Warwick welcomes first cohort to Economics and Management degree

If the new BSc in Economics and Management degree traced the geographic diversity of its first intake, it would be taking a journey across the world – from the Gothic spires of Britain and Europe to the vast steppes of central Asia and the innovation hubs of India.

And then it would proceed through China, Southeast Asia and Australia, before looping back through the dramatic terrains of Mauritius and Nigeria.

More than 100 undergraduates representing more than 20 nationalities have joined the inaugural year of this joint degree offered by the Department of Economics in partnership with Warwick Business School.

Over the next three or four years they will be taking their own journeys through a programme that combines theoretical economics with the practical skills needed for management in businesses and organisations.

“We are proud to welcome students from across the world to a programme that not only builds analytical and managerial expertise but also fosters the kind of cross-cultural understanding essential for leadership in a globalised economy,” Jeremy Smith, Professor of Economics and the Head of the Department of Economics, said.    

Mattie Toma, Associate Professor of Behavioural Science and WBS Course Director of the BSc Economics and Management, added: “It’s inspiring to see such a diverse cohort of students, embarking on a programme that itself thrives on the integration of diverse perspectives.

“This degree is not just about acquiring knowledge – it’s about preparing students to become agile thinkers and responsible leaders in a complex world.”

In today’s rapidly changing business environment, it is becoming increasingly important for managers to be equipped with the ability to perform economic policy analysis and to integrate broader economic issues into their general management thinking.

The BSc programme enables participants to develop a solid understanding of fundamental concepts of micro and macroeconomic analysis and provide them with a strong foundation in basic data analysis techniques and concepts of statistical analysis.

Isleide Zissimos, Director of Joint Degrees in the Department of Economics, said: “Economics sharpens the mind; management drives action. Together, they equip future leaders to make a difference in the world.”

Navigating the economic landscape

The interdisciplinary nature of the course will prepare students for a wide range of careers, including consulting, policy analysis, data analytics, business management, finance, technology, and civil service.  

Mark Johnson, Professor of Operations Management and Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programmes at Warwick Business School, said: “Our ongoing dialogue with employers has revealed a real need from businesses and organisations for graduates who can combine management skills with an understanding of economics and some of the tools needed to navigate the economic landscape.”

The BSc Economics and Management course draws on the research excellence of the University of Warwick’s renowned Department of Economics with that of the BSc Management degree at Warwick Business School, which are ranked respectively number one and number two in the UK in their fields by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026.

The Department of Economics has been ranked second in the UK by the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF) while the REF has rated 93 per cent of Warwick Business School’s research ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.

Teaching at WBS and the Department of Economics has also earned the UK Government's highest gold standard in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).

While students on the joint degree course will develop the analytic rigour of classic economics and core management competencies such as leadership, adaptability and critical thinking, the curriculum also offers flexibility though optional modules such as Behavioural Economics and Entrepreneurial Finance.

In the third year, students may opt for a work placement applying their skills and knowledge in a real work setting before returning to the University of Warwick for their final year.  

Graduates from WBS and the Department of Economics have gone on to work for global names like Goldman Sachs, Unilever, Amazon, Google, PwC and UK Government bodies such as the Department for Business and Trade.

“At Warwick Business School we are for the Change Makers, those restless to change the world for the better,” Professor Johnson said.

“This course will enable students to gain the skills and knowledge to have a positive impact with any career they choose to build.”