MA Hons in Economics and Business Management

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Heriot Watt University Edinburgh

Program Overview

The MA (Hons) in Economics and Business Management at Heriot-Watt University is designed for students who want to understand how economic thinking shapes real business decisions. It’s an ideal choice if you’re interested in how markets work, how organisations grow, and how data and strategy come together in today’s global economy.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
You’ll build strong foundations in both disciplines, exploring Introduction to Economics, Business Management, and Quantitative Methods. This year helps you understand core economic principles while developing essential business awareness and study skills.

Year 2:
The focus shifts to applying theory in practical contexts through modules such as Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and Marketing. You’ll start analysing real-world business problems while strengthening your analytical and decision-making abilities.

Year 3:
In this year, learning becomes more advanced and applied, with subjects like International Economics, Corporate Finance, and Organisational Behaviour. You’ll explore how businesses operate across borders and how economic policies influence strategic management.

Year 4:
Your final year allows you to specialise and think critically through advanced modules such as Applied Economic Analysis, Strategic Management, and an independent Honours Project. This is where you bring together economics and business management to tackle complex, real-world challenges.

Focus Areas

Economics and markets, business strategy, finance and management, global trade and policy, data-driven decision-making

Learning Outcomes

Strong economic and business analysis skills, confident problem-solving and strategic thinking, ability to interpret data and market trends, readiness for professional and postgraduate pathways

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Aligned with industry-relevant economic and business frameworks, ensuring graduates develop skills valued by employers across finance, consulting, and management sectors

Reputation (Employability)

Graduates benefit from the university’s strong reputation for producing career-ready professionals, with excellent outcomes in business, finance, and economics-related roles across the UK and internationally

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Heriot-Watt University, the MA (Hons) in Economics and Business Management is built around hands-on learning that connects theory directly to how businesses and economies work in practice. From the early years, you’ll work with real data, applied case studies, and collaborative projects that mirror professional environments, helping you build confidence, practical insight, and workplace-ready skills.

As your studies progress, this practical approach is strengthened through structured activities and specialist facilities, ensuring you graduate with experience that goes well beyond the classroom, including:

Applied economics and business projects, where you work in groups to analyse real-world economic issues and business challenges
Use of industry-standard economic and statistical software to analyse data, interpret trends, and support evidence-based decision-making
Case-study–driven learning in management, strategy, and finance, reflecting real organisational scenarios
Access to the University Library and digital learning resources, offering specialist economics, finance, and business databases
Opportunities to engage with research-informed teaching from academic staff involved in applied economics and business research
Career-focused skills development, including presentations, reports, and problem-solving tasks designed to reflect professional practice
Optional opportunities for work-related learning and internships, supporting employability and real-world exposure alongside academic study

Together, these experiences ensure you don’t just understand economics and business management—you learn how to apply them confidently in real professional settings.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the MA (Hons) in Economics and Business Management from Heriot-Watt University move into a wide range of careers where analytical thinking and business insight are highly valued. The degree prepares students for roles such as Business Analyst, Economic Analyst, Financial Analyst, and Management Consultant, with skills that are transferable across industries and international markets.

This strong employability is supported through focused career development and professional exposure, including:

Dedicated Careers Service, offering one-to-one career guidance, CV support, interview preparation, and employer-led workshops
Consistently strong graduate employment outcomes, with many students progressing directly into professional roles or graduate schemes in business, finance, and economics
Industry-linked teaching and applied projects, shaped by real-world economic and business practices
A degree structure aligned with professional and employer expectations, helping graduates stand out in competitive job markets
Graduates progressing into roles across banking, consultancy, public policy, corporate management, and international business

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this programme, students can choose to continue their academic journey through postgraduate study in economics, finance, international business, or management, or move into specialist master’s programmes and research-led pathways, depending on their career goals.