- Economics
BSc (Hons) — 2025 entry Economics
Our CIMA-accredited Economics degree combines detailed analysis of economic theory and its applications so that you can apply them to a range of real-world political and social issues. You'll develop the analytical and quantitative skills required for a wide range of careers in economics and beyond.
Why choose
this course?
Throughout your degree, you will build skills for constructing and communicating complex economic issues, enhancing your leadership and employability skills.
Our teaching is at the forefront of the field and is influenced by real policy questions brought to classrooms by research active academics. Many of our academic staff are advisers to governments and world-renowned organisations.
You’ll have the option to take one of our award-winning Professional Training placements that will prepare you to work as an economist.
Statistics
11th in the UK
For Business and Economics in the Times Higher Education World Subject Rankings 2024
6th in the UK
For research impact in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
12th in the UK
Surrey is ranked 12th in the Complete University Guide 2025
Accreditation
What you will study
On our BSc (Hons) Economics course, you’ll study the economic behaviour of individuals, firms and governments, which together make up our society. You’ll analyse in detail the separate activity of these components.
You’ll also study how they interact with one another, both at a national and at an international level.
You will develop a wide variety of specialist skills and examine a range of topical questions that are central to modern economies.
Professional recognition
BSc (Hons) - Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) for the purpose of exemption from some professional examinations through the Accredited degree accelerated route.
Foundation year
If you don’t meet our entry requirements, you might still be able to apply for this degree with a Business, Economics, Hospitality and Tourism Management Foundation Year. This is an extra year of study to develop your skills and make it easier for you to get started at university. On successful completion of your foundation year, you’ll be ready to progress to the first year of your degree.
To see what modules you’ll be studying, refer to the foundation tab in the 'Course structure' section.
The academic year is divided into two semesters of 15 weeks each. Each semester consists of a period of teaching, revision/directed learning and assessment.
The structure of our programmes follow clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes.
- Economics BSc (Hons)
- Economics BSc (Hons) with foundation year
- Economics BSc (Hons) with placement
- Economics BSc (Hons) with foundation year and placement
Please note: The full module listing for the optional Professional Training placement part of your course is available in the relevant programme specification.
Modules
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Modules are subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff.
Course options
Year 1 - BSc (Hons)
Semester 1
Compulsory
This module introduces students to core elements of economic theory which forms the basis of the Macro and Micro modules in the Semester 2 of first year. Understanding a number of concepts, like specialisation, markets, competition, rational behaviour and the structure of the economy are key learning outcomes from this module and prepare students for further study in Economics and related subjects.
View full module detailsThis module ensures that every student acquires the basic mathematical and statistical skills necessary for their subsequent modules, irrespective of their prior education. Students will learn to solve mathematical optimisation problems, which lie at the heart of every economic model. This module will provide students with techniques for maximising real-valued functions with one variable; functions with several variables will be covered in subsequent modules. Economic applications of the mathematical techniques are emphasised throughout.
View full module detailsThe module introduces a set of topics that are part of the contemporary economic discourse, and whose coverage supports and further expands on ECO1014’s teaching.
View full module detailsThe recent digital revolution has led to data gathering and usage in Economics at an unprecedented scale. Public policy and business become more data-driven than ever before. This module explores the data on which economics relies and forms fundamental analytical skills. The lectures are focused on understanding the data, while the laboratory sessions are focused on examination and visualization of the data using R and MS Excel.
View full module detailsSemester 2
Compulsory
This module introduces students to a range of mathematical techniques and concepts required for the effective study of economics. It demonstrates the role mathematics plays in the formulation of economic theory and subsequent analysis. The module builds on the mathematics students have studied in the first term of Level 4 and gives students the mathematical tools needed for the study of economics at Level 5 and 6.
View full module detailsThis module builds on the Introductory Economics module by extending the analyses of microeconomic concepts. In particular, it looks at the firm’s supply decision (involving cost and production), and the effect of market structure on the firm’s demand, studies labour markets and explains the constrained optimisation model of labour supply, introduces students to how to model risk and information problems, and covers aspects of welfare economics and market failure (with an application to the environment). The module uses maths from the Quantitative Methods and Maths for Economics modules to demonstrate the role maths can play in economic theory; and makes use of examples from empirical research, reports and news media to illustrate some of the concepts covered. By doing this, the module provides a firm foundation for more advanced microeconomics as the programme proceeds, and for optional modules that apply microeconomic principles.
View full module detailsIn this module we pose the 'big' questions about the economy, study the relevant data, build models that help explain what we observe, and evaluate these models.
View full module detailsThis module introduces students to core elements of probability and statistical inference. This enables students to begin undertaking empirical work. An emphasis in this module is on applications. The module also prepares students for further study in econometrics.
View full module detailsSemester 1 & 2
Compulsory
This module provides information, guidance and support for developing employability.
View full module detailsOptional modules for Year 1 - FHEQ Level 4
The following modules are taken in addition to all other modules and do not count towards progression of the final programme award
ECO1021
Year 2 - BSc (Hons)
Semester 1
Compulsory
The module builds on the first year microeconomics modules and serves as a foundation for subsequent study of microeconomic topics within the relevant degree programs such as consumer choice and game theory. The module uses some mathematical techniques (from the Level 4 Mathematics modules) and graphical analysis.
View full module detailsThis module provides students with the basic mechanics, both in terms of the theoretical background and the practical skills, for carrying out applied econometrics. Throughout there is an emphasis on understanding the assumptions of the methods so as to gain an appreciation of what such techniques can and cannot deliver. An important part of the course is the training in the use of the econometrics software package Stata. The module relies on the mathematics and statistics students have studied at Level 4, and lays the foundations for subsequent modules in econometrics at Level 5 and 6.
View full module detailsThe module is composed of three macro areas: 1) An introduction to linear algebra 2) An introduction to programming in Matlab and 3) Applications of 1) and 2) to finance and economics problems. In the first part of the course students develop an understanding of key concepts in linear algebra (vector, matrices, rank, determinants, system solutions, quadratic forms) while also learning the functioning of MATLAB and the associated syntax. In the second part of the course students learn how to apply the toolkit learnt in the first part of the course to real world finance and economics scenarios.
View full module detailsThe module progresses naturally from the macroeconomic models already encountered in first year Principles of Macroeconomics (ECO1019) to build intra-temporal and inter-temporal macroeconomic models from microeconomic principles to explore various macro topics, such as credit market, social security, banking, inflation and economic growth, and examines how macroeconomic policy influences economic performance. It serves as a foundation for Intermediate Macroeconomics 2 (ECO2046).
View full module detailsSemester 2
Compulsory
This module follows on from Introductory Econometrics and considers econometric theory and methods when Gauss Markov assumptions fail to hold. The first half introduces different examples of the endogeneity problem and their solutions. The second half of this module deals with stationary and nonstationary time series.
View full module detailsMacroeconomic policy and performance are fundamental to our daily lives. This course gives the students a systematic way of thinking about macroeconomic issues. The students will be able to derive macroeconomic models based on the behaviour of economics agents. The students will end up with a model that they could can use independently to understand macroeconomic behaviour and policy issues in the real world.
View full module detailsThis module will build on, and extend, what students have learned in previous microeconomics courses. We will continue to study how agents make optimising decisions, but here with a focus on how those decisions can be inefficient when there are market failures, as opposed to the perfectly competitive world that students have mostly studied before in, for example, the Microeconomics module in the previous semester. Some prominent real-world examples are environmental externalities, or the provision of public goods. We will also explore common mechanisms that have been developed to try and move decisions to more efficient outcomes; for example taxes, tradable permits, preference revelation mechanisms. We will study how societies, rather than individuals, can make collective decisions over resource allocations when preferences differ across the population – again, particularly relevant in the case of public goods. Some of the topics may have been touched on in level 4, but students will see how learning progresses by looking at topics in more detail and with more rigour. Paralleling this, the learning outcomes in this module will provide a basis upon which to build for some of level 6’s microeconomic-based modules.
View full module detailsOptional
This module teaches the basic content and methods of economic history. It provides an overview of key events and periods in global economic development, from the industrial revolution onwards. It also teaches the disciplines of reading and writing in academic style, how to conduct research based on literature review, and how to build an argument using both theory and evidence. We will cover institutional, monetary, demographic and technological explanations for development through examining a variety of different historical contexts from across the globe and throughout history.
View full module detailsFinancial and business history examines the evolution of the modern economy via theories of the firm. It covers organization, finance, management and entrepreneurship using a historical perspective to illuminate how these factors have changed over time. The content focuses on the role of technological and institutional changes in shaping the constraints and opportunities faced by firms, and how firms have adapted their strategies in response.
View full module detailsThe form of globalisation that has characterised the international system over the post-Cold War era, a phenomenon that both drives and is driven by international institutions, treaties and regimes, is seemingly reducing the capacity of nation-states to respond to pressures emanating from the international economic and security environment. Economic challenges, including the recent global recession, require intimate cross-border cooperation (at the regional and global level); climate change presents a threat that requires urgent global-cooperation (be it between local authorities and cities in different national contexts, or at the national level), and public health continues to have drastic impacts on economy, development, and wellbeing that reach beyond individual states. Furthermore, the end of the Cold War has ushered in a host of new security challenges that states are unable to tackle on an individual basis, from preventing and dealing with the consequences of state failure, international terrorism and crime, as well as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. A key question that the module will examine is the extent to which these challenges are leading to a shift away from an international system characterized by the notion of state sovereignty and the control of policy development and implementation by the central political authority of the nation-state, to a diffusion of power and competencies, both ‘horizontally’, to private actors such as NGOs and Transnational Corporations, and ‘vertically’, downwards to the regional level and upwards to international organisations. The module will critically assess the analytical leverage that can be attained to these questions through the application of diverse perspectives within IR theories, covering not only realist, liberal, and constructivist schools of thought, but also critical approaches such as Marxism and post-structuralism. It will also focus on approaches drawn from political science theory, notably the literatures on multi-level governance, public policy theories, and the ‘new’ institutionalism. In the course students will tackle a number of contemporary debates on international organisations that are central to public debate - the meaning and forms of international organisations, issues of authority, power and legitimacy; how states and non-state actors (particularly NGOs and business) have shaped the nature and scope of international cooperation and the effects that participation in international institutions upon policy-making, styles of governance and institutional configuration at the national and sub-national levels. We will also examine not only the role of hegemonic powers, in particular the impact of the United States over the post-war and post-Cold War eras, but also the implications of the rise of new powers such as China and India upon international organisations. The module will then examine relevant case studies: environmental governance; global health governance; the WTO and the governance of international trade; the IMF, World Bank and the governance of finance and development; the United Nations and security governance. The module will conclude by assessing the implications of the growth of international organisations for the role of the state as a national and international actor.
View full module detailsIn this module students will develop their knowledge and understanding of Political Ideologies, which form a key component of the study of political theory more broadly. The module starts with a brief definition of an inclusive model of ideology, which is the one most commonly adopted in political science. Subsequent lectures deal with a range of major ideological traditions, covering the political spectrum from extreme right to extreme left and taking account of recent developments which overflow traditional left/right borderlines, most notably due to the rise of populism. Specific emphasis is placed on the historical, social, and geographical context of the development of ideologies. Underlying the module is a concern for the condition of modernity, which serves as the backdrop for the genesis of current ideological frameworks. At a meta-level, the module critically assesses whether conditions of modernity still hold or whether these are being replaced by an increasingly reflexive form of modernity, liquid modernity, or even post-modernity. This raises wider questions about the continued applicability of the classic ideologies. In addition, the module offers insights, feedback, and assessment forms which cumulatively provide students with opportunities to engage in five key areas: employability, global and cultural capabilities, digital capabilities, sustainability, and resourcefulness and resilience.
View full module detailsSemester 1 & 2
Compulsory
This module helps students develop their employability through both reflection and practice, building on the skills developed in Employability I.
View full module detailsOptional modules for Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5
Students choose one optional module from the modules listed in Semester 2.
The following modules are taken in addition to all other modules and do not count towards progression of the final programme award
ECO2063
Year 3 - BSc (Hons)
Semester 1
Compulsory
This module looks at developments in microeconomic theory in relation to the role of information in the economy. It presents models of the basic contract theory and asymmetric information (moral hazard and adverse selection) as well as some of the applications of these models (e.g., insurance, labour market contracts). The module builds on the knowledge and skills the students have acquired in Levels 4 and 5 in terms of microeconomic theory, mathematical tools (algebra, calculus, constrained and unconstrained optimisation) and econometrics.
View full module detailsOptional
This module develops equilibrium concepts for static, dynamic, complete and incomplete information. These are applied to various aspects of economic importance: markets, bargaining, job-market signalling, expert advice and electoral competition. The module will advance students’ knowledge of microeconomics.
View full module detailsBy the end of the module students will have learnt how to carry out empirical analyses using appropriate econometric software to study economic and financial time series data; how to interpret the results of such analyses; and will have acquired an ability to critically assess empirical papers.
View full module detailsThe module broadly covers two parts. In the first part we concentrate on the theoretical foundations of international trade, i.e. address the questions “why do we trade” and “is trade good for us”. In the second part we focus on the policy instruments that are available to the designers of trade policy; our analysis involves issues related to the potential costs and/or benefits to a range of stakeholders of trade barriers, e.g. tariffs and quotas. We also investigate the issues of international trade agreements.
View full module detailsThis module introduces students to the field of behavioural economics which incorporates psychological evidence into economics. The standard approach in economics explains market outcomes and economic decision-making using theoretical models which usually assume that people are fully rational. Behavioural economics, on the other hand, seeks to increase the explanatory power of traditional models by considering a number of real life decision making situations where some standard rationality assumptions on preferences do not hold. This module builds mainly on the individual decision making models taught in microeconomics and financial economics modules in year 1 and year 2, identifies departures from these classical models, and use them as an inspiration to create alternative theories of decision making.
View full module detailsThe module examines the nature and behaviour of households in modern economies. It will use economic theory and empirical evidence to illuminate why families are organized as they are and how this has changed in recent years. This will encourage students to adopt a critical perspective on the patterns they see in society and in their personal life. Students will make use of the Microeconomic knowledge and Econometrics skills that they have developed in Level 5, applying them in a new context. The research focus of this module will serve as a good preparation for students taking the Economics Project (ECO3050) or planning to undertake further study.
View full module detailsThis module develops a theoretical and empirical framework to analyse the economics of the environment. Understanding sources of inefficient allocation of resources, and how it is linked to the most serious environmental problems observed in the contemporary world like climate change, examining the different remedial instruments available to correct these problems, evaluating different methods of valuing environmental amenities and understanding the basics of climate science and consequences are some of the key topics covered in this module. This will enable the students to have a well-rounded knowledge of theoretical models and a critical perspective which they can apply to analyse contemporary environmental issues and policies in place. This module will draw on students knowledge of Microeconomics from Level 5.
View full module detailsEconomics of Competition and Regulation Policy is a microeconomics course concerned with the performance of markets and the strategic behaviour of firms. The course draws on the fields of industrial organization and market design and focuses on imperfect competition, co-operation between firms, and common regulations such as anti-trust laws. This is a theory-based optional module for third year BSc students. The aim of the module is to provide a solid understanding of some of the core economic models of imperfect competition and to help students understand the challenges involved with designing and structuring markets.
View full module detailsThe module has the aim of introducing students to core concepts in the blockchain technology. Students will become familiar with applications of cryptography to financial transactions and the technicalities behind cryptocurrencies and their workings. Using case studies and simulations, students will be exposed to the use of software wallets and engage in blockchain and cryptocurrency related transactions.
View full module detailsThe module introduces the workings of financial and commodity derivatives markets and securities. Securities such as forwards, futures, swaps, CDOs and options have been traded on organised exchanges and/or ‘over the counter’, for decades. Financial markets are innovative and new derivative instruments are frequently introduced to facilitate risk-hedging or speculative investor operations. However, financial innovation can bring about its own significant risks, as the link between securitisation, CDOs and the credit crisis of 2007/08 showed. The emphasis of this module is on the pricing of derivative securities, their risks, as well as their use in professional settings, such as executive boards and derivative trading firms for hedging or investment purposes.
View full module detailsThe module analyzes the foundations of the nature of the labour markets, and the mechanisms governing their functioning and development during past and contemporary history. The students will be exposed to economic theory and empirical evidence to understand the aim, role and behaviour of workers, firms and governments within the labour markets. This will make students aware of the crucial importance of labour markets in the broader economy and society, as well as into the personal and professional development of the lives and careers of individual agents.
View full module detailsSemester 2
Compulsory
This module explores topics within macroeconomics around two themes: Economic growth and dynamic equilibrium modeling. The aim of the economic growth part of the module is to survey the main models which are currently used to describe the determinants of economic growth. This includes both exogenous and endogenous growth models. The module will also develop a micro-founded dynamic equilibrium model of the macro-economy by combining agents and firms which are forward-looking and rational. This allows students to understand the modern model of economic fluctuations that informs economists and policymakers; it will develop their thinking in a structured framework. The importance of rigorous arguments is highlighted and insights about fiscal and monetary policy are drawn.
View full module detailsOptional
Utilising the material taught across different principal subjects in Economics, this module provides a comprehensive introduction to theoretical and applied issues related to the global banking industry. Understanding the role of the financial system in the economy in ensuring the efficient allocation of resources, its effect on policy making and the risks involved from a potential disruption of its operation are key learning outcomes from this module, especially for students who are interested in applying for employment in the financial sector.
View full module detailsTraditional theories of public economics justify government interventions in the economy on the grounds of market failure, equity and/or political considerations, each of which can be examined theoretically and/or empirically. The module will discuss government intervention related market failure, social insurance and social security, and taxation. In the weekly applied lectures, we will derive testable predictions from the theoretic models and use journal articles to take those predictions to the data. The module will also introduce cost-benefit analysis as a means to assess and compare public investments and government programmes. The module is based on and makes use of knowledge acquired in previous microeconomics modules in Levels 4 and 5 and requires a good understanding of the applied econometrics learned in Level 5.
View full module detailsThis unit introduces the students to the process of independent academic investigation and helps them develop research skills through the completion of a substantial research project. Students are expected to use the empirical and analytical skills that they acquired in other modules.
View full module detailsThis module builds on the econometrics foundation from the Introductory Econometrics and Intermediate Econometrics courses and emphasizes on introducing micro-econometric techniques used to analyse microeconomic data. The first half of this module considers techniques to achieve causal inference. The second half studies maximum likelihood estimation of limited dependent variable models (logit, probit, Poisson, censoring and selectivity), as well as basic machine learning methods. This will enable students to acquire the skill sets necessary to investigate important and intriguing empirical questions that have real-world impacts on society.
View full module detailsThe module incorporates the foreign exchange market into a macroeconomic setting in order to shed light on the constraints within which open economies operate. At the heart of the analysis is the exchange rate and its determinants, including the different types of possible government intervention. In this context, the role of inflation, interest rates and market expectations are discussed. In addition, the government may also intervene in the foreign exchange market to manage the exchange rate by, e.g., buying or selling the international reserve currency. The decision whether to undertake or not such operations impacts on how the economy responds to different types of shocks (internal or external). The module covers these issues in detail and, in addition, provides a historical context for international arrangements concerning the exchange rate, as well as a review of episodes of exchange-rate crises.
View full module detailsThe module explores the incidence of corruption from an economic perspective. It is based on the relevant academic literature and incorporates both microeconomic and macroeconomic approaches. Different aspects of corruption are examined, such as causes and consequences, and a deeper understanding around the topic is developed.
View full module detailsThe module covers topics within the economics of education. It will cover topical areas within economics of education with a strong empirical foundation and relevance for public policy. The topics will include the following: the extent of inequality in educational outcomes and why this matters (this is an important aspect of sustainability); evidence on the economic and social benefits of education; drivers of educational outcomes in the family, among peers and within educational institutions. We will look at how different types of education and training are rewarded in the labour market and the public policy implications of this. The module will build on the microeconomic theory and econometrics that students learned in the second year of their programme.
View full module detailsThis module introduces students to computational methods for solving and simulating economic models. The student will learn basic results and techniques in numerical analysis, acquire a working knowledge of programming language, and learn how to apply these tools to analyse quantitative implications of macroeconomic dynamic models and macroeconometrics. Matlab will be the main language taught in the course, while learning other languages (e.g. Python, Julia, etc) will be optional.
View full module detailsThe module analyses applications of the theory of finance to corporate policy. Broadly defined, this area comprises all operations directed towards the procurement of funds and their investment in the various types of assets.
View full module detailsWhy have some countries developed and others not? What can policy do today to foster economic development, and how much is out of a country’s control? How does this affect the people behind such development - how does work change, and who loses in the process? The course begins with an empirical overview of the change in living standards in different countries across time, and how to define such development. The core of the course then focuses on how countries develop, considering various approaches ranging from micro-interventions to sectoral, institutional and trade policies. The last few weeks place labour at the centre of development, looking at rural-urban migration, informality and the underdevelopment of marginalized groups. This course will have strong empirical and theoretical components, and will draw strongly on recent academic articles as well as standard texts. It aims to equip students with an awareness of policy options and constraints around economic development.
View full module detailsOptional modules for Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6
Students choose three optional modules in Semester 1 and three optional modules in Semester 2.
BSc (Hons) with foundation year
Semester 1
Compulsory
The module aims to introduce the students to the core elements of microeconomic theory. The module will begin with a discussion of Economics as a science and its basic principles and concepts. The focus will then move onto the market equilibrium, i.e., the supply and demand model and the impact of government intervention in the market outcomes. Consumer theory and the theory of the firm will be studied to understand the background to the supply and demand model before turning to the welfare implications of different market structures.
View full module detailsA foundation level mathematics module that covers the basic mathematics relevant for Economics students. The module is designed to prepare the students for the more advanced level mathematics and problem solving in the first year of their Economics programme. The module covers a variety of economic applications in order to illustrate to the students the link between economic theory and mathematics.
View full module detailsSemester 2
Compulsory
This is a guided research module where students identify and explore in detail a topic of their choice within the fields of Business, Economics or Hospitality and Tourism Management, then write a 3000-word literature review on their chosen subject. The overall focus of the module is on: learning to research independently, making best use of the digital resources available through the university library drawing appropriate conclusions from analysis and investigation of text and data Teaching inputs guide students in their choice of topic and approach, and provide them with extended opportunities to develop resourceful approaches and relevant skills. Engaging with in-class activities and online tasks in research, reading and academic writing throughout the semester will prepare students well for discipline specific writing and research challenges at higher levels of degree study and in the workplace.
View full module detailsIn this module the students will learn about the macroeconomic environment and the theoretical and conceptual frameworks which underpin it. It is designed to prepare the students for the more advanced level macroeconomics in the first year of their Economics programme. The module will begin with the introduction of key macroeconomic topics, i.e., economic growth and business cycles, unemployment, inflation and open economy. The focus will then move onto developing a theoretical model to study and analyse the short-run macroeconomic equilibrium. The role of fiscal and monetary policy in shaping economic outcomes will also be discussed. The methodological approach will include the use of mathematical tools in solving and analysing the theoretical models.
View full module detailsSemester 1 & 2
Compulsory
The purpose of this module is to build leadership, independent learning and transferable skills which have a practical value for progression, whether that be to undergraduate study or employment. As the module acronym suggests, students will focus on Creativity, Resourcefulness, Enterprise and Task Evaluation. This will be done through experiential, real-world learning tasks and assessments. The module contains a strong focus on Employability. Could you answer the question: “what will make you more employable than other graduates with the same degree as you?”. CREATE will address this very question and begin the process of you developing a strong personal brand. Through a range of carefully designed tasks, you will develop resilience, digital capabilities and explore a range of theoretical concepts that will be invaluable for your future studies and careers The module is designed so that, as you progress through the year, you will increasingly be able to build on and apply your learning from other modules on the programme, allowing you to further develop as a well-rounded and high-performing individual.
View full module detailsOptional modules for Foundation - FHEQ Level 3
For further information on FHEQ levels 4, 5 and 6 please view the programme specification for the full-time BSc (Hons) Economics programme.
Year 1 - BSc (Hons) with placement
Semester 1
Compulsory
This module introduces students to core elements of economic theory which forms the basis of the Macro and Micro modules in the Semester 2 of first year. Understanding a number of concepts, like specialisation, markets, competition, rational behaviour and the structure of the economy are key learning outcomes from this module and prepare students for further study in Economics and related subjects.
View full module detailsThis module ensures that every student acquires the basic mathematical and statistical skills necessary for their subsequent modules, irrespective of their prior education. Students will learn to solve mathematical optimisation problems, which lie at the heart of every economic model. This module will provide students with techniques for maximising real-valued functions with one variable; functions with several variables will be covered in subsequent modules. Economic applications of the mathematical techniques are emphasised throughout.
View full module detailsThe module introduces a set of topics that are part of the contemporary economic discourse, and whose coverage supports and further expands on ECO1014’s teaching.
View full module detailsThe recent digital revolution has led to data gathering and usage in Economics at an unprecedented scale. Public policy and business become more data-driven than ever before. This module explores the data on which economics relies and forms fundamental analytical skills. The lectures are focused on understanding the data, while the laboratory sessions are focused on examination and visualization of the data using R and MS Excel.
View full module detailsSemester 2
Compulsory
This module introduces students to a range of mathematical techniques and concepts required for the effective study of economics. It demonstrates the role mathematics plays in the formulation of economic theory and subsequent analysis. The module builds on the mathematics students have studied in the first term of Level 4 and gives students the mathematical tools needed for the study of economics at Level 5 and 6.
View full module detailsThis module builds on the Introductory Economics module by extending the analyses of microeconomic concepts. In particular, it looks at the firm’s supply decision (involving cost and production), and the effect of market structure on the firm’s demand, studies labour markets and explains the constrained optimisation model of labour supply, introduces students to how to model risk and information problems, and covers aspects of welfare economics and market failure (with an application to the environment). The module uses maths from the Quantitative Methods and Maths for Economics modules to demonstrate the role maths can play in economic theory; and makes use of examples from empirical research, reports and news media to illustrate some of the concepts covered. By doing this, the module provides a firm foundation for more advanced microeconomics as the programme proceeds, and for optional modules that apply microeconomic principles.
View full module detailsIn this module we pose the 'big' questions about the economy, study the relevant data, build models that help explain what we observe, and evaluate these models.
View full module detailsThis module introduces students to core elements of probability and statistical inference. This enables students to begin undertaking empirical work. An emphasis in this module is on applications. The module also prepares students for further study in econometrics.
View full module detailsSemester 1 & 2
Compulsory
This module provides information, guidance and support for developing employability.
View full module detailsOptional modules for Year 1 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 4
The following modules are taken in addition to all other modules and do not count towards progression of the final programme award
ECO1021
Year 2 - BSc (Hons) with placement
Semester 1
Compulsory
The module builds on the first year microeconomics modules and serves as a foundation for subsequent study of microeconomic topics within the relevant degree programs such as consumer choice and game theory. The module uses some mathematical techniques (from the Level 4 Mathematics modules) and graphical analysis.
View full module detailsThis module provides students with the basic mechanics, both in terms of the theoretical background and the practical skills, for carrying out applied econometrics. Throughout there is an emphasis on understanding the assumptions of the methods so as to gain an appreciation of what such techniques can and cannot deliver. An important part of the course is the training in the use of the econometrics software package Stata. The module relies on the mathematics and statistics students have studied at Level 4, and lays the foundations for subsequent modules in econometrics at Level 5 and 6.
View full module detailsThe module is composed of three macro areas: 1) An introduction to linear algebra 2) An introduction to programming in Matlab and 3) Applications of 1) and 2) to finance and economics problems. In the first part of the course students develop an understanding of key concepts in linear algebra (vector, matrices, rank, determinants, system solutions, quadratic forms) while also learning the functioning of MATLAB and the associated syntax. In the second part of the course students learn how to apply the toolkit learnt in the first part of the course to real world finance and economics scenarios.
View full module detailsThe module progresses naturally from the macroeconomic models already encountered in first year Principles of Macroeconomics (ECO1019) to build intra-temporal and inter-temporal macroeconomic models from microeconomic principles to explore various macro topics, such as credit market, social security, banking, inflation and economic growth, and examines how macroeconomic policy influences economic performance. It serves as a foundation for Intermediate Macroeconomics 2 (ECO2046).
View full module detailsSemester 2
Compulsory
This module follows on from Introductory Econometrics and considers econometric theory and methods when Gauss Markov assumptions fail to hold. The first half introduces different examples of the endogeneity problem and their solutions. The second half of this module deals with stationary and nonstationary time series.
View full module detailsMacroeconomic policy and performance are fundamental to our daily lives. This course gives the students a systematic way of thinking about macroeconomic issues. The students will be able to derive macroeconomic models based on the behaviour of economics agents. The students will end up with a model that they could can use independently to understand macroeconomic behaviour and policy issues in the real world.
View full module detailsThis module will build on, and extend, what students have learned in previous microeconomics courses. We will continue to study how agents make optimising decisions, but here with a focus on how those decisions can be inefficient when there are market failures, as opposed to the perfectly competitive world that students have mostly studied before in, for example, the Microeconomics module in the previous semester. Some prominent real-world examples are environmental externalities, or the provision of public goods. We will also explore common mechanisms that have been developed to try and move decisions to more efficient outcomes; for example taxes, tradable permits, preference revelation mechanisms. We will study how societies, rather than individuals, can make collective decisions over resource allocations when preferences differ across the population – again, particularly relevant in the case of public goods. Some of the topics may have been touched on in level 4, but students will see how learning progresses by looking at topics in more detail and with more rigour. Paralleling this, the learning outcomes in this module will provide a basis upon which to build for some of level 6’s microeconomic-based modules.
View full module detailsOptional
This module teaches the basic content and methods of economic history. It provides an overview of key events and periods in global economic development, from the industrial revolution onwards. It also teaches the disciplines of reading and writing in academic style, how to conduct research based on literature review, and how to build an argument using both theory and evidence. We will cover institutional, monetary, demographic and technological explanations for development through examining a variety of different historical contexts from across the globe and throughout history.
View full module detailsFinancial and business history examines the evolution of the modern economy via theories of the firm. It covers organization, finance, management and entrepreneurship using a historical perspective to illuminate how these factors have changed over time. The content focuses on the role of technological and institutional changes in shaping the constraints and opportunities faced by firms, and how firms have adapted their strategies in response.
View full module detailsThe form of globalisation that has characterised the international system over the post-Cold War era, a phenomenon that both drives and is driven by international institutions, treaties and regimes, is seemingly reducing the capacity of nation-states to respond to pressures emanating from the international economic and security environment. Economic challenges, including the recent global recession, require intimate cross-border cooperation (at the regional and global level); climate change presents a threat that requires urgent global-cooperation (be it between local authorities and cities in different national contexts, or at the national level), and public health continues to have drastic impacts on economy, development, and wellbeing that reach beyond individual states. Furthermore, the end of the Cold War has ushered in a host of new security challenges that states are unable to tackle on an individual basis, from preventing and dealing with the consequences of state failure, international terrorism and crime, as well as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. A key question that the module will examine is the extent to which these challenges are leading to a shift away from an international system characterized by the notion of state sovereignty and the control of policy development and implementation by the central political authority of the nation-state, to a diffusion of power and competencies, both ‘horizontally’, to private actors such as NGOs and Transnational Corporations, and ‘vertically’, downwards to the regional level and upwards to international organisations. The module will critically assess the analytical leverage that can be attained to these questions through the application of diverse perspectives within IR theories, covering not only realist, liberal, and constructivist schools of thought, but also critical approaches such as Marxism and post-structuralism. It will also focus on approaches drawn from political science theory, notably the literatures on multi-level governance, public policy theories, and the ‘new’ institutionalism. In the course students will tackle a number of contemporary debates on international organisations that are central to public debate - the meaning and forms of international organisations, issues of authority, power and legitimacy; how states and non-state actors (particularly NGOs and business) have shaped the nature and scope of international cooperation and the effects that participation in international institutions upon policy-making, styles of governance and institutional configuration at the national and sub-national levels. We will also examine not only the role of hegemonic powers, in particular the impact of the United States over the post-war and post-Cold War eras, but also the implications of the rise of new powers such as China and India upon international organisations. The module will then examine relevant case studies: environmental governance; global health governance; the WTO and the governance of international trade; the IMF, World Bank and the governance of finance and development; the United Nations and security governance. The module will conclude by assessing the implications of the growth of international organisations for the role of the state as a national and international actor.
View full module detailsIn this module students will develop their knowledge and understanding of Political Ideologies, which form a key component of the study of political theory more broadly. The module starts with a brief definition of an inclusive model of ideology, which is the one most commonly adopted in political science. Subsequent lectures deal with a range of major ideological traditions, covering the political spectrum from extreme right to extreme left and taking account of recent developments which overflow traditional left/right borderlines, most notably due to the rise of populism. Specific emphasis is placed on the historical, social, and geographical context of the development of ideologies. Underlying the module is a concern for the condition of modernity, which serves as the backdrop for the genesis of current ideological frameworks. At a meta-level, the module critically assesses whether conditions of modernity still hold or whether these are being replaced by an increasingly reflexive form of modernity, liquid modernity, or even post-modernity. This raises wider questions about the continued applicability of the classic ideologies. In addition, the module offers insights, feedback, and assessment forms which cumulatively provide students with opportunities to engage in five key areas: employability, global and cultural capabilities, digital capabilities, sustainability, and resourcefulness and resilience.
View full module detailsSemester 1 & 2
Compulsory
This module helps students develop their employability through both reflection and practice, building on the skills developed in Employability I.
View full module detailsOptional modules for Year 2 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 5
Students choose one optional module from the modules listed in Semester 2.
The following modules are taken in addition to all other modules and do not count towards progression of the final programme award
ECO2063
Year 3 - BSc (Hons) with placement
Semester 1
Compulsory
This module looks at developments in microeconomic theory in relation to the role of information in the economy. It presents models of the basic contract theory and asymmetric information (moral hazard and adverse selection) as well as some of the applications of these models (e.g., insurance, labour market contracts). The module builds on the knowledge and skills the students have acquired in Levels 4 and 5 in terms of microeconomic theory, mathematical tools (algebra, calculus, constrained and unconstrained optimisation) and econometrics.
View full module detailsOptional
By the end of the module students will have learnt how to carry out empirical analyses using appropriate econometric software to study economic and financial time series data; how to interpret the results of such analyses; and will have acquired an ability to critically assess empirical papers.
View full module detailsThis module develops equilibrium concepts for static, dynamic, complete and incomplete information. These are applied to various aspects of economic importance: markets, bargaining, job-market signalling, expert advice and electoral competition. The module will advance students’ knowledge of microeconomics.
View full module detailsThe module broadly covers two parts. In the first part we concentrate on the theoretical foundations of international trade, i.e. address the questions “why do we trade” and “is trade good for us”. In the second part we focus on the policy instruments that are available to the designers of trade policy; our analysis involves issues related to the potential costs and/or benefits to a range of stakeholders of trade barriers, e.g. tariffs and quotas. We also investigate the issues of international trade agreements.
View full module detailsThis module introduces students to the field of behavioural economics which incorporates psychological evidence into economics. The standard approach in economics explains market outcomes and economic decision-making using theoretical models which usually assume that people are fully rational. Behavioural economics, on the other hand, seeks to increase the explanatory power of traditional models by considering a number of real life decision making situations where some standard rationality assumptions on preferences do not hold. This module builds mainly on the individual decision making models taught in microeconomics and financial economics modules in year 1 and year 2, identifies departures from these classical models, and use them as an inspiration to create alternative theories of decision making.
View full module detailsThe module examines the nature and behaviour of households in modern economies. It will use economic theory and empirical evidence to illuminate why families are organized as they are and how this has changed in recent years. This will encourage students to adopt a critical perspective on the patterns they see in society and in their personal life. Students will make use of the Microeconomic knowledge and Econometrics skills that they have developed in Level 5, applying them in a new context. The research focus of this module will serve as a good preparation for students taking the Economics Project (ECO3050) or planning to undertake further study.
View full module detailsThis module develops a theoretical and empirical framework to analyse the economics of the environment. Understanding sources of inefficient allocation of resources, and how it is linked to the most serious environmental problems observed in the contemporary world like climate change, examining the different remedial instruments available to correct these problems, evaluating different methods of valuing environmental amenities and understanding the basics of climate science and consequences are some of the key topics covered in this module. This will enable the students to have a well-rounded knowledge of theoretical models and a critical perspective which they can apply to analyse contemporary environmental issues and policies in place. This module will draw on students knowledge of Microeconomics from Level 5.
View full module detailsEconomics of Competition and Regulation Policy is a microeconomics course concerned with the performance of markets and the strategic behaviour of firms. The course draws on the fields of industrial organization and market design and focuses on imperfect competition, co-operation between firms, and common regulations such as anti-trust laws. This is a theory-based optional module for third year BSc students. The aim of the module is to provide a solid understanding of some of the core economic models of imperfect competition and to help students understand the challenges involved with designing and structuring markets.
View full module detailsThe module has the aim of introducing students to core concepts in the blockchain technology. Students will become familiar with applications of cryptography to financial transactions and the technicalities behind cryptocurrencies and their workings. Using case studies and simulations, students will be exposed to the use of software wallets and engage in blockchain and cryptocurrency related transactions.
View full module detailsThe module introduces the workings of financial and commodity derivatives markets and securities. Securities such as forwards, futures, swaps, CDOs and options have been traded on organised exchanges and/or ‘over the counter’, for decades. Financial markets are innovative and new derivative instruments are frequently introduced to facilitate risk-hedging or speculative investor operations. However, financial innovation can bring about its own significant risks, as the link between securitisation, CDOs and the credit crisis of 2007/08 showed. The emphasis of this module is on the pricing of derivative securities, their risks, as well as their use in professional settings, such as executive boards and derivative trading firms for hedging or investment purposes.
View full module detailsThe module analyzes the foundations of the nature of the labour markets, and the mechanisms governing their functioning and development during past and contemporary history. The students will be exposed to economic theory and empirical evidence to understand the aim, role and behaviour of workers, firms and governments within the labour markets. This will make students aware of the crucial importance of labour markets in the broader economy and society, as well as into the personal and professional development of the lives and careers of individual agents.
View full module detailsSemester 2
Compulsory
This module explores topics within macroeconomics around two themes: Economic growth and dynamic equilibrium modeling. The aim of the economic growth part of the module is to survey the main models which are currently used to describe the determinants of economic growth. This includes both exogenous and endogenous growth models. The module will also develop a micro-founded dynamic equilibrium model of the macro-economy by combining agents and firms which are forward-looking and rational. This allows students to understand the modern model of economic fluctuations that informs economists and policymakers; it will develop their thinking in a structured framework. The importance of rigorous arguments is highlighted and insights about fiscal and monetary policy are drawn.
View full module detailsOptional
This module builds on the econometrics foundation from the Introductory Econometrics and Intermediate Econometrics courses and emphasizes on introducing micro-econometric techniques used to analyse microeconomic data. The first half of this module considers techniques to achieve causal inference. The second half studies maximum likelihood estimation of limited dependent variable models (logit, probit, Poisson, censoring and selectivity), as well as basic machine learning methods. This will enable students to acquire the skill sets necessary to investigate important and intriguing empirical questions that have real-world impacts on society.
View full module detailsUtilising the material taught across different principal subjects in Economics, this module provides a comprehensive introduction to theoretical and applied issues related to the global banking industry. Understanding the role of the financial system in the economy in ensuring the efficient allocation of resources, its effect on policy making and the risks involved from a potential disruption of its operation are key learning outcomes from this module, especially for students who are interested in applying for employment in the financial sector.
View full module detailsTraditional theories of public economics justify government interventions in the economy on the grounds of market failure, equity and/or political considerations, each of which can be examined theoretically and/or empirically. The module will discuss government intervention related market failure, social insurance and social security, and taxation. In the weekly applied lectures, we will derive testable predictions from the theoretic models and use journal articles to take those predictions to the data. The module will also introduce cost-benefit analysis as a means to assess and compare public investments and government programmes. The module is based on and makes use of knowledge acquired in previous microeconomics modules in Levels 4 and 5 and requires a good understanding of the applied econometrics learned in Level 5.
View full module detailsThe module incorporates the foreign exchange market into a macroeconomic setting in order to shed light on the constraints within which open economies operate. At the heart of the analysis is the exchange rate and its determinants, including the different types of possible government intervention. In this context, the role of inflation, interest rates and market expectations are discussed. In addition, the government may also intervene in the foreign exchange market to manage the exchange rate by, e.g., buying or selling the international reserve currency. The decision whether to undertake or not such operations impacts on how the economy responds to different types of shocks (internal or external). The module covers these issues in detail and, in addition, provides a historical context for international arrangements concerning the exchange rate, as well as a review of episodes of exchange-rate crises.
View full module detailsThis unit introduces the students to the process of independent academic investigation and helps them develop research skills through the completion of a substantial research project. Students are expected to use the empirical and analytical skills that they acquired in other modules.
View full module detailsThe module explores the incidence of corruption from an economic perspective. It is based on the relevant academic literature and incorporates both microeconomic and macroeconomic approaches. Different aspects of corruption are examined, such as causes and consequences, and a deeper understanding around the topic is developed.
View full module detailsThe module covers topics within the economics of education. It will cover topical areas within economics of education with a strong empirical foundation and relevance for public policy. The topics will include the following: the extent of inequality in educational outcomes and why this matters (this is an important aspect of sustainability); evidence on the economic and social benefits of education; drivers of educational outcomes in the family, among peers and within educational institutions. We will look at how different types of education and training are rewarded in the labour market and the public policy implications of this. The module will build on the microeconomic theory and econometrics that students learned in the second year of their programme.
View full module detailsThis module introduces students to computational methods for solving and simulating economic models. The student will learn basic results and techniques in numerical analysis, acquire a working knowledge of programming language, and learn how to apply these tools to analyse quantitative implications of macroeconomic dynamic models and macroeconometrics. Matlab will be the main language taught in the course, while learning other languages (e.g. Python, Julia, etc) will be optional.
View full module detailsThe module analyses applications of the theory of finance to corporate policy. Broadly defined, this area comprises all operations directed towards the procurement of funds and their investment in the various types of assets.
View full module detailsWhy have some countries developed and others not? What can policy do today to foster economic development, and how much is out of a country’s control? How does this affect the people behind such development - how does work change, and who loses in the process? The course begins with an empirical overview of the change in living standards in different countries across time, and how to define such development. The core of the course then focuses on how countries develop, considering various approaches ranging from micro-interventions to sectoral, institutional and trade policies. The last few weeks place labour at the centre of development, looking at rural-urban migration, informality and the underdevelopment of marginalized groups. This course will have strong empirical and theoretical components, and will draw strongly on recent academic articles as well as standard texts. It aims to equip students with an awareness of policy options and constraints around economic development.
View full module detailsOptional modules for Year 3 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 6
Students choose three optional modules in Semester 1 and three optional modules in Semester 2.
Year 3 - BSc (Hons) with placement
Semester 1 & 2
Core
This module supports students’ development of personal and professional attitudes and abilities appropriate to a Professional Training placement. It supports and facilitates self-reflection and transfer of learning from their Professional Training placement experiences to their final year of study and their future employment. The PTY module is concerned with Personal and Professional Development towards holistic academic and non-academic learning, and is a process that involves self-reflection, documented via the creation of a personal record, planning and monitoring progress towards the achievement of personal objectives. Development and learning may occur before and during the placement, and this is reflected in the assessment model as a progressive process. However, the graded assessment takes place primarily towards the end of the placement. Additionally, the module aims to enable students to evidence and evaluate their placement experiences and transfer that learning to other situations through written and presentation skills.
View full module detailsThis module supports students’ development of personal and professional attitudes and abilities appropriate to a Professional Training placement. It supports and facilitates self-reflection and transfer of learning from their Professional Training placement experiences to their final year of study and their future employment. The PTY module is concerned with Personal and Professional Development towards holistic academic and non-academic learning and is a process that involves self-reflection. Development and learning may occur before and during the placement, and this is reflected in the assessment model as a progressive process. However, the graded assessment takes place primarily towards the end of the placement. Additionally, the module aims to enable students to evidence and evaluate their placement experiences and transfer that learning to other situations through written skills.
View full module detailsThis module supports students' development of personal and professional attitudes and abilities appropriate to a Professional Training placement. It supports and facilitates self-reflection and transfer of learning from their Professional Training placement experiences to their final year of study and their future employment. The PTY module is concerned with Personal and Professional Development towards holistic academic and non-academic learning, and is a process that involves self-reflection, documented via the creation of a personal record, planning and monitoring progress towards the achievement of personal objectives. Development and learning may occur before and during the placement, and this is reflected in the assessment model as a progressive process. However, the graded assessment takes place primarily towards the end of the placement. Additionally, the module aims to enable students to evidence and evaluate their placement experiences and transfer that learning to other situations through written skills.
View full module detailsBSc (Hons) with foundation year and placement
Semester 1
Compulsory
The module aims to introduce the students to the core elements of microeconomic theory. The module will begin with a discussion of Economics as a science and its basic principles and concepts. The focus will then move onto the market equilibrium, i.e., the supply and demand model and the impact of government intervention in the market outcomes. Consumer theory and the theory of the firm will be studied to understand the background to the supply and demand model before turning to the welfare implications of different market structures.
View full module detailsA foundation level mathematics module that covers the basic mathematics relevant for Economics students. The module is designed to prepare the students for the more advanced level mathematics and problem solving in the first year of their Economics programme. The module covers a variety of economic applications in order to illustrate to the students the link between economic theory and mathematics.
View full module detailsSemester 2
Compulsory
This is a guided research module where students identify and explore in detail a topic of their choice within the fields of Business, Economics or Hospitality and Tourism Management, then write a 3000-word literature review on their chosen subject. The overall focus of the module is on: learning to research independently, making best use of the digital resources available through the university library drawing appropriate conclusions from analysis and investigation of text and data Teaching inputs guide students in their choice of topic and approach, and provide them with extended opportunities to develop resourceful approaches and relevant skills. Engaging with in-class activities and online tasks in research, reading and academic writing throughout the semester will prepare students well for discipline specific writing and research challenges at higher levels of degree study and in the workplace.
View full module detailsIn this module the students will learn about the macroeconomic environment and the theoretical and conceptual frameworks which underpin it. It is designed to prepare the students for the more advanced level macroeconomics in the first year of their Economics programme. The module will begin with the introduction of key macroeconomic topics, i.e., economic growth and business cycles, unemployment, inflation and open economy. The focus will then move onto developing a theoretical model to study and analyse the short-run macroeconomic equilibrium. The role of fiscal and monetary policy in shaping economic outcomes will also be discussed. The methodological approach will include the use of mathematical tools in solving and analysing the theoretical models.
View full module detailsSemester 1 & 2
Compulsory
The purpose of this module is to build leadership, independent learning and transferable skills which have a practical value for progression, whether that be to undergraduate study or employment. As the module acronym suggests, students will focus on Creativity, Resourcefulness, Enterprise and Task Evaluation. This will be done through experiential, real-world learning tasks and assessments. The module contains a strong focus on Employability. Could you answer the question: “what will make you more employable than other graduates with the same degree as you?”. CREATE will address this very question and begin the process of you developing a strong personal brand. Through a range of carefully designed tasks, you will develop resilience, digital capabilities and explore a range of theoretical concepts that will be invaluable for your future studies and careers The module is designed so that, as you progress through the year, you will increasingly be able to build on and apply your learning from other modules on the programme, allowing you to further develop as a well-rounded and high-performing individual.
View full module detailsOptional modules for Foundation (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 3
For further information on FHEQ levels 4, 5 and 6 and professional training year please view the programme specification for the full-time with PTY BSc (Hons) Economics programme.
Teaching and learning
We provide teaching on this course through lectures, tutorials, seminars and workshop sessions, which total about 12 hours each week. The purpose is to use, rather than just study, economics.
In tutorials we’ll encourage you to present your own ideas and develop the verbal skills that will stand you in good stead for the future. Classes and workshops are practical sessions in which you’ll develop the ability to apply and use economics.
For each hour of teaching, you are expected to spend two to three hours in private study. There are also modules where we require you to work in groups.
We pride ourselves on the levels of supervision you’ll receive, creating a warm and friendly environment in which to study. The student experience is vital to the success of our courses, and you’ll be encouraged to express yourself and develop your full potential.
Foundation year
If you don’t meet our entry requirements, you might still be able to apply for this course with a Business, Economics, Hospitality and Tourism Management Foundation Year. A course with a foundation year includes an extra year of study to develop your skills and make it easier for you to get started at university. On successful completion of your foundation year, you’ll be ready to progress to the first year of your degree.
Find out more about our Business, Economics, Hospitality and Tourism Management Foundation Year here and, to see what modules you’ll be studying on your Foundation Year, refer to the Foundation tab in the ‘Course structure’ section on this page.
For any enquiries regarding the Economics foundation pathway, please contact Dr Sanna Nurmikko-Metsola.
- Group work
- Independent study
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Tutorials
- Workshops
Assessment
We assess modules individually and award credits for the successful completion of each one. Assessment takes place through a combination of examination and/or coursework, practical examinations and reports. Check individual module information to see full details at a module level.
General course information
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Timetable
New students will receive their personalised timetable in Welcome Week. In later semesters, two weeks before the start of semester.
Scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday), with part-time classes normally scheduled on one or two days. Wednesday afternoons tend to be for sports and cultural activities.
View our code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF) for more information.
Location
Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
Economic decisions are at the heart of every society, shaping the future of individuals, organisations, regions and nations. This hints at the variety of careers available to economists and the range of skills you can expect to develop by studying one of our courses.
The problem-solving nature of the subject, the highly relevant and applied focus of our courses, and the potential for experience you can gain from your Professional Training placement are all appealing to employers.
Economics at Surrey has a proven track record of graduate employment: the Graduate Outcomes survey 2024, HESA, shows that 95 per cent of our undergraduate Economics students go on to employment or further study.
Recent Economics graduates have entered roles such as:
- Economist, Bank of England
- Analyst, Frontier Economics
- Financial Crime Associate, Deloitte
- Assistant Economist, Home Office
- Economist, Fathom Financial Consulting
- Economics Research, Morgan Stanley
- Business Analyst, TotalEnergies
- Analyst, Economist Intelligence Unit
Thomas Hithersay
Student - Economics BSc (Hons)
The amount of support that the employability team, professors, lecturers, and university staff provide the students here is amazing. I believe that Surrey is very “career-focused” and, as such, sees many of its students establish the foundations of successful careers here.
Morgan Rooney
Graduate - Economics BSc (Hons)
"One benefit of the economics programme is that all first year modules are uniform across a few different degrees. This means if you’re not sure whether you want to do pure economics, or maybe add in some finance or business, you have time to decide and switch later. This is something I know a lot of people took advantage of."
Learn more about the qualifications we typically accept to study this course at Surrey.
Typical offer
- BSc (Hons):
- AAB. If you are taking A-level Maths or A-level Economics we will reduce the offer to ABB. Please note that this grade reduction cannot be combined with other grade reduction schemes.
- BSc (Hons) with foundation year:
- CCC
Please note: A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted. Applicants taking an A-level science subject with the Science Practical Endorsement are expected to pass the practical element.
GCSE or equivalent: GCSE English Language at Grade 4 (C). Additionally, GCSE Mathematics at Grade 6 (B) for BSc entry or Grade 5 (B) for BSc with foundation year. Applicants must have achieved the required GCSE grades at the time of making their application.
- BSc (Hons):
- DDD
- BSc (Hons) with foundation year:
- MMM
GCSE or equivalent: GCSE English Language at Grade 4 (C). Additionally, GCSE Mathematics at Grade 6 (B) for BSc entry or Grade 5 (B) for BSc with foundation year. Applicants must have achieved the required GCSE grades at the time of making their application.
- BSc (Hons):
- 34. If you are taking HL Maths or HL Economics we will reduce the offer to 33 overall. Please note that this grade reduction cannot be combined with other grade reduction schemes.
- BSc (Hons) with foundation year:
- 29
GCSE or equivalent: English A HL4/SL4 or English B HL5/SL6 and Mathematics (either course) HL4/SL4.
- BSc (Hons):
- 82%
- BSc (Hons) with foundation year:
- 68%
GCSE or equivalent: Maths 6 and either English Language (1/2) 6 or English Language (3)7.
- BSc (Hons):
- QAA recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 level 3 credits overall including 39 at Distinction and 6 at Merit. Additionally, A-level Mathematics grade B is required.
- BSc (Hons) with foundation year:
- QAA recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 level 3 credits overall including 21 at Distinction, 3 at Merit and 21 at Pass. Additionally, A-level Mathematics grade B is required.
GCSE or equivalent: GCSE English Language at Grade 4 (C). Additionally, GCSE Mathematics at Grade 6 (B) for BSc entry or Grade 5 (B) for BSc with foundation year. Applicants must have achieved the required GCSE grades at the time of making their application.
- BSc (Hons):
- AAABB in Highers. Alternatively AAB in Highers + AB in Advanced Highers. If you are taking Advanced Higher Maths or Advanced Higher Economics we will reduce the offer to ABB in Highers and AB in Advanced Highers. Please note that this grade reduction cannot be combined with other grade reduction schemes.
- BSc (Hons) with foundation year:
- BBBCC
GCSE or equivalent: English Language - Scottish National 5 - C. Maths - Scottish National 5 - B. Applicants must have achieved the Scottish national grades at the time of making their application.
- BSc (Hons):
- AAB from three A-levels or a combination of the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales and two A-levels. If you are taking A-level Maths or A-level Economics we will reduce the offer to ABB. Please note that this grade reduction cannot be combined with other grade reduction schemes.
- BSc (Hons) with foundation year:
- CCC from a combination of the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales and two A-levels.
Please note: A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted. Applicants taking an A-level science subject with the Science Practical Endorsement are required to pass the practical element.
GCSE or equivalent: Please check the A-level drop down for the required GCSE levels.
Applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) will receive our standard A-level offer for this programme, plus an alternate offer of one A-level grade lower, subject to achieving an A grade in the EPQ. The one grade reduction will not apply to any required subjects.
Applicants can only receive one grade reduction from the published grades, an EPQ grade reduction can’t be applied in addition to other grade reductions made through other schemes such as Contextual Admissions or In2Surrey.
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in each other element.
View the other English language qualifications that we accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
International Foundation Year
If you are an international student and you don’t meet the entry requirements for this degree, we offer the International Foundation Year at the Surrey International Study Centre. Upon successful completion, you can progress to this degree course.
Selection process
We normally make offers in terms of grades.
If you are a suitable candidate you may be invited to an offer holder event. During your visit to the University you can find out more about the course and meet staff and students.
Recognition of prior learning
We recognise that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts.
If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning (RPL) process may allow you to join a course without the formal entry requirements or enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience.
There are restrictions on RPL for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims. Please see the code of practice for recognition of prior learning and prior credit: taught programmes (PDF) for further information.
Contextual offers
Did you know eligible students receive support through their application to Surrey, which could include a grade reduction on offer?
Fees
Explore UKCISA’s website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all undergraduate courses.
Payment schedule
- Students with Tuition Fee Loan: the Student Loans Company pay fees in line with their schedule.
- Students without a Tuition Fee Loan: pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be early October of each academic year)
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
The exact date(s) will be on invoices. Students on part-time programmes where fees are paid on a modular basis, cannot pay fees by instalment.
- Sponsored students: must provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of study.
Professional training placement fees
If you are studying on a programme which contains a Professional Training placement year there will be a reduced fee for the academic year in which you undertake your placement. This is normally confirmed 12 to 18 months in advance, or once Government policy is determined.
Additional costs
There are no required additional costs associated with this course.
Optional expenses
You may wish to purchase a STATA software licence for six to 12 months – £35 to £75 approximately. You may also want to buy an EViews software licence – £35.
Our award-winning Professional Training placement scheme gives you the chance to spend a year in industry, either in the UK or abroad.
We have thousands of placement providers to choose from, most of which offer pay. So, become one of our many students who have had their lives and career choices transformed.
Economics placements
Our Professional Training placements offer you the opportunity to put your skills and understanding of economics into practice. You’ll be able to gain invaluable experience for your future career.
Placements are available in a range of organisations, including large corporations, city institutions and government departments.
Some examples of organisations that students have worked with include:
- Bank of England
- Ericsson
- Hewlett Packard Enterprise
- Menzies LLP
- Morgan Stanley
- Reckitt Benckiser
- The Walt Disney Company.
Applying for placements
Students are generally not placed by the University. But we offer support and guidance throughout the process, with access to a vacancy site of placement opportunities.
Find out more about the application process.
"I would absolutely recommend a placement year to anyone. It’s a great opportunity to see what kind of work environment you like to work in, understand a specific sector or industry, and significantly improve your employment prospects."
Study and work abroad
Studying at Surrey opens a world of opportunity. Take advantage of our study and work abroad partnerships, explore the world, and expand your skills for the graduate job market.
The opportunities abroad vary depending on the course, but options include study exchanges, work/research placements, summer programmes, and recent graduate internships. Financial support is available through various grants and bursaries, as well as Student Finance.
Perhaps you would like to volunteer in India or learn about Brazilian business and culture in São Paulo during your summer holidays? With 140+ opportunities in 36+ different countries worldwide, there is something for everyone. Explore your options via our search tool and find out more about our current partner universities and organisations.
"Going to Sydney was without a doubt the best six months of my life. I’ve always wanted to visit Sydney; the rest of Australia, so when I saw there was a six-month programme at Surrey, it was one of the driving factors in choosing Surrey Uni."
Apply for your chosen course online through UCAS, with the following course and institution codes.
About the University of Surrey
Need more information?
Contact our Admissions team or talk to a current University of Surrey student online.
- BSc (Hons)View ULC10F0001U
- BSc (Hons) with foundation yearView ULC10F0007U
- BSc (Hons) with placementView ULC10S0001U
- BSc (Hons) with foundation year and placementView ULC10S0014U
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to follow our policies and procedures, student regulations, and terms and conditions.
We provide these terms and conditions in two stages:
- First when we make an offer.
- Second when students accept their offer and register to study with us (registration terms and conditions will vary depending on your course and academic year).
View our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2023/24 academic year, as a guide on what to expect.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.
Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate, some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.
It is important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.