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CONTENTS

1. What’s Economics?

2. What Economics degrees can you study?

3. What do you need to get onto an Economics degree?

4. What topics does an Economics degree cover?

5. How will you be assessed?

6. Why study Economics?

7. What do Economics graduates earn?

8. What jobs can you get as an Economics graduate?

9. What are the postgraduate opportunities?

10. Similar subjects to Economics

11. Have any questions?

What’s Economics?

Economics is not the study of how to make money. Economics is a social science that looks at what factors impact the production and distribution of goods and services. It's relevant in a consumer, capitalist society.

A degree in Economics examines all levels – from individual companies to countries. You could study areas like productivity, profit, inflation and recession. You'll also take into consideration newer models, like the doughnut economy.

Take a look at the university league table for Economics.

What Economics degrees can you study?

Economics BA/BSc

You’ll come across BA (Bachelor of Arts) and BSc (Bachelor of Science) undergraduate degrees in Economics. The BA has a more liberal arts focus, whereas the BSc has a more scientific and technical foundation.

Search for Economics courses.

Business Economics and Finance BSc

Gain skills in analysing economic and financial information within business contexts. You’ll learn about economic policy, quantitative methods, corporate finance, and much more.

Find Economics and Finance courses.

Economics and Politics BA

This degree will teach you about how economics and politics impact each other on a global scale. You could be learning how to analyse public policy, and looking at how international relations affect a country’s economy, for example.

Search for Economics and Politics courses.

Other options

Examples of more joint honours course combinations:

• French and Economics BA
• Economics and Accounting BSc
• Economics and Philosophy BA

Many courses include a professional placement or a study abroad year. Some will offer an integrated foundation year or master’s.

What do you need to get onto an Economics degree?

Most undergraduate Economics courses ask for 96–160 UCAS points. Not every university will base its offer on UCAS points. Some courses may have lower or higher requirements. Qualifications may include:

• A Levels: A*A*A–CCC
• BTECs: D*D*D*–MMM
• Scottish Highers: AAAAA–BBBB (Advanced Highers: AAB–AA)
• International Baccalaureate: 42–26
• Universities will usually ask that you have studied: maths at A Level (or equivalent)

Other good subjects to have studied include:

• Further maths or economics
• General studies and critical thinking A Levels may be excluded from offers

Experience that would look good on your application:

• Work experience or shadowing in a related area. Such as an accountant, bank, business development department in a council, or social enterprise
• Reading books about the subject, or media like The Economist, Financial Times or business news sources
• Listening to talks or podcasts such as those produced by the Society of Professional Economists
• Entering essay competitions run by the Royal Economic Society, Adam Smith Institute, Bank of England or others
• If eligible, summer schools run by the Sutton Trust or UNIQ

Other requirements for this subject include:

• A Pass in the practical element of science, if taken at A Level
• Interview and entry assessments may be required by some universities

What topics does an Economics degree cover?

Typical modules for courses in this subject include:

• Econometrics
• Economic development and growth
• Elementary statistical theory
• Environmental economics
• International political economy
• Macroeconomics
• Mathematical methods for economists
• Microeconomics
• Principles of finance
• Quantitative methods
• The world economy: history and theory

Read about some of the most influential economists.

How will you be assessed?

Courses are assessed in a variety of ways, depending on the module, and may include:

• Essays
• Exams
• Group projects
• Coursework
• Presentations
• Project work

Why study Economics?

Economics affects nearly all aspects of our lives. It's a broad subject area that equips you with the skills needed in a large variety of sectors and professions.

Career-specific skills:

• Dealing with facts and figures that change daily will develop strong critical and analytical thinking skills
• Strong understanding of economic theory, including micro and macroeconomics
• Data analysis and modelling, and use of quantitative methods
• Experience of trading rooms on some degrees

Transferable skills:

• Commercial awareness
• Communication
• IT literacy
• Logical reasoning
• Numerical and statistical skills
• Problem solving
• Strategic planning
• Time management

Professional accreditation:

Degrees may be accredited by a range of professional accountancy bodies, which leads to exemptions from some professional exams. The most common bodies are:

• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
• Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)

Some degrees may be accredited or endorsed by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). This will provide a pathway toward Chartered Manager status, and possibly a dual CMI Level 5 qualification.

I have always enjoyed maths, but I wanted to do a degree which enabled me to maintain my writing skills as well as my numerical skills. Economics seemed like the perfect fit – it’s a good balance of essay writing and mathematical work.

Holly, University of Durham

My enthusiasm for economics has mainly derived from how economics – its workings, implications and results – influences our everyday decisions, and how it is involved in almost every aspect of society.

Learning and understanding the theory of economics has always interested me, but its application and relevance is what really enticed me.

Lisa, University of Nottingham

What do Economics graduates earn?

Starting salaries for Economics graduates are between £18,000–£29,700.

You could join the competitive Government Economic Fast Stream and be paid £28,000–£32,000 while you train. After promotion, you could earn up to £55,000. Average salaries for an experienced economist are around £85,000 – or more, particularly for those in the financial services sector.

Work in economic development for a local government and you could earn from £28,000–£59,500, depending on your seniority.

What jobs can you get as an Economics graduate?

An Economics degree could lead to work in government, financial markets or even forensic accountancy.

• Accountant
• Actuary
• Data analyst
• Economist
• Government policy advisor
• Investment banker
• Management consultant
• Quantity surveyor
• Risk analyst
• Statistician
• Tax consultant

What are the postgraduate opportunities?

You may need a first degree that includes an element of Economics before you can further your studies at postgraduate level. Examples of taught master’s and postgrad research degrees include:

• Behavioural and Economic Science MSc
• Economics for Development MSc
• Economics and Econometrics MSc
• Economics MSc/MPhil/PhD
• Public Economics MSc

Similar subjects to Economics

If you’re interested in the workings of society or simply love figures, you could also consider:

• Accounting & Finance
• Mathematics
• Politics
• Social Policy
• Sociology
• Statistics

Search for undergraduate Economics courses now!

Have any questions?

Get in touch with our experts by emailing ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk with your question about studying Economics. We’ll be happy to hear from you!