Economics, BA (Hons), with industry placement

Our BA Economics concentrates on the fundamental theories and techniques to help you build a successful career in this competitive field. Taking in historic and current, domestic and international perspectives, you’ll develop an in-depth understanding of the subject at all levels.Year 1In the first year, in addition to the compulsory modules, you will be able to choose three further optional modules from a selection of economics modules and have the opportunity to take a module from another department, which could be a foreign language.Year 2In the second year, you study compulsory modules investigating core issues in economics, and you will be able to choose three further optional modules from a selection of economics modules, and have the opportunity to take a module from another department, which could be a foreign language. Furthermore you will acquire numerous subject skills which enable you to interpret economic theory and data.It may be possible to spend the third term of your second year studying economics modules at either the University of Trento or the University of Pisa. Students who choose this option study five Durham modules before going to Italy for the Easter term. The Durham May/June examinations are taken whilst in Italy.Year 3All of our degrees offer you the option of spending your third year gaining practical experience on a business placement. Business placements are a great way to develop your employment marketability and to engage with employers early in their recruitment pipeline. A placement requires a minimum of forty weeks of work experience and the placement begins in the summer following completion of the second year, and this then becomes the third year of a four-year degree programme. This allows you to really explore and understand your job and to find out if the career or company is for you.

• You will develop your practical skills, confidence and maturity.

• You can focus on a specific career path - many employers recruit graduates from their placement programme.

• You will be able to contextualise your studies better, be more mature in your attitude to work,

• You may decide to draw on your working experiences and access a more fulfilling dissertation research subject.

• You will gain invaluable job search and graduate research skills by engaging in the competitive placement recruitment process.

Year 4In the fourth year, you study a compulsory double module in which you write a Dissertation. The Dissertation module allows you to analyse, in great depth, your choice of research question in Economics. In addition, you study four optional modules from a list of optional economics related modules, as well as one module from another department, which could include a foreign language.Please note: the economics degree is currently under review and details may have changed by October 2023Placement YearYou may be able to take a work placement. Find out more: https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/ug/studyoptions/