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Economics is the study of producing and using wealth. The credit crunch, international trade, global warming, sustainable development and inequalities between countries – these are all issues to which economics can be applied to provide solutions to global problems. You need to have an aptitude for maths and an interest in using statistical techniques to analyse economic and financial data. This course can lead to employment in areas such as financial management, accountancy, investment banking, government and journalism.
Economics graduates normally do well in the jobs market, but as the finance industry has struggled, it's made for more difficult conditions for new graduates. As the industry recovers, we expect the statistics to improve. As so many economic grads go into banking and finance, it's not surprising that nearly half of all 2012's economics graduates who did go into work were working in London. It's quite common for economics graduates to go into jobs such as accountancy which require you to take more training and gain professional qualifications - so don’t assume you won’t have to take any more exams once you leave uni. The incentive to take them, of course, is better pay, which will be on top of an already healthy average starting salary of over £28,000 for graduates working in the capital.
Business, finance and related associate professionals
Average graduate salary
£26k
HIGH
% of graduates in work or further study
96%
MED
Longer term career paths
Jobs where this degree is useful
Chartered accountant
Management consultant
Economist
Other real-life job examples
Investment banker
Actuary
Policy adviser
What employers like about this subject
A degree in economics will give you a range of subject-specific skills from statistical analysis and an understanding of economic theory and modelling approaches to the ability to apply economic reasoning to policy issues in a critical manner. You'll also gain a whole suite of sought-after transferable skills including numeracy, communication, data handling and problem-solving skills. These are in demand from many employers including government departments and thinktanks, banks, universities, consultancies and insurance and accountancy firms.
