Study BSc Economics and acquire the skills, knowledge and understanding required to become an economist or use economics as a significant part of your career.
You will develop a strong grounding in the conceptual underpinnings of economics and the mathematical approach to the subject and its methodology. You will learn to use key mathematical and statistical techniques through core modules in macroeconomics, microeconomics and econometrics.
You will also have the opportunity to explore other areas of economics through a wide range of optional modules. These span a number of topics, including business, policy, economic history and even the economics of climate change. Modules from other subjects such as history and politics are also available and are a good way to broaden your knowledge and pursue other interests.
In addition to traditional lectures, you will partake in group tutorials in which you can discuss and analyse theory and practice through case studies, 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 also have the option of studying this degree over four years with a placement year and gain valuable real-world experience.
For more information, please visit the Department of Economics website.
Overview
Study BSc Economics and acquire the skills, knowledge and understanding required to become an economist or use economics as a significant part of your career.
You will develop a strong grounding in the conceptual underpinnings of economics and the mathematical approach to the subject and its methodology. You will learn to use key mathematical and statistical techniques through core modules in macroeconomics, microeconomics and econometrics.
You will also have the opportunity to explore other areas of economics through a wide range of optional modules. These span a number of topics, including business, policy, economic history and even the economics of climate change. Modules from other subjects such as history and politics are also available and are a good way to broaden your knowledge and pursue other interests.
In addition to traditional lectures, you will partake in group tutorials in which you can discuss and analyse theory and practice through case studies, 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 also have the option of studying this degree over four years with a placement year and gain valuable real-world experience.
For more information, please visit the Department of Economics website.
Entry requirements A Level ABB | IB 32 points overall
Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.
Typical offer
ABB including A level Maths at grade B
International Baccalaureate
32 points overall, including standard level Maths at grade 5 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 (modules taken must be comparable to A level subjects specified)
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 |
---|---|---|
EC120 | Introductory Quantitative Methods in Economics and Business 2 and Study Skills | DR Simonetta Longhi |
EC121 | Introductory Mathematics for Economics 2 | MISS Anisa Butt |
EC115 | Introductory Quantitative Methods in Economics and Business 1 | DR Stefania Lovo |
EC114 | Introductory Macroeconomics | DR Mark Guzman |
EC113 | Introductory Microeconomics | PROF Marina Della Giusta |
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 |
AR1REV10 | Revolutions in Human Behaviour: 4 Million Years BC to the Present [10 credits] | DR Aleks Pluskowski |
AR1EMP | Early Empires: Mesopotamia, Egypt & Rome | PROF Roger Matthews |
CL1L1 | Latin 1 (C) | MRS Jackie Baines |
CL1G1 | Ancient Greek 1 | MRS Jackie Baines |
CL1SO | Ancient Song | PROF Ian Rutherford |
EC118 | Economy, Politics and Culture in the Roman World | PROF Ken Dark |
EC123 | Globalisation and the History of Western Capitalism | PROF Mark Casson |
EC130 | Placement Support | MRS Purnima Darji |
EC116 | Introductory Mathematics for Economics 1 | DR Yutong Li |
EC111 | Economic Policy and Social Problems | PROF Giovanni Razzu |
EC110 | The Economics of Climate Change | DR Stefania Lovo |
EC107 | Introduction to Economic Institutions and Policy | DR Maria Asensio |
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 |
PO1BRI | British Society | DR Dawn Clarke |
MT1CC | The Science of Climate Change | PROF Nigel Arnell |
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 |
EC204 | Introductory Econometrics | DR Steven Bosworth |
EC206 | Intermediate Mathematics for Economics | MISS Zhe Wang |
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 |
EC221 | Economic Theory | DR Mark Guzman |
EC238 | Economics of Social Policy | DR Carl Singleton |
EC243 | Economic History | PROF Peter Scott |
EC205 | Intermediate Econometrics | DR Hussein Hassan |
EC209 | History of Economic Thought | PROF Marina Della Giusta |
EC208 | Business Economics | DR Nigel Wadeson |
CL2DR | Ancient Drama | PROF Barbara Goff |
CL2RO | Roman History: From Republic to Empire | PROF Annalisa Marzano |
LS2LNM | Language and New Media | PROF Rodney Jones |
LS2LAT | Introduction to English Language Teaching | MRS Suzanne Portch |
MM270 | Practice of Entrepreneurship | DR Norbert Morawetz |
ML2STA | Society, Thought, and Art in Modern Europe | DR Athena Leoussi |
ML2GF | Science, perversion, and dream in global fantastic literature | DR Daniela La Penna |
ML2UNR | Unity, Nationalism and Regionalism in Europe | DR Athena Leoussi |
MT2CC | The Science of Climate Change | PROF Nigel Arnell |
PO2MIR | Modern International Relations | DR Joseph O' Mahoney |
PO2PWS | Politics of the Welfare State | DR Brandon Beomseob Park |
PO2THI | Political Thinking | DR Alice Baderin |
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 |
PP2HKW1 | Hume, Kant, and Wittgenstein 1 | DR Severin Schroeder |
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
EC302 | Advanced Macroeconomics | DR Alexander Mihailov |
EC301 | Advanced Microeconomics | DR Steven Bosworth |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
BI3EF7 | Urban Ecology | DR Phil Baker |
BI3BI8 | Neurobiology | DR Nandini Vasudevan |
EC311 | International Economics | DR Hussein Hassan |
EC314 | Public Economics | DR Vivien Burrows |
EC318 | Econometric Methods | DR Stephen Kastoryano |
EC317 | Urban Economics | DR Vivien Burrows |
EC303 | Applied Econometrics | DR Simonetta Longhi |
EC347 | Industrial Organisation | DR Joo Young Jeon |
EC337 | Processes of Long Term Political and Economic Change | PROF Ken Dark |
EC343 | Behavioural Economics | DR Stephen Kastoryano |
EC327 | Economics of Banking | DR Tho Pham |
EC325 | The Economics of Sports and Games | DR Carl Singleton |
EC320 | Money and Banking | DR Shixuan Wang |
EC319 | Development Economics | DR Neha Hui |
EC348 | Business History | PROF Peter Scott |
EC349 | Financial Economics | DR Hussein Hassan |
EC350 | Macroeconometrics | DR Shixuan Wang |
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: £19,500 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 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). The Department of Economics has a specialist placement officer who can provide you with one-to-one support in securing and preparing for a placement.
[1] Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017/18; First Degree responders from Economics.
Economics is relevant to everyone and everything. It is influential in every decision made and can have a real impact on our lives. It is this that I find most intriguing about the subject, and I enjoy being able to relate what I learn to real-life situations.