BA (Hons) Economics

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Economics is the study of how people interact with others and their surroundings, and here at Stirling we look at Economics in a rich and varied way: from artificial intelligence in the labour market to addressing climate change, and from behavioural economic insights in decision making to tackling global poverty and inequality. An Economics degree from Stirling empowers you with sharp analytical tools, from experts in their field, with an ever-present emphasis on intellectual curiosity. 

Our introductory teaching is delivered in a revolutionary new way of learning Economics through our commitment to the CORE Project – “Economics for a Changing World”. In using real-world data to answer real-world questions from the very beginning of your studies, you will understand global issues with historical and philosophical context.

• We focus on real-world theory instead of textbook-simple theory, which is rigorously challenged with data and evidence.
• Our specialisms of environmental economics, behavioural economics, and public policy analysis are embedded throughout the course. 
• The internationally-renowned Behavioural Science Centre within the Economics Division contributes two modules in behavioural and experimental economics to our degree. 
• Strategic thinking is one of the central pillars of the course, and you will be introduced to decision and game theory as part of this through a bespoke module in year three. 
• The course includes a dissertation, which arms students with cutting-edge research methods, and challenges you to produce publication-quality research. The best pieces are published in our in-house journal, the Stirling Student Economic Review.
• We foster a strong staff/student community, emphasising collaboration and ensuring you’re a name and not a number from the outset. 

Our expert staff will give you an insight into professional practices through their cutting-edge research, teaching practice, and links to industry. You’re also free to combine your studies with one of eight other courses, sharpening your focus on a specific area that complements your growing knowledge of economics.

Broaden your knowledge at one of the UK’s leading Business and Management institutions, and discover why our Economics course ranks among the best in the country.

You can study Economics as a four-year single honours degree or take it in conjunction with one of eight other subjects to earn a combined honours degree. The interactive CORE teaching approach in semesters 1-2 is explored in more detail in semesters 3-4, which will also include an accessible and applied introduction to statistics for economics.

Modules in semesters 5-8 are designed to develop your knowledge and understanding of the central methods of economic analysis and major policy issues, in addition to dedicated modules in behavioural economics and game theory. You’ll also write a dissertation in your final year, as well as choosing from elective modules that can give you a specialist understanding of areas such as Environmental and Financial Economics, Experimental Economics and Industrial Organisation.

What jobs can you get with an Economics degree?

Good Economics courses prepare you for a wealth of career opportunities, and the business skills you’ll learn during your studies have boundless applications. The opportunity to study Economics with a complimentary subject at Stirling can also give you a unique edge in your chosen field, as can our range of specialist career services for students. 

Find out more about how we prepare you for the world of work.

• More than 95% of all undergraduates were in employment or further study fifteen months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020, HESA)
• Economics graduates are the second highest earners of all graduates 10 years after graduating (Institute for Fiscal Studies Report 2020)

In addition to careers in business and government, there are a range of jobs in companies that directly use economics and seek graduates who hold a good degree in the discipline. Economics graduates from Stirling are working in diverse careers that span everything from Portfolio Managers and Economic Analysts to Social workers, IT Specialists and Members of Parliament.

Recent Stirling graduates have started their careers in some of the following roles:

• Debt Products Analyst, Merrill Lynch
• Economic Analyst, Scottish Water
• Insurance Consultant, Aviva
• Credit Risk Analyst, Lloyds Banking Group

Other graduates have forged careers as:

• Principal Research Officer, Scottish Government
• Head of Business Transformation, AEGON Scottish Equitable
• Investment Manager, Deutsche Bank
• Executive Director, Goldman Sachs