Economics

Economics at its core is the study of how individuals, businesses, governments, and nations choose to allocate scarce resources. This Economics undergraduate degree will introduce you to the core principles of economic thinking. As it’s a BA, it’s designed to be accessible to all students – you don’t need a background in Maths or Economics and your learning in these fields will be supported. 

This course emphasises interpretation, debate, and the practical application of economic ideas to contemporary issues. You’ll explore how economic ideas interact with politics, law, business, and social change and engage with a wide range of global perspectives.

We place a strong emphasis on creative and collaborative problem-solving and you’ll benefit from the supportive environment created by small-group teaching and regular feedback. 

A key feature of this Economics degree course is its creative and portfolio-based approach to assessment. You’ll have the opportunity to investigate your own real-world topics.

Through this combination of critical thinking, communication, and applied research experience, graduates develop the skills needed to build a successful career in a range of industries depending on their choices. You’ll also gain valuable professional experience through a range of flexible work placement options.

Year one

In your first year you'll study fundamental modules in economics, statistics, business, finance and entrepreneurship to help establish a common core of knowledge.

Your economics modules will introduce you to neoclassical theory but also to its applications in a range of topics, and encourage you from the start to explore current events and industries that you are interested in.

The statistical module will focus on teaching Excel skills and graphical methods of analysing economic data, rather than pure maths. You'll have the opportunity to expand your knowledge by engaging with interdisciplinary modules in business, finance and entrepreneurship. This expansion will give you a holistic understanding of the world in which economics operates.

Year two
In your second year you'll develop a more in-depth understanding of key theories in micro and macro economics. You'll explore different perspectives of political economics being used globally and learn how to design and assess effectiveness of economic policies in areas such as trade, energy, social policy etc.

In addition, you'll further advance your numerical, digital and analytical skills. Optional modules offer the ability to customise your journey and this is when you can choose to do a year-long professional placement or a shorter work placement module.

Year three
Your third year focuses on developing your research skills through modules exploring contemporary issues and the many different tools available to investigate them, sustainability from a business or law perspective and your final research project.

You'll also have further customisation opportunities this year with even more optional modules, allowing you to tailor your learning to your interests. You'll also have the opportunity for a summer work placement.

At BSU, our courses are designed to equip our graduates with the knowledge and skills they’ll need for the real world. To do this, we are continually improving our courses by responding to feedback from students and other stakeholders. This may mean changes may be made to the curriculum. You’ll always be given notice of any such changes.

For more information on how we approach such changes at the university, please read our policies on

• Suspensions and Discontinuations
• Programme modifications
  .

A distinctive feature of the programme is our creative, portfolio-style assessments.

Students choose real-world topics that matter to them and present their findings using a range of formats that reflect how economics is communicated today. These could include:

• digital reports
• policy briefs
• website creation
• data analysis projects
• short form videos
• evaluative conversations
• live debates
• podcast interviews. 

We offer variety in the way we teach. Lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials are designed to help establish a foundation of knowledge.

The standard teaching patters are in-person two hours lectures and two hours seminars, but modules will utilise this time in different ways to best suit your learning.

Guest lectures, research workshops, computer-lab sessions, one-to-one tutorials and field trips are arranged on a regular basis across your modules.    

Through our Virtual Learning Environment teachers will introduce you to a variety of resources, from academic papers and texts to movies, videos, news articles and datasets.

To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our information on Your Learning and Teaching at BSU.

The economics learning community is supported socially with our film nights and economics-focused trips, which help form lasting friendships, as well as deepen your understanding of economic institutions.

We organise a London Treasure Hunt for economics clues, we visit the Bank of England, the Royal Mint and the Welsh Senedd, and explore sustainability closer to home as well, in Newton Park.

But most importantly we offer personalised mentoring and support to help you shape your professional identity, and develop confidence in presenting your skills to employers.

Graduates pursue careers across government and economic policy (including the GES), business strategy, and entrepreneurship –  we can also support you in developing your own consultancy or business.

Many go on to roles in local councils, working with SMEs or NGOs in advisory roles, join research institutes and think tanks, or work in consultancy and business analysis roles across a range of industries in the private sector. 

Depending on their module choices, students can open opportunities in data and economic analysis, finance, accounting, and actuarial fields. The degree also provides a strong foundation for postgraduate study and academic research.

As part of your degree, you could study abroad on a placement at one of Bath Spa’s partner universities.

If you’re a full-time undergraduate student starting your first year at Bath Spa University, you can apply for the Certificate in Global Citizenship, which you’ll study alongside your degree.

You’ll gain global awareness and add an international dimension to your student experience, and funding is available. On successful completion of the programme, you’ll be awarded a Certificate in Global Citizenship. This is in addition to your degree; it doesn’t change your degree title or results.

Our careers team works closely with the programme to support your professional placement year, or summer placements and shorter internships during term time. Students can also gain paid experience within the university itself, in a range of roles that strengthen workplace skills, and have access to entrepreneurship funding to start their own business.

Due to our established employer networks, which include local businesses in the South West and national companies such as KPMG, public institutions such as the BANES council and HMRC, and policy organisations such as the Bath Law clinic, we are able to tailor opportunities around your interests as they emerge. The university and the Business School also arrange multiple networking events each year with these employers, as well as alumni and academics.

The Professional Placement Year (PPY) provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for, and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.

By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of 'with Professional Placement Year' to your degree title.

Before your PPY, you'll work to identify roles of interest and secure a placement. The Placements Team will support through timetabled sessions and 1:1 appointments.

As well as completing a minimum of 900 placement hours, you will complete two assessments demonstrating your skill development, growth in professional behaviours and how the PPY has impacted your future career aspirations.

You'll be taught at our Newton Park campus, which is located on the edge of Bath and offers a blend of modern and eighteenth-century buildings, with good access to the city while being nestled in the countryside. From your lectures, you’ll be able to visit the library, the Students’ Union, and access our student information and support teams, as well as many of our cutting edge facilities.  

• Our Library offers a wealth of learning resources including books, journals, DVDs and an extensive range of electronic services. The Economics specific resources include access to electronic journal and news repositories, a range of databases (e.g. Bloomberg, Euromonitor Passport, Statista), software (e.g. Excel, Adobe Creative toolkit, Lucidchart) and professional networks.
• The Writing and Learning Centre provides support for your academic work, including feedback on written drafts and other help with academic writing.
• Our Virtual Learning Environment provides online access to learning materials such as lecture slides, assessment information, discussion boards and other resources. 
• The Careers team run networking events and advisory workshops that explore your future options and the essentials of the job application process. They help you get experience by assisting with your search for work placements and paid part-time jobs while you're studying. When you're ready to progress into your chosen career, they can help you secure graduate-level employment, freelance opportunities, and funding for your own business ideas. Career support continues for years after you graduate with the dedicated Grad Support Unit.
• You’ll have free access to thousands of business, design and tech courses online via LinkedIn Learning.
• If English isn't your first language, our English Language Unit can help you improve your English, reach your full potential and boost your confidence.
• Our Student Wellbeing Services are available to support you through your learning.