BSC ECONOMICS

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Qualification
Bachelor Of Science Degree
CAO Points
422
CAO/MU Apply code
MH415
Award Type and NFQ level
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE (8)
Study Mode
Full time
Closing Date
01 February 2027
Jump to
CAO Hub

Overview

This is the first integrated BSc/MSc degree in Economics in Ireland, resulting in a BSc degree after three years or an MSc degree after four years. This degree suits students who enjoy Maths and want to apply their analytical ability to pressing socioeconomic challenges such as poverty, housing, cost of living pressures, financial instability, gender and racial inequality and the effects of climate change. After second year, you will have the option to add a year-long accredited placement in Ireland or abroad to your degree.

As a BSc Economics student, you will learn how to:

  • take a rigorous, evidence-based approach to designing policies that address key economic and social problems
  • do independent research from first year - developing your capacity for critical thinking and problem solving
  • analyse data - data analysis skills are developed steadily over the course of the degree

Throughout the degree, students take modules from a variety of disciplines such as sociology, geography, law and statistics. This allows you to develop alternative perspectives on societal issues. Students benefit from a personal academic advisor mentor who guides them throughout their studies.

Transfer option into this degree from the Bachelor of Arts Degree MH101 - subject to meeting requirements.

Course structure

Duration: 3 years or 4 years (Erasmus/Study Abroad)

First year

  • 30 credits of Economics
  • You will take two 15-credit subjects (typically two modules in each subject) outside of Economics - at most one from each group. Choose your two subjects (one of which may be Critical Skills) from Subject Groups 1, 3 (excluding Mathematical Studies) or 5. Maximum one subject per Subject Group

Second year

  • 60 credits of Economics including 40 required credits and a range of optional modules
  • “BSc Team Project” (5 credits included in required modules)
  • Optional work placement after second year - you will have the option to add a year-long accredited placement in Ireland or abroad to your degree. The University will support you in the search for a placement job; however, the process is competitive.
  • Optional Erasmus/Study Abroad after second year.

Third year

  • 50 credits of Economics including 15 required credits and a range of optional modules
  • 10 credits: year-long BSc Economics Thesis

Following third year, from BSc Economics, students can automatically continue with the MSc Economics Programme should they perform at the required level i.e. 55% overall in the BSc degree. This results in a MSc degree after four years.

Disclaimer
The modules below are indicative of the content associated with this course of study.
The modules are subject to change as the curriculum is revised and reviewed annually.
Important: The information on this page is for prospective students, MU current students and staff should use Programme Directory.

Year 1

EC1F30 - Economics

Credits: 30  |  Compulsory

Economics modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EC206

5

2

Y

EC112

2.5

1

Y

EC216

5

2

Y

EC205

5

1

Y

EC108

5

2

Y

EC101

7.5

1

Y

CS1V30 - Computer Science

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

Computer Science modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

CS192

7.5

2

N

CS181

7.5

1

Y

CS182

7.5

2

Y

CS191

7.5

1

N

EN1V30 - English

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

English modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EN106

7.5

1

N

EN107

7.5

2

N

EN101

7.5

1

Y

EN102

7.5

2

Y

GY1V30 - Geography

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

Geography modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

GY161

7.5

1

N

GY162

7.5

2

N

GY151

7.5

1

N

GY152

7.5

2

N

GN1F30 - German For Beginners

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

German For Beginners modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

GN151

15

1

Y

GN152

15

2

Y

GN1F15 - German For Non-Beginners

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

German For Non-Beginners modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

GN181

7.5

1

Y

GN182

7.5

2

Y

KD1V30 - International Development

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

International Development modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

KD156

7.5

2

Y

KD158

7.5

2

N

KD159

7.5

1

N

KD157

7.5

1

Y

LW1V30 - Law

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

Law modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

LW158

5

2

N

LW152

5

1

N

LW157

5

2

Y

LW155

2.5

1

Y

LW156

2.5

2

Y

LW153

2.5

1

N

LW151

5

1

Y

LW177

2.5

2

N

MT1F30 - Mathematics (Pure)

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

Mathematics (Pure) modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

MT244P

7.5

2

Y

MT233P

7.5

1

Y

MT236P

7.5

2

Y

MT261P

7.5

1

Y

MU1V30 - Music

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

Music modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

MU102A

5

1

Y

MU101A

2.5

1

Y

MU101B

2.5

2

Y

MU153

7.5

1

N

MU154

7.5

2

N

MU102B

5

2

Y

PH1F15 - Philosophy

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Philosophy modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

PH157

7.5

2

Y

PH156

7.5

1

Y

SO1F15 - Sociology

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Sociology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SO156

7.5

2

Y

SO152

7.5

1

Y

SPA1F30 - Spanish For Beginners

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

Spanish For Beginners modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SPA151

15

1

Y

SPA152

15

2

Y

SPA1F15 - Spanish For Non-Beginners

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Spanish For Non-Beginners modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SPA181

7.5

1

Y

SPA182

7.5

2

Y

ML1SK - Language And Culture

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Language And Culture modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

CN171

7.5

1

N

CN172

7.5

2

N

FR171

7.5

1

N

FR172

7.5

2

N

GN171

7.5

1

N

GN172

7.5

2

N

SPA171

7.5

1

N

SPA172

7.5

2

N

SK1US2 - Universal Critical Skills

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Universal Critical Skills modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SK105X

7.5

2

N

SK105Y

7.5

2

N

SK1USK - Universal Critical Skills

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Universal Critical Skills modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SK1051

7.5

1

N

SK1061

7.5

2

N

SK3USK - Universal Critical Skills

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Universal Critical Skills modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SK1053

7.5

1

N

SK1063

7.5

2

N

SK5USK - Universal Critical Skills

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Universal Critical Skills modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SK1055

7.5

1

N

SK1065

7.5

2

N

Year 2

EC2ESM - Economics

Credits: 60  |  Compulsory

Economics modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EC305

5

2

Y

FN205

5

1

Y

FN206

5

2

N

EC306

5

1

Y

EC212

5

1

Y

HY294

5

2

N

KD201

5

2

N

EC229

5

1

N

EC230

5

1

N

EC202A

5

2

Y

EC201

5

1

Y

HY219

5

2

N

PO315

5

2

N

MT212A

5

2

N

EC211

5

2

N

EC214

5

2

N

ST203

5

1

Y

PO304

5

1

N

PO213

5

2

N

EC222

5

1

N

Year 3

EC3ESM - Economics

Credits: 60  |  Compulsory

Economics modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EC302

5

2

Y

EC301

5

1

Y

EC309

5

2

Y

EC334

5

2

N

EC322

10

Year-Long

Y

FN206

5

2

N

ST201

5

1

N

PH221

5

2

N

GY221

5

2

N

EC319A

5

1

N

EC327

5

2

N

EC311

5

2

N

EC317

5

1

N

SO223A

5

2

N

HY294

5

2

N

MT371A

5

1

N

FN310

5

1

N

GY304B

5

2

N

GY321

5

1

N

KD201

5

2

N

EC333

5

2

N

EC318

5

2

N

FN305

5

1

N

HY219

5

2

N

PO315

5

2

N

MT212A

5

2

N

PH202

5

2

N

MT301C

5

2

N

PO304

5

1

N

ST404

5

2

N

FN316

5

2

N

EC222

5

1

N

After Graduation

According to Forbes, economics graduates earn very competitive salaries on average compared to most other fields. PayScale reports significant wage growth over the first ten years of a career, nearly doubling entry-level salaries.

This degree was developed in response to demand from employers in all sectors – from government to financial services to retail firms – who have a growing need for economists who can analyse and interpret data.

BSc Economics graduates have the tools to become key players in business and in public policy and enjoy wide career choices including:

  • consultant
  • fund manager
  • investment banker
  • urban planner
  • journalist
  • teacher
  • policy maker

Students are entitled to automatically progress to the MSc Economics if they choose. This will provide the additional option of working as a professional economist in, for example

  • economic consultancies
  • policy institutes
  • the Central Bank
  • various government departments

Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate Applicants

Required to present 2H5 & 4O6/H7, Irish, English & O1/H5 Mathematics.

Leaving Certificate Economics IS NOT REQUIRED to study MH415.

DARE

Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is an alternative entry route to third level education for school-leavers whose disability affected their second level education.

HEAR

The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a pathway to third level education for school-leavers from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Contact the Access Office for more information on these access routes.

This table displays the requirements for Leaving Certificate applicants.

Entry requirements table

Subject

Required

Ordinary Level Grade

Higher Level Grade

Irish

Yes

O6

H7

English

Yes

O6

H7

Language

No

N/A

N/A

Mathematics

Yes

O1

H5

Science

No

N/A

N/A

* This course requires 3 additional subjects.

  1. EU / EFTA Applicants - Further information can be found by navigating to our EU/EFTA applicant information page.
  2. International Applicants - International (Non-EU) applicants for undergraduate programmes submit their application online via our online application portal. Applications open on 14th October 2026 and close on 1st July 2027. For further information, please navigate to our International applicant page.

Mature applicants are assessed separately to school-leavers. Mature applicants are 23 years or older by 1 January in the year of entry.

For part-time degrees the mature age is 21.

Visit our mature applicant information page - tab 3 on this page outlines application steps for this degree.

Mature applicants who have a disability

If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia) and require support for any required written exercise/interview/online video audition which may form part of your application assessment, you must complete an online request form and submit supporting documentation by 15 March 2027. Applications for alternative examination accommodation cannot be considered after this deadline.

Visit the Access Office for more information on available supports and required documentation.

Mature applicant deadline: 01 February 2027

Leaving Certificate Economics IS NOT REQUIRED to study MH415.

How to apply

Apply online to the CAO (Central Applications Office)

The application process depends on the type of applicant you are.

Categories of applicant:

  • School-leavers (Leaving Certificate students)
  • Mature students (23 years or older by 1 January in the year of entry/21 years if part-time)
  • EU/EFTA/UK students
  • International students (outside the EU)
  • QQI (Further Education) students
  • Transferring students
  • Deferring students

Learn more about undergraduate applications and access routes.

Got a question about this course?

Maynooth University Department of Economics
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/economics

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