This degree combines the study of economics with practical business insights, equipping students to tackle real-world challenges. Ideal for those interested in applying economic thinking to business settings, it places less emphasis on mathematics than traditional economics programmes. Students will develop analytical and numerical skills through hands-on learning with modern business tools and techniques.
Economics at Queen’s is ranked 8th in the UK for graduate prospects.
(Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)
Business Economics highlights
Industry Links
Our strong connections with leading companies provide top-performing students with exclusive prizes, scholarships, and internships. Notable awards include the UTV Award, given to the best graduate in Business Economics, recognising excellence and opening doors to exciting career opportunities.
Internationally Renowned Experts
Learn from world-leading academics who are shaping the future of economics and business. Our staff are internationally recognised for their groundbreaking research, ensuring you receive cutting-edge knowledge and insights directly from experts at the forefront of their fields.
Queen’s is part of the prestigious Russell Group, representing 24 world-class universities in the United Kingdom, and proudly stands as the only Russell Group institution in Northern Ireland.
Global Opportunities
Enhance your degree with international experiences through opportunities to study or work abroad. Programmes like Study USA, British Council, Erasmus, Study China, and International Workplace Tours offer invaluable exposure to global business environments. Additionally, City Scholarships and other initiatives open doors to unique cultural and professional experiences worldwide.
Student Experience
Students can join the Economics Society, a student-run organisation which aims to educate its members on the use of economics in practice through guest speakers, field trips abroad and educational seminars.
Career Development
Gain invaluable industry experience with an optional placement year after your second year. Recent placements for students include organisations such as PwC, KPMG, Citi, Oxford Economics, Belfast City Council, First Derivatives, and Randox. These placements provide real-world insights and a competitive edge in the job market.
Further Study Opportunities
BSc Business Economics graduates can pursue a wide range of Master’s programmes or explore diverse research topics available at Queen’s Business School or other leading institutions. Our commitment to continuous improvement ensures our degree programmes remain dynamic and relevant, with new modules developed to enhance or replace those listed in this brochure. Visit the Queen’s Business School website for the latest options. https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/queens-business-school/
Student Experience
Students will gain hands-on experience with specialist mathematical and statistical software, equipping them with the essential skills and knowledge for successful careers in economics and business analytics.
Student Testimonials
“Business Economics allows you to gather a vast array of skills through the various different methods of assessments offered – assignments, group projects, presentations and research projects. As the course allows you to choose 2 optional modules in second year, you are able to focus more on the topics you’re interested in and tailor the degree to suit your preference. During the first semester of my second year, I was able to secure a placement with the successful drinks company Diageo.”
Rhianna Donaldson, BSc Business Economics
Queen’s Business School Dr Fernihough is a Senior Lecturer and Programme Director for Business Economics at Queen’s Business School. He earned his PhD in Economics from University College Dublin in 2012 and joined Queen’s University in 2014. His research focuses on economic history, demography, economic growth, and trade, with publications in prestigious academic journals such as the American Economic Review and the Economic Journal.
Contact Teaching Hours
Medium Group Teaching
6 (hours maximum) hours of practical classes, workshops or seminars each week
Large Group Teaching
6 (hours maximum) hours of lectures
Small Group Teaching/Personal Tutorial
3 (hours maximum) hours of tutorials (or later, project supervision) each week
Personal Study
24 (hours maximum) 22–24 hours studying and revising in your own time each week, including some guided study using handouts, online activities, etc.
Learning and Teaching
On the BSc Business Economics programme, we create diverse learning environments to help students achieve their goals. These include opportunities to engage with subject experts, such as academic staff and industry guest speakers, and to develop skills, attributes, and perspectives for success in a global society. Students also benefit from innovative technologies and access to a world-class library, fostering their growth as independent, lifelong learners. Examples of learning opportunities on this degree programme include:
Adviser of Studies
To assist with the choice of modules at the beginning of each academic year
Computer-Based and Other Practical Sessions
These provide students with the opportunity to develop technical skills and apply theoretical principles to real-life or practical contexts.
E-Learning technologies
Information associated with lectures and assignments is communicated via a specialised Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Canvas. A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree programme through the use of, for example, interactive support materials, podcasts and web-based learning activities.
Induction
Formalised induction for all undergraduate students. For Stage 1 students, this includes several half-day sessions the week before the programme begins to allow students to familiarise themselves with the campus and the degree programme. During Stage 1, there are follow-up sessions throughout the year. Topics such as academic writing, referencing, plagiarism, communication skills, examination preparation and managing time effectively are all covered in these practical sessions.
Lectures
These introduce foundation information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading. As the module progresses, this information becomes more complex. Lectures, which are normally delivered in large groups to all year-group peers, also provide opportunities to ask questions and seek clarification on key issues as well as gain feedback and advice on assessments. Additional lectures are also delivered by employer representatives and staff from a range of organisations are involved in the delivery of workshops and more practical sessions. In addition to the academic content of the lectures and workshops, this enables employers to impart their valuable experience to QBS Business Economics students, introduces important local employers to our students and allows our students to meet and engage with potential future employers.
Peer Mentoring Scheme
Whereby students in second and third year of their degree programme volunteer to mentor Stage 1 students. Developing the programme themselves, with support from academic staff in QBS, the mentors organise informal meetings, regular contact and a series of events ranging from ice-breaker type events to employer-led sessions with the Stage 1 students.
Personal Development Planning
To encourage students to engage in independent learning.
Self-directed study
This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.
Seminars/tutorials
A significant amount of teaching is carried out in small groups (typically 15-20 students). These sessions are designed to explore, in more depth, the information that has been presented in the lectures. This provides students with the opportunity to engage closely with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of their peers. During these classes, students will be expected to present their work to academic staff and their peers.
Student Support Systems
QBS has an active and co-ordinated student support system to assist students in making the transition from school to university.
Work placements
The BSc Business Economics programme does not include a compulsory placement year. However, the School actively supports students who wish to undertake an optional placement year between their second and final years. Students who complete this placement can have it formally recognised in their degree title, graduating with a "BSc Business Economics with Placement." This opportunity allows students to gain valuable real-world experience, enhancing their career prospects and practical understanding of business economics.
Assessment
Details of assessments associated with this course are outlined below:
The way in which students are assessed will vary according to the learning objectives of each module. Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first-year induction. Modules are typically assessed by a combination of continuous assessment and a final written examination. Continuous assessment consists of: class tests, computer generated practical experiments where students have to manipulate economic-related data, case study research and analysis of a particular organisation and its business issue, academic essays exploring a specific economic issue such as the impact of inflation on a specific region, or the importance of environmental economics, etc. and small group project and presentations whereby groups of three/four students work on a particular business economics related task.
Feedback
As students progress through their course at Queen’s, they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from lecturers and other sources (for example, peers). This feedback is designed to support their academic and professional development. University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:
Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that you, as an individual or as part of a group, have submitted.
Face to face comment. This may include occasions when you make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help you to address a specific query.
Placement employer comments or references.
General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid. In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which you can review in your own time.
Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.
Once you have reviewed your feedback, you will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work.
The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2024/25). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.
Principles of Economics is the title of our CORE (Curriculum Open-access Resource for Economics) module for Level 1. CORE is the result of a huge global collaboration to change the way introductory economics is taught; to ensure it is student-centred and motivated by real-world problems and real-world data. The module focuses throughout on evidence on the economy, from around the world, and from history. It is motivated by questions — how can we explain what we see? The method is to ask interesting questions first and then to introduce models that help to answer them. Standard tools such as constrained optimization are taught – CORE covers the ground covered by traditional economics principles modules and much, much more – by showing how they give insight into real-world problems. Economics as a discipline is set in a social, political, and ethical context in which institutions matter.
The module starts with a big picture analysis of how the global economy came to look as it does today. It goes on to consider economic decision making of single actors; economic relationships and interactions; markets, their dynamics, and how they work (or may not work); and the aggregate economy in the short, medium and long runs. The module concludes by applying economic understanding to one or more key global issues such as globalization, inequality, or environmental sustainability and collapse.
Learning Outcomes
Successful completion of the module will enable students to understand:
- The reach of economics and its place in the wider social sciences;
- How to interpret relevant evidence and apply relevant economic theory to help answer a variety of economic and social questions;
- How to critically evaluate the application of models in economics to real-world questions and policy issues;
- The key aspects of the historical development of the global economy and its contemporary nature.
Skills
Subject-specific skills
The ability to construct arguments and exercise problem solving skills in the context of real-world economic and social questions; the ability to construct, interpret and critically evaluate economic models of behaviour; the ability to apply economic models and concepts to real world questions; the ability to understand, evaluate and commentate on the economy and on economic and social policy.
Cognitive and transferable skills
Problem solving, logical reasoning, independent enquiry, critical evaluation and interpretation, self-assessment and reflection, synthesising information from a variety of sources, written and verbal communication, organisation and time management.
This course builds on the Mathematics taught at GCSE level or an equivalent level. The course is taught paying particular attention to the solving of economic problems and relating these to applications to the real world. There are two parts in the module.
The first part covers mathematical techniques required to solve applied economic problems. It begins with a revision of basic algebraic methods. These ideas are then further developed to cover more advanced mathematical concepts including linear and non-linear functions; single variable calculus and calculus of several variables.
The second part covers basic statistical methods used by economists and other social scientists. This will include data presentation, descriptive statistics, basic regression analysis, time series and elementary probability theory. Students will also be taught how to use Excel to perform basic statistical analysis.
Learning Outcomes
On the successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1. Know what is meant by a function.
2. Use calculus methods to solve basic economic problems such as profit maximization.
3. Use calculus to locate the maxima and minima for functions of several variables.
4. Use descriptive statistics to present data.
5. Know what is meant by a probability distribution.
6. Perform basic regression analysis and time series forecasting.
7. Exhibit transferable skills of problem solving, numeracy and the communication of mathematical concepts.
Skills
The aim of this module is to give students a basic working knowledge of the mathematics and statistics that is needed in the quantitative and non-quantitative level 2 and level 3 modules. The primary focus of the module is to provide the basic tools to solve practical, applied problems.
Organisations of one form or another play an important part of society and serve many important needs. They vary greatly in size, complexity and the activities they undertake. To achieve organisational goals people working in organisations have to be managed. The module explores three key areas. Firstly, the factors that influence individuals such as personality, attitudes, perception, motivation, learning, communication and job satisfaction. Secondly, the factors that influence the nature of groups and teams and the importance of leadership. Thirdly, the module explores the nature of organisations by analysing issues such as goals, structure, design, control, culture and development.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the module students should be able to:
1 Understand a range of factors that influence the behaviour of individuals in organisations such as personality, perception, communication, motivation and learning.
2 Understand a range of factors that influence the behaviour and development of groups and teams in organisations and be aware of the nature of leadership.
3 Understand the nature and complexity of organisations by exploring issues such as goals, strategy, structure, design, control and development.
4 Possess an awareness of the changes that continually impact on individuals and groups and influence the nature of organisations.
5 Apply the learning acquired to other elements of the degree programme.
Skills
• Critically evaluate information and its veracity in relation to organisational behaviour
• Apply logic and reasoning to scenario based situations and problem solving
• Communicate ideas, critique theoretical frameworks and discuss their strengths and shortcomings in a range of business environments. Communication will be in both written and presentational forms
• Use ICT software effectively
• Work both independently (summative assessment) and in groups (formative assessment)
• Manage own time and workloads effectively
• Pursue independent enquiry
Theory of money. Monetary Union. The theory of financial intermediation. Operational structure and operations of the Central Bank. Banking regulation. Other non-bank financial intermediaries. An introduction to the stock market. An introduction to the bond market. An introduction to money markets.
Learning Outcomes
Understand the economic functions and workings of financial institutions and markets. Understand the financial intermediation process.
Skills
Have a general understanding of financial institutions and markets. Have an understanding of elementary financial ratios and terms as applied in the stock, bond and money markets. Be able to access relevant financial information from publications such as the Financial Times.
Use of accounting information in business: the balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement, and introduction to ratio analysis; introduction to: costing, accounting for overheads, budgeting, variance analysis and contribution analysis.
Learning Outcomes
Students should be able to:
1. Appreciate the purposes for which accounting information is used in business;
2. Understand how that information is gathered, processed, and presented;
3. Use quantitative and qualitative techniques to aid problem solving; and
4. Demonstrate development of technical skills in preparing and interpreting basic accounting information
Skills
Students should be able to develop their:
IT and electronic-based learning skills;
independent learning skills;
time-management skills
The course opens with a brief tour of the global economy. This is followed by a discussion of the meaning and measurement of the main macroeconomic variables: output, unemployment, inflation and growth. The goods and financial markets and the concept of macroeconomic equilibrium are introduced. The IS/LM model is used to analyse the effectiveness of fiscal and monetary policy in the medium term. Aspects of the labour market are then considered followed by the introduction of the aggregate demand and aggregate supply model. The final third of the course is devoted to a discussion of factors contributing to the long run growth of the economy. The topics covered include: the Solow model of economic growth; growth accounting; factors contributing to total technological change and total factor productivity and the role and regulation of foreign direct investment.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
On completion of the course, students should have greater familiarity with salient features of the macroeconomic environment. They should understand the main determinants of aggregate output in a monetary economy in the short, medium and long-run. They should have an understanding of the factors contributing to growth and development as well as to fluctuations in macroeconomic performance. Students should understand government’s role in the economy and be able to analyze the effect of different policy interventions.
Skills
Intellectual Skills
Students will gain knowledge and understanding of aspects of macroeconomic theory and development theory. They will become aware of competing views on the role of governments and markets. They will develop the ability to search for and interpret empirical evidence and bring it to bear on policy issues. They will gain experience in weighing evidence, developing policy options and outlining the pros and cons of these options.
Practical Skills
Students will develop their oral and written communication skills as well as their awareness of how economic policy can impact on business.
Students on this module will develop a sophisticated understanding of the complex global economic, political, legal and cultural environment and a deep appreciation of how this affects the strategies, operations and decisions of organisations and professionals who operate in an international business context. Students will also become familiar with a variety of organisation forms, operating modes and activities relevant to international business.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the module you will be able to:
1. Explain and evaluate a variety of strategies and activities used by firms for conducting international business;
2. Utilise relevant theories and concepts to analyse international business decisions and recommend courses of action.
3. Demonstrate a critical understanding of how firms conducting international business are influenced by economic, institutional, political, and geographical factors.
Skills
On completing this module students will have enhanced subject specific skills in:
1. problem-solving and critical analysis: analysing facts and circumstances to determine the cause of a problem, decision-making and selecting appropriate solutions;
And personal transferable skills in:
2. Conceptual, systemic and critical thinking, analysis, and evaluation’
This level-2 module introduces a selection of introductory methods used to analyse data used in business and economics, such as regression analysis, optimization and project management. Statistical software (Stata and Excel) will be used in tutorials to illustrate concepts presented in lectures. Students are expected to use the knowledge gained in lectures and tutorials to perform their own data analysis project as part of a team. This module remains accessible to students without a strong statistical background, as long as they are open to learning how to read and interpret basic statistics. Tutorials, group presentations and group projects in addition to traditional lectures are essential parts of this module as it focuses on practice and applications of quantitative methods used in business. Upon completion, successful students are expected to understand and use these methods and to improve their skills concerning problem solving, verbal and written presentation, computer utilization, and working as a group.
Learning Outcomes
1. Explain the principles of multivariate regression and time-series analysis.
2. Discuss forecasting techniques, including their practical applications and limitations.
3. Use Excel to apply statistical methods and present data-driven insights effectively.
Skills
Exercise solving, computing skills, the adoption of a quantitative approach to practical problems encountered in business.
Managerial Economics is concerned with the application of economic principles and methodologies to the decision-making process inside corporations and other organisations operating under conditions of risk and uncertainty. Students acquire a solid foundation in key analytical tools: game theory, transaction costs, information asymmetries and the principal-agent problem. These tools are used to understand organisational architecture: the assignment of decision rights within organisations, the methods of incentivising individuals, and the structures and systems used to evaluate the performance of individuals and business units. This module draws on material from allied academic fields, including personnel economics, behavioural economics, financial economics and business history.
Learning Outcomes
• Students will gain a better understanding of the functioning of economic agents under conditions of risk and uncertainty.
• Students will acquire detailed knowledge about the economics of the firm, including the specific role of information, property rights and transaction costs.
• Students will become familiar with key issues facing the owners, managers and employees of business organisations, including how these issues change with the external economic environment.
• Students will learn how to identify, describe, analyse and solve a selection of real-world problems in managerial economics.
Skills
Skills gained include: logical reasoning and problem solving, working effectively in groups, and written and verbal communication skills.
This course develops the major themes of Operations Management within both manufacturing and service organisations and highlights contemporary issues, methods and models, as well as trends. The primary objective of the module is to familiarise students with both, the basic concepts, techniques, methods and applications of operations management, as well as some new approaches. Content includes some traditional operations management topics, such as operations strategy and performance, process design, and lean management, as well as contemporary topics related to sustainability of operations, circular economy and implications of the use of new manufacturing and digital technologies (Industry 4.0).
Learning Outcomes
This module is designed to give the learner practical and theoretical knowledge of the intricacies of operations management and its link with the organisation's overall competitiveness.
At the end of the module, students should acquire knowledge and understanding of
- Main principles and key theories of operations management, as well as tools and models for quantitative and qualitative analysis of operations and their environmental impact.
- Contemporary issues that impact managing operations, as well as new manufacturing and service trends, tools and technologies
- Importance of considering sustainability implications of manufacturing and services, and assessing their impact of business on the environment and society.
- Impact of digitalisation on both, the productivity of manufacturing and services as well as environment and society.
Skills
Plan, conduct and report a piece of original research;
- Synthesise, analyse and evaluate information from a variety of different sources;
- Enhanced communication skills - both written and oral;
- Teamwork;
- Competent use of information technology (MS Office, internet searches, AI-powered tools, subject-specific software).
The module uses contemporary theories and models of leadership in organization to study how leaders influence organizational effectiveness. Students will lean to apply the theoretical perspectives or models to study how leaders develop future vision, and how they motivate, manage and change people and organization to achieve the vision. The module will provide a wide knowledge on a number of major perspectives on organizational leadership. These perspectives include leadership behaviours, leading and managing organizational change, contingency theories of effective leadership, leading teams, ethical practices, transformational leadership, leading cross cultural activities, strategic leadership and leadership development.
Learning Outcomes
Successful completion of the module will enable students to:
1) analyse and apply the theories and models that underpin organizational leadership
2) demonstrate a critical understanding of how managers establish relationship with peers, and manage and motivate the performance of their subordinates
3) Understand the role of leaders in shaping and changing organizational structure and culture.
4) Explore how leaders develop an organization’s future vision and achieve it by aligning the organization and motivating people.
5) Apply different leadership and decision making strategies to achieve superior organizational performance.
Skills
The module aims to provide a theoretical and practical understanding of the core characteristics associated with leadership, and its effect on contemporary business situations. It will also provide an opportunity for students to develop leadership and management skills.
Technology continues to transform the way business is conducted. New and emerging technologies such as cloud computing, social media, the internet of things or big data present as many challenges as opportunities for organisations and their stakeholders. This module explores these challenges and opportunities and examines the use of digital business models in enhancing organisational competitiveness.
Learning Outcomes
Successful completion of the module will enable students to:
• Explain the role and strategic nature of digital technology in organisations.
• Analyse and assess digital-age business models.
• Critically analyse real world digital business cases and their consequences, both theoretically and practically, on the impact of technology in business.
Skills
• Digital literacy by applying digital business relevant concepts and adopting digital tools.
• Critical thinking and analytical skills through the evaluation of digital business strategies and consequences.
• Problem-solving skills by addressing real-world business challenges related to digital transformation
This module explores a number of themes which include: managing human resources; trends in human resource management; providing equal employment opportunity and a safe workplace; recruiting human resources; selecting employees and placing them in appropriate jobs; training employees; managing employee performance and pay; providing employee benefits; collective bargaining and labour relations; managing human resources globally.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the module, students should be able to analyse and evaluate the role, responsibilities and functions of human resource management in today's organisations and the challenges human resource managers face. Students should also be able to understand and appreciate the ethical issues in human resource management and to critique not only how human resource management contributes to an organisation's performance, but also the types of skills needed for effective human resource management.
Skills
The module aims to develop the intellectual and practical skills of the student in acquiring, analysing, interpreting and understanding current human resource management issues by introducing them to the theoretical concepts and principles underpinning the effective management of human resources in a variety of organisational contexts. Students will be encouraged to work independently and in groups to improve their own learning and to provide solutions to human resource problems.
Financial Environment; Time Value of Money; The Investment Decision - Capital Budgeting; Risk and Return; Cost of Capital; The Financing Decision; Working Capital Investment; Introduction to Personal Finance.
Learning Outcomes
To promote an appreciation of how long term financial decisions are taken through an understanding of the concepts and principles involved.
Skills
To formulate procedures for problem solving within a financial environment. To understand the issues surrounding a company's investment and financing decisions.
A brief overview of theories of industrial and economic organization, contemporary theories of the firm, agency costs, evolutionary economics, transaction cost economics, incentives, entrepreneurship, mergers, hybrids, corporate governance, strategic management, competitive advantage.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of the module, students will have
(1) developed an understanding of the key theoretical, empirical and case study methods in business economics as a way of understanding firms and industries;
(2) developed an awareness of accepted theories which underpin how businesses are organized;
(3) enhanced their capacity to structure an argument, to make points accurately and consistently;
(4) become familiar with the relevant aspects of the business economics literature
(5) developed an ability to interpret data, weigh evidence and draw policy conclusions from a range of sources.
Skills
Familiarity with theoretical and applied topics in modern business economics, oral and written communication skills, interpreting data, weighing evidence and drawing policy conclusions
The course covers a range of topics from sampling techniques, to description and visualisation of data, testing differences between samples and building empirical models to answer economically relevant questions, e.g. concerning the choices that consumers, households, firms, and other agents make under specific circumstances. Classroom exercises guide the students to understand the advantages and limitations of these models and confront the students with decisions in realistic environments. Statistical software will be used in tutorials to illustrate concepts presented in lectures. The module will also draw on case studies together with business datasets in order to analyse business choices and outcomes.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able:
1..to read published quantitative research in a critical manner, and thus be empowered to form independent judgement of the efficacy of research papers.
2.To better understand research design in the social sciences, including forming relevant research questions, collecting appropriate data, choosing and implementing the correct quantitative methods, and drawing economic conclusions.
3.To use statistical software to employ basic statistical methods to analyse data
Skills
By the end of this module, successful students will:
1.Have a clear idea of methods of sampling from the population.
2.Identifying and understand various types of statistics.
3.Provide a visual/graphical presentation of data and understand source information.
4.Understanding correlation analysis and relationship between variables.
5.Understanding categorical variables and how to use them to model choices
6.Analysing choices and analytically considering implications.
This module covers various topics in the economic history of the world across the last 500 years. It is intended to complement other final year modules; accordingly it emphasises the application of microeconomic and macroeconomic theory, and qualitative and quantitative methods, to solve historical puzzles. On completion, students should be able to consider how economic reasoning can be used to explain both major historical events and long-run historical processes. Applied economics which uses historical data is also considered in this module. Tutorials concentrate on the in-depth discussion of landmark papers, especially in the New Economic History tradition, and on country-specific material, especially on Britain and Ireland.
Topics may include: population dynamics and the Demographic Transition; the Industrial Revolution and the Great Divergence; the origins of financial capitalism; famine and migration in Ireland; slavery, discrimination and American capitalism; command economies and the Soviet Union; macroeconomic policy and the Great Depression; European integration, British decline, and Irish divergence.
Learning Outcomes
Module Aims
1. To acquaint students at an advanced undergraduate level with the fields of economic history and historical economics.
2. To help students to appreciate the usefulness of historical enquiry within economics and the broader social sciences.
3. To develop students' understanding of important themes within economics, such as demographic transition, industrialisation, competing economic systems, and economic crises.
4. To provide students with an awareness of current academic debates in the field of economic history, including its major sub-fields business history and financial history.
5. To develop students' ability to critically read academic articles, interpret data, weigh evidence and draw conclusions from a range of sources, both quantitative and qualitative.
6. To provide students with the requisite skills to identify and frame independent research.
Skills
Intellectual Skills:
Students should understand the relationship between historical evidence and economic/quantitative reasoning. They should be able to use objective arguments, to weigh evidence and draw up conclusions based on narrative and empirical analyses.
Practical Skills:
Besides gaining an awareness of how economics can be used practically to better understand of the wealth and poverty of nations, students will also develop their oral and written communication skills. The skillset acquired by students in this module is particularly useful for those intending to pursue undergraduate research (e.g. a dissertation) or postgraduate study in economics or related disciplines, for those wishing to work as a consultant or civil servant, or more widely for those intending to pursue careers that require problem-solving and independent research skills.
International economics is a challenging and exciting sub-discipline of economics, which investigates the drivers and consequences of: (i) the international movement of goods and services; (ii) the international movement of money and capital; and (iii) the distributional consequences of these international transactions. This module will cover topics such as:
- Which are the most influential theories of international economics?
- What are empirically the most important drivers of international transactions?
- Who benefits from international trade and why?
- How can trade-induced inequalities be mitigated?
- What are nominal and real exchange rates? What are their determinants? How do they influence international transactions?
- What are the costs and benefits of different monetary systems, such as currency unions or fixed exchange rate systems?
Learning Outcomes
A course in international economics should help students gain a better understanding of a range of issues concerning the international transaction of goods, services and money. Specific learning outcomes for students include:
- to gain a deeper understanding of both theory and empirical analysis in international economics, including international macroeconomics and international trade
- to develop analytic skills, and be introduced to the main empirical methodologies used in international economics
- to broaden students’ perspectives of the wide scope of international economics
- to critically assess the often ambiguous evidence and real-life trade policy choices
- to understand that well-meaning policies can have perverse unintended outcomes and that one must carefully think through the economic consequences.
Skills
Knowledge and understanding:
Through this course, students should acquire a knowledge and understanding of:
- the main theories of classical and contemporary international economics
- increased awareness of distributional issues created by international trade
- how the application of theory can help us understand the functioning of the world economy, and therefore predict the impact of government policies while taking into account country-specific contexts
Intellectual skills:
Through this course, students should be able to:
- critically evaluate the main theories and concepts discussed in the course material
- apply economic theories to a range of “real world” problems with specific reference to international economics.
Practical skills:
Through this course, students should develop:
- an ability to evaluate and present an economic argument through continuous assessment.
- a foundation in international economics that will be desirable for future employers in international institutions and (non-)governmental organisations that are concerned with analysing causes and consequences of international economic interaction, as well as policy and research.
Study skills:
Through this course, students should demonstrate and further develop the following skills:
- research a wide range of relevant information
- give effective presentations making use of appropriate information technology
- write analytical essays based on sophisticated arguments.
Transferable skills:
Through this course, students should demonstrate and further develop the following transferable skills:
- library and research skills, including time management
- oral and written communication
- presentation skills, including the use of appropriate information technology
- group participation.
The field of environmental economics informs policymakers of the policy levers required to efficiently guide society towards sustainable patterns of consumption. This module will provide students with a solid grounding on the theory and practice of environmental economics, focussing on climate change and the sustainable transformation of the energy system. Students will understand the economic rationale for a variety of alternative environmental policies, such as Pigouvian taxes. This module will cover the difference between theory and practice, outlining the policy experience in the UK, Ireland and Europe, and the role political and social constraints have in enacting effective environmental policy. Decarbonisation of electricity forms a central element of tackling climate change. Students will gain an understanding of how the single electricity market on the island of Ireland operates and will critically evaluate various decarbonisation policies. This module will also touch on issues such as behavioural economics when dealing with energy efficiency and consumer behaviour. As many well-meaning environmental policies have had counter-intuitive negative consequences, this module will empower students to fully engage with the costs and benefits of climate change interventions.
Learning Outcomes
1. To provide an understanding of the theory of Pigouvian taxation and to critically assess the means of implementing these policies.
2. To critically evaluate environmental policy as enacted in the UK, Ireland and Europe.
3. To understand the efficiency, equity and political economy trade-offs in environmental policy design
4. To understand the economics of electricity markets and the efficiency and equity
implications of various decarbonisation policies.
5. To understand that well-meaning policies can have perverse unintended outcomes and that one must carefully think through the economic consequences.
Skills
Knowledge and understanding:
Students should develop the economic rationale behind carbon taxation and the context for implementing different environmental policies. Students should understand how current environmental policies came to be and their economic and environmental impact. Students should understand how electricity markets operate. Energy and environmental economics touches on fields of game theory, behavioural economics and industrial organisation so students should develop an understanding of these fields also.
Intellectual skills:
Students should develop the ability to interrogate policies and to think through the economic consequences of a given measure. The ability to construct arguments on a solid economic foundations should be introduced to students.
Practical skills:
Students should develop an ability to evaluate and present an economic argument through continuous assessment assignments. Students should have a foundation in energy economics that will be desirable for future employers in industry, policy and research.
Study skills:
Students should develop the ability to critique an economic policy or argument. Students will work in groups when presenting their tutorial seminar, which should develop collaboration skills.
Contemporary and Emerging Issues in Business and Management
Overview
In today's rapidly changing and uncertain business environment, business leaders and managers need to be aware of emerging trends and issues and how these might impact the organisation both strategically and operationally.
This module allows students to explore a range of contemporary and emerging issues under the broad umbrella of grand challenges and wicked problems. Thus, macro level and emerging global ‘issues’ such as those relating to, for example, to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), modern day slavery, and (de)industrialisation may be discussed.
Changing trends in consumer behaviour, the role and impact of working with diverse stakeholders will also be addressed.
Given the uncertainty and operating in VUCA environments, topics such as organisational resilience and diversity will also be explored.
Attention will be also be given to local and national issues and their impact (both positive and negative) on the internal business environment.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the module students should be able to:
Critically evaluate the role and meaning of grand challenges and wicked problems as applied to business and management
Critically evaluate a range of contemporary and emerging issues in business and management nationally and internationally
Analyse the potential (and actual) impact of these issues in a range of business environments
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a range of social science theories (e.g. drawn from disciplines such as Geography, Sociology, Business/Management) and apply these to contemporary and emerging issues in business and management.
Skills
• Critically evaluate information and its veracity in relation to the role and impact of emerging ‘issues’ in business and management
• Apply logic and reasoning to scenario based situations and problem solving
• Communicate ideas, critique theoretical frameworks and discuss their strengths and shortcomings in a range of business environments. Communication will be in both written and presentational forms
• Work both independently and in groups
• Manage own time and workloads effectively
• Pursue independent enquiry
There can be little doubt that many changes have taken place in the way the public sector of the late 1990s and early 2000s has been managed. It is dominated by many underlying themes such as value-for-money, accountability, doing-more-with-less, customer focus and electronic government. This module attempts to unravel these key themes and discuss their importance to public sector management.
Learning Outcomes
To develop the intellectual and practical skills of the learner in the acquisition, analysis and interpretation and understanding of current issues relevant to managing in the public sector.
Skills
Intellectual (thinking skills) : - planning, conducting and writing reports; synthesising, analysing and interpreting information. Transferable skills: - individual and group work; oral and written communication; competent use of Information Technology; personal and interpersonal skills.
For most of us the labour market is arguably the most important market that we ever participate in: it’s where we spend a lot of our lifetime and is where most of the income that we spend on goods and services comes from. Labour economics helps us to understand this key market and our own place within it. Many social policy issues – poverty and inequality, unemployment, welfare benefits, education, migration – are also inextricably linked with the labour market. Labour economics helps us to gain a better understanding of these issues and the trade-offs faced by policy makers in trying to address them. The course is divided into 11 substantive topics as follows: an introduction to the labour market; labour supply; labour demand; compensating wage differentials; human capital; wage inequality; labour mobility; labour market discrimination; incentive pay; unions; unemployment.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
On successful completion of this module, students will have acquired an understanding of:
• The theory and reach of labour economics;
• How to apply relevant theory to a variety of labour market and social policy issues and contexts;
• How quantitative methods can be used to analyse labour market and social policy issues;
• How to critically evaluate the application of models and methods in labour economics to labour market and social policy issues.
This module also provides opportunities for the student to acquire or enhance the following subject-specific skills:
• The ability to construct arguments and exercise problem solving skills in the context of labour economics theory and its application;
• The ability to comprehend and evaluate academic and policy literature related to labour economics and social policy;
• The ability to construct, interpret and critically evaluate models of behaviour in labour economics;
• The ability to apply economic models and concepts to real world questions;
• The ability to understand, evaluate and commentate on economic and social policy;
In addition, this module provides opportunities for the student to acquire or enhance the following cognitive and transferable skills:
• Problem solving
• Logical reasoning
• Independent enquiry
• Critical evaluation and interpretation
• Self-assessment and reflection
• Synthesising information from a variety of sources
• Written and verbal communication
• Organisation and time management
Skills
An understanding of the employment relationship and labour market economics.
Successful innovation at the firm level is increasingly regarded as key to both productivity growth and enhanced competitiveness while also acting as a driver of economic growth. Innovation is considered crucial for firms’ survival while research has further demonstrated that innovating firms grow faster, have higher productivity and are more profitable than non-innovators. Innovation is, however, an uncertain process and the strategies and processes associated with innovation require a specific set of resources, skills and competencies. Generally, most firms do not have well developed or professionally managed innovation strategies and as a result, they fail to innovate and create new value. This module demonstrates the strategic imperative for innovation and analyses the innovation management function.
This module provides an integrative view of the management of innovation, comprising industrial, organisational and managerial perspectives. In doing so, it aims to critically evaluate the main concepts, measures and indicators of innovation activity and to assess the importance of innovation to both individual businesses and the wider economy.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module students should be able to:
• Explain and critically reflect on innovation and why it is crucial to competitive advantage and organisational success.
• Conceptualise and critically explore the context and process of innovation management.
• Analyse innovation management in a variety of organisations using examples from the world’s most innovative firms.
• Critically evaluate innovation management and provide recommendations for change demonstrating appropriate judgement
Skills
In addition to the above this module provides opportunities for the student to develop the following cognitive and transferrable skills:
• Ability to synthesise, analyse, interpret and evaluate information from a variety of different sources (academic literature, lecture material, quantitative and qualitative business and market information, government publications, web-sites, bibliographic searches).
• Ability to apply critical thinking skills to a variety of different situations (through case study material, problem solving tasks).
• Ability to apply conceptual and empirical tools to business scenarios and use appropriate techniques to present and analyse company data.
• Effective communication (through essay writing, podcast creation and group discussion).
Themes include: Introduction to Supply Chain Networks; Lean and Agile Supply Chain approaches; Demand Management; Supply Management; Inventory Management; Supplier Selection and Assessment; Supplier Relationship Management; Supplier Development and Involvement; Supply Chain Risk Management; Sustainable Supply Chain Management.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of the module students will:
- Understand the nature, scope and role of supply chain management in (and between) organisations.
- Be able to identify and discuss the key issues that face supply chain managers as they make decisions.
- Be able to understand and discuss the key concepts and theories involved in supply chain management.
- Understand the importance of co-operative practices in supply chain activities and ways in which such practices may be achieved.
- Have identified, reviewed and evaluated a specific topic on a contemporary supply chain management related issue.
Skills
The module is also designed so that students may enhance/develop the following skills and/or competencies (mainly through tutorial activities):
- Team-working: ability to work in groups to discuss key concepts, provide solutions and develop key business-related interpersonal skills.
- Analytical: ability to synthesise material and provide critical commentary.
This module on Business Ethics discusses and evaluates the ethical responsibilities of managers and organisations. It will explore themes/issues from multi-disciplinary and managerial perspectives and analyse tensions, conflicts, contradictions and dilemmas via case studies and class discussion. Topics that may be developed include: the role of ethical theories, the internal ethical environment (why and how do ethical dilemmas arise and how can they be resolved?); ethical issues with regard to employees (including whistleblowing, Codes of Ethics, corporate governance), ethics and consumers, ethics and social responsibility.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to: Evaluate the ethical responsibilities of organisations. Critique the core concepts of ethical thinking and ethical management practice. Evaluate the role of ethics in business, in local, national and international contexts. Analyse different ethical perspectives and theories that are used to guide decision making. Evaluate the rights, duties and responsibilities of, and relationships between, organisations and their internal (employee) and external stakeholders (customers, local and wider communities). Assess the relationship between business ethics and corporate social responsibility.
Skills
Synthesise, analyse, interpret and evaluate information from a variety of different sources. Apply critical thinking skills to a variety of different situations (through case study material, analysis of relevant policies and approaches, problem solving tasks). Plan, conduct and report a piece of original research (for continuous assessment). Communicate effectively (through essay writing, report writing and presentations). Work effectively as an individual and as part of a team (tutorial work, continuous assessment). Competent use of information technology.
The module concentrates on public expenditure and taxation issues. Following a review of the welfare basis for government intervention, the expenditure section focuses on public goods, externalities, public choice, equity and efficiency aspects of health care and education provision, and fiscal federalism. The taxation section considers issues of tax incidence and the effects of taxation on savings and labour supply. The optimal (direct and indirect) tax literature is reviewed.
Learning Outcomes
To develop the skills appropriate to an economic analysis of the role, and the effects of the government in market economies such as the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Students will be introduced to the concepts of economic efficiency and social justice and to the development of a framework which attempts to explain why the state produces and/or allocates some goods but leaves others to the private market. Furthermore students will be introduced to the theoretical and empirical issues of positive and optimal taxation.
Skills
The module will build on and reinforce the analytical skills of students and encourage them to think critically about the role of government in the economy.
A maximum of one BTEC/OCR Single Award or AQA Extended Certificate will be accepted as part of an applicant's portfolio of qualifications with a Distinction* being equated to a grade A at A-level and a Distinction being equated to a grade B at A-level.
Irish Leaving Certificate
H3H3H3H3H3H3/H2H3H3H3H3 + if not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade O3 in Mathematics
Access Course
Successful completion of Access Course with an average of 70% + GCSE Mathematics grade B/6 or equivalent in Access Course.
International Baccalaureate Diploma
33 points overall, including 6,5,5 at Higher Level + if not offered at Higher Level then Standard Level grade 5 in Mathematics or GCSE Mathematics grade B/6.
BTEC Level 3 Extended/National Extended Diploma
QCF BTEC Extended Diploma (180 credits at Level 3), with overall grades D*DD + GCSE Mathematics grade B/6.
RQF BTEC National Extended Diploma (1080 Guided Learning Hours (GLH) at Level 3), with overall grades D*DD + GCSE Mathematics grade B/6.
Graduate
A minimum of a 2:1 Honours Degree + GCSE Mathematics grade B/6.
Note
All applicants must have GCSE English Language grade C/4 or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.
How we choose our students
Applications are dealt with centrally by the Admissions and Access Service rather than by Queen's Business School. Once your application has been processed by UCAS and forwarded to Queen's, an acknowledgement is normally sent within two weeks of its receipt at the University.
Selection is on the basis of the information provided on your UCAS form, which is considered by a member of administrative staff from the Admissions and Access Service and, if appropriate, the Selector from the School. Decisions are made on an ongoing basis and will be notified to you via UCAS.
Applicants for the BSc Honours in Business Economics must be able to satisfy the University's General Entrance Requirement and in addition all applicants must have GCSE Mathematics at grade B/6 or above. There are no specific subjects required at A-level. Offers are made in terms of grades rather than UCAS Tariff points.
Past performance at GCSE level is taken into account when deciding to make conditional offers. The GCSE threshold may vary from year to year, but as a general guide, offers are normally made to applicants who have achieved six B/6 grades at GCSE. The final threshold is not usually determined until late in the admissions cycle, so there may be a delay in processing applicants who do not meet the initial requirements.
Offers are normally made on the basis of three A-levels. Two subjects at A-level plus two at AS would also be considered.
Applicants offering two A-levels and one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent qualification), or one A-level and a BTEC Diploma/National Diploma (or equivalent qualification) will also be considered. Offers will be made in terms of the overall BTEC grade(s) awarded. Please note that a maximum of one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent) will be counted as part of an applicant’s portfolio of qualifications. The normal GCSE profile will be expected.
For applicants offering the Irish Leaving Certificate, please note that performance at Irish Junior Certificate (IJC) is taken into account. Last year the initial Junior Certificate profile to qualify to be made an offer was six B/Higher Merit grades. The Selector also checks that any specific entry requirements in terms of Leaving Certificate subjects can be satisfied. This threshold may be lowered as the cycle progresses, depending upon the number and quality of applications. The final threshold is not usually determined until late in the admissions cycle, so there may be a delay in processing applicants who do not meet the initial threshold.
Applicants offering other qualifications, such as BTEC Extended/National Extended Diplomas, Higher National Certificates, and Higher National Diplomas, will also be considered.
The same GCSE profile is usually expected of those applicants taking a BTEC Extended/National Extended Diploma or a Higher National Certificate (HNC), and must include GCSE Mathematics at grade B/6 or above.
For applicants offering a HNC, the current requirements are successful completion of the HNC with 2 Distinctions and remainder Merits.
For those offering a Higher National Diploma (HND), some flexibility may be allowed in terms of GCSE profile, but this must include GCSE Mathematics at grade B/6 or above. To be eligible for an offer, at least half of the units completed in the first year of the HND must be at Merit level and remainder Passes. Applicants must successfully complete the HND with Merits in all units assessed in the final year. Any consideration would be for Stage 1 entry only.
In addition to the academic requirements above, the information provided in the personal statement section and the academic reference together with predicted grades are noted, but these are not the final deciding factors as to whether or not a conditional offer can be made. However, they may be reconsidered in a tie break situation in August.
A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking will not normally be considered as part of a three A-level offer and, although they may be excluded where an applicant is taking 4 A-level subjects, the grade achieved could be taken into account if necessary in August/September.
If you are made an offer then you may be invited to an Open Day organised by Queen's Business School, which is usually held in the second semester. This will allow you the opportunity to visit the University, to find out more about the degree programme of your choice, the facilities on offer together with a flavour of the academic and social life at Queen's.
International Students
Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.
English Language Requirements
An IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent acceptable qualification, details of which are available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, Queen's University Belfast International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.
International Students - Foundation and International Year One Programmes
Queen's University Belfast International Study Centre offers a range of academic and English language programmes to help prepare international students for undergraduate study at Queen's University. You will learn from experienced teachers in a dedicated international study centre on campus, and will have full access to the University's world-class facilities.
These programmes are designed for international students who do not meet the required academic and English language requirements for direct entry.
This degree equips students for diverse careers in the public and private sectors, including roles as professional economists, managers, and administrators. Graduates have also pursued successful careers in business analytics, finance, accountancy, and consultancy. With the right module choices, the programme provides a strong foundation for postgraduate studies in Economics or related fields, offering flexibility for academic and professional advancement. http://www.prospects.ac.uk
Employment after the Course
Graduates of the BSc Business Economics programme have pursued careers as Professional Economists, Financial Analysts, Market Researchers, Accountants, and Business Consultants. Other roles include Managers and Administrators in marketing, advertising, sales, human resources, education, healthcare, and government departments.
Employment Links
Graduate employers include: PwC, EY, KPMG, Deloitte, BDO, Ulster Bank, Bank of Ireland, AIB, Northern Ireland Civil Service, Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, BBC, National Trust.
Alumni Success
"I work directly for the Mayor of London, and have overall responsibility for all of Transport for London services – London Underground, London buses, Docklands Light Railway, Crossrail operations, London Overground, London Trams and the Emirates Air Line cable car! I am also heavily involved in the Congestion Charging scheme, road safety and schemes to boost cycling and walking.”
Mike Brown, BSc Economics, MVO Commissioner, Transport for London
Professional Opportunities
Graduates in Business Economics need strong communication skills and the ability to analyse and interpret information for diverse users, such as managers and investors. They must adapt to the dynamic challenges of a constantly evolving business environment.
At Queen’s, students develop transferable skills including independent learning, problem-solving, teamwork, and interpreting economic and financial information. Recent graduates have secured roles in economic analysis, public sector appraisal, banking, and management across both public and private sectors.
What employers say
“For many years Oxford Economics has recruited students from Queen’s Economics degree, both for industrial placement and graduate positions. The course equips students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to hit the ground running in the workplace."
David Moore, Senior Economist, Oxford Economics, Northern Ireland.
Prizes and Awards
A number of local employers and professional bodies sponsor prizes on an annual basis for best students in their level, module or category. These include:
Foundation Scholarships for best student in Economics Level 1 and Level 2
Shaw Memorial Prize for best performing second-year student in BSc Economics
UTV Ltd. Award for best graduate in BSc Business Economics
Degree Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.
1EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.
2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.
3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.
All tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase in each year of the course. Fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Tuition fee rates are calculated based on a student’s tuition fee status and generally increase annually by inflation. How tuition fees are determined is set out in the Student Finance Framework.
Additional course costs
Students who undertake optional study tours are expected to make a contribution, of approximately £150.
All Students
Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.
Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.
Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.
If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.
Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.
There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
How do I fund my study?
There are different tuition fee and student financial support arrangements for students from Northern Ireland, those from England, Scotland and Wales (Great Britain), and those from the rest of the European Union.
Application for admission to full-time undergraduate and sandwich courses at the University should normally be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full information can be obtained from the UCAS website at:www.ucas.com/applying.
When to Apply
UCAS will start processing applications for entry in autumn 2026 from early September 2025.
The advisory closing date for the receipt of applications for entry in 2026 is Wednesday 14 January 2026 (18:00). This is the 'equal consideration' deadline for this course.
Applications fromUK and EU (Republic of Ireland)students after this date are, in practice, considered by Queen’s for entry to this course throughout the remainder of the application cycle (30 June 2026) subject to the availability of places. If you apply for 2026 entry after this deadline, you will automatically be entered into Clearing.
Applications fromInternational and EU (Other) studentsare normally considered by Queen's for entry to this course until 30 June 2026. If you apply for 2026 entry after this deadline, you will automatically be entered into Clearing.
Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as is consistent with having made a careful and considered choice of institutions and courses.
The Institution code name for Queen's is QBELF and the institution code is Q75.
Additional Information for International (non-EU) Students
Applying through UCAS Most students make their applications throughUCAS(Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) for full-time undergraduate degree programmes at Queen's. The UCAS application deadline for international students is 30 June 2026.
Applying direct The Direct Entry Application form is to be used by international applicants who wish to apply directly, and only, to Queen's or who have been asked to provide information in advance of submitting a formal UCAS application.Find out more.
Applying through agents and partners The University’s in-country representatives can assist you to submit a UCAS application or a direct application. Please consult theAgent Listto find an agent in your country who will help you with your application to Queen’s University.
