Economics and Data Science

Economics and data science is a genuinely contemporary combination, recognising that the practice of economics has been transformed by the availability of large datasets and the computational tools to analyse them. Modern economists collect, manage, and interrogate data on a scale that was unimaginable a generation ago, using statistical modelling, machine learning, and data visualisation to answer questions that matter to policymakers, businesses, and society. Pairing economics with data science at degree level produces graduates who can do the analysis and understand what it means, which is a combination employers find increasingly difficult to find.

At the University of Bristol, this three-year full-time degree places employability at its heart, recognising that handling and managing data is a crucial part of any modern economist's toolkit. You will develop rigorous economic theory alongside strong quantitative and computational skills, learning to collect and analyse data, to use it to answer key economic questions, and to communicate your findings effectively to diverse audiences including policymakers and industry stakeholders. The programme includes a sandwich year and work placement, giving you direct professional experience in settings where economic and data skills are applied before you complete your final year.

The entry tariff is 168 points.

Graduates from economics and data science programmes are in very strong demand across many sectors. Economic consultancy, financial services, the civil service, central banks, international organisations, technology companies, management consultancy, and data-focused research roles are all well-established career destinations. The combination of economic reasoning and data science skills is particularly valued in roles at the interface of analysis and decision-making, where quantitative rigour and the ability to interpret and communicate results are both essential.

Postgraduate study in economics, data science, or public policy is a natural next step for those who wish to develop deeper specialist expertise.