Economics and Management
Course overview
UCAS code: LN12
Entrance requirements: A*AA (with Maths at A or A*)
Course duration: 3 years (BA)
Subject requirements
Required subjects: Maths
Recommended subjects: Not applicable
Helpful subjects: Not applicable
Other course requirements
Admissions tests: TSA (Section 1)
Written Work: None
Admissions statistics*
Interviewed: 17%
Successful: 5%
Intake: 85
*3-year average 2021-23
Contact
Tel: +44 (0) 1865 271098
Email: [email protected]
Unistats information for this course can be found at the bottom of the page
Please note that there may be no data available if the number of course participants is very small.
About the course
The Economics and Management degree examines issues central to the world we live in. It namely examines how the economy and organisations function, and how resources are allocated and coordinated to achieve the organisation’s objectives.
Economics and Management are ideal intellectual partners, each particularly fitted to strengthen and cross-fertilise the other.
Economics is the study of how consumers, firms and governments make decisions that together determine how resources are allocated.
An appreciation of economics and the general workings of the economy have become increasingly necessary to understand:
- government policy-making
- the conduct of businesses
- and the enormous changes in economic systems which are occurring throughout the world.
It is also becoming increasingly important in both government and the private sector to have an understanding of some of the methods used within economics. This includes quantitative methods, statistical and causal inference, and experimental methods.
Management is concerned with the effective use and coordination of materials and labour within an organisation in the pursuit of its defined objectives.
Management considers the interrelationship and interactions between distinct parts of an organisation, and between the organisation and its environment. Students will look at theories, models and frameworks in order to understand how managers behave and to consider their role in the process of decision-making.
The teaching of this course is provided by both the Department of Economics and Saïd Business School. However, it is not a Business Studies degree. The programme is taught as an academic subject within the Social Sciences Division of the University.
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'Applying to E&M [Economics and Management], for me, was an obvious choice. Firstly, I feel it is the only course that truly reflects the ‘real world’ – be it by explaining the macroeconomy or the daily problems businesses are faced with – making it both relevant and exciting to study. Secondly, I find it has the perfect blend of both maths and essays, which helps to keep the course fresh and stimulating in comparison to other subjects. There is also a large scope for tailoring the course to your own strengths and interests because of the huge variety of modules offered in your second and third years. Whether you are fascinated by Game Theory or a budding entrepreneur, there is no doubt that you’ll love this course!' Eva | 'I find that Economics and Management is a varied, engrossing, relevant and academically rigorous degree. The scale and scope of the course is amazing. This year, I’m studying marketing and strategy as part of my management options, and think I will keep an even split between economics and management as I enjoy being able to study both mathematics and essay-based elements of the course. The Saïd Business School, where the management part of the course is taught, has everything from an expansive library to a subsidised canteen (which is useful for study breaks!). The Economics Department is close to the Social Science Library which has every book an Economics student could need.' Jack | 'When people ask me how I’m finding my degree, I’m always so happy to say that I really enjoy it. There is such a variety between all the modules across both Economics and Management, from the more quantitative Financial Analysis to the essay-based General Management and this means I don’t get bored when I have work to do because I can always switch to focus on something completely different. The course is structured in a way that you learn so much in such a short space of time. At first you don’t think it’s possible to digest so much information, but very quickly you realise you’re doing it and you’re doing it pretty well too. E&M is also one of the most useful and directly applicable degrees - you gain a much broader and in-depth knowledge of the world around you, for example the things you hear in the news, from recessions to inflationary shocks. All in all, I would definitely recommend Economics and Management and I’m very glad I chose it as my degree.' |
Unistats information
Discover Uni course data provides applicants with Unistats statistics about undergraduate life at Oxford for a particular undergraduate course.
Please select 'see course data' to view the full Unistats data for Economics and Management.
Please note that there may be no data available if the number of course participants is very small.
Visit the Studying at Oxford section of this page for a more general insight into what studying here is likely to be like.
Economics and Management
A typical week
- Six lectures
- Two tutorials or classes
- Preparation for tutorials and classes: reading, writing essays, solving problem sets (up to two and a half days for each tutorial or class).
Tutorials are usually 2-4 students and a tutor. Class sizes may vary depending on the options you choose. There would usually be no more than around 20 students, although classes for some of the more popular papers may be up to 40 students.
Most tutorials, classes, and lectures are delivered by staff who are tutors in their subject. Many are world-leading experts with years of experience in teaching and research. Some teaching may also be delivered by postgraduate students who are usually studying at doctoral level.
To find out more about how our teaching year is structured, visit our Academic Year page.
Course structure
Year 1
Courses | Assessment |
|---|---|
Three courses are taken:
| First University examinations: three written paper |
Years 2 and 3
Courses | Assessment |
|---|---|
Options selected must include:
The options listed on this page are illustrative and may change. More information about current options is available on the Department of Economics website and Saïd Business School website. | Final University examinations: the eight courses are assessed by written examinations in most cases. Some courses are assessed via coursework. It is possible to write a thesis in either Economics or Management in place of one optional paper. |
The content and format of this course may change in some circumstances. Read further information about potential course changes.
Academic requirements
A-levels: | A*AA including Mathematics at grade A or above |
|---|---|
Advanced Highers: | AA/AAB |
International Baccalaureate (IB): | 39 (including core points) with 766 at HL |
Any other equivalent qualification: | View information on other UK qualifications, and international qualifications. |
Wherever possible, your grades are considered in the context in which they have been achieved.
Read further information on how we use contextual data.
Subject requirements
| Essential: | Candidates are required to have Mathematics to A-level (A* or A grade), Advanced Higher (A grade), Higher Level in the IB (score 6 or 7) or another equivalent. |
|---|
If a practical component forms part of any of your science A‐levels used to meet your offer, we expect you to pass it.
If English is not your first language you may also need to meet our English language requirements.
Applying
All candidates must follow the application procedure as shown on our Applying to Oxford pages.
The following information gives specific details for students applying for this course.
Admissions test
Test: | TSA (Section 1) |
|---|---|
Test date: | 24 October 2024 |
Registration window: | 15 August to 4 October 2024 |
All candidates must take the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) as part of their application.
All the information you need to arrange to take your test as well as how best to prepare can be found on your test page.
Written work
You do not need to submit any written work as part of an application for this course.
What are tutors looking for?
We are looking for candidates with:
- an interest in and a motivation for studying the organisation of businesses and the economy
- a capacity to construct and critically assess arguments
- a willingness and an ability to express their ideas clearly and effectively both on paper and orally.
Successful candidates will also show independence and flexibility of thought and an ability to analyse and solve problems logically and critically. The interview is not primarily a test of existing knowledge and, in particular, is not a test of any economics or management studied previously.
Visit the Economics website for more detail on the selection criteria for this course.
Careers
Oxford graduates in Economics and Management are among the most sought after by employers. Their current employers include leading international organisations in traditional activities, as well as new start-up companies in a variety of high-tech fields. Recent graduates have secured positions in banking and finance, consultancy, research, journalism, industry, the Civil Service and teaching as well as a wide range of other sectors.
Imogen now leads Partnerships and VC relations for the Start-up Program at Start-up Grind. She says:
‘E&M is an excellent degree as it draws on a wide range of skills: you analyse economic theories as well as digest, summarise and communicate key points from the literature. You have the opportunity and flexibility to tailor the degree to suit your interests - whether that’s analysing complex mathematical models or focusing more on essays. In my career so far I’ve found the Management material to be particularly useful, especially when I worked in a small start-up and was involved in various parts of the business. In particular, strategy, marketing and organisational behaviour have been invaluable!’
Dean is an analyst for Greenhill & Co, a leading independent mergers and acquisitions advisory firm. He says:
‘Oxford provided an unparalleled opportunity to enhance my self-confidence, develop thorough analytical skills and hone my ability to communicate in a clear and articulate manner – prerequisites for a career in investment banking.’
We don't want anyone who has the academic ability to get a place to study here to be held back by their financial circumstances. To meet that aim, Oxford offers one of the most generous financial support packages available for UK students and this may be supplemented by support from your college.
Fees
For more information please refer to our course fees page. Fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our guidance on likely increases to fees and charges.
Living costs
Living costs at Oxford might be less than you’d expect, as our world-class resources and college provision can help keep costs down.
Living costs for the academic year starting in 2025 are estimated to be between £1,425 and £2,035 for each month you are in Oxford. Our academic year is made up of three eight-week terms, so you would not usually need to be in Oxford for much more than six months of the year but may wish to budget over a nine-month period to ensure you also have sufficient funds during the holidays to meet essential costs. For further details please visit our living costs webpage.
Financial support
Home | A tuition fee loan is available from the UK government to cover course fees in full for Home (UK, Irish nationals and other eligible students with UK citizens' rights - see below*) students undertaking their first undergraduate degree**, so you don’t need to pay your course fees up front. In 2025 Oxford is offering one of the most generous bursary packages of any UK university to Home students with a family income of around £50,000 or less, with additional opportunities available to UK students from households with incomes of £32,500 or less. The UK government also provides living costs support to Home students from the UK and those with settled status who meet the residence requirements. *For courses starting on or after 1 August 2021, the UK government has confirmed that EU, other EEA, and Swiss Nationals will be eligible for student finance from the UK government if they have UK citizens’ rights (i.e. if they have pre-settled or settled status, or if they are an Irish citizen covered by the Common Travel Area arrangement). The support you can access from the government will depend on your residency status. |
Islands | Islands students are entitled to different support to that of students from the rest of the UK. Please refer the links below for information on the support to you available from your funding agency: |
Overseas | Please refer to the "Other Scholarships" section of our Oxford Bursaries and Scholarships page. |
**If you have studied at undergraduate level before and completed your course, you will be classed as an Equivalent or Lower Qualification student (ELQ) and won’t be eligible to receive government or Oxford funding
Additional Fees and Charges Information for Economics and Management
There are no compulsory costs for this course beyond the fees shown above and your living costs.
Contextual information
Unistats course data from Discover Uni provides applicants with statistics about a particular undergraduate course at Oxford. For a more holistic insight into what studying your chosen course here is likely to be like, we would encourage you to view the information below as well as to explore our website more widely.
The Oxford tutorial
College tutorials are central to teaching at Oxford. Typically, they take place in your college and are led by your academic tutor(s) who teach as well as do their own research. Students will also receive teaching in a variety of other ways, depending on the course. This will include lectures and classes, and may include laboratory work and fieldwork. However, tutorials offer a level of personalised attention from academic experts unavailable at most universities.
During tutorials (normally lasting an hour), college subject tutors will give you and one or two tutorial partners feedback on prepared work and cover a topic in depth. The other student(s) in your tutorials will be doing the same course as you. Such regular and rigorous academic discussion develops and facilitates learning in a way that isn’t possible through lectures alone. Tutorials also allow for close progress monitoring so tutors can quickly provide additional support if necessary.
Read more about tutorials and an Oxford education
College life
Our colleges are at the heart of Oxford’s reputation as one of the best universities in the world.
- At Oxford, everyone is a member of a college as well as their subject department(s) and the University. Students therefore have both the benefits of belonging to a large, renowned institution and to a small and friendly academic community. Each college or hall is made up of academic and support staff, and students. Colleges provide a safe, supportive environment leaving you free to focus on your studies, enjoy time with friends and make the most of the huge variety of opportunities.
- Each college has a unique character, but generally their facilities are similar. Each one, large or small, will have the following essential facilities:
- Porters’ lodge (a staffed entrance and reception)
- Dining hall
- Lending library (often open 24/7 in term time)
- Student accommodation
- Tutors’ teaching rooms
- Chapel and/or music rooms
- Laundry
- Green spaces
- Common room (known as the JCR).
- All first-year students are offered college accommodation either on the main site of their college or in a nearby college annexe. This means that your neighbours will also be ‘freshers’ and new to life at Oxford. This accommodation is guaranteed, so you don’t need to worry about finding somewhere to live after accepting a place here, all of this is organised for you before you arrive.
- All colleges offer at least one further year of accommodation and some offer it for the entire duration of your degree. You may choose to take up the option to live in your college for the whole of your time at Oxford, or you might decide to arrange your own accommodation after your first year – perhaps because you want to live with friends from other colleges.
- While college academic tutors primarily support your academic development, you can also ask their advice on other things. Lots of other college staff including welfare officers help students settle in and are available to offer guidance on practical or health matters. Current students also actively support students in earlier years, sometimes as part of a college ‘family’ or as peer supporters trained by the University’s Counselling Service.
FIND OUT MORE
Our 2025 undergraduate Open Days will be held on 2 and 3 July and 19 September.
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RELATED PAGES
Feel inspired?
Why not have a look at the suggested reading lists for prospective students?
The best introduction to Economics is to read the economics and business pages of newspapers. Tim Harford’s Undercover Economist and Paul Krugman’s The Accidental Theorist are also recommended.
