Business Management and Economics

The recent global economic and financial crisis has led to a growing interest in the subject area of applied economics. It has highlighted the importance of understanding economic analysis within organisations and the business community. Our Business Management and Economics course is designed to apply economic theory to real-life situations. We will use our academic expertise to help you make robust links between economic theoretical frameworks and the practicalities of the real world.  We place a great emphasis on practical, real-world learning through industry projects, links with our overseas partners, and the chance to take a placement year between your second and third year. 

Tailor your degree 

With a range of optional modules across areas such as logistics, human resource management, marketing, enterprise and finance, you’ll be able to tailor your studies to your area of interest and your career goals. 

Professionally approved ** 

Chartered Management Institute accreditation means the CMI has independently assessed that the course meets its own high standards and priorities. The CMI is a UK professional body dedicated to promoting excellence in management and leadership. CMI accreditation is, therefore, a sign of a high-quality degree.  

Students receive this accreditation if they pass the Business Management modules in their first year and select and pass required modules in their second year. 

Optional placement year or internships 

You can choose to take a placement year between years two and three of your degree, which would super-charge your employability and improve your prospects after graduation. We can help you to find a placement and provide support throughout your year away. If that's not for you, you can choose to complete internships during the summer breaks instead. 

What is a Joint Honours degree?

A Joint Honours degree offers students the opportunity to study two subjects.

A Joint Honours degree is a great option if:

• You want to study two subjects you’re passionate about
• You’ve got a specific career in mind and want to create a tailored degree to prepare you for the future
• You want to study a new subject alongside one you’re already familiar with

The modules below indicate the range of modules you may study as part of this combination, however prescribed and optional modules will vary depending on whether you choose to study both subjects equally, or choose to major or minor in a subject. To find out exactly which modules you would study as part of your chosen combination please contact jhs@derby.ac.uk.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

You’ll be taught through several learning and teaching methods, such as formal lectures, which will at times include expert speakers, and seminars. 

Seminars can be tutor-led or student-led and can include critical analysis of reading, presentations, group work, debates and general problem solving, interaction with real businesses, case study analysis, computer lab work, practical analysis and formative assessment.  

• Tutorials: one-to-one sessions with a tutor to discuss the development of assignments 
• Formal lectures 
• Work projects  
• Self-directed study

In addition to direct teaching by faculty staff the University also makes use of blended learning through which students will be able to enhance and progress their learning. Through the university’s online portal; University of Derby Online (UDO) students can access the university virtual learning environment which forms an important part of the delivery of the programme and provide a facility through which tutors can supply lecture notes and presentations, links to learning resources and information and announcements pertinent to studies. 

How you are assessed

For Business Management, we mostly assess you through practical coursework assignments — the sort of tasks you might undertake in a workplace. Sometimes these will be individual tasks and at other times, you will need to work in a group. Assignments could include: 

• business reports 
• research and consultancy projects 
• presentations 
• design of digital materials such as videos, blogs or augmented reality posters 
• computer-based assessments

For Economics you’ll be assessed in several ways, including: 

• computer-based assessments 
• business reports 
• applied economics projects to showcase your analytical and quantitative skills 
• data retrieval and quantitative analytics using Bloomberg 
• computer-based analysis harnessing Excel and SPSS 
• poster presentations and reports to assess your research and consultancy skills 

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

2025/26

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

Our links with major employers in the area offer the students opportunities to network, build contacts and develop their confidence which adds to their employability. Students are encouraged to gain work experience through the Derby Internship Programme and offered networking opportunities at the many events through the year such as the recruitment fair, Network of Entrepreneurs, and Business Showcase. This degree sets up graduates for a range of careers in industries such as: 

• Business 
• Human Resource Management 
• Finance
• Marketing
• PR
• Sales
• Project Management

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

Additional information about your studies

You will typically study your two subjects equally at stage one, before choosing whether you want to major in one subject at stages two and three.

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

Other courses you might like

• Business Management and Finance BA (Hons)
• Business Management BA (Hons)
• Economics and Finance BSc (Hons)
• Economics BA (Hons)
• Business Accounting and Finance BA (Hons)