Economics is not just about money. It’s about the choices we make and the effects of those choices on people, businesses, and governments. Our BSc Economics course covers the fundamentals of economics – macroeconomics, microeconomics, statistics, and data analysis. As you progress, you get more choice such as financial, political, behavioural or development economics.
From year one, we’ll support your career development. You’ll have automatic membership to the student-led Nottingham Economics and Finance Society (NEFS). They offer networking opportunities, CV advice, and additional training through their divisions.
The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. This content was last updated on Tuesday 13 May 2025. Due to timetabling availability, there may be restrictions on some module combinations.
The majority of teaching is delivered through lectures, tutorials, seminars and computer laboratory classes.
We aim to provide a learning environment that will enrich your life and live up to the ideal of a global education. You will engage directly in our common pursuit of cutting-edge, policy relevant and curiosity-driven research.
Economists study the world around them by applying both mathematical and statistical methods. You will be required to learn both to ensure you have the most up to date skills. In year one, our courses offer a choice of quantitative pathways, which differ in their level of mathematical difficulty (for example, there is a separate stream for students without maths A level), but by year two all three streams come together since students will have been brought to the same level of mathematical skill required.
The final year dissertation module provides you with the opportunity to complete an independent research project on a topic of your choice. Under the guidance of a dissertation tutor, you will gain experience of the research process and a range of skills that will enhance your academic profile and CV.
Teaching is delivered through a mix of in-person and online methods. The majority of your teaching will be in-person.
During each semester you will be examined on the modules you have taken. Except for the dissertation in the third year (which is a coursework assessment), modules typically have exam-based assessment at the end of the semester (or year), and some have seminar or essay-based elements, including group work.
You will have at least the following hours of timetabled contact a week through lectures, seminars, tutorials, computer classes and supervisions.
You will also be expected to engage in substantial independent study.
Our graduates do well in their careers. You can see our statistics in the job prospects section below.
The top five graduate employers for the school based on full-time, high skilled employment* are:
* HESA Graduate Outcomes, 2017-2021.
We also have a number of students who choose to do further study. This is around 15-17% of cohorts in recent years, based on the HESA Graduate Outcomes data.
As well as providing a high-quality course, we offer many ways to boost your CV and network. A few include:
The Faculty of Social Sciences runs an exclusive placements programme of term-time opportunities across all years of study. There are both paid and volunteer opportunities at local, national and even international level, across a wide range of organisations and businesses. Read Tapiwa Kampila’s experience in Zimbabwe.
Many students take part in internships during their studies. These are found by you but there is support via the Careers and Employability Service and the Nottingham Economics and Finance Society (NEFS). NEFS mentors are available to help you with application advice, and they provide various networking opportunities throughout the year.
This annual fair invites top employers in a range of exciting management, consulting and finance fields, offering graduate roles and internship opportunities. Big names have attended in the past, such as Accenture, Deloitte, Experian and HM Treasury.
Between the School of Economics and Nottingham Economics and Finance Society (NEFS), we offer a dynamic programme packed with events that bridge the gap between theory and real-world practice. From exclusive speaker series to alumni conferences, these events put you face-to-face with industry leaders and successful graduates, giving you invaluable insights.
Previous events have included:
Listen to graduates who shared with us what they enjoyed about their time at Nottingham and what jobs they are doing now.
94.3% of economics graduates were in sustained employment or further study five years after graduation, ranking Nottingham 1st in the Russell Group. These graduates earned a median salary of £55,800.*
* LEO data from 2021/22 tax year, published in 2024.
Studying for a degree at the University of Nottingham will provide you with the type of skills and experiences that will prove invaluable in any career, whichever direction you decide to take.
Throughout your time with us, our Careers and Employability Service can work with you to improve your employability skills even further; assisting with job or course applications, searching for appropriate work experience placements and hosting events to bring you closer to a wide range of prospective employers.
Have a look at our careers page for an overview of all the employability support and opportunities that we provide to current students.
The University of Nottingham is consistently named as one of the most targeted universities by Britain’s leading graduate employers (Ranked in the top ten in The Graduate Market in 2013-2020, High Fliers Research).
I’m part of NEFS. In first year, I joined the global economy divisions. We did case studies like what are the big business areas that countries are investing in and we did a presentation on the biggest areas we think countries should focus on in the next 10 years.
Sahar Qureshi
BSc Economics
