We are in the process of finalising our postgraduate taught courses for 2026/27 entry. In the meantime, you can view our 2025/26 courses.
Explore how economic theory can be applied to the major domestic and global issues of today – and gain valuable skills in the workplace – with our BSc Economics with Placement Year degree.
This four-year course focuses on how economic tools can be applied to different markets and situations. You will acquire the skills, knowledge and understanding that will enable you to solve the problems that are challenging policy makers and businesses all over the world. An integrated placement year gives you the opportunity to put your skills and knowledge into practice.
Watch a video explaining the differences between our BA and BSc Economics.
Choose economics at the University of Reading
Our BSc programme will allow you to understand what’s happening in the world and how policy makers can respond to it: how do economies grow, how can policy makers manage business cycles, is inflation a problem, how can unemployment be reduced, is a five-day week really necessary and so on. You will analyse these issues using a range of economic theories and methods including the theory of games and strategic interactions, natural and behavioural experiments.
Your degree will help you to understand the levers of policy and provide policy advice in response to economic problems.
Placement Year
You’ll undertake a year-long work placement, in an industrial setting, between your second and final year. A placement is a valuable way to develop your skills, experience the workplace, and build your network.
We have a dedicated placement coordinator who can provide advice and support in your search for a placement.
Previous students from the Department of Economics have undertaken placements with:
We also offer a three-year version of this degree, BSc Economics, which does not include an integrated placement year. For further information, please visit the Department of Economics website.
Your learning environment
Our research in the Department of Economics has real-world applications and has informed policy decisions by governments, major multinational organisations, and agencies such as the UN and the World Bank.
At Reading, our researchers are addressing some of the key issues of the twenty-first century, such as the environmental impact of economic growth:
Elsewhere, our innovative research into leisure and sport is providing vital economic insights:
The modules you’ll study throughout your degree are aligned with our research clusters, keeping you abreast of the latest developments in economics. This learning is complemented by guest speakers from outside the University.
Popular modules include:
As well as traditional lectures, you’ll take part in small-group tutorials, enabling you to discuss and analyse both theory and practice through case studies, group presentations and open debate.
Supporting your learning
In the National Student Survey 2023, 100% of our students said teaching staff were good or very good at explaining things (100% of respondents studying BSc Economics with a Placement Year).
The Department of Economics can support your learning in a number of ways.
The Economics Society also arranges lectures and discussions with economists on a range of topical matters, such as the economics of health and feminism.
Study Abroad
As part of your degree, you can apply to study for a year or a semester abroad at one of our partner universities in Australia, Canada, the USA, or across Europe.
