Undergraduate student reading an economics textbook, Monica Partridge building

School of Economics

Economics studies how choices are made, and can inform policy in areas as diverse as education, the environment, commerce, transport, globalisation, and health. Our degrees encourage you to question the gender pay gap, how government policies affect us, and why some countries grow faster than others. 

Why choose us?

  • 90% of economics graduates were in sustained employment, further study or both five years after graduation. These graduates earned a median salary of £55,500 (LEO data, 2022/23 tax year, published 2025) 
  • Our graduates secure jobs with top companies such as EY, PwC and KPMG 
  • Top 10 in the UK for economics in the Complete University Guide 2026 and Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
  • Automatic funded membership of the Nottingham Economics and Finance Society, the student-run society for economics and finance, which provides extensive training, networking opportunities and internship application support 
  • Annual management, consulting and finance careers fair to connect you with employers

Hear from Oliver Morrissey, Professor of Development Economics, to find out what it's like to study economics at the University of Nottingham.

Find out more about studying economics at Nottingham.

Find out more about studying economics at Nottingham.

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Esther Mpagalile


Esther graduated after studying BSc Economics and International Economics, she is now an Inclusive Growth Analyst at the United Nations Development Program.

 

She talks about her time at Nottingham, from living in halls and joining societies, to how the skills she learned at Nottingham help her in her role.


About our courses

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 in the research process and a range of skills that will enhance your academic profile and CV.

Teaching methods

  • Computer labs
  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops

Our economics graduates have unmatched employability prospects and continue to thrive in their careers with a median earning of £55,500 five years after graduation.

Our economics graduates gain a range of specialist and transferable skills, including the ability to grasp complex economic concepts, both mathematical and philosophical. This will enable you to have a lucrative career in a wide variety of fields such as government, international agencies, private sector organisations, or education. A study from the Department for Education and Institute for Fiscal Studies has found that studying economics at university significantly increases the average earnings of graduates. Our graduates go into a wide variety of careers, including investment banking, accountancy, mergers and acquisitions, and stock and bond trading.

Faculty of Social Sciences Placements Programme

We offer a range of placement and internship opportunities, alongside detailed career guidance, to equip you with the tools to succeed in the graduate jobs market. We have over 150 placements available each year. These opportunities run one day a week during term time, for a total of 70 hours, and easily fit around your academic timetable. Take a look at the placement opportunities in the Faculty of Social Sciences.

On our courses, you can apply to spend a semester studying abroad at the university's campuses in China or Malaysia, or at one of our partner institutions in locations such as Australia, Canada, and Japan. You will get the opportunity to broaden your horizons and enhance your employability by experiencing another culture. You can choose to study similar modules to your counterparts back in Nottingham or expand your knowledge by taking other options. Teaching is typically in English; however, there may be opportunities to study in another language if you are sufficiently fluent.

Students studying economics in a modern language will spend their third year in France, Germany, or Spain. Teaching is typically in the relevant language.

Please note: In order to study abroad you will need to achieve the relevant academic requirements as set by the university and meet the selection criteria of both the university and the partner institution. The partner institution is under no obligation to accept you even if you do meet the relevant criteria. 

Applications are made through the standard UCAS process. No interview is usually required. 

We want your application process to be as smooth as possible and have sat with our Admissions Manager, Maryam to talk you through it. 

Join us and be guided by our Admissions Manager, Maryam. With her expert guidance, you'll discover some common myths we hear from potential students. From your reference worries to your predicted grades, and everything in between, Maryam clears up some key points you need to know to start your university experience.

Join us and be guided by our Admissions Manager, Maryam. With her expert guidance, you'll discover some common myths we hear from potential students. From your reference worries to your predicted grades, and everything in between, Maryam clears up some key points you need to know to start your university experience.

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Open Day June 2022