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Our courses

Explore the theoretical aspects of economics, as well as its real-world applications in our wide range of economics degrees.

You can specialise in a particular area of economics or combine it with another subject.

During your degree, you will get involved in research and engage with the latest developments through blogging and article writing.

In addition to expanding your knowledge of economics, our courses allow you to practise your presentation skills, enhance your ability to analyse and think critically, and develop your written and verbal communication.

BSc Economics

Acquire the skills, knowledge and understanding required to become an economist or use economics as a major aspect of your career.

You’ll develop a strong grounding in the conceptual underpinnings of economics as well as the mathematical approach to the subject and its methodology.

You have the opportunity to take a placement year with this course, where you can gain valuable professional experience before your final year.

BSc Economics

BSc Economics with Placement Year

BA Economics

Apply economic analysis to national and international problems, and develop a deep understanding of modern economic policy issues that dominate the news agenda.

This course places less emphasis on mathematical and statistical content, and instead, you will focus on the relevance of these techniques to applied problems.

You have the opportunity to take a placement year with this course, where you can gain valuable professional experience before your final year.

We also offer the course with a foundation year for international students who don't have the correct qualifications.

BA Economics

BA Economics with Placement Year

BA Economics with International Foundation Year - September Entry

BA Economics with International Foundation Year - January Entry

BSc Business Economics

Study BSc Business Economics and use economic theory and methods to investigate markets, business environments and industry.

Watch a video introducing our BSc Business Economics.

You will develop a strong understanding of quantitative techniques and the conceptual underpinnings of microeconomic and macroeconomic theory and how they can be applied to the analysis of business behaviour. You will cover topics including money and banking, industrial organisation and business history.

You have the opportunity to take a placement year with this course, where you can gain valuable professional experience before your final year.

BSc Business Economics

BSc Business Economics with Placement Year 

 

 

BA or BSc Economics

Dr Andy Chung explains the differences between our BA and BSc Economics degrees.

Joint courses with economics

Explore the areas that interest you through a joint degree. You’ll study the core modules from both degree programmes allowing you to study the two subjects in depth.

BSc Economics and Finance

This course allows you to develop your knowledge of the workings of financial markets from both economic and financial perspectives.

You'll study the operation of global financial markets in a broad economic context and the effects that they have on the world. 

We also offer the course with a foundation year for international students who don't have the correct qualifications.

BSc Economics and Finance
BSc Economics and Finance with International Foundation Year - September Entry
BSc Economics and Finance with International Foundation Year - January Entry

BSc Geography and Economics (Regional Science)

Economic and geographic issues dominate the news and shape the world we live in. On this course you will cover everything from globalisation and consumerism to sustainability and responses to epidemics.

You have the opportunity to take a placement year with this course, where you can gain valuable professional experience before your final year.

BSc Geography and Economics (Regional Science)

BSc Geography and Economics (Regional Science) with Professional Experience

BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics

This joint degree has a rich history, its combination of subjects is a well-known favourite choice for politicians and future prime ministers.

We will equip you with the ability to think logically, to evaluate arguments critically, and to challenge your own ideas and those of other people. 

BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics

BA Politics and Economics

Develop an in-depth understanding of the critical political and economic issues that dominate the news agenda and shape the world in which we live.

Your learning is informed by our world-leading research and is led by expert staff who have direct experience of the world of politics and international affairs.

BA Politics and Economics

BA Politics and Economics with Placement Year

BA International Relations and Economics

Combine the specialist study of international relations with a grounding in economics, producing an appreciation of the key forces driving today’s globalized world order.

You will encounter a variety of concepts, approaches and methods for the study of domestic and international politics and understand how societies are and should be governed.

You have the opportunity to take a placement year with this course, where you can gain valuable professional experience before your final year.

BA International Relations and Economics 

BA International Relations and Economics with Placement Year

BSc Mathematics and Economics

Gain a thorough appreciation of key aspects of mathematics and economics, and open the door to a range of career opportunities.

This course will enable you to develop your skills as a mathematician whilst gaining a strong grounding in the conceptual underpinnings of economics.

You have the opportunity to take a placement year with this course, where you can gain valuable professional experience before your final year.

BSc Mathematics and Economics

BSc Mathematics and Economics with Placement Year

BA History and Economics

On this course, you will understand the cultures and societies that shaped the past and explore the critical economic issues that influence the world today.

Discover a thousand years of history whilst experiencing all the specialist areas on offer at the University of Reading.

BA History and Economics

BA Modern Languages and Economics

Study a modern language – choosing from our core languages of French, German, Italian and Spanish – alongside your studies in economics.

Taught by experts from both departments, you’ll acquire transferable skills with an international focus.

Alongside your near-native language skills, you will develop a deep understanding of the increasingly critical economic issues that dominate and shape the world today.

BA Modern Languages and Economics

 1 + 3 BSc Business Economics and Trade

BSc Business Economics and Trade is a joint degree offered in partnership with Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (NUIST). Students on this programme study during the first three years (Part 0 foundation, Part 1 and Part 2) at NUIST and then transfer to the University of Reading for the final year of their degree.

The programme focuses on principles of economic analysis and accompanying quantitative methods, adopting a technical approach. Students taking the degree will acquire a thorough knowledge and appreciation of core economic theory and its uses and applications especially in a business and trade environment.

Successful completion of the programme will lead to the awarding of degrees by both the University of Reading and NUIST. This programme is only available to students studying at the NUIST-University of Reading Academy.

The staff at Reading are very enthusiastic about teaching which is shown by every lecturer having open office hours where you can pop in and see them about anything without having to make an appointment. The staff are also passionate about their research which they use in lectures to back up economic principles and demonstrate how the principles work in practice. There are also various opportunities for students to get involved with research the department is doing; I have spent the last 3 months working with senior staff as a research intern.

Louise-Jayne Watts, BA Economics Graduate

Your career

Economics graduates can enter careers in a range of different industries, including corporate finance, financial management, the civil service, education, consultancy, publicity and journalism. 

If you are one of our single-subject degree students, there is the possibility of doing a placement in between your second and final years of study. This gives you ample opportunity to gain work experience before you graduate. 

You'll develop a wide range of skills and have the opportunity to gain real-world experience, which will help you greatly in your future career.

Fees and funding

There is a variety of funding support available to our undergraduates. You may be eligible for government loans, grants or bursaries.

Students from the UK can receive government loans to help towards tuition fees and living costs. They may also be eligible for grants and bursaries depending on their circumstances.

Undergraduate fees and funding

Freddy Farias Arias smiling in front of modern building

Read Freddy's story

Read about how Freddy got involved in all aspects of life within the Department of Economics and the University.

Our research

Economics at Reading focuses on applied economic research directed towards improving the quality of life in the UK and around the world.

Our staff

Learn from our active researchers and experts. Their research informs policy decisions for governments, multinational organisations and international agencies like the UN.