Entry Requirements for International Students to Study Economics in the UK

Economics is the theoretical and practical science behind the production and distribution of wealth. Being a part of social science, economics is primarily concerned with the relationships and behaviour of societies, people and economics that is applied to the real world for studying and analysing the interaction between markets, people and governments. 

Economists are in demand across accountancy, banking, business, finance and public sectors. Careers options after completing an economics degree include business planning, research, management and marketing. An economics degree builds a candidate to think strategically and take decisions for optimising the outcome. 

Economics degree entry requirements in the UK depend on the course level and the university and you can learn more about all of this below. If you have any further questions, please contact SI-UK London today for a free consultation. 

Economics Degrees Types and Requirements in the UK

• Bachelors: BA in Economics, BSc in Economics
• Masters: MA in Economics, MSc in Economics
• PhD: PhD in Economics

What Do You Need to Study Economics at University?

Maths is the most important subject that you need to study economics courses at university. Even though the requirement of maths for BA economics is less, maths still acts as a central discipline in economics.

The higher the economics course level, the higher will be the maths grade requirement. Since economics is a real-world discipline, having experience in courses such as history and politics will help prospective economics students develop an understanding of the world which includes the systems that govern it.

Some schools also offer economics at high school level for aspiring economics students. However, maths will still be required for economics students.

Economics Degree Entry Requirements

Subjects like maths, statistics and business will be useful while applying for economics courses. The exact economics degree requirements for applying to a university varies among the universities. 

Here is the basic eligibility criteria required to apply across top UK universities for economics. 

A-Level Subjects for Economics

Maths is essential to apply for economics courses. Economics, even if it is not essential, also may give your application an edge over other applicants. Other typical A-levels taken by economics students are:

• History
• Statistics
• Political Science

Below are some examples of economics courses offered by different universities and their recommended A-level entry requirements.

• University of Cambridge: ‘A-levels: A*A*A*. Compulsory to have A-level in Higher Maths and pass the admissions test.
• University of Sheffield: ‘A-levels: AAB. GCSE with a minimum grade of B/6 in Maths.’
• University of East Anglia: ‘A-levels: ABB excluding General Studies.’

International Baccalaureate for Economics

The typical International Baccalaureate for Economics requirement for economics undergraduate courses are as follows:

• 35 points including 766 at Higher Level
• Must include grade 6 in Higher Level Mathematics

Universities with Low Entry Requirements for Economics

UK universities ranked 800-1000 in the QS World University Ranking by Subjects offer low entry requirements to study Economics.

Undergraduate

• 65% from Central Boards
• No subject specific A level requirements
• No subject specific requirements IB requirements

Postgraduate

• 60% from any Indian university

Economic Entry Requirement per Degree Type

Here are the minimum entry requirements for international students to study different economics degrees.

Entry Requirements for BA Economics

• Standard XII) examination with an overall average of 60% from the four best subjects
• 65% in Indian year 10 (Standard X) Mathematics or 40% in Indian year 12 (Standard XII) Mathematics
• 70% in English from year 12 (Standard XII) for CBSE or CISCE students.

Entry Requirements for MA Economics

• An undergraduate degree in any discipline
• Evidence of quantitative ability, with an overall grade of between 50-55% OR 6-7/10, depending on the degree institution

Entry Requirements for BSc Economics

• 80% from ISC Indian School certificate of Education 
• 80% from SSC All India Senior School Certificate Examination
• 80% HSC Higher Secondary Certificate

Entry Requirements for MSc Economics

• A Bachelor’s degree with a minimum overall CGPA of 7.75/10, 6.25/8.0, 5.75/7.0, 4.25/6.0, 3.3/4.0
• 60% where GPA scale is not used

Study Economics in UK

To learn more about economics degree entry requirements in the UK, book your free consultation with SI-UK London today.