Economics BSc Honours

Course overview

Our Economics BSc Honours degree has real-world relevance. The course focuses on developing your quantitative skills and giving you a thorough understanding of global economics. You'll leave University as a sought-after graduate.

You will focus on the fundamental concepts, analytical tools and quantitative techniques. These will help you understand modern economics.

You'll gain an in-depth knowledge of global economics, studying theory and policy with topics such as:

• international economics
• micro and macro-economic analysis
• development economics

You'll become a confident economics expert who can identify problems, predict outcomes and evaluate policies. You'll also gain skills that are highly valued by professionals and industry experts. You'll graduate ready to pursue your career in economics.

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Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Featured module

ECO3030: Dissertation Part 2 - Independent Research Project

You'll apply your economic knowledge to a topic of particular interest to you. You'll be supervised by an experienced member of staff.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

You will be introduced to the main economic issues that confront the British and world economies. You'll also learn about core economic topics within micro and macroeconomics.

You'll also be introduced to key mathematical and statistical techniques used in economic analysis. You will develop a variety of IT and quantitative skills, which will be of use both within and beyond your degree.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Statistical Methods for Economics	20
Mathematics for Economics	20
Economic History	20
Economic Analysis	30
Economic Applications	10
Academic Tutoring	0

Optional Modules	Credits
Introduction to Accounting and Finance (for Business School Students)	20
Introduction to Management and Organisation	20
Introduction to Marketing	20

You will build on your knowledge and skills with modules in macroeconomics, microeconomics and econometric analysis. This will give you a deeper insight into methods used by economists to analyse the modern economy.

A module in applied economics engages you in group work and develops key skills, such as the ability to present and defend arguments on topical economic issues.

Your remaining topics are optional and cover areas such as international economics and economics of evaluation and investment.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Econometric Analysis	20
Applied Economics	10
Microeconomic Analysis	30
Macroeconomic Analysis	30

Optional Modules	Credits
International Economics	10
Economics of Regulation	10
Economic Evaluation and Investment	20
Groningen Economics Exchange	120
Mathematical Economics	10
Python Programming for Economists	10
British Economic History, 1780-1979	10
Ecological Economics and Policy	10

Two compulsory modules in advanced economic theory are complemented by a choice of optional topics including:

• labour economics
• behavioural economics
• advanced econometric analysis
• public economics
• financial economics
• monetary economics
• industrial economics

You may also complete a dissertation. This gives you the chance to undertake original research and apply your economic knowledge to a topic of particular interest to you.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Advanced Microeconomics	20
Advanced Macroeconomics	20

Optional Modules 

EITHER  

A 40 credit dissertation consisting of:  

Advanced Econometric Analysis (10 credits)  

OR 

Advanced Time Series Econometrics (10 credits)  

  

Dissertation Part 1 (10 credits)  

Dissertation Part 2- Independent Research Project (20 credits)  

Plus 40 credits from the list below. 

  

OR 

80 credits from the list below:  

Labour Economics (20 credits) 

Behavioural Economics and Experimental Methods (20 credits) 

Economics of Banking (10 credits)  

Advanced Time Series Econometrics (10 credits)  

Monetary Economics (10 credits)  

Public Economics (20 credits) 

Advanced Time Series Econometrics (10 credits)  

Financial Economics (10 credits)  

Economics of Risk and Uncertainty (10 credits)  

Health Economics (10 credits)  

Industrial Economics and Policy (20 credits)  

Game Theory (10 credits)  

Development Economics (20 credits)  

Environmental Economics (10 credits) 

Microeconometrics (10 credits)

Information about these graphs

We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They are based on the modules chosen by our students in 2022-23.

Teaching time is made up of:

• scheduled learning and teaching activities. These are timetabled activities with a member of staff present.
• structured guided learning. These are activities developed by staff to support engagement with module learning. Students or groups of students undertake these activities without direct staff participation or supervision

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

Your modules are taught via lectures and seminars.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

• 

  Dissertation or research project

• 

  Essays

• 

  Examinations – practical or online

• 

  Group work

• 

  Presentations

• 

  Projects

• 

  Reports

Skills and experience

Research skills

You have the opportunity to undertake an independent research project in your final year. This will allow you to apply the tools of economic analysis you've learned throughout your degree.

You'll apply your economic knowledge to an area you're particularly interested in. You'll gain a grasp of cutting-edge research methods in economics, under the supervision of a University member of staff.

Opportunities

Work placement

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You'll spend 9 to 12 months working in an organization either in the UK or internationally. You'll receive University support from our dedicated team to help you apply for work placements. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.

Recent placement students are in roles such as:

• consulting intern
• associate
• management trainee
• customer analyst
• research assistant
• student economist
• business analyst
• hedge fund research intern
• credit risk analyst

They are working on the following projects:

• assisting with bespoke economic consultancy projects at Oxford Economics
• providing internal and external audit services to a variety of clients at PwC
• aiding innovation through research and application of solutions for clients at Deloitte

If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. Placements are subject to availability and must be sourced by the student.

Find out more about work placements

Study abroad

Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.

You may choose to spend a year abroad as part of your degree in one of our partner institutions. If you choose to study abroad, it will extend your degree by a year.

Alternatively, you may apply to spend Stage 2 studying economics at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands for a year.

Find out more about study abroad

Facilities and environment

Facilities

Newcastle University Business School is one of the largest Schools in the University. We have over 3,500 students representing over 80 nationalities. This valuable network extends beyond our current students to include:

• regional, national and international leaders
• over 34,000 alumni in our network, spanning over 150 countries
• leading professionals and practitioners from industry

The Business School is the gateway to Newcastle Helix - an innovation hub and community that brings together industry leaders, businesses and top researchers.

Our facilities include:

• flexible conference room with panoramic views across the city
• Wi-Fi enabled connectivity throughout the building, including three computer clusters housing over 120 PCs
• four large lecture theatres and over 25 seminar and teaching spaces, providing comfortable teaching and group study space
• dedicated Student Hub and Quiet Space, providing a balanced mix of study space for group work or quiet, individual study
• contemporary café
• employability hub to support your career aspirations
• Bloomberg Room to give you a real feel for the trading room floor
• Experimental and Behavioural Economics Lab, a state-of-the-art research facility for conducting studies in experimental economics and economic psychology

This is in addition to our Frederick Douglass Centre at Newcastle Helix, which offers further study and learning spaces including a 750 seat auditorium – the largest in the University.

Find out more about Newcastle University Business School

Support

Each degree offers you a stimulating curriculum and a supportive teaching and learning environment.

You will have an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have.

Your future

Join a network of successful graduates

Our economics students are highly employable when they graduate from Newcastle University.

Our graduates took on roles within the economics and finance sectors, with organisations such as:

• KPMG
• the Financial Conduct Authority
• Deloitte
• Santander
• Hargreaves Lansdown
• Department for Work and Pensions
• Goldman Sachs

Economics careers

Economics graduates are highly employable. As well as a specific understanding of the subject, they have excellent numeracy, analysis and communication skills.

Graduate destinations vary widely in terms of the range of roles, employers, and sectors.

Whilst only a few economics graduates may be expected to become professional economists, many find it an excellent base for entry into a rewarding career in finance – including accounting, insurance, tax and banking, or management.

Make a difference

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Careers support

You'll have access to a wealth of resources and support to enhance your employability, including:

• the annual Future Focus: Careers Conference, tailored to different industry areas
• interwoven employability provision
• access to a dedicated placement officer within the Business School who can help you find a work placement in your area of interest
• specialist careers and business start-up support from the University's award-winning Careers Service and the Business School's careers consultants
• career management sessions with a careers consultant
• work experience opportunities while studying with us
• Business School summer internship scheme

We're also one of 140 business schools worldwide to be accredited by the EQUIS scheme for our managerial and entrepreneurial skills development.

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)

Qualification: BSc Honours
Home students full time 3 years	Tuition fees (per year) 9250
International students full time 3 years	Tuition fees (per year) 21600

Home Fee Students

The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for home fee-paying students is set by the UK government.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

International Fee Students

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our undergraduate scholarship page for more information.

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

• different tuition fees
• additional costs

Scholarships

Find out more about:

• scholarships for UK, EU and international students
• Student Loans and Government financial support for UK and EU students

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

• the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
• the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
• the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages