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Economics BSc

University Park Campus, Nottingham, UK

Course overview

Embark on a fulfilling career path with our BSc Economics degree. You'll dive into macroeconomics, microeconomics, mathematics, and statistics. You'll gain all the core analytical and quantitative techniques required by economics graduates.

Understanding why we do what we do is key to the economist's role. This knowledge can inform policy in areas as diverse as education, the environment, commerce, transport, globalisation and health. You'll be well-equipped to tackle real-world economic problems and have a positive impact on society.

You can tailor your studies to your career interests through optional modules that allow you to specialise in areas such as economic policy analysis, international trade, and behavioural economics. Graduate with the skills essential for success in the modern economy.

Our degree opens up exciting career prospects. Work as an economist, analyst, researcher, policy advisor or within financial institutions. Unlock your potential and pave the way for a successful career in a highly qualified profession.

Our graduates are highly sought after in a variety of sectors. These include finance, international banking, government, consulting and non-profit organisations.

Be a part of shaping our global future. Our successful alumni work at top organisations such as Accenture, Bloomberg, Deloitte, J.P. Morgan, Merrill Lynch, U.K. Treasury and the World Bank.

Indicative modules

Mandatory

Year 1

Introduction to Macroeconomics

Mandatory

Year 1

Introduction to Microeconomics

Mandatory

Year 1

The Politics of Economics and the Economics of Politicians

Optional

Year 1

Current Economic Issues

Optional

Year 1

Economic Integration I

Optional

Year 1

Economic Integration II

Optional

Year 1

Growth and Development in Long-Run Historical Perspective

Optional

Year 1

Mathematical Economics and Econometrics

Optional

Year 1

Mathematical Economics and Statistical Methods

Optional

Year 1

Quantitative Economics

Mandatory

Year 2

Applied Econometrics I

Mandatory

Year 2

Applied Econometrics II

Mandatory

Year 2

Macroeconomic Theory

Mandatory

Year 2

Microeconomic Theory

Optional

Year 2

Development Economics

Optional

Year 2

Econometric Theory I

Optional

Year 2

Econometric Theory II

Optional

Year 2

Environmental and Resource Economics

Optional

Year 2

Experimental and Behavioural Economics

Optional

Year 2

Financial Economics

Optional

Year 2

Industrial Economics

Optional

Year 2

International Trade

Optional

Year 2

Labour Economics

Optional

Year 2

Monetary Economics

Optional

Year 2

Political Economy

Optional

Year 2

Public Sector Economics

Mandatory

Year 3

Dissertation

Optional

Year 3

Advanced Development Economics

Optional

Year 3

Advanced Econometric Theory

Optional

Year 3

Advanced Experimental and Behavioural Economics

Optional

Year 3

Advanced Financial Economics

Optional

Year 3

Advanced Industrial Economics

Optional

Year 3

Advanced International Trade I

Optional

Year 3

Advanced International Trade II

Optional

Year 3

Advanced Labour Economics

Optional

Year 3

Advanced Macroeconomics

Optional

Year 3

Advanced Mathematical Economics

Optional

Year 3

Advanced Microeconomics

Optional

Year 3

Advanced Monetary Economics

Optional

Year 3

Advanced Political Economy

Optional

Year 3

Advanced Public Economics

Optional

Year 3

Economic Policy Analysis I

Optional

Year 3

Economic Policy Analysis II

Optional

Year 3

International Money and Macroeconomics

Optional

Year 3

Advanced Microeconometric Methods

Optional

Year 3

Numerical Methods in Economics

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About modules

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. This content was last updated on Thursday 25 January 2024. Due to timetabling availability, there may be restrictions on some module combinations.

The majority of teaching is delivered through lectures, tutorials, seminars and computer laboratory classes.

We aim to provide a learning environment that will enrich your life and live up to the ideal of a global education. You will engage directly in our common pursuit of cutting-edge, policy relevant and curiosity-driven research.

Economists study the world around them by applying both mathematical and statistical methods. You will be required to learn both to ensure you have the most up to date skills. In year one, our courses offer a choice of quantitative pathways, which differ in their level of mathematical difficulty (for example, there is a separate stream for students without maths A level), but by year two all three streams come together since students will have been brought to the same level of mathematical skill required.

The final year dissertation module provides you with the opportunity to complete an independent research project on a topic of your choice. Under the guidance of a dissertation tutor, you will gain experience of the research process and a range of skills that will enhance your academic profile and CV.

Teaching methods

  • Computer labs
  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops

During each semester you will be examined on the modules you have taken. With the exception of the dissertation in the third year (which is a coursework assessment), modules typically have exam-based assessment at the end of the semester (or year), and some have seminar or essay-based elements, including group work. 

Assessment methods

  • Dissertation
  • Essay
  • Examinations
  • Presentation
  • Group presentation
  • Group exercise

You will have at least the following hours of timetabled contact a week through lectures, seminars, tutorials, computer classes and supervisions. 

  • Year one: minimum of 12 hours
  • Year two: minimum of 10 hours
  • Final year: minimum of 8 hours

You will also be expected to engage in substantial independent study.

Our economics graduates gain a range of specialist and transferable skills, including the ability to grasp complex economic concepts, both mathematical and philosophical. This will enable you to have a lucrative career in a wide variety of fields such as government, international agencies, private sector organisations or education.

A study from the Department for Education and Institute for Fiscal Studies has found that studying economics at university significantly increases the average earnings of graduates.

If you want more inspiration on where an economics degree can take you, listen to our Econverse Podcast. Current students interview inspirational guests from the University of Nottingham and beyond, to provide valuable insights into their life after graduation.  

Graduate destinations

Our graduates go into a wide variety of careers, including investment banking, accountancy, mergers and acquisitions, and stock and bond trading.

Recent graduates now work at organisations such as Accenture, Bloomberg, Deloitte, J.P. Morgan, Merrill Lynch, U.K. Treasury and the World Bank.

Average starting salary and career progression

89.80% of undergraduates from the School of Economics secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual starting salary for these graduates was £33,841.

HESA Graduate Outcomes (2017-2021 cohorts). The Graduate Outcomes % is calculated using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time within the UK.

Studying for a degree at the University of Nottingham will provide you with the type of skills and experiences that will prove invaluable in any career, whichever direction you decide to take.

Throughout your time with us, our Careers and Employability Service can work with you to improve your employability skills even further; assisting with job or course applications, searching for appropriate work experience placements and hosting events to bring you closer to a wide range of prospective employers.

Have a look at our careers page for an overview of all the employability support and opportunities that we provide to current students.

The University of Nottingham is consistently named as one of the most targeted universities by Britain’s leading graduate employers (Ranked in the top ten in The Graduate Market in 2013-2020, High Fliers Research).

The University of Nottingham is a prestigious university that has an illustrious history in the field of economics. The course provides a mixture of economic theory studied through various models which are quite intuitive and a large amount of mathematics that represent the information in a different form.

Karan Mohan Khera

BSc Economics

Course data

Open Day June 2022