Economic Studies and Global Sustainable Development BASc
A*AA at A level, A in Mathematics; graduates earn a median £45,000 three years on.
Typical A level offer
A*AA
A in Mathematics · 100% of entrants came with A levels · 100% stay on after year 1 · Warwick course page, Discover Uni
Year 13 · applying
What do you need to get in?
A*AAtypical A level offer; a*aa including a in mathematics. a level additional information you will also need grade b/6 in gcse english language or equivalent.
Typical offer — the grades most applicants are asked for. Contextual offer: AAB, for applicants from under-represented backgrounds.
Warwick course page, read 19 September 2026 · Discover Uni entry profile
- 1A in Mathematics
Who actually got in: 100% with A levels. Based on 20 entrants.
Other qualifications4
| Qualification | Typical offer | Required subjects |
|---|---|---|
| IB | 38 points38 including 6 in Higher Level Mathematics (either ‘Analysis and Approaches’ or ‘Applications and Interpretation’). IB additional information You will also need grade 6/B in GCSE English Language or I | 6 in Higher Level Mathematics |
| BTEC | —We welcome applications from students taking BTECs alongside two A levels, including an A at A level Mathematics. | — |
| Advanced Highers | AA including Mathematics and AAA in three additional Highers subjects.AA including Mathematics and AAA in three additional Highers subjects. | Mathematics and AAA in three additional Highers subjects |
| Access | 45 Credits at Level 3, including Distinction in 33 Level 3 credits and Merit in We will consider applicants returning to study who are presenting a QAA-recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma on a case-by-case basis. Typically, we require 45 Credits at Level 3, including Di | — |
Years 1–3
What do you study?
5compulsory modules in year 1, 2 optional
Compulsory modules this year: green & sustainability 53% · transversal skills 16% · social & cultural skills 10% · natural sciences 9%.
Module — one course unit, usually a term or a year long; “core” means everyone takes it. One UK credit is about ten hours of study; a full year is 120 credits.
Warwick course page · optional modules vary by year
Year 1 · 5 core, 2 optional · 90 credits ≈ 900 hours
- Economics 1
What you learn (5)
- describe key economic behaviours, trends and institutional developments
- explain core economic concepts, theories and models
- apply theoretical models to simplify complex economic problems
- interpret economic data to inform analysis
- select appropriate analytical tools based on data
- Economic Principles of Global Sustainable Development
What you learn (11)
- apply core economic principles to analyse sustainable development issues
- describe how economic activity links to social and environmental outcomes
- identify standard indicators used to measure economic development
- critique the limitations of conventional development measurement methods
- compare alternative frameworks for assessing sustainable economic progress
- explain theories of externalities and their relevance to policy intervention
- explain ethical and efficiency arguments for sustainable development intervention
- apply game theory to explain collective decision-making outcomes
- interpret abstract economic models relevant to sustainability
- apply quantitative data on global sustainability to evaluate policy design
- conduct independent research on an economic topic
- Environmental Principles of Global Sustainable Development
What you learn (11)
- explain the causes and extent of global environmental decline
- describe how human activities have affected the planet over time
- apply scientific knowledge when researching environmental sustainability issues
- analyse and present research findings on sustainability topics
- evaluate debates on environmental decline from multiple disciplinary viewpoints
- describe key academic concepts and frameworks used in sustainability studies
- evaluate governance approaches for improving global environmental sustainability
- conduct rigorous research on environmental issues to inform policy proposals
- formulate practice-based recommendations from environmental research findings
- present evidence-based policy proposals persuasively in writing
- present evidence-based policy proposals persuasively through oral argument
- Social Principles of Global Sustainable Development
What you learn (5)
- explain key global challenges using evidence-based reasoning
- describe social problems arising from specific economic development models
- evaluate explanations for uneven economic development between nations
- evaluate proposed strategies for reducing social inequality
- critique competing concepts of sustainable development in writing
- Global Sustainable Development (GSD) Project
What you learn (3)
- formulate research questions that break down sustainable transport problems
- design a research strategy selecting suitable methods to test hypotheses
- distinguish between types of evidence and assess them against scientific criteria
2 optional modules
- Statistical Techniques A
What you learn (5)
- apply quantitative methods tools to economics problems
- apply statistical methods to analyse data
- construct statistical models for analysis
- use statistical software to handle data
- analyse data using statistical techniques
- Statistical Techniques B
What you learn (5)
- apply statistical techniques required for economics coursework
- explain statistical methods used in quantitative analysis
- construct statistical models to represent data relationships
- describe principles of data handling using statistical software
- use statistical software to manipulate datasets
Year 2 · 1 core, 5 optional · 30 credits ≈ 300 hours
- Economics 2
What you learn (17)
- describe macroeconomic policy instruments and objectives
- evaluate how economic theory informs policy effectiveness
- simplify complex economic problems using theoretical models
- communicate economic ideas in written and spoken form
- represent economic arguments graphically and mathematically
- apply theoretical models to underpin economic analysis
- explain the applications and limitations of economic models
- describe microeconomic policy measures
- critically analyse competing economic models and hypotheses
- present economic work to an audience
- conduct individual and collaborative research on economic topics
- use online and library resources to gather economic information
- formulate models to solve economic problems
- select appropriate economic models for policy problems
- produce concise analytical reports on economic issues
- explain key concepts in intermediate microeconomics
- explain key concepts in intermediate macroeconomics
5 optional modules
- Applied Econometrics
What you learn (5)
- describe random variables, distributions and their moments
- explain statistical estimation and sampling distributions for population inference
- distinguish causality from selection bias in data analysis
- analyse economic decisions using microeconomic principles
- explain the empirical approach used in economics and social science
- Econometrics 1
What you learn (7)
- apply quantitative methods used in core and optional economics modules
- use econometric software packages to analyse economic data
- retrieve data from economics databases for analysis
- present statistical data clearly to an audience
- analyse and interpret statistical data for reporting purposes
- apply advanced statistical techniques to economic problems
- evaluate the strengths and limitations of statistical methods
- Health and Sustainable Development
What you learn (4)
- explain intended and unintended effects of health interventions and policies
- analyse how development processes and contextual change influence population health
- apply interdisciplinary frameworks to analyse global health problems
- use theoretical and practical tools to take action on global health challenges
- Security, Sovereignty and Sustainability in the Global Food System
What you learn (9)
- apply a food systems framework to identify sustainability issues in food production chains
- research sustainability issues arising across food production, processing and consumption
- analyse broad sustainability issues within the global food system
- evaluate technical responses proposed to address global food needs
- evaluate governance responses proposed to address global food needs
- explain key concepts of food security, sovereignty and sustainability
- apply these concepts critically to analyse food systems
- evaluate personal food consumption choices against sustainable development goals
- evaluate collective food consumption choices against sustainable development goals
- Inequalities and Sustainable Development: Inclusion and Dignity for All
What you learn (9)
- identify key features of inequalities in contemporary societies
- evaluate recent trends in inequality across local and global settings
- analyse debates linking inequality to socio-economic and environmental sustainability
- explain the complexity of sustainability-related policy problems
- assess challenges faced by policymakers addressing inequality
- describe cross-disciplinary theories explaining causes of inequality
- evaluate empirical evidence on consequences of inequality
- explain public attitudes towards inequality
- conduct independent research on inequality-related issues
Year 3 · 1 core, 12 optional · 30 credits ≈ 300 hours
- Dissertation/Independent Study
What you learn (7)
- design a feasible research project
- plan a research project schedule and approach
- carry out a research project according to plan
- manage the progress and resources of a research project
- produce an original research study on a current sustainability issue
- design an event to share research findings with the public
- present research findings to a public audience
12 optional modules
- Topics in Development Economics 3
What you learn (8)
- review relevant academic literature and empirical evidence
- explain the causes of major developing-world economic problems
- describe the consequences of major developing-world economic problems
- propose possible remedies for developing-world economic problems
- analyse module topics using critical reasoning
- formulate economic concepts and hypotheses related to module topics
- evaluate how hypotheses are tested within the literature
- communicate economic knowledge and understanding effectively to others
- Economics of Public Policy
What you learn (15)
- review academic literature and evidence on public policy economics
- describe core concepts of public economics
- identify applications of economic theory to public policy issues
- explain simple economic models of public policy
- manipulate simple economic models to analyse policy problems
- evaluate empirical literature on public policy critically
- apply mathematical and diagrammatic techniques to economic analysis
- interpret statistical analysis of economic data
- analyse module topics using critical reasoning
- formulate economic concepts and hypotheses
- explain how hypotheses are tested in published research
- review relevant literature and evidence on policy topics
- communicate economic understanding verbally and in writing
- locate relevant data using library and internet sources
- extract and analyse data to present findings
- Macroeconomic Policy in the EU
What you learn (11)
- explain current macroeconomic policy issues in the EU using qualitative reasoning
- analyse current macroeconomic policy issues in the EU using quantitative data
- describe recent trends and developments in economic data
- identify relevant policy institutions and legislation affecting the EU economy
- explain theoretical and econometric models used to assess policy outcomes
- present macroeconomic policy analysis orally to an audience
- write a coherent account of macroeconomic policy issues
- apply macroeconomic policy concepts to analyse current economic events
- apply macroeconomic policy concepts to interpret case studies
- evaluate academic literature relevant to macroeconomic policy
- evaluate case studies and evidence related to policy outcomes
- The International Economy in the Twentieth Century
What you learn (15)
- explain key theories of international trade, finance and migration
- explain theories of economic growth and recession
- describe the role of geography, history and institutions in development
- analyse module topics using critical economic reasoning
- formulate economic concepts and hypotheses
- evaluate how hypotheses are tested in academic literature
- explain the causes of africa's twentieth-century economic decline
- explain the drivers of post-1945 globalization
- describe factors behind rapid growth in europe and east asia
- communicate economic knowledge clearly to an audience
- critique relevant economic literature and evidence
- explain features of the first phase of globalization
- explain causes of the 1929 great depression
- produce a structured written summary of recommended readings
- structure a written answer around a set question
- International Trade
What you learn (6)
- explain key theories of international trade
- evaluate approaches to international trade policy
- manipulate basic economic models using graphs and equations
- critique empirical studies on public policy issues
- analyse module topics using critical reasoning
- review relevant academic literature and supporting evidence
- Behavioural Economics: Theory and Applications
What you learn (6)
- describe methods used in laboratory and field experiments in economics
- explain the motivation for studying behavioural economics
- explain patterns of economic behaviour among interacting agents
- construct behavioural models that explain deviations from rational-agent theory
- present behavioural economics concepts using appropriate analytical methods
- explain contemporary behavioural economics models applied by practitioners
- Surviving the Apocalypse
What you learn (3)
- evaluate crises experienced by human societies
- design a project investigating causes or effects of contemporary crises
- analyse factors that limit or enable efforts for social change
- The Energy Trilemma
What you learn (8)
- identify key issues around energy security, equity and sustainability globally
- evaluate differing government approaches to managing energy resources
- explain the importance of energy to economic growth and social well-being
- describe the benefits of collaboration among stakeholders in energy solutions
- explain the role of technology and innovation in sustainable energy development
- apply research skills to investigate energy-related topics
- synthesise academic and industry research into coherent outputs
- adapt research outputs to suit different audiences
- Managing Natural Resources
What you learn (11)
- apply key theories from natural resource management to practical cases
- critique the use of natural resource management theories in practice
- identify obstacles that hinder conservation management interventions
- propose improvements to existing conservation initiatives
- design a group research project on environmental resource issues
- conduct monitoring techniques within a collaborative research project
- identify species using taxonomic and identification characteristics
- detect environmental change using indicator species across habitats
- describe everyday realities of life within a developing community
- explain constraints affecting governance and policy structures in context
- reflect critically on personal experiences in relation to theory
“What you learn” restates each module’s published learning outcomes in our own words, as short skill statements in the same form as the GCSE and A level curriculum, with the help of an AI model; fields of knowledge follow the twelve fields of the knowledge sphere. The university’s module page, linked from each title, is the authoritative description.
After graduating
Where does it lead?
£45,000median pay three years after graduating
Lower quarter£37k
Median£45k
Upper quarter£64k
Median — the middle earner: half earned more, half less. Pay is for graduates of this subject at this university who finished in 2016-18, not adjusted for inflation; based on 280 graduates.
Discover Uni dataset (HESA and Office for Students, CC BY 4.0, contains HESA data); earnings from the Longitudinal Education Outcomes data (Department for Education) · aggregation level 13, 14, 23
Half of graduates earned between £36,500 and £63,500. Five years on, the median is £64,500. 88% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing; 89% of those in work were in professional or managerial jobs.
All outcome figures7
| Measure | Value | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Continue after year 10% left | 100% | 15 |
| In work or study, 15 months on6% studying | 88% | 265 |
| Professional or managerial job | 89% | 210 |
| Pay 15 months on, median | £40,000 | 150 |
| Pay 3 years on, median | £45,000 | 280 |
| Pay 5 years on, median | £64,500 | 285 |
Money
What does it cost?
£10,050a year for UK students, 2027/28 entry
Tuition fee loan — paid straight to the university; repayments start the April after you leave, at 9% of income above the threshold. UK fees are capped by government and rise with inflation; placement and study-abroad years are usually charged at a lower rate.
Warwick fees page · source
About £30,150 in fees over 3 years, covered by a tuition fee loan you repay only when earning above the threshold.
National Student Survey 2025-26
What do students say?
73%agreed the course was good overall (question 26)
NSS — a yearly survey of final-year students at every UK university; 86% of this course’s final year answered. Small groups can swing a lot year to year.
National Student Survey, via Discover Uni · 10 students answered
Highest: 100% agreed on question 1; lowest: 58% on question 10.
All questions26
| Question | Agree |
|---|---|
| Question 1 | 100% |
| Question 2 | 58% |
| Question 3 | 83% |
| Question 4 | 92% |
| Question 5 | 92% |
| Question 6 | 92% |
| Question 7 | 100% |
| Question 8 | 92% |
| Question 9 | 92% |
| Question 10 | 58% |
| Question 11 | 67% |
| Question 12 | 83% |
| Question 13 | 100% |
| Question 14 | 75% |
| Question 15 | 100% |
| Question 16 | 92% |
| Question 17 | 75% |
| Question 18 | 91% |
| Question 19 | 91% |
| Question 20 | 82% |
| Question 21 | 91% |
| Question 22 | 91% |
| Question 23 | 82% |
| Question 24 | 64% |
| Question 25 | 60% |
| Question 26 | 73% |
Question texts are published by the Office for Students; the dataset carries only the question numbers.
Modules, entry requirements and fees are facts read from University of Warwick’s course page on 2026-09-19 and may change; the university’s page is authoritative. Descriptions are not reproduced. Outcome figures are from the Discover Uni dataset. University of Warwick is a trade mark of the university; sch.today is independent of it.