BA Economics with a Placement Year

Compulsory modules

Principles of Economics 1

Gain an analytical introduction to the modern concepts of economics. You'll learn how the real world works by developing your understanding of key economics concepts, mathematical tools and, microeconomics.

Principles of Economics 2

Gain an analytical introduction to the modern concepts of economics and develop your understanding of key economics concepts and mathematical tools. You’ll learn concepts of macroeconomics and how they overlap with microeconomics. You’ll also consider key topics such as what can markets do and cannot do, and when can government improve economic performance. 

Applied Economics and Policy

Develop your understanding of the range of theoretical approaches and perspectives within economics, and the ways in which economic thinking can be employed to investigate and understand a variety of world-relevant topics, issues and policy making. You’ll learn how to assess the work of economists and analyse a wide range of issues.

Quantitative Methods and Data Analysis

Learn quantitative techniques that are useful in economics and build a foundation for understanding more specialised techniques that will be taught in Part 2 modules.  

Optional modules

Mathematical Methods for Economists

Learn advanced mathematical techniques and their economic applications. You’ll understand how mathematics can be used to describe and extend economics in a rigorous fashion. 

Economics of Climate Change

Acquire an economic perspective on the causes and consequences of climate change. You’ll learn key theoretical concepts, such as externalities and public goods, and policy tools such as command and control measures, taxation and subsidies to devise adequate responses to climate change. You’ll gain a perspective on national and international climate change policy approaches and their implications for economic development. 

History of Economic Thought

Become acquainted with the main schools of thought in economics and understand the origins of economic ideas. You’ll learn about scholars and their ideas from a historical perspective, and consider their relevance in the context of contemporary debates. 

Globalisation and the History of Western Capitalism

Learn about the evolution of international economic activity from 1200 to the present. You’ll examine how the world economy got to where it is today, from the development of great port cities to the modern ‘networked global village’.

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Intermediate Microeconomics

Develop an in-depth and rigorous understanding of the core concepts and methods of microeconomics. You’ll learn more about consumer and producer theory, and discover new topics including game theory, bargaining, market competition, general equilibrium and welfare. 

Intermediate Macroeconomics

Develop in-depth understanding of the fundamental principles and analytic concepts related to economic growth, inflation, unemployment and interest rates. You’ll gain a deeper appreciation of the interrelationship between macroeconomic variables and government policy, and be able to analyse relevant issues discussed by news and politicians.  

Introductory Econometrics

Develop your understanding of basic econometrics, with an emphasis on interpreting basic linear regression results and their relevance in economic analysis.  

Economics of Social Policy

Develop your understanding of how economic analysis can be applied to the real-world problems faced by policy makers. You’ll study socioeconomic problems and the role of Government policy. You’ll learn techniques from both microeconomics and macroeconomics to analyse topics such as poverty and inequality, housing, crime, health and education. economics. 

Optional modules

Games and Economic Behaviour

In this module, you’ll actively participate in one or more models of economic phenomena through an online gaming platform. You’ll gain greater insight into the assumptions and mechanisms underlying models of economic behaviour with the game-based versions of each model. 

Business Economics

Develop your understanding of a number of areas of business economics, with a focus on theory. Topics include Economics of entrepreneurship, small business, international business and theories of the firm.

Economic History

Understand how the world economy got to be where it is today, focusing on significant periods of economic change from the commercial revolution of the medieval period through to the modern digital revolution. 

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Placement Year 

Optional modules

Public Economics

The module aims to examine the rationale for government intervention in the economy. You’ll apply microeconomic theory to contemporary policy issues, analysing some of the principles involved in tax design and the equity and efficiency implications of taxation. 

Behavioural Economics

Understand the limitations of the neo-classical theory in explaining many economic phenomena. You’ll become familiar with the common biases and their implications on decision-making. You’ll also gain knowledge of basic theories of behavioural economics and an understanding of games used to test these theories.

Industrial Organisation

Learn from theoretical industrial economics to understand corporate decision-making, such as price-setting, output-setting, advertising, product differentiation, and collusive behaviour. In this context, you’ll learn about the role of industrial competition, reflecting on market structure and competition policy intervention. 

Financial Economics

Learn about the economic reasoning that underpins much of modern finance, including portfolio theory and asset pricing. You’ll apply neoclassical financial analysis to financial decision-making in the world of uncertainty and market imperfections. You’ll also learn about the role of financial intermediation in facilitating investment. 

The Economics of Sports and Games

Gain knowledge of the role of sports in understanding how economies and markets work. You’ll apply economic theories to the context of sport and use this to understand human behaviour and interaction. You’ll also design models to test these theories through the prism of sports.  

Environmental Economics 

Get an overview of the theories, methodological tools, and evidence to understand contemporary environmental problems such as climate change, pollution, and sustainable development. You’ll learn the framework to evaluate various important policy questions.

International Economics

This module is concerned with economic interactions among sovereign nations in terms of trade in goods and services as well as investment in financial and real assets. You’ll explore answers to questions such as fair distribution of benefits, regulation of trade, and financial relations. You’ll also learn to apply the theoretical concepts and models introduced to the policy context of Brexit and EU integration.

Development Economics

Apply economic tools to the study of issues that are of particular importance to low-income countries, such as microeconomic theory to understand the causes and consequences of underdevelopment. You’ll be equipped with an understanding of relevant economic theory, evidence, and implications for policy.  

Money and Banking

Build on your knowledge of intermediate macroeconomics as you study the economics of money, banking, and financial markets. You’ll gain in-depth knowledge about financial markets and institutions, central banking and monetary policy, with a focus on analysing the role of money and understanding the financial structure of financial institutions, businesses and the process of banking. 

Economics of Labour

This module aims to equip you with the tools to examine labour market issues and published empirical findings from a critical perspective. You’ll learn theoretical models and their application to these issues. 

Dissertation

Work on an independent dissertation project of 8,000 words, under the guidance of a supervisor. You’ll identify the research question, critically evaluate the relevant literature, apply theoretical frameworks and research methods to your research questions, and learn to analyse and synthesise the research findings.  

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.