BSc Economics (A)

The programme combines a multitude of different assessment types, core modules that include training in the programming language R and the option to take a professional placement module. Coupled with our renowned expertise in real-world and regional economics and an emphasis to a pluralist approach to teaching economic theory and policy, the degree will help you become a well-rounded, rigorous economist of today.

The Department of Economics is one of the country's leading departments specialising in political economy and heterodox approaches to economics as well as in the economics of development. Research and teaching are pursued on a variety of topics and are unique in their depth and range of regional and specialised coverage including topics from contemporary banking and finance the economics of the environment, gender economics, global economic policy, as well as the economic development of a variety of regions from Japan to the Middle East. 

Why study Economics at SOAS?

• SOAS is ranked 27th in UK for economics (QS World University Rankings 2023)
• We are top 20 in the UK for student satisfaction with teaching (Complete University Guide 2023)
• We are top 40 in the UK for economics (Complete University Guide 2023)

Students take 120 credits composed of Core, Compulsory and Optional modules.

• Core modules: These are mandatory and must be passed in the year they are taken before the student can progress to the next year.
• Compulsory modules: These are mandatory but in the case of a failure, students may carry this into their next year provided that they retake and pass the failed element or exam.
• Optional modules: These are designed to help students design their own intellectual journey while maintaining a strong grasp of the fundamentals.

Important notice

• The information on the website reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. The modules are indicative options of the content students can expect and are/have been previously taught as part of these programmes. 
• However, this information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.

Year 1 - Core and Compulsory

• Economic Principles (Macro) - 15 credits
• Economic Principles (Micro) - 15 credits
• Essay Writing Workshop - Undergraduate Economics
• Mathematics for Economists - 15 credits
• Applied Economic Issues in the Global Economy - 15 credits
• Elementary Statistics - 15 credits
• Statistics - 15 credits

Year 1 - Guided options - List 1
Up to 30 credits from List 1 or language options

• Introduction to Accounting - 15 credits
• Financial Accounting 1 - 15 credits
• 201 World Social Theory: Imagining Society from 500BCE to 1900 - 15 credits
• Global Development Approaches - 15 credits
• Global Development Issues - 15 credits
• Introduction to Political Economy 1 - 15 credits
• Introduction to Political Economy 2 - 15 credits

Year 2 - Core and Compulsory

• Econometrics - 30 credits
• Macroeconomic Analysis - 30 credits
• Microeconomic Analysis - 30 credits
• Employability and Career Planning Workshop

Year 2 - Guided options - List 2
Up to 30 credits from List 2 or open options

• Banking and Finance - 15 credits
• International Trade and Investment - 15 credits
• Global Financial Markets - 15 credits
• Development Economics - 15 credits
• 251 Anthropology of Economic Life - 15 credits

Year 3 - Core and Compulsory

• Global Economic Policy - 15 credits
• Contemporary issues in the global economy: Theory and Applications - 15 credits

Year 3 - Guided options
60-90 credits from from list 2, 3A or 3C

• The Economics of the Environment - 15 credits
• Asia Pacific Business - 15 credits
• Applied Econometrics - 15 credits
• Banking and Finance - 15 credits
• International Trade and Investment - 15 credits
• Global Financial Markets - 15 credits
• Development Economics - 15 credits
• Professional placement in Economics - 15 credits
• 251 Anthropology of Economic Life - 15 credits

Year 3 - Guided options - List 3B
Up to 60 credits from List 3B

• Economic development in the Asia Pacific region - 15 credits
• Political Economy of Development and Change in the Middle East - 15 credits
• China and World Development - 15 credits
• Economic development of Africa (UG) - 15 credits

Employment
Economics graduates leave SOAS with a solid grounding in statistical skills and an ability to think laterally, take a global perspective, and employ critical reasoning.

Recent graduates have been hired by:

• Bain & Co
• Bank of America
• Cabinet Office
• Deloitte
• Ernst & Young
• HM Treasury
• KPMG
• NHS England
• Foreign and Commonwealth Office
• Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
• HSBC
• National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, New Delhi
• UK Civil Service
• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
• University of Bayreuth
• HM Treasury
• Department for International Development
• PwC
• UNDP
• King’s Investment Fund
• Foreign and Commonwealth Office
• The World Bank
• EY
• British Chamber of Commerce
• Oxfam
• RBS