Economics
Entry requirements
At least a second-class honours degree (2:2) or equivalent, in any discipline.
Evidence of aptitude for mathematical and statistical analysis is advantageous.
Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.
Months of entry
September
Course content
- This rigorous and intensive training will enable you to compete on equal terms with students graduating with undergraduate degrees in economics.
- It is an ideal conversion course if you have a degree in another subject and need the skills of an economics graduate to make progress in your career, or wish to study economics further at Master's level.
- All lectures are recorded and all course materials are made available online for this course, so you can access them when you need to.
First you will build the necessary mathematical and statistical toolkit you need to study economics. Then you will gain foundational knowledge in the principal ideas and methods of modern economics. You will then have the opportunity to conduct a research project of your own, learning to apply economic reasoning to practical problems.
You can study this Graduate Diploma in Economics either full- or part-time and either through attending lectures on campus or via live online streaming. The course has an evening timetable with classes taking place in the evening.
Lectures will introduce you to core material which is supported by weekly problem-solving classes. Assessment includes take-home assignments as well as written examinations, which you will take either at Birkbeck if you are studying on campus, or by arrangement at a wide range of sites throughout the world if you are studying the course online.
- Our September pre-sessional courses will provide you with an accelerated revision of core mathematics skills, as they start at - roughly - GCSE level, but progress very rapidly to more advanced techniques.
- All modules on the course are designed carefully around targeted, accelerated learning, in contrast to conversion courses in other universities that simply offer modules that are already part of other undergraduate courses.
- Birkbeck was ranked in the top 25 universities in the UK for its Economics and Econometrics research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
Graduates from this Graduate Diploma in Economics either go straight into employment in this field or progress on to the MSc Economics.
On successfully graduating from this course, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:
- the mathematical and statistical skills to learn economics
- fundamental knowledge of micro and macro economics and econometrics.
Studying this course will prepare you for roles in government, economic regulators, finance, business development, education or research.
Some of our graduates from this course have gone on to be employed at the following organisations:
- HM Treasury
- Bank of England
- Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
- Deloitte
- KPMG UK
We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.
Information for international students
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with no less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.
If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.
Qualification, course duration and attendance options
- GradDip
- part time24 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- full time12 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- GradDip
- part time24 months
- Online learningis available for this qualification
- full time12 months
- Online learningis available for this qualification
Course contact details
- Name
- Student Advice Service
- studentadvice@bbk.ac.uk
- Phone
- +44 (0)20 3907 0700