Skip navigation
Search
Search

Course options

2024 - 2025
Apply

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

Chat with students at this uni

Chat with students, ask questions and share experiences
Chat with students
Make sure you check on the university, college or conservatoire website for any updates about course changes as a result of COVID-19.

Course summary

BSc Economics and Social Policy allows you to study a wide range of economic, social, political and geographical theories while learning how to apply them to contemporary policy issues. This economics and social policy degree will help you to address important issues such as:

  • What explains the massive differences in prosperity across the globe, both between countries and between individuals within countries?
  • How do different economic systems affect these outcomes?
  • What is the role of government and other power structures in affecting economic and social outcomes?
  • How do political systems differ across the world?
  • What role do gender and race play in economic, political and social systems?
We will provide you with a rigorous training in economics and a broad understanding of social policy and politics. As you make progress through the course, you will be able to choose greater specialisation in economics or other disciplines as you wish. Our students go on to build successful careers with a variety of employers in a range of sectors, including government departments, the Bank of England, UK regulatory bodies, commercial banks, local government, social services and teaching. If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. Highlights
  • This BSc Economics and Social Policy offers you a well-integrated interdisciplinary core as well as the scope for you to obtain a broad and balanced perspective, specialising as you progress through your studies.
  • We have an excellent reputation for the quality of our teaching. We also provide training for diverse employers, including the Treasury and the Bank of England.
  • Like all Birkbeck programmes, all classes and lectures take place in the evening, allowing you to work or do your own thing during the day. If you have a full-time job, we strongly recommend that you take the four-year version of the programme.
  • Goldman Sachs and Birkbeck Diversity Scholarships are available for this course for students from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.
Careers and employability Graduates can pursue career paths in banking and finance, education and social services, or research and analysis. Possible professions include:
  • social research officer
  • local government officer
  • economist
  • statistician.
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

For most modules, you will do coursework and sit examinations. The relative weights of these components will vary from module to module and you will be given this information on the individual module syllabus/reading list. Coursework assignments will vary, but may include essays, problem-solving (modules involving quantitative techniques are likely to involve exercises designed to test your ability to apply these techniques to solve problems) and in-class and mid-term tests.

How to apply

31Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

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. We also accept other English language tests.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential. FOUNDATION YEAR DEGREES Our 'with Foundation Year' route is designed to give you extra support as it provides you with an additional year (full-time) or two years (part-time) of supported study. This is an ideal route if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied this subject, or if you did not achieve the grades you need for a place on this degree. Once you successfully complete your Foundation Year studies, you will automatically advance onto the main degree. ALTERNATIVE ENTRY ROUTES Students without an adequate background in economics or quantitative methods may be required to take, and pass with credit, two foundation modules from the Certificate of Higher Education in Economics.

Unistats information

Operated by the Office for Students

There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Additional fee information

To be confirmed
Economics and Social Policy at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS