How to apply for economics at the University of Lincoln: BSc Economics (L100) asks for A Level BBC in any subjects and GCSE Maths grade 5, with IELTS 7.0 for international applicants and an optional placement or year abroad, for UK, international (including Chinese) and transfer applicants

The University of Lincoln is in the city of Lincoln in the east of England. Economics is taught in Lincoln Business School on the Brayford Pool campus. This guide covers 2027-28 entry using Lincoln's own website, for UK applicants, international applicants (including those from China) and transfer students.

1. Courses

The Accountancy, Finance and Economics subject page lists two undergraduate degrees: BSc (Hons) Accountancy and Finance and BSc (Hons) Economics. Accountancy and Finance is mentioned here only in passing.

• BSc (Hons) Economics (UCAS code L100): 3-4 years; you apply directly to this course.
• The pages do not list other economics variants such as Economics and Finance, Econometrics or Economics with Mathematics, and the course page does not mention a foundation year for economics. This is not given on the pages used for this guide; ask the admissions team.

Content: first-year core modules are Data Analytics and Decision Intelligence, Economic Principles for Business and Policy, Financial Markets and Investment, and Mathematical Reasoning for Economists. Year 2 core modules are Continuity and Change in Economics, Econometrics I, Intermediate Macroeconomics and Intermediate Microeconomics. Year 3 core modules are Advanced Economics and Econometrics II, with options including Applied Economic Analysis, Coding for Business, Economics and Finance, a Dissertation, Environmental Economics, International Economic Systems and Policy, and Labour and Development Economics (options depend on numbers and staffing). The course page describes Mathematical Reasoning for Economists as giving the mathematical tools for core economic theory; it does not say how strong your maths must be on entry beyond the GCSE requirement below. The page also mentions tools such as Excel, Stata, Bloomberg and Python, and the Lincoln Student Managed Investment Fund as an option.

Placement and time abroad: the course page says you may choose a Professional Practice Year between your second and final year, with a placement year fee that may apply and your own travel and living costs, and an optional LBS International Year Abroad module at a partner institution where you share classes with local students. The subject page also says many full-time undergraduates may be able to take a year-long placement or study at a partner institution.

2. Entry requirements (2027-28)

• 104-112 UCAS Tariff points from at least 2 A Levels or equivalent Level 3 qualifications; no A Level subjects are specified
• A Level: BBC
• BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM; T Level: Merit
• Access to HE Diploma: 45 Level 3 credits with at least 112 UCAS points
• IB: 29 points overall
• GCSE: at least three at grade 4 or above, including English and a grade 5 in Maths
• Contextual offers: one grade or 8 UCAS points lower

The course page does not require A Level Economics or A Level Maths, and does not mention an interview or admissions test. This is not given on the page used for this guide; check UCAS Hub after applying (Lincoln says some courses need a successful interview before an offer) and email admissions@lincoln.ac.uk. Other UK qualifications such as Scottish Highers are not listed on the course page; ask admissions.

3. International applicants and applicants from China

• English: the Economics course page asks for IELTS 7.0 overall with at least 6.5 in each element; if you fall short you may be able to take a Pre-sessional English course. This is higher than the 6.0 (5.5 in each element) on Lincoln's maths, physics and biology course pages. Other tests are listed on Lincoln's English language requirements page.
• Other qualifications: the course page points international applicants to Lincoln's country pages for equivalents.

Applicants from China: the China page lists any one of the following for entry to Year 1 of a bachelor's degree:

• the Gaokao with an average of at least 65%
• the Huikao with an average of at least 75%
• three years of senior high school with an average of at least 75%
• the first year of a Chinese bachelor's or diploma with an average of 70% or above
• a recognised International Foundation programme
• the IB with 27 to 34 points, or three A Levels

The page adds that requirements vary by programme and points to the course pages; the Economics page itself states IB 29. The China page gives no Gaokao maths score, and how the GCSE Maths grade 5 maps to Chinese qualifications is not stated; ask the International Admissions Team (intadmissions@lincoln.ac.uk).

4. How to apply and deadlines

• Full-time undergraduate applications go through UCAS, and applications for 2027 entry are open. You can choose up to five courses and need a personal statement and a reference.
• Lincoln's application page does not give the UCAS deadline for 2027 entry. The applicants page only mentions the 14 January 2026 deadline for the previous cycle, so check the date on the UCAS website.
• Track offers and interview invitations in UCAS Hub; offer holders are invited to an Offer Holder Day.
• International applicants can also apply through Lincoln's partner education agents.

5. Fees and scholarships

• Tuition fees: the fee section of the course page is loaded dynamically and the pages used for this guide show no 2027/28 figures for overseas or UK students. Check the Fees and Scholarships section of the course page and Lincoln's fees pages.
• Global Undergraduate Scholarship: for eligible international students starting in September 2027, a £2,000 tuition fee discount for each year of the programme. No application is needed; you are considered automatically if you meet the entry requirements and apply by 16 August 2027. It does not apply to a placement year or a year abroad; foundation-year students receive it when they move on to the next year.
• Advanced-entry students from China are not eligible for it, but may be eligible for the China Advanced Entry Undergraduate Scholarship (see the website for criteria).
• Lincoln describes the range of its international scholarships in two ways: "£1,000 up to 50% of tuition fees" on the China page and "£2,000 to 50%" on the international fees page.

6. Transfer and advanced entry

• The China page says that, depending on your background and course, you may be able to join Year 2 or Year 3 of a Lincoln bachelor's degree (advanced entry).
• Whether this is possible for economics, and which courses you must have taken, is not given on the pages used for this guide. Email intadmissions@lincoln.ac.uk.

7. Checklist by background

UK applicants: A Level BBC in any subjects, GCSE Maths grade 5 and English grade 4.

International applicants: IELTS 7.0 (6.5 in each element), IB 29; consider Pre-sessional English if short.

Applicants from China: a Gaokao average of 65% is the country page's general entry route; apply through UCAS, check the 2027 deadline on the UCAS website, and note the higher IELTS requirement.

Transfer students: ask the International Admissions Team first about Year 2 or Year 3 entry.

Sources: University of Lincoln, Accountancy, Finance and Economics subject page; BSc Economics; How to apply; Entry requirements for China; International fees and funding; Global Undergraduate Scholarship; Applicants and offer holders. Entry requirements are for 2027-28; check Lincoln and UCAS for the latest deadlines and fees.