Economics with Language

Factfile

Courses available

Economics with French BSc
UCAS code: L1R1
Economics with German BSc
UCAS code: L1R2
Economics with Italian BSc
UCAS code: L1R3
Economics with Japanese BSc
UCAS code: L1T2
Economics with Portuguese BSc
UCAS code: L1R5
Economics with Spanish BSc
UCAS code: L1R4

Key data

Places available in 2011: See L100
Applications in 2009: See L100
Duration: 4 years

Contact details

Admissions Tutor: Dr Joanne Ercolani
Telephone enquiries: +44 (0)121 414 6640
Email: econlang-admissions@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Entry requirements

Number of A levels required: 3
Typical offer: AAB
Required subjects and grades: A modern foreign language at A level or GCSE grade B; GCSE Mathematics grade A if not offered at AS or A2 level
L1R1: A level French (grade B)
L1R2: A level German (grade B); GCSE German (grade B) for the ab initio route
L1R4: A level Spanish (grade B); GCSE Spanish (grade B) for the ab initio route
L1R3, L1T2, L1R5: GCSE (grade B) in a modern language for the ab initio route with advanced route available in certain circumstances
General Studies: not accepted, but a good performance may be taken into account if you fail to meet the conditions of the offer

Additional information
Other qualifications are considered – see the entry requirements section for full details.

International students
International Baccalaureate Diploma: 34-36 points including French at HL for L1R1 or at SL for other language combinations

Standard English language requirements apply

For further information please see the international entry requirements section

You can also find information about qualifications from your country or region at www.international.bham.ac.uk/countryinfo

How to apply

Apply through UCAS at www.ucas.com

For further information please see the how to apply section

Fees and funding

Standard fees apply

For further information please see the fees and finance section

Scholarships
To find out what scholarships and awards are available see the scholarships and awards section

To find out about additional scholarships available to international students please see www.international.bham.ac.uk/scholarships.htm

Description

The knowledge of the economist and the skill of the linguist make a powerful combination in today’s world. With growing globalisation and increasing interdependence in political and commercial life, there is a clear need for graduates equipped with both these abilities.

First year

The Economics with Language programmes retain the core structure of the Single Honours Economics degree. They introduce you to the basic concepts and techniques in Economic Analysis, Applied Economics, Mathematics and Statistics, and Economic History. You also take a language module of your choice, which introduces you to the social and political background of the country concerned.

Second year

In this year you take compulsory modules in Microeconomics and Macroeconomics, and a language course. The language option includes the exploration of the social and political life and the economic system of the country concerned. You also take a course in Econometrics and choose from a wide range of options including Economic Development and Environmental Economics.

Third year

In the third year you study economics in an appropriate overseas university. You select courses in consultation with your tutor, but the aim is for you to study areas of economics you would not normally have experience of in the UK. You are required to write two essays on Economics topics, one of which will be in the language that you are studying.

Fourth year

You return to Birmingham in the fourth year. In addition, you take a compulsory module in Economic Theory and choose six optional economics modules from a range that includes International Trade, Economics of Financial Markets and European Economics. You also undertake your own research and produce an extended essay on a topic of your own choosing.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching is by lectures, tutorials and computer-based laboratory classes. We assess your work both by examination and coursework.

Career opportunities

At the end of four years you will be well-versed in economic concepts, have the ability to analyse issues with an economist’s viewpoint, have attained a high level of spoken and written language skills, and be familiar with another European country. These degrees are of great practical value and appeal to prospective employers both in the UK and continental Europe.

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