Economics BSc (Hons) (Top-Up)

We’re ranked number one among Modern London Universities (Guardian League Table, 2026)

100% of students feel that the teaching staff supported their learning (National Student Survey, 2025)

Economics at LSBU is ranked 6th in the UK in 2025, second only to LSE in London, and the top ranked non-Russell Group university in the UK (Guardian League Table, 2025)

Overview
Course Content
Teaching and Assessment
Careers
Entry Requirements
Apply
Fees

Overview

This course is subject to change as we are updating our modules for September 2026 entry. We'll publish the new module details as soon as they're confirmed.

Discover why we’ve been nominated for THE Business School of the year, 2025

Complete your degree and open new doors to a career in Economics.

Not everyone takes the same route into university, and that’s ok. Whether you’ve completed a HND and want to top-up to a full degree, or you’ve completed two years of Economics elsewhere and are ready to finish your degree with us, then look no further. This course gives you the opportunity to complete your journey and achieve your goals.

In your top-up year, you’ll study a tailored mix of third-year modules from our BSc Economics degree, equipping you with the specialist knowledge and practical skills you’ll need in the industry. From Microeconomic Strategy to Macroeconomic Policy, you’ll also choose from a range of elective modules designed to help you build specialist expertise and shape your career path.

At LSBU you’ll study the real-world impact of economic practice and theory, in facilities built to mirror the varied and exciting working environments you’ll find in your future career. You’ll manage markets in real time in our fully functional Bloomberg Suite, make data come to life using Stata technology and learn to really use Excel.

From questioning fundamental economic concepts by reviewing country or industry case studies to developing economic models to forecast what the future holds, you’ll be applying economics from the first day you set foot onto our campus. This is where you’ll find a high-quality, academically excellent education, in a friendly and supportive environment, right in the heart of central London.

You’ll learn from academics and practicing economists who are working at the forefront of our economic development, research and teaching. Through their guidance you’ll build a solid understanding of key economic principles, while also exploring more abstract concepts such as the psychology behind economics. Many of our academics are actively involved in the field, regularly writing and publishing papers and books exploring their work further, all of which ensures you get the most up-to-date and impactful economic education.

LSBU Bloomberg Suite

Our location will expose you to people, cultures and ideas from all over the world, helping you become a successful and socially aware economic professional. You’ll study a broad curriculum grounded in the fundamentals of economic practice, while also exploring how the environment and conservation, global health, immigration and competition in the big tech sector, effect the stability of financial markets. This will equip you with a toolkit that’s equal parts critical thinking, data analysis and strategic insight, making you an invaluable part of any company.

Past students have undertaken placements with PwC and the Metropolitan Police in their Economics Fraud Division. Our graduates have gone to secure positions with companies that include, Warner Brothers Discovery, BNP Paribas CIB, Hitachi Global and Venture Capital, in roles like Business Analyst, Venture Capital Analyst, Capital Markets Analysis and Management Consultant.

Start an exciting journey where you will explore economic ideas, schools of thought and historical events which have led the world economy to where it is today. Our curriculum is

informed by the challenges and tasks professional Economists face in a variety of industries, helping you become an educated, passionate and competitive graduate who will be successful in any number of career paths.

Start your journey. Apply today.

Is this course right for me?

If you’re hard working and love a challenge, then this course is for you. If you’re full of questions and want to know more about the world around you, then this course is for you. If you want a gold standard education in economics with a holistic focus, then this course is for you.

Above all though, if you’re hungry to create your own version of success then LSBU is right for you. Because the making of you doesn’t begin and end with just your degree, everything that’s brought you here today is part of your story; your experiences, the life you’ve lived, the skills you’ve gained and the goals you’re chasing.

Not only do we see this, but we value that in you. We’re not in the business of forcing you into moulds, instead we’re here to help you break them. If you’re ready to embark on a journey of hard work, fulfilment and self-discovery, then Economics at LSBU is definitely right for you.

Apply now

Course Content

What will I learn?

Your modules will enable you to understand and solve real-world economic problems and generate policy recommendations. You will be able to assess organisations, their external environment and competition as well as the global economic forces which affect their growth and operations.

The Top-Up will give you the intellectual skills you will need as an economist to critically evaluate economic trends and developments, such as sustainability, digitalisation and internationalisation. Bottom line, there’s so much variety on this course, reflecting the broad nature of the professional applications of a degree in Economics.

Microeconomic Strategy

The analysis of competition, pricing and profit making, what drives our decisions as consumers.

Economics Project

In this module you are free to research a topic of your choice, with expert guidance. The first semester introduces you to research methods and you are helped to write a research proposal. In the second semester you write your thesis.

Big Data Econometrics

Learn the analytical skills needed to identify patterns and relationships in big data sets to solve the real-world puzzles that businesses face.

Financial Econometrics

Develop your data skills to analyse trends in financial markets

International Trade and Globalisation

Explore why countries trade and the importance of growth and sustainability.

Economics Project

Behavioural Economics

Taking an experimental approach to explore modern theories of why we make economic decisions.

Development

On this module, explore the questions of the development economist: Why are some countries richer than others, or a source of more innovation? How can they be made more equal?

Global Finance and Technology

On this module you will explore the impact of AI and fintech on global financial markets and investment.

Teaching and Assessment

How will I learn?

A better question might be how do you learn best? Is it in a group, through self-study at the library? The Economics team at LSBU use a mix of teaching styles to help you to succeed, with an overall approach of hands-on learning.

You can expect a variety of assessment methods, including essays and reflections, timed workshop sessions, presentations, and a research project, for which you will have a personal supervisor. You’ll put skills to use working in our fully equipped Bloomberg Suite, monitoring markets and analysing financial data in real-time, while also getting hands-on experience with a range of other industry-standard software and tools.

You’ll learn through interactive lectures, small-group seminar discussions and exercises, well-designed games to help you to understand economics in a fun way, live briefs set by industry practitioners, group presentations for formative feedback, case studies (including self-developed cases), and sessions designed to build both your practical and theoretical understanding of the kind of economic principles that will make you valuable to employers.

Variety, engagement and entertainment are key to the way Economics is taught at LSBU, with learning often continuing beyond the lecture hall. Whether that’s through extracurricular activities such as joining our Economics Society, or through the kind of guest lectures and networking events that can only come from studying in Central London, there are plenty of chances to grow and develop both professionally and personally.

“The thing I like most about my course was how it shifted the way that I think analytically, by presenting me with intriguing assessments and by making use of the interesting conversations I have had with lecturers about different topics related to my studies or even other fields.” - Devid, Economics Alumni

Where will I learn?

Explore life at LSBU from anywhere - Take a virtual tour to explore our campus, discover key facilities and experience what student life is like.

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Careers

What’s in it for me?

This is your future. Your career. Your success. And we’re here for it.

Going to university might just be the biggest investment you ever make, but with us by your side you can turn a degree into a bright future, full of purpose, passion and career you can be proud of (which may be why our graduates earn the highest average salaries across London Modern universities).

With Economics at LSBU you get:

To study at a top Modern London university and top 10 UK university for Economics (Guardian League Table, 2025)

Support and guidance from day one – we've been Highly Commended for our student support (THE Awards, 24), with 100% of students feeling staff supported their learning well (NSS, 25)

Access to Stata and Excel and training in our Bloomberg Suite. Plus, the chance to boost your CV with Bloomberg Certification

Help, support and guidance in starting your own venture, we’re an IOEE Centre of Excellence, celebrated for creating and sustaining an enterprising and entrepreneurial culture.

LSBU CareerSmart is your ultimate gateway to career success. Our innovative programme is designed to ensure you graduate with more than just a degree, providing the support you need to stand out in a competitive job market. We've got all the tools you need, including:

AI Powered Career Sets - Get instant personalised feedback on your CV and cover letter by submitting it via our AI powered career tool.
Gamification Interviews - Get ready to pass those interviews with unlimited training access to our gamification interviews and psychometric tests!
Personalised Career Development Dashboard - Keep up with your skills progression with free access to practical assessments, LinkedIn learning, mentoring, and industry-standard facilities.

We understand that you’re in the driver’s seat of your career, which is why we’re committed to matching your passion and energy every step of the way.

Entry Requirements

A successful record of relevant, recent study to a level broadly equivalent to 120 credits at each level of Level 4 and 5 of (for all modes of study) undergraduate study. For example a recent HND in a relevant subject with a minimum merit profile on Level 5 modules or completed foundation degree with a minimum merit profile on Level 5 modules.

Accreditation of Recognised Prior Learning (RPL)

All awards for RPL will be in line with the University’s policy and current academic regulations.

Transfer credit

Transfer credit allows credit awarded by another HE Institution to contribute to the credit required for a London South Bank award. Credit may also be transferred from a previous experience of learning at LSBU.

Applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Consideration of any request for transfer credit will only be confirmed against a transcript of credit or award certification and particular attention will be paid to grades achieved and number of attempts at the assessments.

Applicants for whom English is a foreign language should either hold a recognised qualification in English e.g. British Council IELTS (minimum 6.0) or the TOEFL equivalent. LSBU also accepts other equivalent English language certification.

Missing English and Maths qualifications?

If you do not have the required English and Maths qualifications needed to satisfy the entry requirements for this programme, we have courses available at our partner College that you can take to upskill in these areas. Find out more at South Bank College.

Missing English and Maths qualifications?

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Apply

Course delivery modes and application methods

Mode	Duration	Start date	Application code	Application method
Full-time	1 year	January, September	L101	UCAS

How to apply

Read more about how to apply for undergraduate courses.

International Students

International applicants can apply directly to LSBU and should consult our international how to apply guide for further information on the application process and key dates.

Accommodation

Read more about applying for accommodation at LSBU.

Prepare to start

Applicant events

After you’ve received your offer we’ll send you emails about events we run to help you prepare for your course. You’ll also be invited to our Applicant Taster Day so keep your eyes peeled!

Enrolment

Before you start your course, we’ll send you information on what you’ll need to do before you arrive and during your first few days on campus. You can read about the process on our enrolment pages.

Fees

United Kingdom

£9790

Tuition fees for home students

International

£17880

Tuition fees for international students

Tuition fees are subject to annual inflationary increases. Find out more about tuition fees for Undergraduate or Postgraduate courses.

full-time

Year 1

Full-time Year 1 - All Available Courses

BSc (Hons) Economics (Top-Up) (FT) - Year 1 FT Southwark SEPT

The fee shown is for entry 2026/27
UK fee: £9790	International fee: £17880
AOS/LSBU code: 6082	Session code: 1FS00

Total course fee for this location/stream:

* The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.

UK: £9790

International: £17880

BSc (Hons) Economics (Top-Up) (FT) - Year 1 FT Southwark JAN

The fee shown is for entry 2026/27
UK fee: £9790	International fee: £17880
AOS/LSBU code: 6082	Session code: 1FS01

Total course fee for this location/stream:

* The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.

UK: £9790

International: £17880

For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for undergraduate students.

Please check your fee status and whether you are considered a Home, EU or International student for fee-paying purposes and for our regulatory returns, by checking at the the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) find your fee status page.

Visit our Policies and procedures page for details on fees policies.

Possible fee changes

The University reserves the right to increase its fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions.

The fees for international students are reviewed annually and the University reserves the right to increase the tuition fees to reflect increased costs of delivery and to maintain an a high-quality student experience. This increase would be no more than Consumer Prices Index (CPI) increases plus 5%.

Scholarships

We offer several types of fee reduction through our scholarships and bursaries. Find the full list and other useful information on our scholarships page.

UK Course Enquiries

0207 815 7500

ukinfo@lsbu.ac.uk

International team enquiry

+44 (0) 20 7815 6189

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