Economics and Finance with a Professional Placement Year (BSc Econ)

at Cardiff University

Course structure

The Economics and Finance course is a full-time four year course of study, involving both compulsory and optional modules.  You would normally attain 120 credits each year and 480 in total.

A significant proportion of the modules included in the programme are taught by the School’s Economics Section while certain modules, notably in year one, are taught by other sections of the School. 

The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2023/2024 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2023.

Year one

• In year one you take four compulsory double modules, plus two compulsory single modules and one optional double module.

Year two

• In year two you take five compulsory double modules and one optional double module.

Year three: Sandwich year

Year three is spent on a Professional Placement. This can be a very valuable part of your programme as there are many benefits that you can gain from it:

• you can access support throughout the application and recruitment process through tailored workshops and one-to-one advice.
• you will be supported whilst on placement. Most students settle into their placements very quickly but we are on hand to help and to advise if you need us.
• your academic performance should improve - students who complete a placement year generally demonstrate an improved performance in their final year.
• you will gain an insight into an organisation and industry without any long-term obligations - this will help you with future career planning.
• you may be able to enter an organisation at a higher level on completion of your studies
• you will have the chance to earn whilst you study.
• you will develop new skills and add to your CV.

It should be noted that acceptance onto this programme does not guarantee you a placement. Ultimate responsibility for securing a placement opportunity lies with the student, although our Careers and Employability team can assist you in sourcing something suitable, and in preparing you for the application and recruitment process.

We strongly advise that you start the process of finding a placement sooner rather than later. The recruitment process of many graduate employers opens around 12 months before the placements actually begin. There are often numerous stages to go through, including psychometric testing and assessment centres, and the whole process can take up to four months (sometimes longer) from beginning to end; it is really important that you start your search early.

We strongly encourage all students to source and secure paid work placements. However, we will consider unpaid placements providing it is evident that the experience allows you to meet the learning outcomes of the programme, and that you are fully aware of any financial implications.

Year four

• In year four you take five compulsory double modules and one single module per semester or one double module.

A level
AAB-ABB. Must include Maths.

Extended/International Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ/IPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard A level offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.

International Baccalaureate
34-32 overall or 666-665 in 3 HL subjects. Must include grade 6 in HL Maths.

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 minimum scores of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading and 20 for speaking.

PTE Academic
At least 62 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.

Tuition fees for 2022 entry

Fees for home status

• £9,000    

Fees for overseas status

• £19,700    

Our business degrees give students a broad range of skills which are valued by a range of employers in the private and public sectors. In 2015/16, 92% of the School’s graduates who were available for work reported they were in employment and/or further study within six months of graduating.

In addition to the central University Careers Service, our students benefit from a dedicated on-site Careers and Placements service to help them find internships, job opportunities and to access business-industry specific advice, training and guidance.