Explore core economic theory, develop management knowledge and learn how different strategies are used to make key decisions within an organisation. The year abroad will help you see the subject from a new perspective.
Combine economics with management to develop an understanding of key business concepts. On this course you’ll learn how organisations are managed, the strategies used to compete for customers and the importance of economics in achieving an organisation’s objectives.
Alongside the fundamental theories and techniques of economics, you’ll study complementary modules in finance, business, accounting and management. Tailoring your degree in this way helps build the knowledge and skills to support a career in your area of interest, whether that’s in the field of economics, consultancy or a broader business management role.
Central to the course is the real-world application of economics and management. The curriculum includes lectures from expert speakers and case studies where you will have a chance to investigate a range of contemporary economics issues to develop your analytical, numerical and problem-solving skills.
Spending a year abroad in one of our international partner universities will give you the opportunity to experience another culture and develop your language skills. In an increasingly globalised industry, international study will help you stand out to employers.
In addition to the study abroad route you have the option to complete the course in three years or add a placement year. The flexible structure coupled with the varied selection of optional modules across all years allows you to tailor your studies to your interests and aspirations.
The first year provides a foundation in economic principles and general management studies. In subsequent years you will further develop your understanding of core areas of economics and management such as macroeconomics, microeconomics, innovation, operations and data analysis.
Course Structure
Year 1
Core modules:
Principles of Economics provides a sound foundation for modules in micro- and macroeconomics. You will cover areas including methodology of economics, supply and demand, consumer spending choices, competition and growth theories.
Economic Methods familiarises you with the use of mathematical and statistical tools in solving economic problems. You will look at equations, matrix algebra, calculus, statistics, distribution, confidence intervals and hypothesis testing.
Managing Behaviour and Organisations focuses on managing people and organisations in contemporary society. You will learn about some of the concepts that can lead individuals and groups to behave in a particular way and apply these concepts to a range of issues including examples from your own experiences.
Introduction to Leadership introduces basic leadership theories and practices in an organisational context. It examines the roles of personality, power, emotion, gender and culture in the field and addresses some of the practices that might result in leadership failure.
In recent years, optional modules have included:
The Economics of Sustainability
Introduction to the History of Economic Thought
The World Economy
Mastering Data and Computation.
Year 2
Core modules:
Macroeconomics uses real-world examples to analyse the general equilibrium of an economy both in the short term, with a static model, and in the medium to long term, with a dynamic model.
Microeconomics develops your knowledge and understanding of the essential components of microeconomics with a particular focus on the analytical skills relevant to consumer and production theories, general equilibrium and welfare.
Econometrics equips you with the skills to understand the empirical analysis most frequently used in economic literature. You will also write a report based on econometric analysis.
Innovation Management explores the elements involved in managing an organisation's innovation procedure, from the initial idea to successful implementation. You will learn to think critically and strategically about innovation, competition and the impact of innovation on organisations and the wider economy.
Operations Management shares knowledge and understanding of operations management at an advanced level. There are four main elements to the module: the strategic role of operations, the design of products and services, issues in planning and control, and improving operations.
In recent years, optional modules have included:
Intermediate Methods for Economics
Microeconomic Applications and Policy
Macroeconomic Applications and Policy
Behavioural and Experimental Economics.
Year 3
Year 3 is spent studying abroad at one of our partner universities. Not only will you gain valuable academic experiences to take forward to your final year and beyond, it’s also an opportunity to expand your cultural horizons, develop language skills and meet new people.
Opportunities are currently available in Australia, Canada, Chile, China/Hong Kong, Columbia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, South Korea, Sweden and the USA. Funding may be available through scholarships offered by the host institution, the British Council and/or other funding bodies.
Year 4
Core modules:
The Dissertation is a detailed and critical examination of a relevant area of economics. It develops your ability to plan and manage your own learning and provides you with an opportunity to research a specific topic and present your findings and conclusions.
Corporate Entrepreneurship develops a comprehensive understanding of how mid-to-large sized firms can be designed, organised and managed to establish corporate entrepreneurship. You will examine a range of external and internal issues such as structure, processes, people, competition and culture to determine how they can be managed to add value and generate growth.
In recent years, optional modules have included:
Advanced Macroeconomic Theory
Advanced Microeconomic Theory
Applied Econometrics
Developmental Economics
Environmental Economics and Policy
International Economics
Monetary Economics
Labour Economics
Game Theory and Applications
Asia and the Pacific Rim
Leadership
Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability.
Placement
You may be able to take a work placement. Find out more.
Lectures and small-group seminars are complemented by specialist workshops. Using up-to-date resources, the workshops provide hands-on experience of the kind of work professional economists perform.
You’ll also benefit from one-to-one support and self-directed learning to develop your critical thinking skills.
In addition, the Department hosts research-focused seminars where you can further develop your knowledge and start building industry networks.
We place great emphasis on high-quality small-group teaching. The small-group teaching format and one-on-one attention from your personal academic advisor are embedded into the learning experience to help you get more out of your studies.
As you progress to the final year there's an increased focus on self-directed learning and independent research, including the dissertation, as you begin to prepare for professional or postgraduate life.
Assessment
Modules are assessed via a combination of examinations, written assignments and reports, investigative projects and presentations.
The range of assessment methods is designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of the material, test your critical thinking skills, enhance your written and oral communication skills, and assess your ability to relate your learning to real-world issues.
The 12,000-word dissertation makes up one-third of your final-year marks.
Entry requirements
A level offer – A*AA including Mathematics.
Contextual offer –ABB including a grade A from A level Mathematics.
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma – D*DD and Mathematics A level at grade A (or equivalent) is required.
IB Diploma score – 38 with 666 in higher level subjects, including Mathematics.
In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements, please note:
We also consider other level 3 qualifications, including T-levels.
For all Single and Joint Honours degrees involving Economics, including Philosophy, Politics and Economics, we require you to obtain a Grade A at A level Mathematics or its equivalent. For students taking the IB we are happy to accept either Higher Level grade 6 or Standard Level grade 7 in Mathematics.
We do not accept Advanced Higher Statistics as a substitute for AH Mathematics.
If you are studying for the IB Diploma please note that we do not accept Mathematical Studies at standard level instead of standard level Mathematics.
We welcome applications from those with other qualifications equivalent to our standard entry requirements and from mature students with non-standard qualifications or who may have had a break in their study. Please contact our Admissions Manager.
We do not include General Studies or Critical Thinking as part of our offer.
If you do not satisfy our general entry requirements, the Foundation Programme offers multidisciplinary programmes to prepare you for a range of specified degree programmes.
We are willing to consider applications for deferred entry from those who have well-structured plans for work or travel, for example. We may, however, need to restrict the number of deferred entry offers we make because we have to be careful not to fill too many of next year’s places in advance. However, if you do apply for a deferred place and are unsuccessful, you are welcome to reapply the following year.
The tuition fees for 2025/26 academic year have not yet been finalised, they will be displayed here once approved.
The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.
The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and will be subject to an annual inflationary increase and are expected to rise throughout the programme of study. The fee listed above is for the first year of the course only; fees for subsequent years will be confirmed not less than 3 months before the start of the academic year to which the increase is intended to apply and will be published on the Finance webpages.
In deciding the annual level of increase the University will take into account inflationary pressures on the costs of delivery. Tuition fees will rise annually by up to the higher of;
6%, or,
the latest annual percentage increase in the Consumer Prices Index.
Our students graduate with subject-specific knowledge such as economic theory and data analysis, as well as the commercial awareness, IT and problem-solving skills that are highly valued by employers across the world. This combination of academic knowledge and transferable skills will open up a range of career possibilities in the economics and finance sector and beyond.
Our focus on employability stretches beyond the classroom. You will benefit from events that will give you a competitive edge in the job market. From employer talks and interview advice to business-tailored careers fairs, we work with you to achieve your goals.
Previous Economics graduates have gone on to work for global innovators and leaders in their sector including Ernst and Young, Deloitte, Lloyds Banking Group, PwC, JP Morgan and for government departments such as the National Audit Office, HMRC and the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.
Of those students who graduated in 2020-21:
89% of Economics and Finance graduates are in paid employment or further study 15 months after graduation across all our programmes
Of those in employment:
96% are in high skilled employment
With an average salary of £36,000.
(Source: HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after graduation. Further information about the Graduate Outcomes survey can be found here www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk)
Department information
Business School
Gain constructive insights from active practitioners and researchers. Our Economics degrees close the gap between the business world and the classroom, and prepare the next generation for success across a range of disciplines.
We are part of Durham University’s Business School, one of the UK's longest established business schools. We offer an inspiring and stimulating learning environment, and consistently rank highly for the quality of our teaching, research and for graduate career prospects.
The rigorous curriculum combined with exceptional teaching prepare you to navigate the economic challenges faced by the modern world.
You will learn from leading academics across a range of economic disciplines. Many of the academic team are active practitioners and researchers who will share their skills and knowledge directly, delivering their insights to the classroom and bringing you closer to the realities of the business world. You will also benefit from lectures by guest speakers who give new perspectives on relevant topics, while case studies give you the opportunity to explore a range of contemporary economics issues. There are further opportunities for hands-on work placements and international study.
You will gain an understanding of the principles of Economics, including supply and demand, competition and growth theories while developing the skills to effectively analyse and interpret data. All our degrees can be tailored to your interests through a wide range of option modules, including the chance to study a language.
Economics degrees at Durham prepare students to become the innovative business thinkers of the future and our qualifications are highly successful in creating job opportunities.
You’ll be taught across the University campus by world leading academics from the Business School. You’ll have access to the Business Schools modern, spacious meeting rooms and study areas. The University campus is within walking distance of the historic centre of Durham, a city with UNESCO World Heritage Status.
You’ll be able to access up-to-date financial and market research information from sources such as FAME, Mintel, IMID, European Business asap and Pro-Quest. There’s also a wide range of information available via online databases, including Emerald, Mintel, Lexis-Nexis, Reuters Business Insight, IMF Statistical Service Online. In addition, you’ll have access to Durham University’s prestigious libraries and archives.
Apply
Find out more:
Use the UCAS code below when applying:
Apply
L105
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) handles applications for all undergraduate courses.
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