Economics and Business Finance with Placement Year

Economics and business finance is a programme that combines two closely related disciplines to produce graduates with both the analytical tools of an economist and the practical understanding of how financial decisions are made in real business contexts. Economics provides the theoretical framework for understanding how markets, incentives and institutions shape outcomes at every level, from individual firms to the global economy. Business finance connects that framework to the specific questions of how organisations raise capital, manage risk, value assets and plan for the future.

Together they equip you to think rigorously about the financial dimension of business strategy.

At Brunel University London, this four-year programme includes a foundation year, which gives you time to build the mathematical and academic foundations that economics and finance study require before progressing into the full degree. The curriculum emphasises real-world application and professional readiness, developing the analytical, technical and practical skills that employers in finance, economics and business value. You will engage with financial modelling and quantitative methods alongside economic theory and business strategy, building a profile of skills that is genuinely relevant to the fast-paced environments where many graduates go on to work.

Graduates of economics and business finance programmes move into careers across the financial services sector and beyond. Investment banking, commercial banking, corporate finance, risk management, financial consultancy, asset management and insurance all recruit from this field. The analytical skills the economics component develops are also valued in roles in economic research, policy analysis and government.

Many graduates pursue professional qualifications in accountancy, investment management or financial analysis alongside or after their degree. Postgraduate study in economics, finance, business administration or financial mathematics is a further option for those who wish to develop specialist expertise or move into research.