The Foundation Year in Economics is offered as an entry route to a business degree for those who don't yet meet the entry requirements for degree-level study.
The Foundation Year in Economics is taught by the same lecturing staff who teach on our degree courses and you are taught in small group seminars, workshops and lectures. You will be able to develop transferable skills in business, communication and problem-solving.
You will enrol on a four-year course, which includes the one-year foundation course. If you complete this year successfully you progress directly onto one of our three-year degree courses in this subject area.
The Foundation Year is for you if:
If you are interested in studying the Economics foundation year you must apply to one of our four-year degree courses. Please have a look at the How to apply tab for further information. Successful completion of the foundation year guarantees entry onto your chosen economics degree.
We offer the following courses:
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You will study four modules over the year. Each module is one year long which means you have the chance to examine topics in-depth. As a student of this course you'll receive a free electronic textbook for every module.
We’ve made temporary changes to some course modules for students starting in 2020 in response to the coronavirus outbreak. If you’re applying to start this course or progressing into year one, two or three this autumn, there’s information on these updates below.
This module will give you the fundamental written and oral communication skills required for studying at degree level. You'll develop analytical skills through problem solving, build your confidence working individually and as a member of a team, and gain appreciation of research techniques by using a range of library and e-learning resources.
This module introduce you to the notion of business, its environment,and its domains through literature. The module will develop your ability to source, read, understand and utilise business knowledge effectively. You'll also gain an introduction to business and develop your communication, study and team work skills.
This module introduces fundamental mathematical topics and concepts that are required in a range of business subjects studied at degree level. You'll begin to develop an appreciation of the importance of mathematics as an aid to understanding and describing abstract ideas. You'll cover introductory areas of mathematics including numbers, algebra, financial mathematics and index numbers in a structured and supportive environment. Software will be used to demonstrate and elucidate material and to motivate its use in real world situations.
This module aims to provide you with the experience of a range of accounting projects that reinforce understanding of materials taught and provide opportunities to apply the knowledge you've gained in other Foundation Year modules.
This module will give you the fundamental written and oral communication skills required for studying at degree level. You'll develop analytical skills through problem solving, build your confidence working individually and as a member of a team, and gain appreciation of research techniques by using a range of library and e-learning resources.
This module introduce you to the notion of business, its environment,and its domains through literature. The module will develop your ability to source, read, understand and utilise business knowledge effectively. You'll also gain an introduction to business and develop your communication, study and team work skills.
This module introduces fundamental mathematical topics and concepts that are required in a range of business subjects studied at degree level. You'll begin to develop an appreciation of the importance of mathematics as an aid to understanding and describing abstract ideas. You'll cover introductory areas of mathematics including numbers, algebra, financial mathematics and index numbers in a structured and supportive environment. Software will be used to demonstrate and elucidate material and to motivate its use in real world situations.
The aim of this module is to enable you to use economic theories and skills to analyse real life economic problems; and it covers microeconomics, macroeconomics, and statistics/econometrics. Lectures will be delivered to introduce theories and computer labs will be delivered to relate theories to practice. Summative assessments include course work and presentation to improve both writing and communication skills.
See the course specification for more information:
Optional modules are usually available at levels 5 and 6, although optional modules are not offered on every course. Where optional modules are available, you will be asked to make your choice during the previous academic year. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, or there are staffing changes which affect the teaching, it may not be offered. If an optional module will not run, we will advise you after the module selection period when numbers are confirmed, or at the earliest time that the programme team make the decision not to run the module, and help you choose an alternative module.
You'll attend lectures to introduce new concepts and theories and to form the basis for discussion. Seminars and workshops are also used to reinforce the learning materials covered in lectures where you'll be given more time and opportunities to express your views and share your findings relating to the seminar works.
We’re planning to deliver our assessment in a similar way to previous years. We will review this regularly, and let you know in advance of your assessment if we need to make any changes.
You'll be assessed using a variety of methods including group and individual project or reports, written and oral presentations, bite-size revision type quizzes and end of term exams.
If you’re starting university in 2020, we’ll be teaching you in different ways to make sure you get the best learning experience possible. You’ll learn through live sessions with teaching staff and have the chance to study independently too, with access to all the online resources you need through our globally available student portal.
We’re planning different scenarios for teaching so we can be flexible. While we’re social distancing, we currently plan to teach your course fully online through a mixture of live interactive sessions and independent learning. This will ensure you’re equipped with the same skills as on campus study, and offer you an engaging learning experience where you can meet and network with your lecturers and fellow students through online platforms. We are also exploring opportunities for face-to-face interactive sessions with smaller groups of students and staff where possible and we can make the appropriate arrangements. You will still be able to access bookable study spaces on campus, and any of the facilities and support services which are open, as well as our extensive online support.
The table below shows current plans for your learning across a typical week, including scheduled live online teaching time. While some weeks might look different than this, due to how we schedule classes and make arrangements for any face to face sessions (for example, in some cases these could take place every two weeks with an increased number of hours), the table gives you an idea of what to expect based on the overall number of teaching hours on your course.
You’ll receive final arrangements for your teaching and a full course timetable before you start.
Scenario 1: course delivered fully online | |||
1. | Live learning | Contact time per week, per level: | 10 hours |
2. | Self-paced learning time | Average hours per week, per level: | 30 hours |
3. | On demand resources | Average hours per week, per level: | Maximum 2 hours |
Scenario 2: course delivered with a mix of online and face to face learning with social distancing in place | |||
1. | Live learning | Contact time per week, per level: | 10 hours |
2. | Self-paced learning time | Average hours per week, per level: | 30 hours |
3. | On demand resources | Average hours per week, per level: | Maximum 2 hours |
4. | Face-to-face sessions | Contact time per week, per level: | 2 hours across all levels |
Read more about our scenarios for returning to campus and what they might mean for your teaching and learning experience, and how you’ll be able to access student support.
Future plans for teaching
We’re developing our timetable for face to face teaching with current government advice on social distancing to keep you safe. If social distancing requirements are lifted, we’ll start to safely move back towards our usual teaching arrangements with more opportunities for face to face learning. Some learning and support might stay online in this scenario. If more restrictions are put in place, or there is another lockdown, we’ll be prepared to deliver your learning and support fully online, with alternative arrangements made for any required placements. We’ll always give you notice of any changes that we make.
Definitions of terms
Support
You’ll have a strong support network available to you to make sure you develop all the necessary academic skills you need to do well on your course.
Our support services will mainly be delivered online and you’ll have access to a range of different resources so you can get the help you need, whether you’re studying at home or have the opportunity to come to campus.
You’ll have access to one to one and group sessions for personal learning and academic support from our library and IT teams, and our network of learning experts. Our teams will also be here to offer financial advice, and personal wellbeing, mental health and disability support.
Read our guide to what’s been happening in your subject area recently and more about what to expect this autumn.
We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.
Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.
Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.
At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.
