Business Economics MA(SocSci)
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Business Economics is the study of economic concepts of relevance to modern business. With a focus on real-world case studies and the latest research, our curriculum equips you to develop a sound understanding of the resource allocation issues facing business corporations and the envi-ronment in which they operate.
You will be empowered with the analytical tools and strategic insights needed to navigate complex, changing economic landscapes. With a faculty at the forefront of economic research and a vibrant learning community, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of how economic forces drive business decisions and global markets, setting you on a path towards success in the world of business and economics.
You will study the principles of microeconomics and macroeconomics, but you will also have the opportunity to apply economic concepts and models specifically to the decisions facing businesses.
You will also be encouraged to explore your fields of interest, such as government policy, developing countries and international trade.
Adam Smith Business School is triple accredited
Triple-crown accreditation signals the Adam Smith Business School meets the highest global standards in education and research. This recognition validates the quality of education provided and enhances graduates’ employability, placing us in the top league of international business schools.
- September start
- Session dates
- Business Economics MA(SocSci) (Hons): L112 4 year degree
- Glasgow: Gilmorehill campus
- Degree options
- Study abroad available
Programme structure
Year 1
You will study:
- Introduction to the principles of microeconomics
- Introduction to the principles of macroeconomics
- Introductory mathematics.
Year 2
You will study:
- Intermediate macroeconomics
- Intermediate microeconomics
- Introductory mathematics and introduction to statistics (continued).
You will also study other subjects in years 1 and 2: see Flexible degrees.
Years 3 and 4
If you progress to Honours (years 3 and 4), you will choose a selection of business economics, industry and finance-related courses over the course of your Honours years. These are designed to put economic tools to work analysing activities inside a business and explore how stock markets and other financial markets work and how the strategic decisions of corporations interact with financial markets.
You will also choose courses from a range of options on specific topics to develop your analytic understanding of key aspects of economics and government policy formulation and put the skills you have developed into action. Specialist subject areas may include econometrics, behavioural economics, growth & development, public policy, alternative perspectives, health economics, labour economics, environmental economics, game theory, international trade/finance, mathematical economics and other areas of interest.
You can structure your studies to select and combine subjects relevant to your individual career path. You will research and write a dissertation in your final year.
Course details
Single / Joint Honours Business Economics
Business Economics Year 1
Business Economics Year 2
- Economics 2A
- Economics 2B
- Introductory Mathematics for Economists
- Introductory Statistics for Economists
You will also study other subjects in years 1 and 2: see Flexible degrees.
Single Honours Business Economics
Students must complete at least four of the following optional courses in either their junior or senior honours year
- Economics of Business: Contracts and Governance
- Economics of Business Strategy and Regulation
- Economics of Industry
- Markets and Competition Policy
- Financial Derivatives
- Financial Markets and Corporate Finance
Economic and Social History courses for Single Honours students
The following course is available to students on a Single Honours Economics or Business Economics plan as an outside option even if they have not previously studied Economic and Social History. Students should be aware though that this course is worth 20 credits.
- [[[ESH4003]]]
Year 3: non-Honours
These courses are compulsory to students who are completing an MA (Social Sciences) Ordinary Degree, for which 60 credits of level 3 courses are required.
Year 4: Honours
- Business Economics Dissertation
+ Optional Economics courses
Joint Honours Economics and another subject
Students must complete three of the following optional courses in either their junior or senior honours year
- Economics of Business: Contracts and Governance
- Economics of Business Strategy and Regulation
- Economics of Industry
- Markets and Competition Policy
- Financial Derivatives
- Financial Markets and Corporate Finance
Year 3: non-Honours
These courses are compulsory to students who are completing an MA (Social Sciences) Ordinary Degree, for which 60 credits of level 3 courses are required.
Year 4
- Business Economics Dissertation
+ Optional Economics courses
Economics Honours Optional Courses
- Econometrics 1: Introduction to Econometrics
- Econometrics 2: Multiple Regression and Applications
- Economics of Business: Contracts and Governance
- Economics of Business Strategy and Regulation
- Economics of Industry
- Markets and Competition Policy
- Environmental Economics
- Financial Derivatives
- Financial Markets and Corporate Finance
- International Trade
- Macroeconomic Analysis: Inflation, Unemployment And Growth
- Microeconomic Analysis: General Equilibrium, Public Decision and Information.
- Natural Resource Economics
- Contemporary Issues in Inequality
- Advanced Macroeconomics.
- Public Economics
- Economic Growth and Development
- [[[ECON4048]]]
- Behavioural Economics: Theory and Applications
- Collective Welfare and Distributive Justice
- Health Economics.
- Game Theory for Economists
- Labour Economics
- Market Failures and Mechanism Design
- Economics of Banking
- Economics of Poverty, Discrimination and Development
- Alternative Perspectives on Topics in Economics
- Mathematical Methods for Economists
- Financial Crises
- Economic History
- Economic Analysis with MATLAB
- Economic Geography
Note: the portfolio of Honours optional courses is subject to review and change each academic year.
Service courses
This course is available only to students studying engineering degrees.
- [[[ECON1003]]]
Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional
circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information,
please see: Student contract.
Our international links
There are opportunities for you to go abroad for up to a year as part of your undergraduate studies.
We currently have links with partners across Europe, the United States, Canada, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore. Courses taken overseas through our exchange programmes form part of your degree. There are no additional tuition fees and you receive support and recognition for your time abroad through the programme.
Find out more
Entry requirements
for entry in 2026
You should refer to the entry requirements for both subjects and the degree award when applying for a joint honours degree programme. The higher entry requirement (where applicable) and additional requirements must be met for both subjects.
Summary of entry requirements for Business Economics
SQA Higher entry requirements
- AAABB is the minimum requirement from S5 to be reviewed for an S6 offer
- Offers are not guaranteed to applicants who meet the minimum from S5
- Typically offers will be made at AAAAAA by end of S6. B at Advanced Higher is equivalent to A at Higher
- Additional requirements: Higher English and Higher Mathematics at AA. (AB may be considered)
SQA Higher adjusted entry requirements* (by end of S5 or S6)
- MD20: ABBBB (also other target groups*)
- MD40: AAABB (ABB S5 minimum for consideration)*
- Additional requirements: Higher English and Higher Mathematics. Successful completion of Top-Up or one of our Summer Schools.
* See Access Glasgow for eligibility.
A-level standard entry requirements
- AAB – BBB
- Additional requirements: A-level English or Humanities subject and A-level Mathematics.
IB standard entry requirements
- 36 (6,6,5)
- Additional requirements: HL English or Humanities and HL Mathematics (Analysis & Approaches).
Note: you do not need to have studied business or economics previously to enter the first year of this programme.
Admissions guidance
Glasgow International College
International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of foundation certificates.
English language
For applicants from non-English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
English language requirements
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)
- 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
- IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
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Common equivalent English language qualifications for entry to this programme
TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)
Tests taken up to 20 January 2026
- 90 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.
Tests taken from 21 January 2026
- 92 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 22; Listening 20; Speaking 23; Writing 21
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.
Pearsons PTE Academic
- 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)
- 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Oxford ELLT
- 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
LanguageCert Academic SELT
- 70 overall with no subtest less than 60
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Password Skills Plus
- 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Trinity College Tests
- Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses
- Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.
School Qualifications
- IGCSE English First Language, grade C
- IGCSE English Second Language, grade A
- A Level English, grade C
- International Baccalaureate English A SL5 or HL5
- International Baccalaureate English B SL6 or HL5
- SQA National 5 English or ESOL, grade B
- SQA Higher English or ESOL, grade C
International School Qualifications
- Brunei: O-Level English Language 1120 grade B and above
- Denmark: Studentereksamen English at 7
- European Baccalaureate: English as Language 1 pass, if taken as Language 2 grade 7, if taken as Language 3 grade 7.5
- Finland: Ylioppilastutkinto / studentexamen English grade C or 4
- France: International Option Baccalaureate (OIB) / Baccalauréat Français International (BFI) grade 12
- Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone: West African Examination Council (WAEC) / Senior Secondary School Certificate English grade C6
- Germany: German Abitur English Grade 11
- Hong Kong: Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education, English Language grade 4
- India: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) / All India School Certificate (ISC) English at 80%
- Kenya: Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) English grade B
- Netherlands: Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) grade 7
- Norway: Vitnemal English grade 4 or above
- Singapore: Cambridge International O Level English Language (1128 Singapore only) at Grace C; Singapore Integrated Programme Secondary 4 English Language at grade B
- South Africa: National Senior Certificate (NSC) / Independent Exam Board (IEB) Grade 4 (English as Home Language) OR Grade 4 (English as First Additional Language)
- Sweden: Avgangsbetyg / Fullständigt Slutbetyg fran Gymnasieskolan English grade VG
- Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at English at Ordinary Level grade C
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Alternatives to English Language qualification
- Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
- Undergraduate 2+2 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.
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Pre-sessional courses
We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:
- direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS)
- essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University
- flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.
For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:
- English for Academic Study: Pre-sessional courses
We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:
- Heriot Watt
- Kingston Upon Thames
- Middlesex University
- Manchester University
- Reading University
- Edinburgh University
- St Andrews University
- UCL
- Durham
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FAQs
What do I do if...
my language qualifications are below the requirements?
The University's School of Modern Languages and Cultures offers a range of Pre-sessional courses to bring you up to entry level. The course is accredited by BALEAP, the UK professional association for academic English teaching.
my language qualifications are not listed here?
Please contact External Relations
If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:
- UK Border Agency Tier 4 English Language requirements
- UKBA list of approved English language tests [pdf]
Visa requirements and proof of English language level
It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.
Further information about English language: School of Modern Languages & Cultures: English for Academic Study
Career prospects
Our graduates develop skills in research, analysis, communication, teamworking, decision making and problem solving. Recent graduates have been employed, among many other organisations, by:
- HMRC
- PwC
- Barclays
- DESMI Africa
- Taleveras Group.
Accreditation
The Adam Smith Business School has specialised international accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Our teaching provision is accredited by the Association of Business Schools and the Association of MBAs (AMBA). We have also been awarded accreditation under the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS), operated by the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD). The triple-crown accreditation puts us in the top league of international business schools.
Degrees and UCAS codes
Due to high demand, if you wish to be considered for Honours Business Economics you must apply using a UCAS code for Business Economics, either as a single subject or as a Joint Honours combination.
Note: You do not need to have studied business or economics previously to enter the first year of this programme.
When applying you will need to know the UCAS code for the subject or subject-combination that you wish to apply to:
MA(SocSci) (Hons)
How to apply
Due to high demand, if you wish to be considered for Honours Business Economics you must apply using a UCAS code for Business Economics, either as a single subject or as a Joint Honours combination.
Full-time students must apply through the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
SQA applicants who are eligible for our Widening Participation programmes are encouraged to participate in one or more of these programmes, including Summer School, to support your application and the transition to higher education.
International students to Arts, Engineering, Law, Nursing, Science, and Social Sciences can also apply using The Common Application: however, if applying to more than one UK university, we recommend using UCAS. Applications to Dentistry, Education, Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine must be made through UCAS.
Application deadlines
- 15 October: if including Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine or also applying to Oxford or Cambridge
- 14 January: all other UK applicants (unless otherwise stated on the UCAS website)
- 30 June: international students.
We do not usually accept any applications after these deadlines.
It's your responsibility to ensure the accuracy of your application before submission. Requests to correct application content, change degree programme or change college of entry, will not be accepted after these deadlines. This policy is in place to ensure fairness and consistency to all applicants, and no exceptions will be made.
- Apply at www.ucas.com or through your school or college
- Contact UCAS on 0871 468 0468
- Apply at commonapp.org (international students to certain areas only)
Subject league tables
Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide [Economics]
Complete University Guide [Economics]
Times Higher Education World University Rankings [Business & Economics]
