Program Overview

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What will a post COVID-19 world look like? Can you predict when the economy will recover? How will we adapt to overcome the challenges posed by pandemic uncertainty? Economics isn’t optional to study right now: it’s vital to our future well-being in a post COVID-19 world. The skills you learn at Essex will be in high demand from employers in the coming years. At Essex we have a unique strength in public policy measures to stimulate and manage the economy, including the behavioural techniques to get messages across. You could combine study of health economics with public economics and development economics to get a broad view of how one can respond to a threat such as Covid-19, balancing home and global needs. Economic recovery is probably one of the most pressing and urgent challenges right now and studying an economics degree gives you the unique tools to take on this challenge, find a solution, and improve well-being. Studying economics provides you with a greater understanding of the world around you. It teaches you how the economy functions, how people make decisions, why an economic crisis occurs and what the different solutions are. Economics at Essex is not only about stocks, shares and financial markets; it is concerned with the material wellbeing of human societies. Our course gives you a thorough introduction to all aspects of economics, including micro and macroeconomics, and qualitative and mathematical research methods. Examine the decisions of individuals, the strategies of firms and the policies of individuals to understand and challenge the standard rules of economics. BA Economics offers you a large degree of flexibility, giving you freedom to focus on a broad range of areas which inspire you. You’ll study all of the major mainstream fields, but we have particular strengths in these areas:

• Game theory and strategic interactions
• Theoretical and applied econometrics
• Labour economics

We are 4th in UK for research power in economics and econometrics (Times Higher Education research power measure, Research Excellence Framework 2021). Your education is inspired and informed by this pioneering research, so that you graduate with a strong training in economics. Why we're great.

• We are 4th in UK for research power in economics and econometrics (Times Higher Education research power measure, Research Excellence Framework 2021)
• Ranked 18th in the UK for Economics in the QS World University Rankings by Subject (2023)
• Economics at Essex offers you a large degree of flexibility, so you can focus on your interests

Study abroad

Your education extends beyond the university campus. We support you in expanding your education through offering the opportunity to spend a year or a term studying abroad at one of our partner universities. The four-year version of our degree allows you to spend the third year abroad or employed on a placement abroad, while otherwise remaining identical to the three-year course. Studying abroad allows you to experience other cultures and languages, to broaden your degree socially and academically, and to demonstrate to employers that you are mature, adaptable, and organised. If you spend a full year abroad you'll only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee to Essex for that year. You won't pay any tuition fees to your host university.

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Placement year

Alternatively, you can spend your third year on a placement year with an external organisation, where you learn about a particular sector, company or job role, apply your academic knowledge in a practical working environment, and receive inspiration for future career pathways. You will be responsible for finding your placement, but with support and guidance provided by both your department and our Employability and Careers Centre. If you complete a placement year you'll only pay 20% of your usual tuition fee to Essex for that year.

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Our expert staff

Study and work alongside some of the most prominent economists. Our researchers are at the forefront of their field and have even received MBEs, with students coming from across the globe to study, research or work with us. Our Department of Economics is a richly diverse home to staff and students from all over the world who have a strong sense of belonging and want to think, learn and change the world together. Many of our researchers also provide consultancy services to businesses in London and other major financial centres, helping us to develop research for today's society as well as informing our teaching for the future.

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Specialist facilities

Take advantage of our extensive learning resources to assist you in your studies:

• Extensive software for quantitative analysis is available in all computer labs across the university
• Access a variety of economics databases and multiple copies of textbooks and e-books in the Albert Sloman Library

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Your future

Many employers want economists with critical thinking skills who can tackle large data sets and practical problems. Our course helps you to become more employable and takes you closer to that dream job or postgraduate course when you graduate. Our students are in demand from a wide range of employers in a host of occupations, including financial analysis, management, public administration and accountancy. Our recent graduates have gone on to work for a wide range of high-profile companies including:

• Bank of England
• Barclays Capital
• Citigroup
• Deloitte
• Ernst and Young
• Morgan Stanley
• Bank of New York
• Santander

We also work with the University’s Student Development Team to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities. “I found staff in my Department very helpful, and someone was always available to help. Since leaving Essex I have trained as an accountant at A4G Accountants, and many of my modules help with my day-to-day understanding of the job. My time at Essex was the best three years of my life so far.” Kate McGarry, BSc Financial Economics