Undertake highly structured training in economics, with a focus on enhancing and applying quantitative and analytical skills in modern economics.
Course overview
- Learn about economic principles, mathematical modelling and econometric techniques.
- Develop analytical reasoning and quantitative techniques that prepare you for the world of work.
- Explore the opportunity of study abroad in Year 3.
- Our Economics department has been home to four Nobel Laureates. Our latest Nobel Prize winner, Simon Johnson, received his award in 2024 for his groundbreaking research into understanding wealth disparities between different nations.
A study experience that makes a difference
We place social responsibility at the heart of your learning which means you can take advantage of unique ways to make a difference while studying with us, through your course or through extra-curricular activities.
- Complete our Ethical Grand Challenges to learn how you can create a better world and become more socially responsible.
- Work with an external organisation to tackle real-world sustainability problems through our University Living Lab.
- Discover subjects that broaden your horizon with our interdisciplinary learning opportunities.
Course description
- The BSc Economics course is for quantitative economics specialists with a strong mathematical background.
- You will discover a range of economics branches before specialising, benefitting from an engaging and interactive learning experience at one of the UK's most historic centres for economic study.
- You will also receive training for the compulsory stream units in economic principles, mathematical modelling and econometric techniques.
- Modern professional economists need to have a clear understanding of economic principles in order to recognise and model relevant economic problems.
- We will ensure you'll be equipped with the mathematical and econometric tools to solve and analyse such problems.
- Our carefully designed degree combines compulsory units in core economics and quantitative methods and the opportunity to specialise in a particular area of interest through optional course units.
- Employers look for candidates who can produce sound and clear reports that make sense of the available data using advanced quantitative skills in analysis and modelling.
- The analytical reasoning, essay writing and quantitative techniques we'll provide you with will give you the best employment prospects and a healthy start in your career. These skills can be developed and sharpened by choosing an optional dissertation in Year 3.
Aims
The BSc Economics is a quantitative economics degree designed for those who have already chosen to specialise in economics and have a good mathematical background.
- Modern professional economists need skills in economic principles, mathematical modelling and econometric analysis of economic data, together with a detailed knowledge of their chosen specialism.
- In line with this requirement, the BSc Economics degree has at its core a compulsory stream of courses in economic principles and quantitative methods.
- Together with a range of optional courses this allows students to develop their specialist interests in most areas of modern economics.
Specifically the main aims of the BSc Economics degree are:
- To provide a specialist training in the approach and methods of modern economics;
- To develop the skills necessary to apply a quantitative perspective to the analysis of economic and business problems;
- To equip students with the expertise necessary to develop an understanding of contemporary economic issues;
- To help students develop a range of skills including communication, numeracy, computer literacy, problem-solving, analytical ability and logical argument;
- To provide a sound preparation for a subsequent career in economics (whether in the public or private sector) or business;
- To provide a sound preparation for further study in economics or related areas.
Teaching and learning
- The content in your units will be delivered through a combination of online material, guided reading, lectures as well as review and Q&A sessions. Different units use these elements in different combinations optimised to the respective material. Lectures are supported by smaller tutorials or seminars where you explore the unit content in depth.
- Tutorials and seminars are key in improving your written and oral communication skills through group discussions, essay-writing, and presentations.
- You are assigned an Academic Advisor who takes a friendly interest in your progress and can advise you on selecting course units and career opportunities.
Coursework and assessment
The way that you study and are assessed will depend on which course units you choose. Our methods are designed to promote in-depth learning and understanding, including:
- Essays, coursework, and other mid-term evaluations;
- Dissertations;
- Presentations;
- Group projects;
- Exams.
Course content for year 1
In Year 1 you will follow a highly structured course with 90 out of 120 credits being specially tailored core units, including:
- Principles of Microeconomic Theory and Macroeconomic Analysis;
- Advanced Mathematics;
- Advanced Statistics;
- Applied Economics;
- Studying Economics;
- Introduction to Mathematical Economics.
Further options include units in Social Sciences, Business and Finance.
Course units for year 1
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title Code Credit rating Mandatory/optional
- Studying Economics ECON10011 10 Mandatory
- Advanced Mathematics ECON10071A 10 Mandatory
- Advanced Statistics ECON10072A 10 Mandatory
- Applied Economics ECON10162 10 Mandatory
- Principles of Microeconomic Theory 1: Consumers, Welfare, Production and Costs ECON10171 10 Mandatory
- Principles of Microeconomic Theory 2: Markets, Prices and Strategy ECON10172 10 Mandatory
- Macroeconomic Analysis 1 ECON10181 10 Mandatory
- Macroeconomic Analysis 2 ECON10182 10 Mandatory
- Introduction to Mathematical Economics ECON10192 10 Mandatory
- Financial Decision Making BMAN10522 10 Optional
- Fundamentals of Management Accounting BMAN10632 10 Optional
- An Introduction to Development Studies ECON10002 10 Optional
- Computing for Social Scientists ECON10151 10 Optional
- Economic History ECON10212 10 Optional
- Geographies of Globalisation GEOG10101 10 Optional
- Capitalism in Historical Perspective: 1700-1913 HIST10182 20 Optional
- Critical Thinking PHIL10042 20 Optional
- Introduction to Comparative Politics POLI10201 20 Optional
- Introduction to Comparative Politics POLI10202 20 Optional
- Introduction to International Politics POLI10601 20 Optional
- Introduction to Political Theory POLI10702 20 Optional
- Work, Organisations and Society SOCY10912 20 Optional
- Measuring Inequalities (Unequal Societies) SOST10021 20 Optional
- Applied Statistics for Social Scientists SOST10142 20 Optional
Course content for year 2
- In Year 2 you will follow a highly structured approach, with specially tailored units that complete your training in the core of Economics, including:
- Intermediate Microeconomic Theory and Macroeconomic Analysis; Econometrics; Mathematical Economics.
- You also have 40 credits to pursue interests including further Economics units and units in Social Sciences, Business and Finance.
Upon completing your training in the core of Economics, you are ready to pursue your interests in a more specialised way in Year 3.
- Course units for year 2
- The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title Code Credit rating Mandatory/optional
- Mathematical Economics I ECON20120 20 Mandatory
- Intermediate Microeconomic Theory 1 ECON20501 10 Mandatory
- Intermediate Microeconomic Theory 2 ECON20512 10 Mandatory
- Macroeconomic Analysis 3 ECON20521 10 Mandatory
- Macroeconomic Analysis 4 ECON20532 10 Mandatory
- Investment Analysis BMAN20072 10 Optional
- Financial Markets and Institutions BMAN21011 10 Optional
- Foundations of Finance A BMAN23000A 20 Optional
- Environmental Economics ECON20101 10 Optional
- Development Economics: Growth, Capital Accumulation and Structural Change ECON20321 10 Optional
- Development Economics: Understanding Poverty ECON20332 10 Optional
- Economics for Public Policy ECON20431 10 Optional
- History of Economic Thought ECON20601 10 Optional
- Energy Economics and Policy ECON20612 20 Optional
- Economic Geography: Understanding the economy. creating economic spaces GEOG20101 20 Optional
- Capitalism in Historical Perspective: 1700-1913 HIST21202 20 Optional
- Market Research SOST20042 10 Optional
- Applied Statistics for Social Scientists SOST20142 20 Optional
Course content for year 3
In Year 3 there are no compulsory units.
- You choose from a range of specialised course units, including the option to produce a dissertation in applied economics.
Course units for year 3
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
- Course units for year 3
- The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title Code Credit rating Mandatory/optional
- International Finance BMAN30060 20 Optional
- Financial Derivatives BMAN30091 10 Optional
- Advanced Corporate Finance BMAN30111A 0 Optional
- Financial Engineering BMAN30242 10 Optional
- Corporate Contracting and Managerial Behaviour BMAN30702 10 Optional
- Financial Market Microstructure BMAN31792 10 Optional
- Applied Practical Investing BMAN32082 10 Optional
- Advanced Microeconomics ECON30001 20 Optional
- Advanced Macroeconomics ECON30002 20 Optional
- Topics in Inequality & Poverty ECON30041 20 Optional
- The Chinese Economy ECON30102 10 Optional
- Mathematical Economics II ECON30290 20 Optional
- Micro Econometrics ECON30342 10 Optional
- Mathematical Finance ECON30382 10 Optional
- Financial Economics ECON30432 10 Optional
- Topics in Development Economics ECON30451 20 Optional
- Topics in Economic History ECON30542 20 Optional
- Money, Banking & Financial Markets ECON30852 10 Optional
- Managerial Economics II ECON31002 20 Optional
- Advanced Econometrics ECON31031 20 Optional
- Climate Change Economics and Policy ECON32111 10 Optional
- Public Economics ECON32121 10 Optional
- Behavioural Economics ECON32151 20 Optional
- International Trade and Policy ECON32191 20 Optional
- Health Economics ECON32202 10 Optional
- Applied Economics Dissertation A (Semester 1) ECON32211 20 Optional
- Applied Economics Dissertation B (Semester 2) ECON32212 20 Optional
- Topics in Labour Economics ECON32242 20 Optional
- Econometrics and Data Science ECON32252 20 Optional
- Macroeconomics of Development ECON33001 20 Optional
- Topics in Applied Macroeconometrics ECON33021 20 Optional
- Topics in Education Economics ECON33032 20 Optional
- Theory & Method in Demography SOST30012 20 Optional
- Answering Social Research Questions with Statistical Models SOST30031 20 Optional
Course content for year 4
If completing a year abroad, you will take the Year 3 course content in Year 4.
Career opportunities
- We offer you a high-quality, research-led student experience that prepares you for a career as a professional economist, employment in a range of economics-related areas, or further study in economics, business and finance.
- Our graduates have gone on to successful careers in areas including accountancy and professional services, finance and banking, and government. Other avenues include journalism and the media, charities, consultancy, civil service, finance, marketing and PR, social work, teaching, law and postgraduate study (including all of the top 10 universities in the UK).
- Another popular option is postgraduate study, we offer a variety of specialist taught master's courses. For more information, see careers and employability
- The University also has its own dedicated Careers Service that you will have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate. You will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability
- By joining BSc Economics, you also become a member of the BSc Economics Society. The BSc Economics Society provides a platform to interact with students in all years of their degree. Various social events and other activities are arranged throughout the course.
- The Society encourages engagement with current affairs, economic discussions and debates and organises events to connect with employers, including prestigious BSc Economics Alumni now placed in economic, finance and consulting careers.
- Many Economics students are also members of the Manchester University Trading and Investment Society (MUTIS) - a large society dedicated to understanding financial investment and developing careers in that area.