BSc (Hons) in Economics

Why study this course?

Our Economics degree allows you to explore debates on economic growth, sustainability, banking and financial crises, and prepare for your career with a work placement. You'll learn from international economists, recognised for their research, and staff who are expert advisers to major financial institutions.

Our economics courses are ranked seventh in the UK for student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide 2023.

Exploring current thinking on world economic growth, the course examines the development and sustainability of the international economy. This includes the world of finance, as well as patterns of international trade and global inequality. The course also covers macroeconomics and microeconomics, as well as everyday economics issues such as work and profit, income and saving, congestion, unemployment, inflation and exchange rates.

You'll have the opportunity to undertake a work placement as a credited part of your course and to study in other European countries or the US.

Many of our staff have worked as advisers to organisations such as the European Commission, the UK Treasury, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and the UK and Italian governments.

We will encourage you to research, reason, question, debate and reach your own conclusions. With your strong training, combined with opportunities to specialise in areas such as finance or international business, you'll become proficient in your field, and gain skills required by employers such as networking, presenting, team working and time management.

Students come from all parts of the UK and from over 70 countries. As such, you will have opportunities to exchange ideas, build lasting friendships and develop global networks.

The course helps you to develop your talent, prepare for high-level employment and build a successful career at the very top of your field. We can help you search and apply for short and long-accredited work placements and posts in a variety of organisations.

This course received a 100% overall student satisfaction rate in the 2018 National Student Survey.

Modular structure

The modules listed below are for the academic year 2022/23 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.

Year 1 modules include:

• Business Law and Ethics (core, 15 credits)
• Data Science, Research and Analysis (core, 15 credits)
• Introduction to Financial Markets and Institutions (core, 15 credits)
• Management Accounting Fundamentals (core, 15 credits)
• Principles of Macroeconomics (core, 15 credits)
• Principles of Microeconomics (core, 15 credits)
• Understanding and Managing Data (core, 15 credits)
• Understanding the Business and Economic Environment (core, 15 credits)

Year 2 modules include:

• Applied Macroeconomics (core, 15 credits)
• Applied Microeconomics (core, 15 credits)
• Labour Economics (core, 15 credits)
• Principles of Econometrics (core, 15 credits)
• Principles of Finance (core, 15 credits)
• Problem Solving: Methods and Analysis (core, 15 credits)
• Creating a Winning Business 1 (alternative core, 15 credits)
• Learning through Work (alternative core, 15 credits)
• Developing Inclusive Organisations (option, 15 credits)
• Investment (option, 15 credits)
• Sustainability, Business and Responsibility (option, 15 credits)

Year 3 modules include:

• Development Economics (core, 15 credits)
• Dissertation (core, 30 credits)
• Financial and Economic Modelling (core, 15 credits)
• International Trade and Finance (core, 15 credits)
• Issues in Labour Markets (core, 15 credits)
• Financial Instruments (option, 15 credits)
• International Banking (option, 15 credits)
• Personal Finance (option, 15 credits)
• Practising Business Strategy (with simulation) (option, 15 credits)
• Professional Experience Year Placement (option, 30 credits)

Where this course can take you

Economics graduates are among the highest paid and a degree in economics can give your career a major head start.

Our graduates pursue diverse career routes, including jobs in banking and finance, international corporations, management, government, consultancy and research. Others progress to postgraduate study at leading universities around the world.