Business and Management and Economics with Professional Placement Year

Explore, analyse and tackle the challenges facing society in this combined business and economics degree.

• Examine different perspectives on key economic issues facing businesses, such as sustainability and diversity.

• Take a creative and collaborative approach to problem solving through in-depth research into current global events.

• Develop the practical skills and knowledge you’ll need to become a professional and socially-aware graduate.

Our combined Business and Management and Economics degree has been designed to give you an in-depth knowledge and understanding of business and economics, while developing practical and professional skills that you can apply to a wide range of industries and careers.

You’ll explore the economic concepts that shape our world, and learn to view current events through a different lens.

The course aims to incorporate modern approaches to the field of economics, amplifying the voices of those who have traditionally been excluded from economic decision-making based on race, gender or ethnicity.

You’ll gain a contemporary perspective through specially curated reading materials, videos and case studies.

You’ll develop your understanding of the nature of the global forces that influence contemporary decision making, and gain the skills to think critically, and research the world of business.

You’ll be encouraged to challenge your thinking, take new and innovative approaches to problem-solving, and apply your learning to real-world scenarios.

You’ll have the opportunity to join student-led research groups exploring a range of local, national and global issues, and optional modules in subjects such as leadership, marketing and law will enable you to tailor your studies to your particular areas of interest.

More about the Professional Placement Year
A Professional Placement Year (PPY), traditionally known as a sandwich year, is where you undertake a period of work with an external organisation for between 9-13 months. The placement occurs between your second and final years of undergraduate study. You can engage in multiple placements to make up the total time and are required to source the placement(s) yourself, with support from the Careers team.

In your first year you’ll gain an insight into the fundamental principles of economics and business. You’ll learn about how businesses are organised and managed, and the roles of different departments within an organisation. You’ll explore topics around professional behaviour and company culture, and discover the importance of data, and how it is managed, within a business. You’ll also gain a broad understanding of economic concepts, before delving deeper into the theoretical principles that guide consumers, producers, governments and world markets. The focus on your employability begins now and extends through all three years of your studies; you’ll be encouraged to reflect on your own strengths, performance, and areas for growth and development.

In year two you’ll explore economic perspectives and policies in more depth. You’ll take a global perspective on issues facing businesses, and you’ll be encouraged to take creative and innovative approaches to problem-solving. At the end of the year, you can choose to embark on a ten-week summer placement, and/or a ten-month business placement – applying what you’ve learned so far in the real world. Students have previously worked at companies such as BMW and Price Waterhouse Cooper, and at local councils. You’ll be able to tailor your studies to your particular areas of interest, setting you on the path to achieving your career goals, with optional modules including entrepreneurship, law, marketing.

Your third year will be your professional placement year.

In your final year, you’ll focus more on real-world applications for your business and economics skills. You’ll demonstrate skills that are valued by employers, such as teamwork, critical thinking and enterprise, through practical tasks, including working on live briefs with local businesses. You’ll also explore an in-depth topic that’s of particular interest to you through a research project.

You'll be assessed in a wide range of ways that test your economics knowledge and business management skills. These could include critical essays, reports, presentations, work related projects, group-work, computer based simulations, debates, exams and research analyses.