Program Overview

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Economics

Learn how the principles of economic theory, applied economics and statistical techniques are applied by individuals, businesses and governments and how these decisions affect society.

Start Dates

• September 2026
• September 2025

Degree Type

BSc

Course Length

3 years full-time

Location

Durham City

UCAS Code

L100

Course Details

Economics is at the heart of decision-making across every aspect of society. From individuals and businesses to public bodies and multinational organisations, economists examine available resources and work out how they can be used efficiently and effectively.

BSc (Hons) Economics has been developed to meet the needs of the business world and equip you with the skills to succeed in a range of industries. As well as preparing you for a career in the financial services sector, the critical and analytical skills developed during the degree provide a springboard into the worlds of journalism, policy, education and international development.

Central to the course is the real-world application of economics. The curriculum includes lectures from expert speakers and projects where you will have a chance to investigate a range of contemporary economics issues. Learning from industry experts you’ll develop a solid grounding in economic analysis, applied economics and statistical techniques.

The flexible structure coupled with the wide range of optional modules across all years allows you to tailor your studies as your interests evolve. You have the option to complete the course in three years, add a placement year or spend a year abroad. It may also be possible to spend the third term of your second year at the University of Pisa.

Year 1

Year 1 provides a foundation in domestic and international economics. In subsequent years you will further develop your understanding of core areas such as macroeconomics, microeconomics and data analysis.

Year 2

The focus on self-directed learning and independent research increases, particularly around the dissertation, as you begin to prepare for professional or postgraduate life. Teaching staff offer drop-in surgeries where a member of the team is available to provide support.

Course Structure

Year 1 Modules

Core Modules:

• Principles of Economics: provides a sound foundation for modules in micro- and macroeconomics. You will cover areas including methodology of economics, supply and demand, consumer spending choices, competition and growth theories.
• Economic Methods: familiarises you with the use of mathematical and statistical tools in solving economic problems. You will look at equations, matrix algebra, calculus, statistics, distribution, confidence intervals and hypothesis testing.
• Global Economic History: provides you with an understanding of the historical roots of economic growth and diverging trajectories of development in different countries and regions of the global economy.

Optional Modules:

In recent years optional modules have included:

• The Economics of Sustainability
• Introduction to the History of Economic Thought
• Mastering Data and Computation
• A Finance module

Year 2 Modules

Core Modules:

• Macroeconomics: uses real-world examples to analyse the general equilibrium of an economy both in the short term, with a static model, and in the medium to long term, with a dynamic model.
• Microeconomics: develops your knowledge and understanding of the essential components of microeconomics, with a particular focus on the analytical skills relevant to consumer and production theories, general equilibrium and welfare.
• Econometrics: equips you with the skills to understand the type of empirical analysis used in economic literature. You will also write a report based on econometric analysis.

Optional Modules:

In recent years optional modules have included:

• Behavioural and Experimental Economics
• Intermediate Methods for Economics
• Microeconomic Applications and Policy
• Macroeconomic Applications and Policy
• Corporate Finance.

Year 3 Modules

Core Modules:

• Dissertation: is a detailed and critical examination of a relevant area of economics. It develops your ability to plan and manage your own learning and provides you with an opportunity to research a specific topic and present your findings and conclusions.

Optional Modules:

In recent years optional modules have included:

• Advanced Macroeconomic Theory
• Advanced Microeconomic Theory
• Applied Econometrics
• Developmental Economics
• Environmental Economics and Policy
• International Economics
• Monetary Economics
• Labour Economics
• Game Theory and Applications
• Corporate Governance
• Financial Theory and Corporate Policy

Additional Pathways

Students can apply to be transferred onto either the with Year Abroad or with Placement pathway. Places on these pathways are in high demand and if you are chosen your studies will extend from three years to four or four to five depending on course.

Learning

Lectures and small-group seminars are complemented by specialist workshops. Using up-to-date resources, the workshops provide hands-on experience of the kind of work professional economists perform.

You’ll also benefit from one-to-one support and self-directed learning to develop your critical thinking skills. In addition, the Department hosts research-focused seminars where you can further develop your knowledge and start building industry networks.

Assessment

Modules are assessed via a combination of examinations, written assignments and reports, investigative projects and presentations.

The range of assessment methods is designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of the material, test your critical thinking skills, enhance your written and oral communication skills, and assess your ability to relate your learning to real-world issues.

The 12,000-word dissertation makes up one-third of your final-year marks.

Entry Requirements

A level offer – A*AA

including Mathematics.

_You do not need to have studied Economics at A-Level to apply for this programme. _

Contextual offer – ABB

including a grade A from A Level Mathematics

Click here for more information on contextual offers and to check your eligibility.

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma – D*DD and Mathematics A level at grade A (or equivalent) is required.

IB Diploma score – 38 with 666 in higher level subjects, including Mathematics. If you are not taking Mathematics at higher level, we can accept standard level Mathematics at grade 7.

In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements, please note:

• We welcome applications from those with other qualifications equivalent to our standard entry requirements. Please see our ‘Alternative qualifications’ section, below.
• You are welcome to apply if you are taking resits; resitting your qualification(s) will not negatively affect your application.
• We are willing to consider applications for deferred entry. You can find further information regarding changes to your application here.
• If you have any questions regarding the entry requirements for this programme, please contact us via our Ask Us form.
• You can find further information on how we assess your application in our Admissions Policy.

Alternative qualifications

• Other UK qualifications
• EU qualifications
• International qualifications

International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree might have the option to complete an International Foundation Year.

Home students who do not meet our direct entry requirements, may be eligible for our Foundation Programme which offers multidisciplinary programmes to prepare you for a range of specified degree programmes.

English language requirements

Country specific information

Fees and Funding

The fees for this academic year have not been confirmed yet.

The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full-time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.

The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full-time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and will be subject to an annual inflationary increase expected to rise throughout the programme of study.

More information is available here: Tuition Fees - Durham University

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.

Scholarships

We are committed to supporting the best students irrespective of financial circumstances and are delighted to offer a range of funding opportunities.

Career Opportunities

Economics

Our students graduate with subject-specific knowledge such as economic theory and data analysis, as well as the commercial awareness, IT and problem-solving skills that are highly valued by employers across the world. This combination of academic knowledge and transferable skills will open up a range of career possibilities in the economics and finance sector and beyond.

Our focus on employability stretches beyond the classroom. You will benefit from events that will give you a competitive edge in the job market. From employer talks and interview advice to business-tailored careers fairs, we work with you to achieve your goals.

Previous Economics graduates have gone on to work for global innovators and leaders in their sector including Ernst and Young, Deloitte, Lloyds Banking Group, PwC, JP Morgan and for government departments such as the National Audit Office, HMRC and the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.

Of those students who graduated in :

• 94% in work or further study.

Of those in employment:

• 100% in highly or medium skilled employment.
• £36,470 is the average salary.

(Source: HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after graduation. Further information about the Graduate Outcomes survey can be found here

Department Information

Economics

Gain constructive insights from active practitioners and researchers. Our Economics degrees close the gap between the business world and the classroom, and prepare the next generation for success across a range of disciplines.

We are part of Durham University’s Business School, one of the UK's longest established business schools. We offer an inspiring and stimulating learning environment, and consistently rank highly for the quality of our teaching, research and for graduate career prospects.

The rigorous curriculum combined with exceptional teaching prepare you to navigate the economic challenges faced by the modern world.

You will learn from leading academics across a range of economic disciplines. Many of the academic team are active practitioners and researchers who will share their skills and knowledge directly, delivering their insights to the classroom and bringing you closer to the realities of the business world. You will also benefit from lectures by guest speakers who give new perspectives on relevant topics, while case studies give you the opportunity to explore a range of contemporary economics issues. There are further opportunities for hands-on work placements and international study.

You will gain an understanding of the principles of Economics, including supply and demand, competition and growth theories while developing the skills to effectively analyse and interpret data. All our degrees can be tailored to your interests through a wide range of option modules, including the chance to study a language.

Economics degrees at Durham prepare students to become the innovative business thinkers of the future and our qualifications are highly successful in creating job opportunities.

For more information see our department pages.

Rankings

• 7th in The Complete University Guide 2025
• 4th in The Guardian University Guide 2025
• 1st in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Staff

For a current list of staff, please see our department web pages.

Facilities

You’ll be taught across the University campus by world leading academics from the Business School. The University campus is within walking distance of the historic centre of Durham, a city with UNESCO World Heritage Status.

Apply

Use the UCAS code below when applying:

L100

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The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) handles applications for all undergraduate courses.

How to Apply?

• Contextual Offers
• Admissions Policy

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Events and Open Days

• Register for an Undergraduate Open Day

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