Economics with a Foundation Year (BSC)
- Subject area: Economics
- UCAS code: L111
- Next intake: September 2026
- Duration: 4 years
- Mode: Full time
Why study this course
From tackling climate change and setting interest rates to globalisation and eliminating poverty, economics provides a unique and valuable perspective on the world around you.
A public value ethos
Engage with the grand challenges facing society, thinking about how economics can contribute to solving them.
Opportunities outside the classroom
Consider a professional placement year or year of study abroad between your second and final years.
Learn from the best
Benefit from the expertise of a large, diverse faculty bringing unique insights from their own research into the classroom.
Tailor your studies
All final-year modules are optional so you can choose the ones that best fit your interests and aspirations.
Our Economics with a Foundation Year programme provides a supportive and intellectually engaging route into university study.
You’ll explore some of the big questions at the heart of the social sciences: how societies are organised, why inequalities persist, how communities and organisations are shaped, and how social, political and economic forces influence the world around us. You’ll also consider how the social sciences help us understand and respond to contemporary challenges such as climate change, global inequality, digital transformation and social justice.
You’ll be introduced to a range of perspectives from sociology, politics, business studies, economics, geography, social policy and related disciplines.
As an economics student, you’ll learn to apply cutting-edge mathematical and statistical tools to understanding, and predicting, the behaviour of individuals, firms, markets and countries. These techniques will enable you to not only explain the world around you, but also to quantify how target groups are likely to respond to, for example, the introduction of a new policy or a change in the behaviour of competitors.
You’ll learn to make evidence-based decisions about how to simplify reality to make your analysis meaningful, and to defend your decisions convincingly. You’ll also learn how to communicate both the complexity and nuance of your analysis to a range of specialist and non-specialist audiences both verbally and in written form.
As an economics graduate, you’ll be highly sought after because of the uniquely diverse skillset you will develop. Our alumni have enjoyed successful careers in government, finance, banking, accountancy and consultancy, or continued their studies at postgraduate level.
Subject area: Economics
Entry requirements
We accept a combination of A-levels and other qualifications, as well as equivalent international qualifications subject to entry requirements. Typical offers are as follows:
A level
CCD-CDD. Must include grade C in Maths.
Extended/International Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ/IPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.
- Our grade range covers our standard offer and contextual offer. We carefully consider the circumstances in which you've been studying (your contextual data) upon application. Eligible students will be given an offer that is lower than the standard offer (usually the middle or lower end of the advertised grade range).
- Where there is no grade range advertised and/or where there are selection processes in place (like an interview) you may receive additional consideration in the selection process.
Learn about eligible courses and how contextual data is applied.
International Baccalaureate
27-26 overall or 554-544 in 3 HL subjects. Must include grade 5 in HL Maths.
Baccalaureate Wales
From September 2023, there will be a new qualification called the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales (level 3). This qualification will replace the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (Welsh Baccalaureate). The qualification will continue to be accepted in lieu of one A-Level (at the grades listed above), excluding any specified subjects.
GCSE and other essential requirements
You must have or be working towards:
- English language or Welsh language at GCSE grade C/4 or an equivalent (such as A-levels). If you require a Student visa, you must ensure your language qualification complies with UKVI requirements.
We do not accept Critical Thinking, General Studies, Citizenship Studies, or other similar equivalent subjects.
We will accept a combination of BTEC subjects, A-levels, and other qualifications, subject to the course specific grade and subject requirements.
English language requirements
GCSE
Grade C or grade 4 in GCSE English Language.
IELTS (academic)
At least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each subskill.
TOEFL iBT
At least 90 overall with a minimum of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading, and 20 for speaking.
PTE Academic
At least 69 overall with a minimum of 59 in all communicative skills.
Trinity ISE II/III
II: at least two Distinctions and two Merits.
III: at least a Pass in all components.
Other accepted qualifications
Please visit our English Language requirements page for more information on our other accepted language qualifications.
Criminal convictions
You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course.
If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:
- access to computers or devices that can store images
- use of internet and communication tools/devices
- curfews
- freedom of movement, including the ability to travel to outside of the UK or to undertake a placement/studies outside of Cardiff University
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Other qualifications from inside the UK
BTEC
MM-MP in a BTEC Diploma in Business and grade C in A level Maths.
T level
Acceptance of T Levels for this programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Academic School. Consideration will be given to the T Level grade/subject and grades/subjects achieved at GCSE/Level 2.
Please see our admissions policies for more information about the application process.
Tuition fees for 2026 entry
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.
Learn how we decide your fee status
Fees for home status
| Year | Tuition fee 1 | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation/ preliminary year | £5,760 | None |
| Year one | £9,790 | None |
| Year two | £9,790 | None |
| Year three | £9,790 | None |
1 Home status tuition fees are charged at the maximum fee set by the Government each year. If the tuition fee cap changes before you start your course, we’ll email you to let you know. We’ll explain any changes to your tuition fees, and allow you to withdraw without penalty if you decide not to study with us.
Tuition fees may increase for subsequent years of your course if the fee cap changes. Learn what happens if tuition fees increase.
Fees for overseas status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £30,700 | None |
| Year two | £30,700 | None |
| Year three | £30,700 | None |
Learn more about our tuition fees
Financial support
Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.
Additional costs
Accommodation
We have a range of residences to suit your needs and budget. Find out more on our accommodation pages.
Living costs
We're based in one of the UK's most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Course structure
You’ll study for a minimum of 4 years, including your integrated foundation year.
In each year of the programme, you’ll study 120 credits from a blend of core and optional modules.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2026/2027 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2026.
Foundation/ preliminary year
The foundation year is designed to build confidence, academic capability and subject-specific understanding through expert teaching, tailored support and an inclusive learning environment.
You’ll study 6 core modules of 20 credits each, carefully designed to prepare you for your chosen Economics degree.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Independent Project | CH0008 | 20 credits |
| Skills for Knowledge, Independence, Lifelong Learning | CH0009 | 10 credits |
| Humane Futures: Ethics, Technology and the Human World | CH0012 | 20 credits |
| Understanding the Economy and Business Environment | CH0015 | 20 credits |
| Key Topics in Social Sciences | CH0018 | 20 credits |
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Social Research Methods | CH0014 | 20 credits |
| Statistics and Data | MA0502 | 20 credits |
Year one
On successful completion of the foundation year, you’ll progress into one of our Economics programmes. Your options include:
- Economics (BSc)
- Business Economics (BSc)
- Banking and Finance (BSc)
In year 1, you’ll study 6 core modules. The autumn semester lays the foundation for everything that follows. You’ll learn the fundamental models that economists use to analyse markets and the national economy, along with the mathematical tools necessary to quantify and evaluate their predictions.
The spring semester provides opportunities to apply what you have learned. You'll do a deep dive into what it takes to be a successful economist, working in a team to deliver an economics project. You'll also develop a stronger sense of perspective, discussing major events that have shaped the modern economy.
You can find out more on our Economics subject pages.
Year two
In year 2, you’ll continue your study of core micro- and macroeconomics, incorporating the mathematical tools of first year to make your analysis more precise.
You’ll be exposed to econometrics, which seeks to identify statistical patterns in economic data whilst accounting for the data’s intrinsic interrelatedness and inaccuracies.
You’ll also begin to tailor your degree content in line with your aspirations and interests through the selection of 2 optional modules.
Year three
By year 3, you’ll already have developed a range of core technical skills, understanding and techniques.
You’ll further deepen your knowledge and understanding through a combination of core and optional modules, depending on your chosen programme of study.
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
Each module is taught by active researchers in your field of study. This not only means that your lecturers are subject experts, but also that the module content is informed by the latest developments in the field. You will see state-of-the-art thinking and techniques, combined with contemporary examples drawn from across the globe that bring the theory to life.
Most modules adopt a blended approach, providing two hours of lectures or example sessions each week alongside weekly or fortnightly small group tutorials. These are complemented by a host of online, independent study activities (videos, assignments, discussion boards, reading etc). You will be required to attend all in-person elements and are expected to manage your time effectively to complete all assigned work. Technology is also brought into the classroom, with online polls and other forms of interaction common even in large lectures.
Some learning activities will take place in computer labs, as you get to grips with widely used software like Excel (which employers consistently place a high premium on) and more technical coding-based packages like R.
How will I be assessed?
The BSc Economics programme employs a diverse range of assessment. All modules have an element of coursework, enabling you to investigate aspects of the module content in more depth. Many of the courseworks reflect the types of activities professional economists undertake. Some modules will ask you to produce short policy briefs with deadlines of 24- or 48-hours, reflecting what happens when an urgent request comes in from a government minister. Others will have longer-term projects, with elements of group work, computer coding, trading simulations, presentations and/or final reports. Some modules will enable you to show off your creativity, producing concise videos that are common in fields like financial journalism. More traditional forms of assessment, such as exams and academic essays are also utilised where appropriate.
We understand that doing well in assessments is important to our students. For this reason, we have developed a marking criteria menu that is employed across all modules and provided to you on day one. Designed to be transparent and simple to follow, each assessment will choose several elements from the menu to indicate exactly what your assessor will be looking for.
We think this has several advantages. First, all modules employ a consistent approach, ensuring that marking is always transparent and fair. Second, and more importantly, by aligning the feedback you receive with the marking criteria, you will be able to immediately transfer its lessons to other modules where the same criterion is used.
What skills will I practise and develop?
The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will achieve by the end of your programme at Cardiff University and identify the knowledge and skills that you will develop. They will also help you to understand what is expected of you.
On successful completion of your Programme you will be able to:
Knowledge & Understanding:
- Describe a broad range of well-known economic models and techniques, and the policy problems to which they can be successfully applied.
- Combine appropriate economic theories, mathematical and econometric methods to understand a range of individual and social phenomena.
- Relate macro- and microeconomic analyses to their wider historical, political, institutional, social and/or ethical context.
Intellectual Skills:
- Evaluate the relative merits of alternative economic arguments, theories and evidence.
- Interpret the results of an economic analysis by combining verbal argument with mathematical, econometric and graphical representation.
- Formulate policy recommendations to achieve a given objective, informed by appropriate economic analysis.
Professional Practical Skills:
- Assess the quality and relevance of different evidence when addressing an economic problem.
- Simplify complex individual or social phenomena to enable meaningful application of the tools of economics.
- Employ appropriate technical software to conduct an economic analysis.
- Contribute to solving the grand challenges facing society.
- Communicate the results of an economic analysis to both specialist and non-specialist audiences in an impactful way.
- Apply appropriate economic reasoning to assist decision-making in a professional or personal context.
Transferable/Key Skills:
- Solve broadly defined problems in collaboration with others.
- Work independently to solve broadly defined problems.
Careers and placements
Career prospects
As an Economics student, you’ll develop the technical, analytical, and abstract thinking skills often associated with degrees in quantitative subjects alongside the critical evaluation, argument and communication skills more common in qualitative degrees. For this reason, UK economics graduates consistently have some of the highest employability rates and graduate earnings of any subject. Our alumni regularly go on to work as professional economists, or in associated industries such as finance, banking, accountancy, consultancy or financial journalism.
We embed employability throughout our programmes. Some modules explicitly focus on the range of skills a successful economist should bring to bear, and are strongly aligned to the University’s graduate attributes. The range of learning activities and assessments adopted on other modules, from 24-hour policy briefs and more detailed economic analyses of contemporary issues to presentations and short videos, provide the chance to hone your skills through the kind of activities economics graduates often go on to do in their careers.
Placements
Our Economics programmes can be studied with a paid professional placement year. If you choose this programme of study, you’ll undertake your placement between the penultimate and final year of the programme (and increase the length of your studies by a year).
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HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.
