The implementation of a unified national system of non-degree courses in business administration, the Business Economic Council (BEC) courses, replaced the ordinary national diploma and certificate courses in business administration in British colleges in the 1970's. Widespread faculty concern that these new courses have not been providing adequate economics education is examined in this study. A total of 132 BEC national level students at 3 colleges completed a questionnaire and took the Test of Economic Comprehension, covering microeconomics, macroeconomics, and trade and comparative systems. The test was administered as a pretest before the students major economic coursework and again after completion of the courses. The results tended to reinforce faculty concerns. Only 1 of 3 sample groups registered a significant increase in ability, and then only in microeconomics and trade and comparative systems. Findings also indicated a correlation between previous economic knowledge and learning achievement. While the BEC program has encouraged teachers to assess their instruction, it seems clear that the program has not met its goals of developing students' economic knowledge and understanding. A student questionnaire and bibliography are included. (LP)