Economics (Industry) BSc Hons

An understanding of economics gets to the heart of how the world works. Through our flexible programme, embedded within our wide-ranging Management School and delivered by high-quality researchers recognised for their teaching with the TEF Gold accreditation, you will tackle important questions: How do countries fund their emergency services? Why do celebrities get paid so much?

Economics is highly-prized by employers in the private and public sectors, and we provide you with both the theoretical knowledge and practical application you need for your future career. This degree includes a valuable paid placement in industry, where you will experience economics in action.

Our degree weaves theory and evidence into policy analysis, allowing you to understand fundamental issues and topical concerns in the real world. Our place within the Management School provides a close relationship with other business disciplines and access to businesses and employers in the business world.

You do not need Economics A level, as all first years study the Principles of Economics and Quantitative Methods for Economics, covering mathematics and statistics. The flexible degree structure means you can choose another subject such as Accounting and Finance, International Relations or Marketing as a minor subject, which you can continue to study throughout your degree.

You are taught by expert researchers working at the cutting-edge of the field. In the second year, in addition to core modules such as Micro and Macroeconomics, you choose from specialist topics, including Game Theory.

Your third year is spent in industry. You will be supported in securing a placement, with past students joining companies such as IBM, Lloyds Bank, Microsoft, PwC and the Bank of England. Roles on offer range from project management and logistics to investment, business development and risk. Most placements are in the UK, but there are some options overseas.

Your final year sees you choosing up to eight modules, including Public Economics, International Trade and Health Economics. The range of topics allows you to tailor your studies to suit your aspirations. High-performing students can choose to write a dissertation. Many of our best graduates go on to study a Masters degree.

We are proud of our aspiring economists and aim to nurture your potential. You will have support from our careers team, which includes a dedicated departmental careers coach who works with you from day one, helping with internships, placements and graduate employment. We will supply training in CV writing, interview assessment centres and telephone interviews, helping you with your future career ambitions.

The University will use all reasonable effort to support you to find a suitable placement for your studies. While a placement role may not be available in a field or organisation that is directly related to your academic studies or career aspirations, all placement roles offer valuable experience of working at a graduate level and gaining a range of professional skills.

If you are unsuccessful in securing a suitable placement for your third year, you will be able to transfer to the equivalent non-placement degree scheme and would continue with your studies at Lancaster, finishing your degree after your third year. The University offers a range of shorter placement and internship opportunities for which you would be welcome to apply.