BSc (Hons) Economics

What is the BSc Economics?

The BSc Economics is a three-year degree, or four years with an optional placement or study abroad year.

You’ll study how economies work, how people and institutions respond to incentives, and how economic evidence is used to explain real-world outcomes. With an emphasis on analysis, data, and economic reasoning, you’ll build the confidence to interpret evidence, and apply quantitative insight to complex economic questions.

Why this course

The BSc Economics gives you the opportunity to analyse how people, markets, and governments behave - and the quantitative tools to make sense of a world defined by uncertainty, incentives, and change. If you want a degree that explores not just what is happening in the economy but why - and what to do about it - this programme gives you that foundation.

You’ll explore how economic decisions shape wellbeing, inequality, opportunity, and how societies function. You’ll learn how policy choices affect real lives, and how economists use data to create better outcomes. You’ll study micro and macroeconomics, econometrics, behavioural economics, development, labour markets, and public policy.

You’ll be taught within a department whose research informs decision-making on labour markets, behavioural change, financial regulation, and development, illustrating how economic theory connects to real policy challenges. Throughout your degree, you’ll learn to think like an economist; breaking down problems, analysing evidence, interpreting data, predicting outcomes, and communicating insights clearly and confidently.

You can also add an optional placement or study abroad year, applying your skills in industry or international settings and strengthening both your CV and your global perspective.

By graduation, you’ll have the foundational skills to pursue early careers in government, business, finance - any sector that values sharp analysis - or progress to postgraduate study.

Who should apply

• Students who want to understand how economies work and feel confident using data, models, and evidence to explain real-world outcomes - no prior economics background required, but strong quantitative skills, confidence with numbers, and a commitment to analytical thinking are essential
• Future analysts, policymakers, consultants, or researchers who want to base decisions on rigorous economic reasoning and quantitative insight
• Learners interested in development, inequality, labour markets, behavioural economics, or global change, and who want the tools to analyse these issues systematically
• Those looking for an economics degree that prioritises analytical rigour, evidence-based thinking, and practical application

What you’ll learn

• Microeconomics and macroeconomics: Understand how markets work, how incentives influence behaviour, and how economies respond to change
• Mathematical and quantitative economics: Build confidence using mathematical tools to analyse economic problems and support economic reasoning
• Econometrics and data analysis: Learn how economists use statistics and data to study economic relationships
• Applied economics: Use economic models to analyse real-world economic issues and policy questions
• Research skills and evidence-based analysis: Develop the skills to interpret economic evidence and communicate insights clearly

Your learning experience

• Optional study abroad year: Study economics in an international context and develop your global understanding - explore destinations and partner universities through the Study Abroad programme
• Optional placement year: Apply your skills in real organisations and gain hands-on experience - learn more about how we support students through Placements at Essex
• Expert teaching: Learn within a department where economics research with real-world impact informs teaching at every level
• Specialist facilities: Use professional software and behavioural science labs to build the technical skills employers expect from a BSc Economics graduate

Careers and outcomes

A BSc Economics degree prepares you for careers in:

• Economic analysis and data careers: Economist, economic analyst, data analyst, or policy analyst roles using quantitative methods, econometrics, and statistical modelling
• Government, regulation, and central institutions: Roles within HM Treasury, Bank of England, government economic units, and regulatory bodies focused on forecasting, impact evaluation, and evidence-based policy design
• Finance, risk, and economic consultancy: Economic and financial analyst roles in banks, consultancies, and risk teams applying forecasting, modelling, and quantitative analysis
• Research and applied economics: Think tanks, research institutes, and behavioural science teams conducting econometric research, labour market analysis, and policy evaluation
• Postgraduate study and specialist pathways: Progression to Masters or PhD study in economics, econometrics, finance, data science, or other quantitatively focused social science disciplines

Employers of graduates from this course

Graduates from this course have progressed to roles in organisations such as:

• Bank of England
• JP Morgan & Chase
• Goldman Sachs
• HM Treasury
• Financial Conduct Authority