Economics and International Development

We welcome applications from students studying for an Access to HE Diploma. Our economics programmes are academically challenging and require solid foundations of knowledge in mathematics. We will consider the applications of students whose applications indicate that they have studied a suitable level of mathematics (at least 12 units of Level 3 maths) to be able to succeed on our programmes. However, due to the time-limited nature of Access programme delivery, it is expected that you will have also completed a significant level of independent study in order to further develop and refine these mathematical skills.

Please see the lists of preferred subjects and subject combinations in the A Level section above, for an indication of the type of units that should be studied alongside maths, as suitable preparation for these programmes.

If your application indicates that you may be suitable for our programmes, you will be invited to attend an interview at the university. During this interview, you will be asked about your motivation to study an economics programme at Bath, and you will be asked to work through a variety of programme-relevant mathematics problems. Applicants who are able to demonstrate the necessary skills and knowledge will be considered for an offer for a place at Bath.

Typical offer:

Pass the Access to HE Diploma, with at least 39 credits achieved from units awarded at Distinction. This must include 12 credits from mathematics units awarded at Distinction. Applicants must also achieve GCSE equivalence in English, if an equivalent qualification has not already been achieved.

BTEC Level 3 qualifications are acceptable alongside two A-levels at grade A: one of which must be Mathematics. You will need to achieve a Distinction grade in all units from these qualifications.

Typical Offer: D2, D3, D3 to include Mathematics.

Please see A Level section for details of preferred and less preferred subjects and subject combinations.

Typical Offer: An overall score of 82%

82% in 5 period Mathematics.

For students studying the Baccalauréat Général, we will typically make an offer of 15 (‘mention bien') out of 20. As part of this offer, we will also require you to achieve a grade of 15 in Mathematics. Students achieving 14 in English as a foreign language will be exempt from the need to have an additional English language qualification, such as IELTS or TOEFL.

Students taking the optional Option Internationale du Baccalauréat will be required to obtain an overall score of 14.5, with a grade of 14.5 in Mathematics. No further English language requirements are required if a grade of 14 is achieved in English as a foreign language.

Grade of 1.2 overall required. You will need a grade of at least 13 in Mathematics. If you achieve a grade of 12 in English as a foreign language you will be exempt from the need to have an additional English language qualification, such as IELTS or TOEFL.

Typical offer of ABB from 3 Hong Kong A-levels. Mathematics is required at grade B. (HK A levels are norm-referenced so grades do not equate directly with UK A-levels. This means that, for maths and science subjects in particular, a grade B at HKAL would be equivalent to grade A at UKAL, for example.) You will be exempt from the need to have an additional English language qualification, if you achieve Grade C or above in Hong Kong Examinations Authority Advanced Use of English or Grade B or above in Hong Kong Certificate of Education English Language (Syllabus B).

From Indian Year XII you should take at least 5 subjects (CBSE, CICSE or equivalent), including Mathematics.  An overall minimum score of 85% is required to include at least 85% in Mathematics and 80% in English.  No other English qualification is required if 80% in English is achieved (alternatively see English language requirements below).

Typical Offer: 38 points with grades of 7, 6 and 6 in a combination of 3 subjects at Higher Level

Mathematics at Higher Level is preferred, but applicants with Mathematics (not Mathematical Studies) at Standard level at grade 7 will be considered.

Preference will be given to students taking second and third subjects at HL from the following : Economics; Business & Management; Physics; Chemistry; Biology; Geography; Psychology; Sociology; History; Philosophy; Classical Greek; Islamic History; Information Technology for a Global Society; Social and Cultural Anthropology; Modern Languages.

We accept a wide range of non-UK qualifications as entry either to our Foundation Year or directly on to the first year of our undergraduate programmes. For further information please visit our International Office web page.

English Language Qualifications:

All applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English language proficiency in order to study Economics. The minimum requirement is IELTS: grade 7.0, with 7.0 in writing and with no mark less than 6.5 in any of the other elements. Applicants should submit their results by 31st July.

For a list of other English language qualfications we accept please go to the English Language Entry Requirements web page

Typical Offer: AAAAAB at higher level with an A in Mathematics

Attending a Liceo scientifico you will need to achieve an overall mark of 95% from the Diploma di Esame di Stato, with a grade of 95% in Mathematics.

Minimum of 8 in all subjects from Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO), including Mathematics (A(1,2)) and English. Economics or Business Studies are considered to be useful for our programmes.

Typical Offer: AAAAA at Higher level and AA at Advanced Higher level, which must include Mathematics. See A level entry requirements for preferred subjects.

An ACT score of at least 30 out of 36 OR 675 in the Writing and Maths Papers. 

AND At least three appropriate subjects at Grade 4. (One of which must be AP CalculusBC. APs in microeconomics and macroeconomics are also considered desirable.)

OR Three or four appropriate subjects in SAT 2 Tests with at least 650 in each.

Typical Offer: Grades A*AA in Mathematics at GCE A-Level or AAA AND a Pass in the Welsh Baccalaureate Core is required.


We welcome applicants offering the Welsh Bacc Core alongside A levels; we are aware of the range of skills and qualities which it develops and of the additional work which it demands. Please see the A level entry for subject combination details.