BSc Economics

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Exeter

Program Overview

Exeter's BSc Economics gives students a comprehensive understanding of modern economics, covering everything from inflation and monopoly control to developing economies and multinational finance, with no previous study of economics required or assumed. It suits anyone who wants a flexible degree that builds strong core knowledge first and then opens up almost entirely to personal interest, tailoring the final year to exactly what excites them most.

Curriculum structure

In Year 1, students build the essential toolkit for economic analysis through modules like Economics I and Economics II, Introduction to Econometrics, and Mathematics for Economists, giving them the formal techniques needed for everything that follows.

Year 2 moves into intermediate-level analysis with modules such as Microeconomics II, Macroeconomics II, and Econometrics, deepening both the theoretical and quantitative sides of the discipline.

Students on the four-year route can choose an Industrial Experience placement or a Year Abroad in their third year, spending it working with a real employer or studying at one of Exeter's international partner universities before returning for their final year.

By the Final Year, the degree becomes completely bespoke, with 120 credits chosen from across the UEBS modularity group, including the option to take one module entirely outside the Business School, letting students shape a final year that's genuinely their own.

Focus areas: Microeconomics and macroeconomics, econometrics, mathematical and statistical analysis, and the study of government policy, developing economies, and multinational finance.

Learning outcomes: Graduates leave able to evaluate government policy and economic performance, apply mathematical and statistical analysis to real data, present complex findings clearly to different audiences, and make well-reasoned recommendations that account for wider social and political influences, alongside strong ICT and research skills.

Professional alignment: The degree is delivered within a triple-accredited Business School, holding AMBA, AACSB, and EQUIS accreditation, a mark of quality recognised by employers and institutions worldwide.

Reputation (employability rankings): Exeter is ranked Top 15 in the UK for Economics, 11th in the Complete University Guide 2026 and 12th in The Guardian University Guide 2026, and Top 150 in the world for Economics in the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025, with graduate prospects ranked joint 11th in the UK.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Exeter's BSc Economics gets students applying economic theory to real analysis from day one, with teaching that mixes weekly lectures, in-depth seminars and tutorials, and assessment that goes well beyond exams. Students are based at the purpose-built University of Exeter Business School on the Streatham Campus, a dedicated space designed for collaborative economic and business learning. Group work, coursework, and project work all form part of assessment, meaning students build genuine analytical and communication skills rather than just memorising theory. The completely bespoke final year also means students get real ownership over the direction their economics expertise takes. Here's what that looks like in practice:

Purpose-built Business School: teaching happens in the dedicated University of Exeter Business School building on the Streatham Campus.
Group project work: assessment includes genuine group work and project work alongside individual coursework, reflecting how economic analysis happens in real teams.
ICT and digital skills: the degree explicitly builds practical Information and Communications Technology skills, including word processing, databases, internet communications, information retrieval, and online searches.
Optional industrial placement: the four-year "with Industrial Experience" route gives students a full paid year in a professional placement, previously with employers including Goldman Sachs, Accenture, and the Royal Bank of Canada.
Optional year abroad: students can spend a year studying at one of 60 partner universities across 26 countries, with the option to combine study and work placement abroad.
Placement support team: students on the Industrial Experience route are supported by the Business School Careers Team and assigned an academic tutor for the full duration of their placement.
Study abroad support: the Business School Study Abroad Team helps students choose a destination, build a strong application, and stay supported while abroad.
Careers support: the Business School Career Zone provides dedicated careers and employability guidance throughout the degree.
Independent and group study: students combine roughly 11 to 14 hours of timetabled teaching per week with 20 to 25 hours of independent or group study, building strong self-management and research habits.
Optional cross-subject modules: students can take up to 30 credits per year in a subject outside their course, including through the Future Skills Pathways minors, plus one final-year module option entirely outside the Business School.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Exeter's BSc Economics graduates leave with the analytical and quantitative skills to step straight into data-driven, policy-aware careers across finance, consulting, and industry. It's a degree that leads into roles like Business Analyst, Technology Risk Analyst, Commercial Project Manager, and Assistant Economist, giving graduates real versatility across sectors that value strong economic reasoning:

Career support services: the Business School Career Zone provides dedicated careers and employability support throughout the degree, helping students build strong applications and prepare for the job market.
Employment stats and salary figures: students on the Industrial Experience route typically earn between 19,000 and 23,000 pounds during their placement year, with salaries ranging up to 52,000 pounds depending on the role and employer.
University-industry partnerships: students on the Industrial Experience pathway have completed placements with major organisations including Goldman Sachs, Accenture, and the Royal Bank of Canada, with over half of placement students later offered a graduate job by their placement employer.
Long-term accreditation value: the degree is delivered within a triple-accredited Business School, holding AMBA, AACSB, and EQUIS status, a mark of quality recognised by employers and institutions worldwide, alongside Exeter's Top 15 UK ranking for Economics.
Graduation outcomes: With Industrial Experience graduates see even stronger results, with 97 percent in graduate employment or postgraduate study within six months of graduating, compared to 93.5 percent of non-placement graduates, and past graduates have gone on to work at organisations including Goldman Sachs, Facebook, Diageo, HM Treasury, and Bloomberg LP.

Further Academic Progression: Students who want to keep developing their economic expertise have a natural next step through the MSc Economics at Exeter, deepening the technical and policy-focused skills built during the degree at postgraduate level. The Business School's global partnerships across 60 institutions in 26 countries also give students a strong platform to pursue further study internationally if they want to specialise abroad.