics (Core,20 Credits)

This module will introduce you to macroeconomic key-concepts and conventional macroeconomic thinking so that you can understand how these have an impact on individual nations and the global economy. You will be exposed to foundational concepts, such as the role of aggregate supply and demand, measures of economic growth, fiscal and monetary policy and economic schools of thought. By completing this module, you should have an awareness and understanding of everyday macroeconomic events.

The topics covered will include:
• Foundational Principles of Macroeconomics;
• Macroeconomic Measurement: Environmental and Social Dimensions;
• Economic Growth/Decline in the Short, Medium and Long Run;
• Employment, Unemployment and Economic Growth;
• Introduction to Monetary and Fiscal Policies;
• Aggregate Expenditure, Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply;
• The IS/LM Framework;
• Overview of Principal Schools of Economic Thought.

More information

AF4041 -

Introduction to Microeconomics (Core,20 Credits)

This module introduces you to the basic principles of microeconomics and their applications at a practical level, giving you a robust platform for subsequent study of economics modules in more advanced contexts. The module aims to provide students with the necessary skills and techniques to analyse economic problems from a mathematical, graphical and intuitive perspective. At the end of the module, you will be able to apply your newly acquired knowledge of microeconomics theories to a range of real-world scenarios. The topics covered in the module include:

• Fundamental Microeconomic Principles;
• Choice in the World of Scarcity;
• Building Blocks of Supply And Demand;
• Elasticity of Demand;
• Introduction to Labour and Financial Markets;
• Cost and Industry Structures;
• Perfect Competition;
• Monopoly, Monopolistic Competition and Oligopolies;
• Introduction to Public Goods.

More information

GA4001 -

Academic Language Skills for Newcastle Business School (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.

More information

Year two

AF5031 -

Professional Practice in Accounting, Economics and Finance (Core,20 Credits)

The word professional means slightly different things to different people, however it is commonly used to describe someone who has acquired and uses a high level of technical knowledge and has the ability to judge the manner of how, when and where to use this knowledge. But the business environment has changed dramatically over the last twenty years, increased regulation, globalisation, more complex financial transactions, the opportunities provided by big data and analytics as well as the demand of good corporate governance and improved corporate social responsibility. These changes have meant that the professional can no longer rely on expert knowledge and needs to develop skills and abilities to help them manage the dynamic environment in which they operate.

This innovative module attempts to provide students with a range of skills and practices, taught in the context of the particular functional specialism, which will prepare the student for a range of future opportunities. This module aims to prepare you for your future studies at Level 6 and work-based learning. It focuses on developing your skills and abilities to critically assess, analyse and manage business-based problems and projects, with emphasis on a range of business models.

The module will focus on accounting, finance or economics to support demonstration of understanding and application of relevant theory from your professional/academic area as appropriate. There also will be opportunities to consider broader contemporary challenges for organisations in responding to changing practices of responsible and sustainable management.

On completion of the module you will have enhanced your problem-solving skills and will be able to manage complex projects. By focusing on advanced group and team working skills, research and complex problem solving skills, project management, communication skills, report writing skills and self-directed learning, you will also develop employability and leadership attributes, including set direction, engage, drive, collaborate, learn, innovate and act ethically.

More information

AF5036 -

Mathematics and Statistics for Economics and Finance (Core,20 Credits)

Building on knowledge gained at level 4, you will continue to learn and increase your skills in applying a variety of practical mathematical and statistical methods specific to the disciplines of finance and economics. On the side of mathematics, this module will expand on geometric series, optimisation methods and techniques, differentiation and integration. On the side of statistics, you will review the derivation of probability distribution and introduce basic principles for machine learning. The module will address formal derivations of mathematical and statistic functions by applying theories and techniques to practical economic and finance cases and examples. Topics in this module include:
1. Review of Mathematical Functions;
2. Mathematics of Financial Returns;
3. Optimisation Methods: Linear Programming;
4. Differentiation of functions of two or more variables
5. Optimisation methods: Maxima and minima of a function of two variables
6. Integration: primitive of a function and Riemann integral;
7. Linear Algebra and Portfolio Theory
8. Probability Distributions;
9. Maximum likelihood principle and elements of Machine Learning.

More information

AF5039 -

Econometrics (Core,20 Credits)

Building on mathematical and statistical prior knowledge, the module introduces students to the theory and application of econometrics. You will learn classical econometric models such as simple and multiple regression analysis, assumptions and properties of statistical estimators, and the reasoning for violating these assumptions in specific cases. The module covers modelling and statistical inference techniques for single and multi-equation systems, and the use of these techniques with regard to data prediction, model evaluation and forecasting.

Outline Syllabus:
1. Review of Basic Statistics;
2. Simple Regression Analysis;
3. Properties of Regression Coefficients;
4. Inference Testing;
5. Multiple Regression Analysis;
6. Specification of Regression Variables;
7. Violations and Solutions of Classical Linear Assumptions;
8. Time Series Analysis;
9. Panel Data Models;
10. Forecasting Techniques.

You will develop skills that can be applied more widely, such as problem solving and data analysis skills, through writing of workshop questions and assessments; you will gain analytical academic writing skills relevant to the world of economics and finance.

More information

AF5040 -

Intermediate Macroeconomics (Core,20 Credits)

In this module, you will expand and further deepen your understanding of macroeconomic concepts and conventional macroeconomic thinking. As this is an intermediate course, you will advance your knowledge of macroeconomic theories and their extensions towards practical applications for the purposes of economic analysis.

In addition, this module will provide you with the opportunity to engage with contemporary macroeconomics research. By completing this module, you will be able to use the knowledge gained in view of critically analyse global and significant macroeconomic events. The topics covered in this module include:

• Monetary Policy and Inflation Targeting;
• Short-Run Output Fluctuations and the Role of Multipliers;
• Unemployment and Inflation;
• Business Cycles and Wages;
• Debts and Deficits: The Government Budget Constraint, Fiscal Policy and Output Stabilization;
• IS/LM and AD/AS in Closed and Open Economies;
• Long Run Economic Growth;
• The Role of Expectations in the Macroeconomic Environment and within Financial Markets;
• International Trade in Goods and Assets;
• Contemporary Issues in Macroeconomics e.g. the 2008 Financial Crisis, the COVID19 Crisis.

More information

AF5041 -

Intermediate Microeconomics (Core,20 Credits)

This module will provide you with a thorough understanding of intermediate microeconomics theory, building on microeconomics keyconcepts and principles introduced to you in the first year. You will enhance your understanding of more complex microeconomics concepts and theories, such as general equilibrium, welfare analysis, behavioural economics, and game theory. You will be expected to understand the
defining assumptions and internal structure of the different analytical frameworks, their mathematical basis, applications and limitations.

At the end of this module, will be able to use the knowledge gained to provide a critical analysis of real world microeconomic issues. The topics covered in this module include:
• Mathematical Concepts in Microeconomics: Constrained Optimisation, Comparative Static Analysis;
• The Envelope Theorem;
• General Equilibrium and Social Welfare;
• Fundamental Welfare Theorems;
• Market Failure and Public Goods;
• Choice under Uncertainty;
• Introduction to Behavioural Economics of Risk, Uncertainty And Ambiguity;
• Game Theory I: Static Games of Complete Information;
• Game Theory II: Dynamic Games of Complete Information.

More information

AF5042 -

World Economy (Core,20 Credits)

The world economy continues to become more interconnected and many social and economic challenges are not limited to national boundaries but are global. This module will introduce you to the basic concepts, theories and methods used by economists to understand and explain the features of the modern world economy. The module will introduce you to international relations and develop your understanding of how they impact the world economy. You will begin to develop a critical understanding of the history and methodology of international economics and the winners and losers of globalisation. At the end of the module you will be able to apply the relevant theory and economic frameworks to critically analyse the macroeconomic landscape and alternative policy options available to governments across the world.



The module will cover:

The history of the global economy and international institutions.

The history and dynamics of international trade and foreign direct investment.

National and international policy approaches to sustainability and climate change and their implications for economic development.

The effect of innovation waves on the global economy.

Labour resources and the demographic factors of economic growth.

The geography of international migration flows.

The emergence of global value chains and the rise of China and India.



Understanding the role of trade in achieving the UN’s Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development will be central to the discussion on this module. This module will help you explore and analyse the impact of globalisation and international macroeconomics on global poverty and inequality.

More information

GA5001 -

Academic Language Skills for Newcastle Business School (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.

More information

NX9527 -

Newcastle Business School Study Abroad Semester (Optional,60 Credits)

The Study Abroad Semester module is a semester long 60 credit module which is available on degree courses which include the option to study abroad in Semester 2 of Year 2. You will undertake a semester abroad at a partner university equivalent to 60 UK credits.

The study abroad placement is an important element of your course structure and gives you access to modules from your discipline taught in a different learning culture and so broadens your overall experience of learning.

When taken and passed the study abroad semester will be recognised in your transcript as a 60 credit Study Abroad Module. The learning and teaching on your study abroad placement will be dependent on the partner and will be recorded in the learning agreement signed by you, the host University, and the University.

More information

Year three

NX9525 -

Newcastle Business School Work Placement Year (Optional,120 Credits)

The Work Placement Year module is a full year 120 credit module available on degree courses which include a work placement year which is taken as an additional year of study between levels 5 and 6. The placement consists of 48 weeks of full time work experience in a host organisation which is relevant to your studies.

The placement is an important element of your course structure and it will provide you with the opportunity to:

• Experience the environment of a real workplace which will help you decide the type of career you would like to follow after graduation
• Develop your organisational and interpersonal skills required to enable you to work efficiently as a member of a team
• Acquire and develop relevant technical skills associated with the nature of your work
• Identify, analyse and discuss with experienced practitioners how theoretical concepts are adapted and applied to suit practical requirements
• Apply knowledge that will help you to plan and evaluate future study and career development.


This is a Pass/Fail module and so does not contribute to your degree classification. When taken and passed, however, the Placement Year is recognised in your transcript as a 120 credit Work Placement Module and on your degree certificate in the format “Degree title (with Work Placement Year)”. The learning and teaching on your placement will be recorded in the training agreement signed by you, the placement provider, and the University.

More information

NX9526 -

Newcastle Business School Study Abroad Year (Optional,120 Credits)

The Study Abroad Year module is a full year 120 credit module which is available on degree courses which include a study abroad year which is taken as an additional year of study between levels 5 and 6. You will undertake a year abroad at a partner university equivalent to 120 UK credits.

The study abroad placement is an important element of your course structure and gives you access to modules from your discipline taught in a different learning culture and so broadens your overall experience of learning. At the end of the module you will have adapted to and appreciated a different cultural and learning environment and developed ability. You will have developed your interpersonal and intercultural communication skills as a result of your learning in an international environment.

This is a Pass/Fail module and so does not contribute to your degree classification. When taken and passed, however, the Study Abroad Year is recognised in your transcript as a 120 credit Study Abroad Module and on your degree certificate in the format “Degree title (with Study Abroad Year)”. The learning and teaching on your study abroad placement will be dependent on the partner and will be recorded in the learning agreement signed by you, the host University, and the University.

More information

NX9528 -

Newcastle Business School Blended Placement Year: Work Placement Semester (Optional,60 Credits)

The Work Placement Semester module is a semester long 60 credit module which is available on degree courses which include the option to take a blended placement year of Work and Study Abroad which is taken as an additional year of study between levels 5 and 6.

On this module you will undertake a semester long work placement. The placement consists of a period of full time work experience in a host organisation equivalent to a full semester of study which is relevant to your studies.

The placement is an important element of your course structure and it will provide you with the opportunity to:

• Experience the environment of a real workplace which will help you decide the type of career you would like to follow after graduation
• Develop your organisational and interpersonal skills required to enable you to work efficiently as a member of a team
• Acquire and develop relevant technical skills associated with the nature of your work
• Identify, analyse and discuss with experienced practitioners how theoretical concepts are adapted and applied to suit practical requirements
• Apply knowledge that will help you to plan and evaluate future study and career development.


This is a Pass/Fail module and so does not contribute to your degree classification. When taken and passed, however, the Placement Year is recognised in your transcript as a 60 credit Work Placement Module. The learning and teaching on your placement will be recorded in the training agreement signed by you, the placement provider, and the University. Combining this with the study abroad semester as part of the third year out of the University, this will be recognised on your degree certificate in the format “Degree title (with Study Abroad and Work Placement Year)”.

More information

NX9529 -

Newcastle Business School Blended Placement Year: Study Abroad Semester (Optional,60 Credits)

The Study Abroad Semester module is a semester long 60 credit module which is available on degree courses which include the option to take a blended placement year of Work and Study Abroad which is taken as an additional year of study between levels 5 and 6.

You will undertake a semester abroad at a partner university equivalent to 60 UK credits.

The study abroad placement is an important element of your course structure and gives you access to modules from your discipline taught in a different learning culture and so broadens your overall experience of learning. When taken and passed the study abroad semester will be recognised in your transcript as a 60 credit Study Abroad Module. The learning and teaching on your study abroad placement will be dependent on the partner and will be recorded in the learning agreement signed by you, the host University, and the University. Combining this with the work placement semester as part of the third year out of the University, this will be recognised on your degree certificate in the format “Degree title (with Study Abroad and Work Placement Year)”.

More information

Year four

AF6030 -

Sustainable Development and Responsible Business (Core,20 Credits)

This module aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of key literature, research and economic policy debates in the area of environmental sustainability and responsible business. The objective of the module is to provide students with appropriate tools and technical know-how to critically discuss the trade-offs between economic development and environmental protection and moving capitalism towards a
wider sense of accountability. The module will explore and examine the linkages between economic policies and environmental sustainability, the effects of international trade and globalisation on environmental resources, the role of international environmental agreements and the emergence of new forms of financial reporting centred on the principles of sustainability and social accountability.

Key topics covered in this module include:
• Fundamentals of Environmental Economics and Sustainable Development
• Economic Growth and Environmental Conflicts
• Measuring Sustainable Economic Welfare
• Contingent Valuation and Revealed Preference Methods
• Alternative Concepts of Capital: Environmental Accounting, Integrated Reporting, and the Triple Bottom Line
• International Trade and Environmental Protection
• Stakeholder Activism and Social Responsibility
• Political Ecology: Challenging Narratives of Environmental Degradation
• Financial Reporting and Climate Change.
• The Circular Economy
• The Role of Social and Solidarity Economies

More information

AF6040 -

Advanced Macroeconomics (Core,20 Credits)

This module will deepen your understanding of macroeconomic concepts and conventional macroeconomic thinking. As this is an advanced course, the emphasis is on both critical thinking and practical application of concepts and frameworks in the analysis of contemporary macroeconomics and policy issues. During the module, you will engage extensively with research in macroeconomics. By completing this module, you should be able to use the knowledge gained to provide a critical analysis of global and significant macroeconomic events.

The topics covered will include:
• A Recap of Intermediate Concepts;
• Growth, Capital Accumulation and Technological Progress;
• Goods and Financial Markets – Extensions;
• Output, Interest Rates and Exchange Rates;
• Exchange Rate Regimes;
• The Neutrality of Money Theorem;
• Financial Markets and Expectations;
• Fiscal and Monetary Policy;
• Macroeconomic Growth Theory and Growth Cycles;
• The Developmental State and Industrial Policy.

More information

AF6042 -

Dissertation (Optional,40 Credits)

The Dissertation module aims to equip you with the necessary intellectual and practical skills for undertaking an individual student-led, ethical investigation into an accounting, economics or finance (AEF) related problem or issue. In addition, the Dissertation aims to equip you with key transferable, employability skills, time management, project management, communication (written and verbal), negotiation, persuasion and influence, discovery, initiative, creativity and innovation in problem-solving and analysis.

The module is student-led but you are supported by, introductory lectures and workshops as well as guest lectures which introduce undertaking AEF research followed by one-to-one or small-group supervision meetings with an academic from the AEF subject discipline.

The lectures and IT workshops will provide a thorough grounding into undertaking an extended piece of researching, focusing on:

• Refining a research aim/question (focusing and scoping the research) and project proposal
• Developing a literature review
• Researching ethically
• Quantitative research and analysis techniques
• Qualitative research and analysis techniques

Upon completion of the AFM Dissertation module you will be able to:
• Conduct independent and ethical academic research involving the application and critical evaluation of appropriate theories and models.
• Engage critically with relevant literature to establish a framework in which to analyse and synthesise the results of your primary or secondary research.
• Generate / collect relevant primary or secondary data using an appropriate and justified method.
• Analyse your data using an appropriate and justified method of analysis.
• Recognise the ethical implications of your work.
• Critically evaluate the source of your data and the method you adopted.

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AF6043 -

Management Enquiry (Optional,40 Credits)

The Management Enquiry module is a student-led individual project that enables you to undertake a significant piece of assessed work commensurate with a capstone module. The module aims to provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate an authentic engagement with managers and/or professionals from the Accounting, Economics or Finance (AEF) discipline, and to integrate the knowledge you have developed during your programme to explore the theory in practice. The learning on this module is experiential and problem based, where the focus is upon you discovering, probing, and questioning key practice-based issues. Through the module you will be offered the opportunity to develop and enhance key transferable employability skills; time management, project management, communication (written, aural and verbal), negotiation, persuasion and influence, discovery, initiative, problem-solving and analysis.

The module has five thematic areas; explore, review, engage, reflect, and connect. These form the key elements of the assessed submission.

Part A (35%, 3,500 Words)
• Explore: Interviewing a manager and/or professional from the AEF discipline. In this interview you will either explore a key issue which you feel AEF is facing or, alternatively, explore with the manager or professional the key issues that they feel they are facing in practice. It is expected that you will apply appropriate interview methods and provide evidence of the interview within the submitted enquiry report (e.g. within the appendices).
• Review: Critically examining the appropriate literature to support the exploration, displaying an ability to critically assess and appraise the AEF knowledge related to a specific key issue arising from your exploration.
Part B (65%, 6,500 Words)
• Engage: Displaying an authentic engagement with the AEF problem/issue identified in Part A, by collecting/generating and analysing further live data (beyond the initial interview) regarding the AEF problem/issue. This live data may be primary data (e.g. further interviews with, or questionnaire to, managers and/or professionals in practice) or secondary data (e.g. industry data). Application of appropriate, ethically-considered, research methods and appropriate qualitative or quantitative data analysis.
- Reflect and Connect: Demonstrating an ability to critically evaluate and reflect on the issues arising from the Management Enquiry. Demonstrating how you have connected and fed-back to the participants of the Enquiry (usually the manager and/or participants) your key findings to provide clear prioritised, well-justified, practical, and actionable recommendations for change/enhancement/improvement to existing AEF practice to show how the recommendations would potentially affect workplace professional decision making.

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AF6044 -

Advanced Microeconomics (Core,20 Credits)

The ability to apply rigorous economic analysis to real-world problems continues to be a key skill valued by employers. This module provides you with a thorough understanding of advanced concepts in microeconomics, building upon the foundations acquired in intermediate microeconomics at Level 5. You will be equipped to analyse and discuss important economic issues with the benefit of a rigorous foundation and deep knowledge of applied microeconomics.



The module will examine recent developments in microeconomic theory and subsequent implications for the decision making of individuals, firms and government institutions. Controversies surrounding key elements of microeconomic theory will be discussed through the examination of contemporary economic debate, with explanations from a variety of microeconomic theoretical approaches. The co-evolution of individual preferences and the structure of markets; firms and other institutions will be examined using advances in game theory, general equilibrium analysis, behavioural experiments and the modelling of dynamic processes.



The key topics covered in the module will include:



Revealed preference theory

Choice with risk and uncertainty including prospect theory

Information economics

General equilibrium analysis including fundamental welfare theorems

Principal-agent problem including signalling and screening

Repeated and dynamic games

Collective action problems

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AF6045 -

Advanced Econometrics (Core,20 Credits)

The focus of this module will be on advanced econometric techniques, building upon the foundations acquired in the level 5 econometrics module. This module will include selected topics in applied econometrics, with a focus on connecting theory with practical applications. The lectures will be supported by computer classes using secondary data to explore the various estimation techniques. The module will make use of econometrics software packages for the estimations of cross-sectional, panel and time-series models. By the end of the module students will demonstrate an in-depth understanding of modern econometrics, with practical application to both microeconomics and macroeconomics analysis. This will be useful to students interested in postgraduate study in economics as well as the many disciplines outside of economics that require quantitative analysis.



The topics covered in this module include:



Ordinary Least Squares Model

Generalized Least Squares and Maximum Likelihood Estimation

Hypotheses testing

Endogeneity in Linear Regression Models

Simultaneous Equations Estimation

Limited Dependent Variables

Time Series Models

Panel Data Models

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GA6002 -

Academic Language Skills for Newcastle Business School (DE) (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Dissertation writing requirements
• Research Skills
• Ethical considerations
• Understanding research limitations
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.

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NX9626 -

Undergraduate Consultancy Project (Optional,40 Credits)

The module aims to provide you with an opportunity to integrate the knowledge acquired during the programme and apply this to a consultancy project for a real organisation. This consultancy project provides a vehicle for participants to develop and demonstrate key employability skills, to relate theory to practice, and to undertake a significant piece of assessed work commensurate with a capstone module.

You will work on behalf of an external organisation, which has identified a business problem or question, requiring a solution, working in small group of typically 4 individuals (you will select their own team members), participating in group and individual activities. The host organisation will provide a project briefing, and review; students will be supported by appropriate academic input and guidance from Newcastle Business School in the form of a mentor and via the Business Clinic.

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Modules Overview 2026/27

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

Year one Year two Year three Year four

Year one

AF4030 -

Introduction to Mathematics and Statistics (Core,20 Credits)

This module will introduce you to general mathematical and statistical methods used to analyse and interpret accounting, financial and economic data. The module will address and review essential preliminaries of algebra and mathematical functions, such as linear, polynomial, exponential, and logarithmic functions; expanding on numerical series as well as context- based optimisation problems. These topics will be complemented with a comprehensive review of descriptive statistics and an introduction to the normal distribution function, the process of statistical estimation, and hypothesis testing carried out by means of both parametric and non-parametric tests. Key-topics included in this module:

1. Review of Basic Algebra for accounting, Finance and economics;
2. Introduction to Differentiation;
3. Introduction to Numerical Series;
4. Constrained and Unconstrained Optimisation;
5. The Normal Distribution Function in the financial world;
6. Introduction to Statistical Estimation;
7. Hypotheses Testing of accounting, financial and economic data.

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AF4031 -

Accounting, Economics and Finance in a Global Business Environment (Core,20 Credits)

This module will enable you to better understand the economic, institutional, accounting and financial forces influencing the development of markets and exchanges and interactions within the global business environment. This module will introduce you to analytical models and principles that will help you understand and analyse the global environment in which business decisions are made. You will develop an
appreciation for the variety of factors that influence the choices and compromises that are made in international business and the implications of these choices on businesses.

This module will help you to understand and critically evaluate globalisation, its different dimensions and the surrounding theoretical debates. The module will equip you with real-world, problem-solving skills and an understanding of academic theory that underpins professional accounting, finance and economics practice. The module will place emphasis on real-life examples and case studies to position the subjects
within the realm of professional accounting, international finance and economic studies. This will enable you to develop your entrepreneurialmindset by developing your problem solving and analytical skills.

You will study and analyse the business environment at a global level, with a focus on how this impacts the national business environment. On completion of this module you will be able to analyse the consequences of changing regulatory and cultural environments for business within the context of professional accounting, international finance and economics. Throughout the module you will develop a deep understanding of the modern economy and the role that accounting and finance play within organisations.

You will explore basic economic theories around international trade and multinational corporations. You will also gain an understanding of elementary concepts of accounting (internal and external) and auditing and how these support global capital markets. You will also learn about the financial decision-making processes at the company level in the context of the analysis of financial performance measures.

You will use this knowledge to explore the scale, scope and trends in international business activity and evaluate various methods that firms use to assess, enter and develop domestic and non-domestic markets. The module will develop your multicultural awareness and knowledge, to introduce you to fundamental principles for purposive ethical decision making.

Finally, you will explore the wider concept of accountability, for example, sustainability reporting and the “Triple Bottom Line”. You will explore issues of financial literacy and the impact of global poverty, the digital divide and the economic and social consequences of global uneven income distribution.

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AF4032 -

Careers in Accounting, Economics and Finance (Core,20 Credits)

This module provides you with the skills and knowledge you need to successfully secure a relevant undergraduate placement and/or a graduate-level role in your chosen discipline of Accounting, Finance and Economics.

You will cover a number of key topics including career planning, writing CVs, cover letters and application forms, psychometric testing, competency-based interviews, assessment centres and current trends in recruitment and selection practice in accounting, finance and economics.

On completion of this module, you will be equipped with the skills and confidence to make an impactful application to any employer.

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AF4038 -

Financial Decision Making (Core,20 Credits)

You will learn how financial information can be used to assist managers and external user groups in their decision-making processes. You will initially look at the informational needs of outside user groups, the nature of the information they are provided with, and how this information can be analysed and interpreted in order to enhance the effectiveness of their decision making.

Topic areas will include:

• The reporting frameworks and ethical principles that underpin financial reporting
• The nature of international financial reporting standards
• Format and content of the statement of profit or loss and statement of financial position
• The statement of cash flows
• Analysis and interpretation of financial statements using ratio analysis

You will then examine how financial information can facilitate managers in making operational decisions in relation to planning and control.

Topic areas will include:

• Costing (full and variable costing)
• Cost, volume, profit analysis
• Relevant costs for decision making
• Budgeting and variance analysis
• Balance scorecards
• Working capital management

Finally, you will explore the motivations for entrepreneurial activity and techniques that can be used to appraise investment decisions.

Topic areas will include:

• Investment appraisal techniques (payback, accounting rate of return, net present value and internal rate of return)
• Practical aspects of investment appraisal (inflation and capital rationing)
• Risk and uncertainty

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AF4040 -

Introduction to Macroeconomics (Core,20 Credits)

This module will introduce you to macroeconomic key-concepts and conventional macroeconomic thinking so that you can understand how these have an impact on individual nations and the global economy. You will be exposed to foundational concepts, such as the role of aggregate supply and demand, measures of economic growth, fiscal and monetary policy and economic schools of thought. By completing this module, you should have an awareness and understanding of everyday macroeconomic events.

The topics covered will include:
• Foundational Principles of Macroeconomics;
• Macroeconomic Measurement: Environmental and Social Dimensions;
• Economic Growth/Decline in the Short, Medium and Long Run;
• Employment, Unemployment and Economic Growth;
• Introduction to Monetary and Fiscal Policies;
• Aggregate Expenditure, Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply;
• The IS/LM Framework;
• Overview of Principal Schools of Economic Thought.

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AF4041 -

Introduction to Microeconomics (Core,20 Credits)

This module introduces you to the basic principles of microeconomics and their applications at a practical level, giving you a robust platform for subsequent study of economics modules in more advanced contexts. The module aims to provide students with the necessary skills and techniques to analyse economic problems from a mathematical, graphical and intuitive perspective. At the end of the module, you will be able to apply your newly acquired knowledge of microeconomics theories to a range of real-world scenarios. The topics covered in the module include:

• Fundamental Microeconomic Principles;
• Choice in the World of Scarcity;
• Building Blocks of Supply And Demand;
• Elasticity of Demand;
• Introduction to Labour and Financial Markets;
• Cost and Industry Structures;
• Perfect Competition;
• Monopoly, Monopolistic Competition and Oligopolies;
• Introduction to Public Goods.

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GA4001 -

Academic Language Skills for Newcastle Business School (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.

More information

Year two

AF5031 -

Professional Practice in Accounting, Economics and Finance (Core,20 Credits)

The word professional means slightly different things to different people, however it is commonly used to describe someone who has acquired and uses a high level of technical knowledge and has the ability to judge the manner of how, when and where to use this knowledge. But the business environment has changed dramatically over the last twenty years, increased regulation, globalisation, more complex financial transactions, the opportunities provided by big data and analytics as well as the demand of good corporate governance and improved corporate social responsibility. These changes have meant that the professional can no longer rely on expert knowledge and needs to develop skills and abilities to help them manage the dynamic environment in which they operate.

This innovative module attempts to provide students with a range of skills and practices, taught in the context of the particular functional specialism, which will prepare the student for a range of future opportunities. This module aims to prepare you for your future studies at Level 6 and work-based learning. It focuses on developing your skills and abilities to critically assess, analyse and manage business-based problems and projects, with emphasis on a range of business models.

The module will focus on accounting, finance or economics to support demonstration of understanding and application of relevant theory from your professional/academic area as appropriate. There also will be opportunities to consider broader contemporary challenges for organisations in responding to changing practices of responsible and sustainable management.

On completion of the module you will have enhanced your problem-solving skills and will be able to manage complex projects. By focusing on advanced group and team working skills, research and complex problem solving skills, project management, communication skills, report writing skills and self-directed learning, you will also develop employability and leadership attributes, including set direction, engage, drive, collaborate, learn, innovate and act ethically.

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AF5036 -

Mathematics and Statistics for Economics and Finance (Core,20 Credits)

Building on knowledge gained at level 4, you will continue to learn and increase your skills in applying a variety of practical mathematical and statistical methods specific to the disciplines of finance and economics. On the side of mathematics, this module will expand on geometric series, optimisation methods and techniques, differentiation and integration. On the side of statistics, you will review the derivation of probability distribution and introduce basic principles for machine learning. The module will address formal derivations of mathematical and statistic functions by applying theories and techniques to practical economic and finance cases and examples. Topics in this module include:
1. Review of Mathematical Functions;
2. Mathematics of Financial Returns;
3. Optimisation Methods: Linear Programming;
4. Differentiation of functions of two or more variables
5. Optimisation methods: Maxima and minima of a function of two variables
6. Integration: primitive of a function and Riemann integral;
7. Linear Algebra and Portfolio Theory
8. Probability Distributions;
9. Maximum likelihood principle and elements of Machine Learning.

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AF5039 -

Econometrics (Core,20 Credits)

Building on mathematical and statistical prior knowledge, the module introduces students to the theory and application of econometrics. You will learn classical econometric models such as simple and multiple regression analysis, assumptions and properties of statistical estimators, and the reasoning for violating these assumptions in specific cases. The module covers modelling and statistical inference techniques for single and multi-equation systems, and the use of these techniques with regard to data prediction, model evaluation and forecasting.

Outline Syllabus:
1. Review of Basic Statistics;
2. Simple Regression Analysis;
3. Properties of Regression Coefficients;
4. Inference Testing;
5. Multiple Regression Analysis;
6. Specification of Regression Variables;
7. Violations and Solutions of Classical Linear Assumptions;
8. Time Series Analysis;
9. Panel Data Models;
10. Forecasting Techniques.

You will develop skills that can be applied more widely, such as problem solving and data analysis skills, through writing of workshop questions and assessments; you will gain analytical academic writing skills relevant to the world of economics and finance.

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AF5040 -

Intermediate Macroeconomics (Core,20 Credits)

In this module, you will expand and further deepen your understanding of macroeconomic concepts and conventional macroeconomic thinking. As this is an intermediate course, you will advance your knowledge of macroeconomic theories and their extensions towards practical applications for the purposes of economic analysis.

In addition, this module will provide you with the opportunity to engage with contemporary macroeconomics research. By completing this module, you will be able to use the knowledge gained in view of critically analyse global and significant macroeconomic events. The topics covered in this module include:

• Monetary Policy and Inflation Targeting;
• Short-Run Output Fluctuations and the Role of Multipliers;
• Unemployment and Inflation;
• Business Cycles and Wages;
• Debts and Deficits: The Government Budget Constraint, Fiscal Policy and Output Stabilization;
• IS/LM and AD/AS in Closed and Open Economies;
• Long Run Economic Growth;
• The Role of Expectations in the Macroeconomic Environment and within Financial Markets;
• International Trade in Goods and Assets;
• Contemporary Issues in Macroeconomics e.g. the 2008 Financial Crisis, the COVID19 Crisis.

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AF5041 -

Intermediate Microeconomics (Core,20 Credits)

This module will provide you with a thorough understanding of intermediate microeconomics theory, building on microeconomics keyconcepts and principles introduced to you in the first year. You will enhance your understanding of more complex microeconomics concepts and theories, such as general equilibrium, welfare analysis, behavioural economics, and game theory. You will be expected to understand the
defining assumptions and internal structure of the different analytical frameworks, their mathematical basis, applications and limitations.

At the end of this module, will be able to use the knowledge gained to provide a critical analysis of real world microeconomic issues. The topics covered in this module include:
• Mathematical Concepts in Microeconomics: Constrained Optimisation, Comparative Static Analysis;
• The Envelope Theorem;
• General Equilibrium and Social Welfare;
• Fundamental Welfare Theorems;
• Market Failure and Public Goods;
• Choice under Uncertainty;
• Introduction to Behavioural Economics of Risk, Uncertainty And Ambiguity;
• Game Theory I: Static Games of Complete Information;
• Game Theory II: Dynamic Games of Complete Information.

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AF5042 -

World Economy (Core,20 Credits)

The world economy continues to become more interconnected and many social and economic challenges are not limited to national boundaries but are global. This module will introduce you to the basic concepts, theories and methods used by economists to understand and explain the features of the modern world economy. The module will introduce you to international relations and develop your understanding of how they impact the world economy. You will begin to develop a critical understanding of the history and methodology of international economics and the winners and losers of globalisation. At the end of the module you will be able to apply the relevant theory and economic frameworks to critically analyse the macroeconomic landscape and alternative policy options available to governments across the world.



The module will cover:

The history of the global economy and international institutions.

The history and dynamics of international trade and foreign direct investment.

National and international policy approaches to sustainability and climate change and their implications for economic development.

The effect of innovation waves on the global economy.

Labour resources and the demographic factors of economic growth.

The geography of international migration flows.

The emergence of global value chains and the rise of China and India.



Understanding the role of trade in achieving the UN’s Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development will be central to the discussion on this module. This module will help you explore and analyse the impact of globalisation and international macroeconomics on global poverty and inequality.

More information

GA5001 -

Academic Language Skills for Newcastle Business School (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.

More information

NX9527 -

Newcastle Business School Study Abroad Semester (Optional,60 Credits)

The Study Abroad Semester module is a semester long 60 credit module which is available on degree courses which include the option to study abroad in Semester 2 of Year 2. You will undertake a semester abroad at a partner university equivalent to 60 UK credits.

The study abroad placement is an important element of your course structure and gives you access to modules from your discipline taught in a different learning culture and so broadens your overall experience of learning.

When taken and passed the study abroad semester will be recognised in your transcript as a 60 credit Study Abroad Module. The learning and teaching on your study abroad placement will be dependent on the partner and will be recorded in the learning agreement signed by you, the host University, and the University.

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Year three

NX9525 -

Newcastle Business School Work Placement Year (Optional,120 Credits)

The Work Placement Year module is a full year 120 credit module available on degree courses which include a work placement year which is taken as an additional year of study between levels 5 and 6. The placement consists of 48 weeks of full time work experience in a host organisation which is relevant to your studies.

The placement is an important element of your course structure and it will provide you with the opportunity to:

• Experience the environment of a real workplace which will help you decide the type of career you would like to follow after graduation
• Develop your organisational and interpersonal skills required to enable you to work efficiently as a member of a team
• Acquire and develop relevant technical skills associated with the nature of your work
• Identify, analyse and discuss with experienced practitioners how theoretical concepts are adapted and applied to suit practical requirements
• Apply knowledge that will help you to plan and evaluate future study and career development.


This is a Pass/Fail module and so does not contribute to your degree classification. When taken and passed, however, the Placement Year is recognised in your transcript as a 120 credit Work Placement Module and on your degree certificate in the format “Degree title (with Work Placement Year)”. The learning and teaching on your placement will be recorded in the training agreement signed by you, the placement provider, and the University.

More information

NX9526 -

Newcastle Business School Study Abroad Year (Optional,120 Credits)

The Study Abroad Year module is a full year 120 credit module which is available on degree courses which include a study abroad year which is taken as an additional year of study between levels 5 and 6. You will undertake a year abroad at a partner university equivalent to 120 UK credits.

The study abroad placement is an important element of your course structure and gives you access to modules from your discipline taught in a different learning culture and so broadens your overall experience of learning. At the end of the module you will have adapted to and appreciated a different cultural and learning environment and developed ability. You will have developed your interpersonal and intercultural communication skills as a result of your learning in an international environment.

This is a Pass/Fail module and so does not contribute to your degree classification. When taken and passed, however, the Study Abroad Year is recognised in your transcript as a 120 credit Study Abroad Module and on your degree certificate in the format “Degree title (with Study Abroad Year)”. The learning and teaching on your study abroad placement will be dependent on the partner and will be recorded in the learning agreement signed by you, the host University, and the University.

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NX9528 -

Newcastle Business School Blended Placement Year: Work Placement Semester (Optional,60 Credits)

The Work Placement Semester module is a semester long 60 credit module which is available on degree courses which include the option to take a blended placement year of Work and Study Abroad which is taken as an additional year of study between levels 5 and 6.

On this module you will undertake a semester long work placement. The placement consists of a period of full time work experience in a host organisation equivalent to a full semester of study which is relevant to your studies.

The placement is an important element of your course structure and it will provide you with the opportunity to:

• Experience the environment of a real workplace which will help you decide the type of career you would like to follow after graduation
• Develop your organisational and interpersonal skills required to enable you to work efficiently as a member of a team
• Acquire and develop relevant technical skills associated with the nature of your work
• Identify, analyse and discuss with experienced practitioners how theoretical concepts are adapted and applied to suit practical requirements
• Apply knowledge that will help you to plan and evaluate future study and career development.


This is a Pass/Fail module and so does not contribute to your degree classification. When taken and passed, however, the Placement Year is recognised in your transcript as a 60 credit Work Placement Module. The learning and teaching on your placement will be recorded in the training agreement signed by you, the placement provider, and the University. Combining this with the study abroad semester as part of the third year out of the University, this will be recognised on your degree certificate in the format “Degree title (with Study Abroad and Work Placement Year)”.

More information

NX9529 -

Newcastle Business School Blended Placement Year: Study Abroad Semester (Optional,60 Credits)

The Study Abroad Semester module is a semester long 60 credit module which is available on degree courses which include the option to take a blended placement year of Work and Study Abroad which is taken as an additional year of study between levels 5 and 6.

You will undertake a semester abroad at a partner university equivalent to 60 UK credits.

The study abroad placement is an important element of your course structure and gives you access to modules from your discipline taught in a different learning culture and so broadens your overall experience of learning. When taken and passed the study abroad semester will be recognised in your transcript as a 60 credit Study Abroad Module. The learning and teaching on your study abroad placement will be dependent on the partner and will be recorded in the learning agreement signed by you, the host University, and the University. Combining this with the work placement semester as part of the third year out of the University, this will be recognised on your degree certificate in the format “Degree title (with Study Abroad and Work Placement Year)”.

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Year four

AF6030 -

Sustainable Development and Responsible Business (Core,20 Credits)

This module aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of key literature, research and economic policy debates in the area of environmental sustainability and responsible business. The objective of the module is to provide students with appropriate tools and technical know-how to critically discuss the trade-offs between economic development and environmental protection and moving capitalism towards a
wider sense of accountability. The module will explore and examine the linkages between economic policies and environmental sustainability, the effects of international trade and globalisation on environmental resources, the role of international environmental agreements and the emergence of new forms of financial reporting centred on the principles of sustainability and social accountability.

Key topics covered in this module include:
• Fundamentals of Environmental Economics and Sustainable Development
• Economic Growth and Environmental Conflicts
• Measuring Sustainable Economic Welfare
• Contingent Valuation and Revealed Preference Methods
• Alternative Concepts of Capital: Environmental Accounting, Integrated Reporting, and the Triple Bottom Line
• International Trade and Environmental Protection
• Stakeholder Activism and Social Responsibility
• Political Ecology: Challenging Narratives of Environmental Degradation
• Financial Reporting and Climate Change.
• The Circular Economy
• The Role of Social and Solidarity Economies

More information

AF6040 -

Advanced Macroeconomics (Core,20 Credits)

This module will deepen your understanding of macroeconomic concepts and conventional macroeconomic thinking. As this is an advanced course, the emphasis is on both critical thinking and practical application of concepts and frameworks in the analysis of contemporary macroeconomics and policy issues. During the module, you will engage extensively with research in macroeconomics. By completing this module, you should be able to use the knowledge gained to provide a critical analysis of global and significant macroeconomic events.

The topics covered will include:
• A Recap of Intermediate Concepts;
• Growth, Capital Accumulation and Technological Progress;
• Goods and Financial Markets – Extensions;
• Output, Interest Rates and Exchange Rates;
• Exchange Rate Regimes;
• The Neutrality of Money Theorem;
• Financial Markets and Expectations;
• Fiscal and Monetary Policy;
• Macroeconomic Growth Theory and Growth Cycles;
• The Developmental State and Industrial Policy.

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AF6042 -

Dissertation (Optional,40 Credits)

The Dissertation module aims to equip you with the necessary intellectual and practical skills for undertaking an individual student-led, ethical investigation into an accounting, economics or finance (AEF) related problem or issue. In addition, the Dissertation aims to equip you with key transferable, employability skills, time management, project management, communication (written and verbal), negotiation, persuasion and influence, discovery, initiative, creativity and innovation in problem-solving and analysis.

The module is student-led but you are supported by, introductory lectures and workshops as well as guest lectures which introduce undertaking AEF research followed by one-to-one or small-group supervision meetings with an academic from the AEF subject discipline.

The lectures and IT workshops will provide a thorough grounding into undertaking an extended piece of researching, focusing on:

• Refining a research aim/question (focusing and scoping the research) and project proposal
• Developing a literature review
• Researching ethically
• Quantitative research and analysis techniques
• Qualitative research and analysis techniques

Upon completion of the AFM Dissertation module you will be able to:
• Conduct independent and ethical academic research involving the application and critical evaluation of appropriate theories and models.
• Engage critically with relevant literature to establish a framework in which to analyse and synthesise the results of your primary or secondary research.
• Generate / collect relevant primary or secondary data using an appropriate and justified method.
• Analyse your data using an appropriate and justified method of analysis.
• Recognise the ethical implications of your work.
• Critically evaluate the source of your data and the method you adopted.

More information

AF6043 -

Management Enquiry (Optional,40 Credits)

The Management Enquiry module is a student-led individual project that enables you to undertake a significant piece of assessed work commensurate with a capstone module. The module aims to provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate an authentic engagement with managers and/or professionals from the Accounting, Economics or Finance (AEF) discipline, and to integrate the knowledge you have developed during your programme to explore the theory in practice. The learning on this module is experiential and problem based, where the focus is upon you discovering, probing, and questioning key practice-based issues. Through the module you will be offered the opportunity to develop and enhance key transferable employability skills; time management, project management, communication (written, aural and verbal), negotiation, persuasion and influence, discovery, initiative, problem-solving and analysis.

The module has five thematic areas; explore, review, engage, reflect, and connect. These form the key elements of the assessed submission.

Part A (35%, 3,500 Words)
• Explore: Interviewing a manager and/or professional from the AEF discipline. In this interview you will either explore a key issue which you feel AEF is facing or, alternatively, explore with the manager or professional the key issues that they feel they are facing in practice. It is expected that you will apply appropriate interview methods and provide evidence of the interview within the submitted enquiry report (e.g. within the appendices).
• Review: Critically examining the appropriate literature to support the exploration, displaying an ability to critically assess and appraise the AEF knowledge related to a specific key issue arising from your exploration.
Part B (65%, 6,500 Words)
• Engage: Displaying an authentic engagement with the AEF problem/issue identified in Part A, by collecting/generating and analysing further live data (beyond the initial interview) regarding the AEF problem/issue. This live data may be primary data (e.g. further interviews with, or questionnaire to, managers and/or professionals in practice) or secondary data (e.g. industry data). Application of appropriate, ethically-considered, research methods and appropriate qualitative or quantitative data analysis.
- Reflect and Connect: Demonstrating an ability to critically evaluate and reflect on the issues arising from the Management Enquiry. Demonstrating how you have connected and fed-back to the participants of the Enquiry (usually the manager and/or participants) your key findings to provide clear prioritised, well-justified, practical, and actionable recommendations for change/enhancement/improvement to existing AEF practice to show how the recommendations would potentially affect workplace professional decision making.

More information

AF6044 -

Advanced Microeconomics (Core,20 Credits)

The ability to apply rigorous economic analysis to real-world problems continues to be a key skill valued by employers. This module provides you with a thorough understanding of advanced concepts in microeconomics, building upon the foundations acquired in intermediate microeconomics at Level 5. You will be equipped to analyse and discuss important economic issues with the benefit of a rigorous foundation and deep knowledge of applied microeconomics.



The module will examine recent developments in microeconomic theory and subsequent implications for the decision making of individuals, firms and government institutions. Controversies surrounding key elements of microeconomic theory will be discussed through the examination of contemporary economic debate, with explanations from a variety of microeconomic theoretical approaches. The co-evolution of individual preferences and the structure of markets; firms and other institutions will be examined using advances in game theory, general equilibrium analysis, behavioural experiments and the modelling of dynamic processes.



The key topics covered in the module will include:



Revealed preference theory

Choice with risk and uncertainty including prospect theory

Information economics

General equilibrium analysis including fundamental welfare theorems

Principal-agent problem including signalling and screening

Repeated and dynamic games

Collective action problems

More information

AF6045 -

Advanced Econometrics (Core,20 Credits)

The focus of this module will be on advanced econometric techniques, building upon the foundations acquired in the level 5 econometrics module. This module will include selected topics in applied econometrics, with a focus on connecting theory with practical applications. The lectures will be supported by computer classes using secondary data to explore the various estimation techniques. The module will make use of econometrics software packages for the estimations of cross-sectional, panel and time-series models. By the end of the module students will demonstrate an in-depth understanding of modern econometrics, with practical application to both microeconomics and macroeconomics analysis. This will be useful to students interested in postgraduate study in economics as well as the many disciplines outside of economics that require quantitative analysis.



The topics covered in this module include:



Ordinary Least Squares Model

Generalized Least Squares and Maximum Likelihood Estimation

Hypotheses testing

Endogeneity in Linear Regression Models

Simultaneous Equations Estimation

Limited Dependent Variables

Time Series Models

Panel Data Models

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GA6002 -

Academic Language Skills for Newcastle Business School (DE) (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Dissertation writing requirements
• Research Skills
• Ethical considerations
• Understanding research limitations
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.

More information

NX9626 -

Undergraduate Consultancy Project (Optional,40 Credits)

The module aims to provide you with an opportunity to integrate the knowledge acquired during the programme and apply this to a consultancy project for a real organisation. This consultancy project provides a vehicle for participants to develop and demonstrate key employability skills, to relate theory to practice, and to undertake a significant piece of assessed work commensurate with a capstone module.

You will work on behalf of an external organisation, which has identified a business problem or question, requiring a solution, working in small group of typically 4 individuals (you will select their own team members), participating in group and individual activities. The host organisation will provide a project briefing, and review; students will be supported by appropriate academic input and guidance from Newcastle Business School in the form of a mentor and via the Business Clinic.

More information

To start your application, simply select the month you would like to start your course.

Economics BSc (Hons)

Home or EU applicants please apply through UCAS

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International applicants please apply using the links below

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2025

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All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

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