Courses

5 reasons why we study economics

Surrey students outside business school

What is economics?

A degree in economics focuses on the issues that affect finances, resources and spending, from individuals to large organisations and governments. You will study a diverse range of topics and develop an understanding of how these topics affect economies at both a micro and macro scale, including history, politics, psychology, sociology, and geography.

What are the different fields in economics

Some of the fields you will be able to specialise in include:

  • Politics and Economics – Examining how business interacts with law, the economy and government
  • Economics and Mathematics – Focusing on the data, analytics and statistics that inform the choices made by businesses and government
  • Economics and Finance – The study of business and finance topics alongside the core elements of economics
  • Business Economics – The use of economic theory to analyse and improve business operations

5 reasons why we study economics

There are many benefits to studying a degree in economics:

1. Understand the world and current events

Studying economics gives students an insight into how political decisions and the wider world are influenced by the abundance or scarcity of resources. You will also get a better understanding of how economics drives government policies and other current events.

2. Real-world skills

Economics students will develop a wide range of theoretical skills that are applicable to the real world and current events. This gives graduates a broad base on which to develop their career, either academically or professionally.

3. Strong graduate prospects

The scope and real-life applications learnt during an economics degree give graduates excellent prospects when they complete their degree. Economics graduates earn higher than average salaries and are in demand by employers across a wide range of industries.

4. Gain a wide range of knowledge

Studying economics means you will learn about a range of subjects that will give you a number of opportunities. An economics degree covers aspects of politics, sociology, psychology, history, mathematics, business, finance and international relations.

Why study economics at the University of Surrey?

If you choose to study economics at the University of Surrey you will be based at the Surrey School of Economics.

Ranked 6th for real-world impact of economics research in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, the School is a well-respected institution which advises governments and other large organisations and publishes in leading peer-reviewed journals. It also well-known for quality teaching and has some of the highest student satisfaction amongst UK economics departments in the UK.

Undergraduate students have the option to take part in the Professional Training Year programme during the second year of your degree. The placement is an opportunity for you to understand how what you have learned applies to the real world and allows you to gain vital work experience in your chosen field that will help you stand out to potential employers.

Economics students have taken placements at world-renowned institutions, including:

  • Bank of England
  • Ericsson
  • Hewlett Packard Enterprise
  • The Walt Disney Company

Degree options at the University of Surrey

There are a range of undergraduate economics degrees you could progress to after studying the relevant pathway at the University of Surrey International Study Centre:

  • Economics BSc (Hons)
  • Business Economics BSc (Hons)
  • Economics and Finance BSc (Hons)
  • Economics and Mathematics BSc (Hons)
  • Politics and Economics BSc (Hons)

Careers with an economics degree

There are a wide variety of career options available to economics graduates. You can stay on and further your academic studies, or enter a wide variety of different careers such as:

  • Actuarial analyst
  • Business development manager
  • Chartered accountant
  • Data analyst
  • Economist
  • Investment analyst
  • Statistician
  • Stockbroker

FAQs

What can you do with an economics degree?

With an economics degree, you can pursue careers in various fields, such as finance, consulting, government and academia. Allowing you to utilise skills in data analysis, problem-solving and understanding economic principles.

How long does it take to complete an economics degree?

An economics degree typically takes three years to complete at undergraduate level. If you wish to further your studies, you can do so with a postgraduate degree, which takes an additional year to complete.

Are economics graduates in demand in the UK?

One of the biggest benefits of studying economics is the crucial role it plays in the business industry as a whole. This makes graduates highly valuable and in demand.