BSc Economics (with placement year)
About this course
BSc (Hons) Economics (with placement year), an economics degree examining how resources are allocated across markets, firms and public policy. Core topics include programming, data analysis, statistics, mathematical modelling and research methods. The third year is a compulsory work placement with academic tutor support, and the final year culminates in a dissertation. The degree can also be completed in three years, or taken with a year abroad. The first year establishes the foundations through Principles of Economics, Economic Methods, Global Economic History and Mastering Data and Computation, combining micro- and macroeconomic theory with mathematical and statistical tools and programming on real-world data. Second-year compulsory modules deepen the core with Macroeconomics, Microeconomics and Econometrics, where short-run and long-run equilibrium models meet empirical analysis and a written econometric report. Optional modules in the early years span the history of economic thought, finance, political economy and foreign language study, alongside Behavioural and Experimental Economics and Intermediate Methods for Economics. The third year is spent on a work placement, with an academic tutor who visits and liaises with the employer to support the experience. In the final year, the compulsory Dissertation requires a detailed critical examination of an economics topic, while options include Advanced Macroeconomic Theory, Game Theory and Applications, Applied Econometrics and Labour Economics.
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.
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
- Placement
- Dissertation
- Example optional modules
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Economics (with placement year) 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 (with placement year) 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 (with placement year) 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 (with placement year) at Durham University?
The typical offer is A*AA at A level. The average entrant had 164 UCAS points.
Does BSc Economics (with placement year) 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 (with placement year) at Durham University?
89% of students continued into their second year, and 8% left higher education.