Economics (BSc)

Learn how our economic decisions affect others, and how business and financial institutions' choices can affect our society. This BSc Economics degree gives you an in-depth understanding of economic theory, and the skills you need to work in sectors like finance, commerce and industry.

Your A level results will determine which core or compulsory modules you'll need to take.

• You'll study economics with experts whose research has influenced international policy, learning in lectures and small classes. Our facilities include the behavioural economics laboratory and the Financial Laboratory (FinLab) - a realistic trading room environment with the most detailed financial data available.

This flexible course has 3 separate pathways you can choose after the first year. These have slightly different module selections. The pathways are:

• Economics - this is the default pathway, which will give you a rounded education in the subject.
• Econometrics - focuses on the quantitative methods in economics, providing the relevant statistical tools you'll need to analyse economic data and policy.
• Behavioural economics - has an additional focus on explaining and predicting human behaviour, and using these insights to evaluate and design economic policy.

You'll also have the freedom to shape your studies by choosing optional modules to suit your interests or career plans. You could choose international banking, risk management or public economics, for example.

As part of this course you can also:

• Complete a short internship during the vacation periods
• Study a minor subject
• Take part in a summer school with our Study Abroad programme
• Spend a semester abroad in your third year
• Spend a year in employment
• Gain vital work experience on our Student Innovation Projects

Course structure

• Each year is made up of core, compulsory and optional modules. Your modules in year 1 will depend on whether you studied economics at A level.

You'll also be able to broaden your experience beyond economics by selecting:

• Interdisciplinary modules
• A language module

You do not need to choose your modules when you apply. Your academic tutor will help you to customise your course.

Year 1 overview
Core modules this year will provide a foundation in economic topics, including:

• Mathematics
• Statistics
• Microeconomics
• Macroeconomics
• Exploring the social world
• You'll also take an employability module to help you plan your next steps.

Year 2 overview
You'll continue to study core modules in:

• Applied and theoretical economics
• Macroeconomics
• Microeconomics

There are also advanced optional modules in:

• Econometrics
• Games
• Financial markets

You can also choose modules from outside the Economics department.

Year 3 overview

• You'll run your own research project and write up your findings in your dissertation. This is great preparation for postgraduate study, and demonstrates to employers that you're capable of meeting a challenge. A research supervisor will support you throughout.

You'll also choose from a range of optional modules on topics such as:

• International trade
• Risk management
• Choice and decision

You can continue to choose options from outside the department. For example, you can take modules offered by the Business School.

Careers

• Employability is an essential part of our economics courses. We make sure our graduates are prepared for a successful career or further, postgraduate study. Throughout the course you'll take a skills and employability module, designed to boost your professional skills.
• You can also take modules to enhance your employability in particular areas. You could study social enterprise and finance modules that use our Financial Laboratory (FinLab) - the same technology used by city traders.
• You'll gain vital transferable skills that will qualify you for a wide range of careers in economics.

Our students have gone on to work as:

• Economists
• Actuaries
• Statisticians
• Investment analysts
• Financial advisers
• Accountants
• Management consultants
• Business analysts
• Marketing professionals

Careers services at Southampton
We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

• Work experience schemes
• CV and interview skills and workshops
• Networking events
• Careers fairs attended by top employers
• A wealth of volunteering opportunities
• Study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.