BSc (Hons) Business Economics Bachelor's degree at Lancaster University

This module offers a comprehensive introduction to microeconomics, which is the analysis of Economics at the level of the individual or firm. You will study topics including the theory of demand and supply, costs and pricing under various forms of market structure, and welfare economics. The module provides the foundations for further study in Economics. In addition to developing key theoretical concepts, we will also show how these concepts apply to real-life situations. The module is self-contained and can be taken by students with no prior knowledge of microeconomics. It takes a less mathematical approach to the subject than Principles of Microeconomics.

You will receive a thorough introduction to macroeconomics, which is the analysis of Economics at the aggregate level. The topics you will cover include national income analysis, monetary theory, business cycles, inflation, unemployment, and the great macroeconomic debates. The module lays the groundwork for further study in Economics. In addition to developing key theoretical concepts, we illustrate how these concepts can be applied to real-world examples. The module is self-contained and can be taken by students without prior knowledge of the subject. This module provides a less mathematical treatment of Macroeconomics than Principles of Macroeconomics.

The purpose of this module is to provide you with training in the mathematical and statistical skills which are an essential part of the economist’s toolkit, and necessary for successfully completing further modules in Economics. The topics you will cover include linear and nonlinear equations, basic elements of differentiation, descriptive statistics, probability, and hypothesis testing. No prior knowledge of mathematics beyond GCSE level is required for this module. After completing it, you will understand mathematical and statistical methods and be able to interpret the results derived from the modelling process.

The Management School is committed to your professional development. We help you build study skills to learn effectively from day one and develop your employability skills to help you secure placements and jobs during and after your degree. This module is designed specifically for Economics students. You will be introduced to data visualisation techniques, while also developing essential employability skills. Using software tools, you will turn complex economic data into powerful visual narratives. Our dedicated computer labs provide hands-on experience in creating statistical graphics and data representations. Complementary sessions will improve your professional skills. These include CV de

Discover how various stakeholders utilise accounting information for decision-making. This module provides a foundation in financial and management accounting. You will begin by exploring the fundamental principles of financial accounting along with the regulatory environment in which accountants operate. You will develop essential skills in preparing basic financial statements and applying key techniques that support financial reporting. You will learn how to interpret financial statements and understand the significance and the limitations of financial reporting, particularly its external focus. The module then introduces key concepts in management accounting. You will explore how strategi

The module begins with an overview of business analytics, focusing on developing your intuition about randomness and uncertainty in business. It introduces various business analytics techniques that take uncertainty into account. You will examine case studies illustrating real-life situations, enhancing your understanding of the importance of recognising uncertainty, which is omnipresent in data and in decision-making.

This module provides a broad and comprehensive introduction to marketing, giving you a solid overview of how marketing works in a business context. You will be introduced to key marketing concepts, including: Customer value Segmentation Targeting Marketing communications This will give you a great foundation for understanding how organisations use marketing to connect with audiences and grow their business. The insights gained from this module will help you think more strategically in any business role.

This module provides an engaging introduction to the world of financial markets and trading. You will explore the role of financial institutions and gain an understanding of key markets, including stock, options, futures, and foreign exchange (FX) markets. You will cover fixed income securities, such as bonds, and examine the growing sectors of crypto and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), offering insights into their impact on modern finance. We will discuss commodities and their significance in global trade and investment. Additionally, you will explore how financial institutions and markets are regulated to maintain stability and ensure their proper functioning. Through a practical approach and

Operations Management is a core managerial discipline for all types of organisations, from private sector manufacturing to public sector services. This module introduces the role of operations managers. You will cover a variety of topics including: operations design, capacity planning and control, supply chain management, inventory, forecasting quality management.

You will be introduced to key concepts from microeconomic theory and their application to consumer and firm decision-making. We begin with an overview of how firms make decisions under different market structures, different pricing structures, along with the welfare implications of these choices. Next, you will learn how consumers make decisions and how they respond to price changes. Our focus then shifts to strategic behaviour, incorporating a game-theoretic approach. We will also cover the significance of hidden information and hidden action. Additionally, we will discuss issues related to the modern business organisation, such as various models of auctions. Finally, you will cover topics

Explore how real-world phenomena can be understood using macroeconomic models. This module will help you understand macroeconomic data and examine the implications of economic policies in both closed and open economies. By the end of the module, you will be able to interpret macroeconomic events and tackle macroeconomic questions using the concepts and methods presented in lectures and tutorials. We will focus on major issues related to economic growth, the causes of economic fluctuations, and the effectiveness of economic policy.

This module introduces the core concepts and methods of econometric analysis and their applications in economics. It examines different types of economic data and how to handle them, the specification of econometric models, and their estimation and testing, with a focus on the classical linear regression model. We will take an intuitive and practical approach, emphasising the application of econometric techniques to real-world data as well as the interpretation and evaluation of the results, and the ways in which they can be used to inform business and policy decisions. An important part of the module is training in the use of specialised econometrics software. This module includes a practic

You will be introduced to the key concepts, tools, and methods in environmental economics, along with several key policy applications of these topics. This module will equip you with the skills to analyse pressing environmental issues and explore potential solutions in terms of choices, trade-offs, and scarcity. The topics covered include: property rights and externalities benefit-cost analysis pollution control climate change dynamic efficiency and sustainability resource depletion ecosystem services management of natural resources such a fisheries

This module teaches you how to interpret, analyse, and present economic data effectively. It covers key concepts in data visualisation, statistical analysis, and economic theory. You will learn to use software tools to manage datasets, create informative charts, and perform data analysis. The focus is on clearly and concisely communicating findings to both technical and non-technical audiences. By the end of the module, you will be proficient in transforming complex data into actionable insights and compelling narratives.

This module is designed to enhance your strategic thinking skills. You will learn how to use games to model real-world strategic situations, and how to analyse and solve these games in scenarios where players are intelligent and rational. The module covers: normal form games extensive form games Bayesian games games with correlation devices repetitive games behavioural games Additionally, you will have opportunities to play these games with your instructor and classmates. A basic understanding of algebra, calculus and economics is necessary for this module.

This module aims to expand your knowledge on the topic of inequality and its relationship with the macroeconomy. It will introduce you to the measurement and analysis of inequality data, along with the underlying theory. The module also gives a brief overview of potential policy solutions to these issues. The topics covered include: skill accumulation discrimination luck mobility wealth accumulation the role of bequests The goal is to stimulate critical thinking by applying theoretical concepts to real-world examples and data.

This module introduces you to corporate finance. It focuses on key concepts that drive decision-making in businesses. You will explore the roles and interests of key stakeholders and understand their influence on decision-making within an organisation. You will also explore the core functions of a company, examining how governance structures shape company strategies and support growth and stability. Key topics we will cover in the module include capital structure, investment and financing decisions, and dividend policy, all of which are essential for a company’s financial health. By the end of this module, you will have a solid foundation in corporate finance, preparing you to tackle more co

This module provides an in-depth exploration of some key contemporary marketing topics, allowing students from a wider business background to then study further strategic marketing modules. You will gain a deeper understanding of the following: consumers and consumer behaviour effective marketing communications the contemporary challenges facing marketers and organisations.

Explore the essential concepts of management accounting and control, while understanding the evolving role of management accountants as trusted business advisors. You will develop skills in measuring, analysing, and reporting information to support management decision-making. Specifically, you will learn to apply a range of costing techniques, such as variable, absorption and activity-based costing. This module will also address control systems, including budgeting, variance analysis, and performance measurement. You will look at how these systems affect motivation and the organisation. Additionally, you will study Accounting Information Systems (AIS) which support management accounting proc

Many organisational recruiters have identified several key skills and areas of knowledge that they seek in prospective employees. At the top of the priorities are spreadsheet modelling, problem structuring, statistics, and project management. This module will introduce you to Microsoft Excel 2024 and the fundamentals of dynamic model building. You will learn essential skills such as: data handling filtering and analysis using functions charting Additionally, you will cover advanced techniques such as: optimisation simulation utilising Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) to automate models and construct decision support models. Throughout the module we will make extensive use of case-studies

Boost your CV by gaining international experience and earn credits towards your degree. You study abroad at a summer school at a partner university between your first and second year. You will gain subject-specific business knowledge and experience studying in a different country and culture. You can choose from a wide selection of partner universities based on where you want to study and the subjects offered. Some of your assessment will take place at the partner university. You will also write a reflective essay after you return to help you articulate what you have learnt during your time abroad. This will help you to link your experiences to employability for future interviews. To complet

This module is designed to promote independent learning and allow you to apply the knowledge and skills from your degree to understand and analyse contemporary policy issues. You will be able to independently produce both written and verbal reports on current policy topics that are accessible to policymakers and senior managers in both the private and public sectors. The content of this module will focus on contemporary issues. In the past, topics have included: Is government debt a burden for future generations? What is the value of a degree? How are interest rates set? Business support during the pandemic: Essential support or fraud? How should we pay for social care? How can we help the l

This module provides a comprehensive exploration of international trade and global business dynamics, connecting theoretical models with practical policy implications. You will examine core trade theories including the Ricardian model, Heckscher-Ohlin model, and heterogeneous firm models. The module also offers in-depth analyses of international factor mobility, trade policies, and globalisation trends. On the international business side, you will study key topics such as global value chains, multinational firm strategies, international competitive advantage, and the economic impacts of outsourcing and offshoring. The module focuses on real-world applications, exploring how theoretical frame

This module will introduce you to the field of behavioural and experimental economics. It will equip you with the necessary skills to study how the standard rationality assumptions can be relaxed to account for psychological and cognitive biases as well as social preferences. Additionally, you will be introduced to the tool of experimentation in economics as a means of collecting data to test the various economic theories. Some of the topics covered will include: behavioural finance rational emotions nudging choice under risk time preferences social preferences behavioural game theory

This module tackles issues in economic growth and development, with reference to key concepts, theory and empirics. In the first half of the module, we will take a macroeconomic perspective on the key growth challenges facing developing countries. This will include competing theories of growth, industrialisation, institutions and trade policy. In the second half, the module shifts to several microeconomic topics that examine the behaviours of households and individuals. Key issues covered will include poverty, inequality and anti-poverty policies, education, health, microfinance and credit markets, and risk and insurance.

This module builds on the foundations of monetary and fiscal policy analysis by placing policy decisions in a global context. The first part of the module emphasises the interpretation and analysis of macroeconomic data. You will learn how to apply empirical methods to understand fluctuations in output, employment, inflation, and trade balances. The second part focuses on the design and coordination of monetary and fiscal policy in an interconnected world. Special attention will be given to the challenges that central banks and governments face in managing global shocks. The topics covered will include international policy spillovers, exchange rate regimes, capital flows, and the evolving ro

Data science is transforming the role of information technology in society and in many sectors in which economists work. Machine learning and big data methods have gained popularity as tools in academic, government, industry, and beyond. You will be introduced to big data and machine learning techniques with a focus on economic applications. These techniques are already significantly impacting the field of economics for modelling economic relationship, drawing causal inferences, and making predictions. They will soon become a standard toolbox for economists.

Public policy analysis is the study of government’s role in the economy. It involves examining both its normative and positive aspects. To gain a comprehensive understanding, we look at a combination of theories, empirical findings, and real-world examples. We begin by focusing on public goods such as water, transportation, and other infrastructure that the government can provide directly or in collaboration with the private sector. This includes looking at the practice of regulators, as well as cost-benefit analysis. We evaluate the trade-off between efficiency and fairness, then examine state financing, including theories of optimal taxation and recent research on tax evasion and avoidance

This module offers a comprehensive exploration of labour and health economics, examining critical microeconomic dimensions of human capital and market dynamics. You will analyse labour market fundamentals including supply, demand, market policies, and workforce challenges such as unemployment, migration, and discrimination. The curriculum extends to education economics and personnel economics, investigating principal-agent problems and incentive structures within organisations. In addition, the module provides economic tools to critically examine healthcare systems, with a focus on the UK National Health Service and international healthcare models, emphasising empirical evidence and microeco

This module in Industrial Organisation will equip you with a strong understanding of how strategic thinking shapes firm behaviour and market outcomes, with a particular focus on competition and regulation, including digital markets. The module applies core microeconomic and game-theoretic tools to analyse decision-making by firms and regulators, and to explain how market structure, concentration, and market power emerge in modern market environments. Additionally, you will learn to evaluate the rationale behind market regulation, model regulatory interventions, and predict their potential effects on firms, competition, and consumer welfare.

Learn how to apply corporate finance theory to real-world situations, with a focus on the decision-making processes that drive business success. You will explore optimal decision-making strategies, gaining insight into how companies make critical choices to maximise value. The module covers mergers and acquisitions, teaching you the fundamentals of how businesses expand and grow through strategic deals. We will also cover rational decision-making, examining how companies weigh risks and rewards in their financial strategies. You will discover the increasing importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors and how Natural Language Processing (NLP) plays a role in financial de

This module builds on the techniques developed during earlier spreadsheet modelling modules. Its aim is to enhance your technical skills in Excel, improve your model design capabilities, and strengthen your VBA programming proficiency, enabling you to create effective and powerful models. As in the previous module, case studies and real-life applications will be used to illustrate these concepts and demonstrate how value can be added to models used in management and analysis situations. You will learn general concepts about spreadsheet modelling using VBA and acquire a wide range of modelling skills which are highly relevant to management. These include structured programming, program docume

You will examine how management accounting supports strategic decision-making, with a focus on cost management, performance evaluation, and long-term value creation. A range of advanced management accounting techniques such as balanced scorecards, strategic costing, and value-based management will be explored. You will explore how organisations integrate Environment, Society and Governance (ESG) factors into management control systems, sustainability reporting, and performance measurement to ensure responsible and transparent business practices. Using practical examples, you will learn to interpret both financial and non-financial data to support strategic decision-making. Given a range of c

Discover how marketing works in business markets, where long-term relationships and negotiation play a central role. You will examine how organisations market to other organisations, manage key accounts and build trust in complex decision-making processes. Additionally, you will learn about effective strategic negotiating skills and reflect on the ethical dimensions of working in B2B environments.

This module provides a solid foundation in banking and behavioural finance. You will explore the fundamentals of banking, including the role of financial institutions in the economy and the complexities of their business activities, such as lending and risk management. The module highlights the role of regulation and supervision in the banking industry, highlighting how these aspects differentiate banking from other industries, and how crises reshape regulation in banking. You will be introduced to the fascinating world of behavioural finance, where you will discover how psychological factors and cognitive biases such as overconfidence, loss aversion and herding behaviour influence decision-

This experiential learning simulation focuses on a negotiation scenario designed to enhance your professional skills. Based on the Crossbay Contracting Game created by Adam Hindle, three health service organisations are involved in a contract negotiation, and you will act as part of the management team for one of these organisations. The main aim is to reach an agreement that is satisfactory to all three parties.