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Study BA Economics and learn to apply economic analysis to international problems.
On this course you will explore and develop a deep understanding of the increasingly critical economic and related issues that dominate the news agenda and shape the world in which we live. You will study practical issues in economics and explore the relationship between economics and society more widely.
This course places less emphasis on mathematical and statistical content, and instead you will focus on the relevance of these techniques to applied problems. You will still learn necessary maths skills in your core modules with extensive support, should you need it.
Each year you will be able to choose from a wide range of specialist optional modules and tailor the degree to your own interests. These span a number of topics, including business, policy, economic history and even the economics of climate change. You can also choose to do modules in other subjects such as history and politics, some of which cover topics and issues related to economics.
In addition to traditional lectures, you will take part small group tutorials in which you can discuss and analyse theory and practice through case studies, exercises, group presentations and open debate. You will have the opportunity to extend your study of economics beyond the classroom through our student-run Economics Society, which has arranged lectures on topics ranging from 'How happy are you?' to 'Are you a Marxist economist?' as well as conversations with economists on topical matters such as the economics of health and feminism.
You have the option of studying this degree over four years with a placement year.
For more information, please visit the Department of Economics website.
Overview
On this course you will explore and develop a deep understanding of the increasingly critical economic and related issues that dominate the news agenda and shape the world in which we live. You will study practical issues in economics and explore the relationship between economics and society more widely.
This course places less emphasis on mathematical and statistical content, and instead you will focus on the relevance of these techniques to applied problems. You will still learn necessary maths skills in your core modules with extensive support, should you need it.
Each year you will be able to choose from a wide range of specialist optional modules and tailor the degree to your own interests. These span a number of topics, including business, policy, economic history and even the economics of climate change. You can also choose to do modules in other subjects such as history and politics, some of which cover topics and issues related to economics.
In addition to traditional lectures, you will take part small group tutorials in which you can discuss and analyse theory and practice through case studies, exercises, group presentations and open debate. You will have the opportunity to extend your study of economics beyond the classroom through our student-run Economics Society, which has arranged lectures on topics ranging from 'How happy are you?' to 'Are you a Marxist economist?' as well as conversations with economists on topical matters such as the economics of health and feminism.
You have the option of studying this degree over four years with a placement year.
For more information, please visit the Department of Economics website.
Entry requirements A Level ABB | IB 32 points overall
Typical offer
ABB
International Baccalaureate
32 points overall including standard level Maths at grade 4 minimum.
GCSE
Maths at grade B (6) minimum
Extended Project Qualification
In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.
BTEC Extended Diploma
DDM
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5
For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.
Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students
For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.
International Foundation Programme
If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.
Pre-sessional English language programme
If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.
Structure
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
EC123 | Globalisation and the History of Western Capitalism | PROF Mark Casson |
EC116 | Introductory Mathematics for Economics 1 | DR Yutong Li |
EC115 | Introductory Quantitative Methods in Economics and Business 1 | DR Stefania Lovo |
EC113 | Introductory Microeconomics | PROF Marina Della Giusta |
EC114 | Introductory Macroeconomics | DR Mark Guzman |
EC107 | Introduction to Economic Institutions and Policy | DR Maria Asensio |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
AP1SB1 | Introduction to Management | DR Yiorgos Gadanakis |
AR1REV | Revolutions in Human Behaviour: 4 Million Years BC to the Present | DR Aleks Pluskowski |
AR1EMP | Early Empires: Mesopotamia, Egypt & Rome | PROF Roger Matthews |
AR1REV10 | Revolutions in Human Behaviour: 4 Million Years BC to the Present [10 credits] | DR Aleks Pluskowski |
CL1G1 | Ancient Greek 1 | MRS Jackie Baines |
CL1SO | Ancient Song | PROF Ian Rutherford |
CL1L1 | Latin 1 (C) | MRS Jackie Baines |
EC120 | Introductory Quantitative Methods in Economics and Business 2 and Study Skills | DR Simonetta Longhi |
EC118 | Economy, Politics and Culture in the Roman World | PROF Ken Dark |
EC121 | Introductory Mathematics for Economics 2 | MISS Anisa Butt |
EC130 | Placement Support | MRS Purnima Darji |
EC110 | The Economics of Climate Change | DR Stefania Lovo |
EC111 | Economic Policy and Social Problems | PROF Giovanni Razzu |
FA1MM | Modernisms & Mythologies | DR James Hellings |
LS1GL | Globalization and Language | DR Tony Capstick |
LW1SOC | Law & Society | MRS Amanda Millmore |
ML1IL | Introduction to Linguistics | DR Federico Faloppa |
MM1F10 | Student Enterprise | DR Lebene Soga |
MT1CC | The Science of Climate Change | PROF Nigel Arnell |
PO1BRI | British Society | DR Dawn Clarke |
PO1ICD | Introduction to Contemporary Democracy | DR Christoph Arndt |
PO1INE | Inequality | DR Jonathan Golub |
PP1RP | Radical Philosophy | PROF Maximilian De Gaynesford |
PP1GJ | Global Justice | DR Shalini Sinha |
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
EC201 | Intermediate Microeconomics | DR Minyan Zhu |
EC202 | Intermediate Macroeconomics | DR Mark Guzman |
EC238 | Economics of Social Policy | DR Carl Singleton |
EC207 | Empirical Methods for Economics and Social Sciences | MR Adesola Olumayowa Sunmoni |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
AR2F17 | Forensic Archaeology and Crime Scene Analysis | PROF Mary Lewis |
AR2M8 | Medieval Europe: power, religion and death | DR Gabor Thomas |
CL2CGH | Greek History: Persian Wars to Alexander | PROF Timothy Duff |
CL2DR | Ancient Drama | PROF Barbara Goff |
EC221 | Economic Theory | DR Mark Guzman |
EC243 | Economic History | PROF Peter Scott |
EC206 | Intermediate Mathematics for Economics | MISS Zhe Wang |
EC209 | History of Economic Thought | PROF Marina Della Giusta |
EC208 | Business Economics | DR Nigel Wadeson |
CL2RO | Roman History: From Republic to Empire | PROF Annalisa Marzano |
LS2LAT | Introduction to English Language Teaching | MRS Suzanne Portch |
LS2LNM | Language and New Media | PROF Rodney Jones |
ML2GF | Science, perversion, and dream in global fantastic literature | DR Daniela La Penna |
MM270 | Practice of Entrepreneurship | DR Norbert Morawetz |
ML2STA | Society, Thought, and Art in Modern Europe | DR Athena Leoussi |
ML2UNR | Unity, Nationalism and Regionalism in Europe | DR Athena Leoussi |
MT2CC | The Science of Climate Change | PROF Nigel Arnell |
PO2BGP | British Government and Politics | DR Matthew Whiting |
PO2MIR | Modern International Relations | DR Joseph O' Mahoney |
PO2CGP | Comparative Government and Politics | DR Daphne Halikiopoulou |
PO2PWS | Politics of the Welfare State | DR Brandon Beomseob Park |
PO2THI | Political Thinking | DR Alice Baderin |
PP2HKW1 | Hume, Kant, and Wittgenstein 1 | DR Severin Schroeder |
PP2GP1 | Global Philosophy 1 | DR Shalini Sinha |
PP2EA1 | Ethical Argument 1: Philosophy and How to Live | DR Luke Elson |
PP2MM1 | Meaning and the Mind 1 | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
PP2OID1 | Oppression, Inequality, and the Enemies of Democracy 1 | MR George Mason |
PP2IDR1 | Ignorance, Doubt, and Relativism 1 | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
BI3EF7 | Urban Ecology | DR Phil Baker |
BI3BI8 | Neurobiology | DR Nandini Vasudevan |
EC314 | Public Economics | DR Vivien Burrows |
EC311 | International Economics | DR Hussein Hassan |
EC319 | Development Economics | DR Neha Hui |
EC317 | Urban Economics | DR Vivien Burrows |
EC301 | Advanced Microeconomics | DR Steven Bosworth |
EC302 | Advanced Macroeconomics | DR Alexander Mihailov |
EC347 | Industrial Organisation | DR Joo Young Jeon |
EC337 | Processes of Long Term Political and Economic Change | PROF Ken Dark |
EC327 | Economics of Banking | DR Tho Pham |
EC325 | The Economics of Sports and Games | DR Carl Singleton |
EC320 | Money and Banking | DR Shixuan Wang |
EC348 | Business History | PROF Peter Scott |
EC349 | Financial Economics | DR Hussein Hassan |
EC3DIS | Dissertation | PROF Ken Dark |
LS3IC | Intercultural Communications | DR Erhan Aslan |
LW3CRY | Criminology | PROF Paul Almond |
MM302 | Entrepreneurial Project | MR Keith Heron |
ML3LP | Language and Power | DR Federico Faloppa |
ML3IC | Identity and Conflict in Modern Europe | DR Athena Leoussi |
GV3TRC | Tropical Rainforests, Climate & Lost Civilisations | PROF Frank Mayle |
GV3ESM | Ecosystems Modelling | DR Shovonlal Roy |
GV3CC | Climate Change | DR Maria Shahgedanova |
PO3FPT | Feminism and Political Theory | PROF David Marshall |
PO3USF | US Foreign and Defence Policy since 1950 | DR Graham O'Dwyer |
PO3IPE | International Political Economy | DR Jonathan Golub |
Fees
New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250* per year
New international students: £17,320 per year
*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes
UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.
EU student fees
With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.
Additional costs
Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.
Financial support for your studies
You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.
Careers
Our graduates are in high demand as a result of the analytical skills and specialist knowledge of economics they develop through this course. 92% of graduates from the Department of Economics are in work or further study within 15 months of the end of their course [1].
Our recent graduates have secured roles as economists with the Government Economic Service and consultancies such as PwC and KPMG. Others have entered related and non-related careers in finance, business, marketing, publishing, PR and media.
You can choose to study your degree over four years with a paid Professional Placement Year or by applying to spend a full academic year studying abroad. The University provides support to applicants in securing their placements. This includes timetabled support and training from the Department of Economics placement coordinator and focuses on the search, application and selection processes associated with placements.
Past and current students have undertaken placements with 3M, Bank of England, Deloitte, Disney IBM, Johnson and Johnson, NHS England, Nissan, Oracle, and the Government Economic Service (including the Treasury, the Office for National Statistics and Foreign & Commonwealth Office).
[1] Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017/18; First Degree responders from Economics.