Economics BSc (Econ)

Course overview

The department's fundamental premise is that students should learn how to do economics themselves, rather than just learn how academic staff or other economists do it. Alongside credit-bearing modules you can get involved with our optional not-for-credit series of Skills Lab modules that help you learn how to study independently and other skills useful for the professional economist.

You will be taught by distinguished economists whose research confronts real-world issues, such as climate change, inequality, and inflation. Several of our professors are directors of leading research centres, Research Fellows at the prestigious Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), and advisors to governments and agencies, including the Office of Budget Responsibility, The Bank of England, and The World Bank.

In recognition of the quality and impact of their research, our academics have won several prestigious awards including the ONS Research Excellence Award, the Jacob Mincer Award, the BBVA Foundation Frontiers Knowledge Award, the Philip Leverhulme Prize and the Carl-Friedrich-von-Weizsäcker Prize.

In the first year you take compulsory modules in economics, applied economics, mathematics and statistics, as well as optional modules.

In your second year, principles of model-building, problem-solving and quantitative techniques are emphasised, and you will take compulsory core modules in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics.

In your final year you can choose from a wide range of optional modules. You are required to choose at least one module with an assessed research project component, in which you will use the tools and knowledge you have developed during your degree. Most final-year modules introduce you to research papers, including those of staff members, and require you to combine all that you have learnt across the degree. You can also elect to do a dissertation.

Available optional modules can vary year to year. You can access the current list of modules for this programme on the department's website.

This programme combines a rigorous foundation in economic theories and quantitative tools with opportunities to consider real-world problems using evidenced-based economic analysis. You'll be taught by experts who combine their research experience with an innovative curriculum and teaching methods, preparing you to research and solve problems independently through an economics-lens in the future.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

The foundation of your career

Around one third of students embark on graduate study in subjects including Economics, Data Science, Finance, Computing and Law, with many also going on to doctoral programmes in Economics in the UK, EU and US.

A UCL BSc in Economics is an excellent basis for graduate employment. Our graduates are employed in areas including management, consultancy, accountancy, banking and public policy. (Graduate Outcomes survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at the destinations of UK and EU graduates in the 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21 cohorts).

Support for your career and further study journey is provided by the Economics Careers Tutor in conjunction with UCL Careers and – through various skills development – alumni and employer events run by the Economist's Society and Students' Union UCL societies.

Employability

Over 92% of UCL BSc Economics graduates were either in professional work or postgraduate study 15 months after graduating.

You will gain skills including finding solutions to real-world problems; combining evidence, mathematical techniques and quantitative tools to critically analyse questions robustly; and understanding the relevance of context – contemporary and historic – when considering economic and political events.