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Economics at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Open days

26Mar
Birkbeck, University of London - Postgraduate open evening
Postgraduate

Course summary

This Graduate Diploma in Economics is a specialist conversion course that is ideal if you have an undergraduate degree in another subject area but wish to switch to economics. You do not need any prior training in the subject, including in mathematics, as it equips you with a thorough grounding in the fundamental ideas and methods of modern economics. Why choose this course?

  • This rigorous and intensive training will enable you to compete on equal terms with students graduating with undergraduate degrees in economics.
  • It is an ideal conversion course if you have a degree in another subject and need the skills of an economics graduate to make progress in your career, or wish to study economics further at Master's level.
  • All lectures are recorded and all course materials are made available online for this course, so you can access them when you need to.
What you will learn First you will build the necessary mathematical and statistical toolkit you need to study economics. Then you will gain foundational knowledge in the principal ideas and methods of modern economics. You will then have the opportunity to conduct a research project of your own, learning to apply economic reasoning to practical problems. How you will learn You can study this Graduate Diploma in Economics either full- or part-time and either through attending lectures on campus or via live online streaming. The course has an evening timetable with classes taking place in the evening. Lectures will introduce you to core material which is supported by weekly problem-solving classes. Assessment includes take-home assignments as well as written examinations, which you will take either at Birkbeck if you are studying on campus, or by arrangement at a wide range of sites throughout the world if you are studying the course online. Highlights
  • Our September pre-sessional courses will provide you with an accelerated revision of core mathematics skills, as they start at - roughly - GCSE level, but progress very rapidly to more advanced techniques.
  • All modules on the course are designed carefully around targeted, accelerated learning, in contrast to conversion courses in other universities that simply offer modules that are already part of other undergraduate courses.
  • Birkbeck was ranked in the top 25 universities in the UK for its Economics and Econometrics research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
Careers and employability Graduates from this Graduate Diploma in Economics either go straight into employment in this field or progress on to the MSc Economics. On successfully graduating from this course, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:
  • the mathematical and statistical skills to learn economics
  • fundamental knowledge of micro and macro economics and econometrics.
Studying this course will prepare you for roles in government, economic regulators, finance, business development, education or research. Some of our graduates from this course have gone on to be employed at the following organisations:
  • HM Treasury
  • Bank of England
  • Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
  • Deloitte
  • KPMG UK
We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.

Assessment method

Mostly by unseen written examination. Each module includes some assessment based on in-class or online tests. Applied Statistics and Econometrics and Microeconomics include coursework.

How to apply

International applicants

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Entry requirements

At least a second-class honours degree (2:2) or equivalent, in any discipline. Evidence of aptitude for mathematical and statistical analysis is advantageous. Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses, foundation programmes and language support services to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £11120 Year 1
Northern Ireland £11120 Year 1
Scotland £11120 Year 1
Wales £11120 Year 1
International £16400 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.
Economics at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS