Program Overview

BSc Economics with a Placement Year

The BSc Economics with a Placement Year degree at the University of Reading is a four-year course that focuses on the application of economic tools to different markets and situations. This program allows students to understand what's happening in the world and how policymakers can respond to it.

Overview

The course explores how economic theory can be applied to major domestic and global issues, providing students with valuable skills in the workplace. An integrated placement year gives students the opportunity to put their skills and knowledge into practice.

Choose Economics at the University of Reading

The University of Reading has been established for more than 50 years and is ranked among the top 150 universities in the world for Economics. The university is also ranked 10th in the UK in Business and Economics subjects.

Placement Year

Students will undertake a year-long work placement in an industrial setting between their second and final year. This placement is a valuable way to develop skills, experience the workplace, and build a network.

Learning Environment

The Department of Economics at the University of Reading has real-world applications and has informed policy decisions by governments, major multinational organizations, and agencies such as the UN and the World Bank.

Support for Learning

The Department of Economics offers various ways to support student learning, including:

• Economics Surgeries: one-to-one appointments with staff to discuss topics and gain assistance.
• Economics Conversations: opportunities to network with staff and students from across the department.

Study Abroad

Students can apply to study for a year or a semester abroad at one of the university's partner universities in Australia, Canada, the USA, or across Europe.

Entry Requirements

• A Level: ABB (Mathematics is a preferred subject, but not essential)
• International Baccalaureate: 32 points overall, including 5 in Maths at standard level
• GCSE: Mathematics at grade A (or 7)
• Extended Project Qualification: recognized as part of a formal offer
• BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM
• English language requirements: IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

Structure

The course is divided into four years, with compulsory and optional modules in each year.

Year 1

• Compulsory modules:
  • Introductory Microeconomics
  • Introductory Macroeconomics
  • Applied Economics and Policy
  • Mathematical Methods for Economists
  • Core Competencies in Economics
• Optional modules:
  • Economics of Climate Change
  • History of Economic Thought
  • Globalisation and the History of Western Capitalism

Year 2

• Compulsory modules:
  • Microeconomics
  • Macroeconomics
  • Introductory Econometrics
  • Intermediate Econometrics
• Optional modules:
  • Business Economics
  • Games and Economic Behaviour
  • Economics of Social Policy
  • Economic History

Year 3 (Placement Year)

• Students will undertake a year-long work placement in an industrial setting.

Year 4

• Compulsory modules:
  • Advanced Microeconomics
  • Advanced Macroeconomics
• Optional modules:
  • Public Economics
  • Econometric Methods
  • Behavioural Economics
  • Industrial Organisation
  • Financial Economics
  • The Economics of Sports and Games
  • Environmental Economics
  • International Economics
  • Development Economics
  • Money and Banking
  • Economics of Labour
  • Reasoning and Choice: Game Theory for Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
  • Dissertation

Fees

• New UK/Republic of Ireland students: ｣9,790 (2026 entry)
• New international students: ｣25,850 (2026/27)
• Placement year fees: 15% of the usual tuition fee for that year

Careers

Graduates from the University of Reading's Economics program are highly sought after by employers. Many have entered careers as economists with governmental and commercial organizations, while others have pursued related careers in accounting, finance, business, marketing, publishing, public relations, and the media.

Related Subjects

• Economics