BA Hons (Economics)

Our BA Hons Economics degree will give you the ability to explain complex data in simple terms to different audiences. You’ll also develop excellent mathematical, statistical and problem-solving skills.

Why this course?
Following the recent global financial crisis, economics is more important and relevant than ever. Decisions on money, banking, interest rates, taxation and government spending affect us all, with global consequences.

Economics aims to understand the activities of the different agents in the economy – consumers, producers and the government – and how they all fit together.

Study with us

Studying a BA Hons degree in Economics at the University of Strathclyde, you'll be learning at an award-winning academic institution. We're the only University to have won the Times Higher Education University of the Year award twice (2012/2019).

• Study in a department which is home to the Fraser of Allander Institute – a leading research institute which offers internship and work placement opportunities for our students
• Use key economics concepts and models to better understand real-world problems
• Develop excellent analytical and problem-solving skills that are highly valued by employers
• Gain the ability to explain complex data in simple terms to a diverse audience
• Benefit from being taught by staff who have strong links with policy-makers and industry

Create your own course
Modern business is too complex to be covered by a single subject: modern managers need to have a broad outlook.

• You'll follow a broad-based Year 1 curriculum which will introduce you to a wide range of business disciplines, alongside the Business School’s core modules for business knowledge and skills (the Management Development Programme), and academic skills support.
• This provides you with the opportunity to try new subjects, some of which you won’t have experienced at school or college. At the beginning of Year 2, you choose two subjects to continue studying in Years 2 and 3, plus further MDP modules in Years 2 and 3.

What you’ll study
Year 1

• You’ll gain an understanding of Economics and the tools that are used by Economists to analyse industries, markets and society. The class introduces the terminology, concepts and tools of Economics.

Year 2

• Economics students take core classes in Microeconomics and Macroeconomics and learn how to analyse economic data.

Year 3

• In Year 3, you’ll study core classes to develop the knowledge gained in Years 1 and 2 with a view to studying Honours. 

Year 4

• Final-year students study core classes as well as a selection of optional classes, which complement the Microeconomics and Macroeconomics studied in previous years. You also undertake a Dissertation that requires substantial independent research.

Progression requirements

• Please note: competitive progression requirements are in place for entry to the Honours year. Currently this is a 55% average in the Year 2 and 3 subject modules. 

Course content

• In Year 1 you will study a range of business disciplines across four subject modules, plus three core integrating modules in international business, business knowledge and skills (via the Management Development Programme) and academic skills. This will provide you with a foundation in business and enable you to appreciate how your chosen specialism fits with other business subjects.  From Year 2 you will take modules in the subjects in which you choose to specialise.
• The Management Development Programme (MDP) is a central element of the undergraduate programme in the Strathclyde Business School. The programme runs for the first three years of the BA degree and is driven by real business problems. The approach to learning is active problem-based, with students working in project teams.  The MDP provides an opportunity to integrate the knowledge and experience gained from your business subjects. Each year of MDP focuses on different aspects of business and the content of MDP is constantly evolving and being updated and enhanced.
• Alongside the MDP you will also take an Academic Skills module which will equip you with essential key skills to support your studies.

Year 1

• Introduction to Tourism Studies and Managing People
• Introduction to Economics and Business Analysis & Technology (20 credits)
• Introduction to Marketing & Entrepreneurship
• Introduction to Finance and Financial Analysis
• Introduction to International Business
• Management Development Programme 1
• Academic Skills

Year 2

• Management Development Programme 2
• Intermediate Microeconomics
• Macroeconomics 2

Year 3

• Management Development Programme 3
• Topics in Microeconomics with Cross Section Econometrics
• Macroeconomics 3

Year 4

• If you are studying Single Honours Economics, you will take 2 core classes, the Economics Dissertation, plus 3 elective classes.
• If you are studying Joint Honours Economics with the Economics Dissertation, you will take a core class plus 2 elective classes. If you choose to take the dissertation with your other subject, you will take a core class plus an elective class

Dissertation

• The dissertation is an important part of the fourth year programme. Single Honours Economics BA students are required to submit a dissertation in Economics while Joint Honours BA students may submit a dissertation in Economics or in their other Honours subject. 

Elective classes

• Microeconomics 4
• Macroeconomics 4
• Industrial Economics
• Applied Econometrics
• Behavioural Economics
• Natural Resource, Environmental & Energy Economics
• Labour Economics

Learning & teaching

• Teaching is over two semesters in blocks of 12 weeks. Classes are taught through lectures, tutorials, and seminars alongside team-based projects, online materials, and interactive sessions using personal response systems.
• External contributors from partnership corporate organisations are involved in teaching and/or assessment of student presentations.
• The innovative and highly acclaimed Management Development Programme (MDP) is at the core of our undergraduate degrees in the Business School and comprises a series of classes which you take throughout Years 1 to 3. 
• You develop knowledge and skills in key areas of management, and team-working, communication and decision-making skills, all of which are highly sought-after by employers.
• Major employers and alumni from all sectors are involved in the MDP, participating in group sessions, observing student presentations, and providing feedback. Organisations involved include Barclays, Deloitte, Procter & Gamble and Ernst & Young. In first year the best teams are selected to present to senior staff in one of the sponsoring organisations, and there are prizes for the best projects.
• The programme builds your confidence, entrepreneurial capabilities and promotes awareness of globalisation and ethical issues in personal and business decision-making. In Year 3, you develop your own pathway from internships, involvement with business projects, engagement in interdisciplinary activities and business clinics.

Assessment

• The majority of classes involve a final unseen exam which is normally at the end of the semester. This is typically supplemented by individual and/or group coursework.
• Students normally have one opportunity to be re-assessed for a failed class. Exam resits usually take place during the summer.
• A range of assessment techniques are used including business reports, case studies, essays, presentations, individual and group projects, learning journals and peer assessments.

Careers
Our economics graduates have entered careers in economics and related fields, both in the private and public sectors. It's also an excellent qualification for developing a career in finance, management, and other business fields.

Recent graduate jobs include:

• Economists, Government Economics Service
• Consultant, Accenture
• Financial Analysts, Blackrock, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, PwC and Whitbread
• Management Trainees, HSBC, Tesco Bank and Enterprise
• Demand Executive, AG Barr Ltd

Each year, several students also go on to postgraduate study.