BSc Economics
About this course
BSc (Hons) Economics is an undergraduate degree in economics, centred on the analysis of markets, institutions and policy. Core topics include statistics, mathematical modelling, data analysis, programming, research methods, and critical and analytical thinking. The third year is built around a compulsory dissertation in which students research and critically examine a chosen area of economics. The standard route lasts three years, with the option to add a placement year or spend a year abroad. The first year lays the foundations through Principles of Economics, Economic Methods, The Economics of Sustainability and Mastering Data and Computation. Economic Methods covers mathematical and statistical tools including calculus, matrix algebra and hypothesis testing, while Mastering Data and Computation applies data analysis and programming to real-world economic questions. The second year covers Macroeconomics, Microeconomics and Econometrics as compulsory modules. Optional modules at this stage span areas such as Behavioural and Experimental Economics, Political Economy, Microeconomic Applications and Policy and Macroeconomic Applications and Policy. The third year centres on the compulsory Dissertation, supported by advanced options including Applied Econometrics, International Economics, Labour Economics and Game Theory and Applications. Other optional modules have included finance modules and a foreign language module offered by the Centre for Foreign Language Study.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: A*AA including Mathematics. You do not need to have studied Economics at A-Level to apply for this programme. IB: 37 with 766 in higher level subjects, including Mathematics. If you are not taking Mathematics at higher level, we can accept standard level Mathematics at grade 7.
Real offers for this course
Applicants have posted 2 UCAS decisions for BSc Economics (L130) at Durham University for 2027 entry so far. The published offer is A*AA at A level.
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 29%: 150 offers from 525 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 149 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 86%
- Assessment and feedback: 81%
- Academic support: 91%
- Organisation and management: 89%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 83%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 195 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 89%
- Left higher education: 8%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 3%
What graduates do next
Based on about 74 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 61%
- Working and studying: 17%
- Further study: 8%
- Unemployed: 6%
Most common jobs
- Finance Professionals: 43%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 18%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Sales occupations: 4%
- Find their work meaningful: 76%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 81%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 55%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 210 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 4%
- North West: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 6%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 6%
- London: 55%
- South East: 16%
- South West: 2%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 250 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 99%
- Baccalaureate: 1%
- Other qualifications: 1%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Principles of Economics
- Economic Methods
- Global Economic History
- The Economics of Sustainability
- Mastering Data and Computation
- Example optional modules
- Macroeconomics
- Microeconomics
- Econometrics
- Example optional modules
- Dissertation
- Example optional modules
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Economics at Durham University earn?
The median salary is £38,500 after 15 months, £42,000 after 3 years, £64,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £50,000 and £84,000. The £64,000 median after five years is £15,500 more than the UK median for Economics.
What do graduates of BSc Economics at Durham University do next?
86% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Economics at Durham University?
90% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Economics at Durham University?
The typical offer is A*AA at A level. The average entrant had 164 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BSc Economics at Durham University?
29% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 150 offers from 525 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BSc Economics at Durham University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Economics at Durham University?
89% of students continued into their second year, and 8% left higher education.