Economics

Economics is the study of how individuals, organisations, and governments make decisions about scarce resources, and how those decisions aggregate into the patterns of growth, employment, trade, and inequality that shape the world. It is a discipline that combines theoretical rigour with empirical investigation, using mathematical models to understand incentives and behaviour, and statistical methods to test those models against real-world data. Because economic reasoning applies to questions ranging from household budgeting to global financial crises, economics is one of the most versatile and widely applicable degrees available.

At the University of Leeds, this three-year, full-time degree is taught within a challenging and supportive environment that exposes you to a wide range of economic perspectives and approaches. You will develop a thorough grounding in both microeconomic and macroeconomic theory alongside strong quantitative skills in statistics and econometrics. The programme is designed to produce well-rounded economists who can engage with real-world problems as well as formal theoretical questions.

The degree includes a sandwich placement year and a year abroad, as well as work placement opportunities, which together provide substantial professional and international experience alongside academic study.

Graduates from economics degrees are consistently among the most employed of any discipline. Finance and investment banking, economic consulting, government economic analysis, data science, and management consulting are among the most common destinations. The quantitative and analytical skills you develop are valued in virtually any sector where evidence-based decision-making matters.

Many graduates also go on to postgraduate study in economics, finance, public policy, or data science, deepening their expertise for research or specialist professional careers.