Economics - Applied Economics
The BSc Applied Economics is a degree in Economics with a difference. It is a 4 year degree combining the study and application of Economics with personal, professional development and the opportunity to go on work placement or study abroad.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 years full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Certificate entry requirements:
At Least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H5 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish. Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:
English O6/H7
Irish O6/H7
Maths O6/H7
Other Language O6/H7
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme LCVP
Distinction 66 points
Merit 46 points
Pass 28 points
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Careers / Further progression
Skills and Careers Information
The following work-based competencies are specifically targeted to improve your employability:
problem-solving and analytical skills
critical reasoning skills
communication and presentation skills
numeracy and IT skills
group work/leadership skills
planning and organizational skills
Graduates with Economics have traditionally gone into a wide variety of careers such as:
economic consultancy
data analyst
junior economist
project management
advisory services
accountancy
marketing
banking
postgraduate, doctoral and professional training
The capability to be reflective, self-aware, creative and to develop yourself is in keeping with the need today for self-motivated and independent graduates able to change and adapt throughout their working lives.
Further information
September 2026
Approximate Available Places 3
Find out about the mature entry requirements at https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/entryreqs/matureapplicants/
Approximate Available Places Overall 35
Entry 2026
Early online application (discounted): Fee €35 Closing Date: 20 January 2026 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €50 Closing Date: 1 February 2026 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: €65 Closing Date: 1 May 2026 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2026 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2026. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2026, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2026 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €65 applies.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
Course Outline
The BSc Applied Economics is a degree in Economics with a difference. It is a 4 year degree combining the study and application of Economics with personal, professional development and the opportunity to go on work placement or study abroad.
Economics is the study of people in the ordinary business of life. It is about the choices and decisions that we make and the consequence of these decisions. The focus of the BSc Applied Economics is on using Economics and the economic way of thinking to develop your understanding of the world around us. You are invited to develop your ideas and are supported to be curious, open-minded, creative, critical, collaborative and reflective. Students’ ability to formulate questions, research, problem-solve and communicate to diverse audiences – all essential attributes for employability - is embedded throughout the programme.
With over 40 faculty and associated staff the Department of Economics in UCC has a leading reputation for research in Applied Economics. The dynamic research environment focuses on a range of topics critical to our understanding of the modern world including Environmental Economics and Sustainability, Financial Economics, Health Economics, Regional and Urban Economics and Sports Economics. Our faculty members have received numerous teaching awards and hold a variety of qualifications in teaching and learning in higher education. The Department prides itself on having outstanding teachers of Economics, who will help you achieve your career goals.
Unique to the BSc Applied Economics is the emphasis on professional and personal development through the “Transition to Professional Life” modules supporting you in designing your future career plan. In Year 3 of the BSc Applied Economics you have the option to either go on a 6-month work placement (or complete a 6-month Economics project) or study at a university abroad for the academic year.
The goal of the BSc Applied Economics is to develop graduates to succeed in the 21st century workplace who:
- question, analyse and research issues in business, finance, government
- use economics as a way of thinking
- think independently and creatively
- are effective communicators and active team players
- are reflective and aware of their own capabilities and strengths and able to plan for their future careers.
Year 1
Core Modules (45 credits of Economics)
EC1113 Microeconomics: Cooperation in the Economic System (5 credits)
EC1114 Macroeconomics: Public Policy in the Economic System (5 credits)
EC1115 Microeconomics: Coordination and Individual Decision Making (5 credits)
EC1107 Reading Economists (5 credits)
EC1111 Economic Data Collection (5 credits)
EC1112 Economic Data as Evidence (5 credits)
EC1123 Writing for Economists (5 credits)
EC1124 Critical Reasoning Skills in Economics (5 credits)
EC1125 Transition to Professional Life I (5 credits)
Electives Modules 15 credits of another First Arts subject from Groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 6
Year 2
Recessions and Booms in Ireland and the International Economy; Money and Monetary Policy; Government Spending and Tax in Ireland and the International Economy; Economic Information and Uncertainty; Firms in a World of Uncertainty; Behavioural Economics; Economic Modelling of Decision Makers; Empirical Research Methods; Reasoning and Problem-Solving in Economics; Research in Economics; Transition to Professional Life II
Year 3
Debates in Economics; Professional Skills for Placement; Reflective Recruitment and Engagement Skills for Placement; Work Placement or Economics Research Project
Applied Economics Electives: Financial Strategy, Environmental Economics, The Economics of Sport, Health Economics, Economics of the Labour Market
Year 4
Creativity as a Developmental Resource; Economic Growth and Development in a Global Context; Contextualising the Modern Global Economy; Survey Design and Implementation; Empirical Econometrics; Honours Dissertation; Transition to Professional Life III;
Applied Economics Electives: International Cooperation, Financial Institutions and Markets, Regional and Urban Economics, Economic Evaluations, Capital Markets and Asset Valuations, Behavioural Economics in Labour Markets
Dr Ella Kavanagh
e.kavanagh@ucc.ie
+353 (0)21 490 2571
https://www.cubsucc.com
Daniel Blackshields
d.blackshields@ucc.ie