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Heriot-Watt University

Economics

Scotland, United Kingdom · UCAS L100

  • Level

    Bachelor

  • Duration

    3 - 4 years

  • Campus

    Edinburgh Campus

  • Intl. Tuition

    £22,040 (2027-28)

  • Intake

    September 2027

  • UCAS code

    L100

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Course Overview

Economics at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland, United Kingdom is a bachelor programme designed to give you both rigorous academic grounding and exposure to current practice in the field.

  • Study with academics who are active researchers and industry practitioners, with regular contact through seminars, tutorials, and project work.
  • Develop core knowledge in your first year before specialising through optional modules in later years tailored to your interests and career goals.
  • Build practical, transferable skills — analysis, communication, teamwork, and project delivery — that employers across sectors actively look for.
  • Access dedicated employability support including internships, placements, alumni mentoring, and a careers service that connects students to graduate roles.
  • Join a global student community with extracurricular societies, sports, volunteering, and study-abroad opportunities to round out your university experience.

Career snapshot (indicative)

Business economics graduates enter finance, economic consultancy, government policy, research analysis and corporate strategy roles. Many pursue further study, the CFA qualification or civil service fast-stream programmes.

Student life (indicative)

This city offers a solid and affordable UK student lifestyle — a good mix of pubs, cafés, local culture and student events. A welcoming community with everything a student needs close to campus.

The University at a Glance

Student Population

9,845

Staff Ratio

14.0:1

International

31.0%

Career Prospects

Avg Starting Salary

£36,340

First-year earnings

Placement Year

✓ Available

Work experience option

Costs & Living

Intl. Tuition

£22,040

per year, 2027-28 Official fee page

City & Location

Large city (500k-1m inhabitants)

Course Curriculum

Year 1

  • Foundations of Economics
  • Academic and Research Skills
  • Quantitative Methods
  • Introduction to Theory and Practice
  • Optional language or breadth module.

Year 2

  • Intermediate Economics topics
  • Applied Methods and Tools
  • Group Project
  • Two optional pathway modules
  • Career and Industry Insights.

Year 3

  • Advanced Economics
  • Independent Dissertation or Capstone Project
  • Two specialist optional modules aligned with your interests
  • Employability and Professional Development.

Entry Requirements

Subjects

Economics

Source: UCAS course listing, 2027 entry (retrieved September 2026). Always confirm the current requirements with the university.

Assessment Methods

Assessment is varied across the programme and may include: Written examinations across foundational modules; Coursework essays and analytical reports; Group and individual projects with presentations; Practical lab, studio, or fieldwork assessments where relevant; A final-year dissertation or capstone project that lets you specialise in a topic of your choice.

Campus & City Life

Student Population

9,845

Total students

Staff Ratio

14:1

Students per staff

International Students

31%

Of student body

Campus at a Glance

City Size

Large city (500k-1m inhabitants)

Climate (indicative)

Cool maritime

Safety Index (indicative)

7.8/10

Transport

Moderate (coach or indirect connections)

Social Scene

Friendly community | Global / diverse | Coastal lifestyle

Student Life & City (indicative)

This city offers a solid and affordable UK student lifestyle — a good mix of pubs, cafés, local culture and student events. A welcoming community with everything a student needs close to campus.

  • This city offers a solid and affordable UK student lifestyle — a good mix of pubs, cafés, local culture and student events.
  • A welcoming community with everything a student needs close to campus.

What Students Love

  • Thriving student social scene
  • Active pub & club scene
  • Great café culture
  • Parks & green spaces

University Stats

Total Students9,845
Student-to-Staff Ratio14:1
International Students31%
Safety Index (indicative)7.8/10

Career & Outcomes

Avg Starting Salary

£36,340

Average first-year salary

Placement Year

✓ Available

Industry work experience

Career Outcomes Overview (indicative)

Business economics graduates enter finance, economic consultancy, government policy, research analysis and corporate strategy roles. Many pursue further study, the CFA qualification or civil service fast-stream programmes.

  • Business economics graduates enter finance, economic consultancy, government policy, research analysis and corporate strategy roles.
  • Many pursue further study, the CFA qualification or civil service fast-stream programmes.

Top Industries for Graduates

  • Engineering
  • Finance
  • Technology

Study Abroad Opportunities

Y

  • Y

Costs & Living Expenses

Intl. Tuition

£22,040

per year, 2027-28 Official fee page

Total Programme Cost

£88,160

For full 3 - 4 years

Overall Cost of Living (indicative)

MEDIUM

This location has moderate living costs. Standard student budget recommended.

Estimated Annual Costs

Tuition (International)£22,040per year, 2027-28 Official fee page
Estimated Total (per year)£22,040

Monthly Student Budget (indicative)

Housing£647/mo
Food & Groceries£240/mo
Transport£71/mo
Estimated Monthly Total£1,121
Annual living costs£13,461/yr

Cost Overview (indicative)

One of the UK's more affordable student cities — a $1,420/month budget (housing $820, food $305, transport $90) covers everything comfortably. A comfortable student lifestyle at costs well below London and the South East.

  • One of the UK's more affordable student cities — a $1,420/month budget (housing $820, food $305, transport $90) covers everything comfortably.
  • A comfortable student lifestyle at costs well below London and the South East.

Contains HESA data (Discover Uni), licensed under CC BY 4.0.