Students on this course learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, informal but scheduled one-on-one support, and self-directed learning, such as research, reading, and writing.

All of these are supported by a state-of-the-art virtual learning environment, Learn Ultra. Seminars and workshops are much smaller groups than lectures, small enough to allow one-on-one interaction with tutors. Workshops also allow hands-on experience of the kind of work professional economists perform.

This emphasis on small-group teaching reflects a conscious choice to enhance the quality of the learning experience rather than the quantity of formal sessions. In fact, the degree is designed to feature fewer formal sessions and more independent research as students move from their first to their final year. Small-group teaching and one-on-one attention from the personal academic advisor (provided for all students when they enter the course) are part of the learning experience throughout, but by the final year classroom time gives way, to some extent, to independent research, including a dissertation - supported by one-to-one supervision that makes up a third of final year credits.

In this way the degree systematically transforms you from a consumer of knowledge in the classroom to a generator of knowledge, ready for professional or postgraduate life. These formal teaching arrangements are supported by “drop-in” surgeries with teaching staff and induction sessions that begin in the week before the start of the degree and continue at key times throughout each year of the course.

Students can also attend an extensive programme of research-focused seminars where staff and visiting scholars present their cutting-edge research.

A level offer – A*AA including Mathematics.

BTEC Level 3 NationalExtended 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:

• 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.

• Applicants are encouraged to avoid studying both Economics and Business Studies A2 levels.

• We do not accept Advanced Higher Statistics as a substitute for AH Mathematics. If you are taking both of these subjects at this level then a further Advanced Higher is necessary.

• 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.

• You are not required to have A level Economics though for anyone taking this subject this will form part of the offer made to you.

• 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.

• If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take an International Foundation Year pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.

• 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.

Science A levels

Applicants taking Science A levels that include a practical component will be required to take and pass this as a condition of entry. This applies only to applicants sitting A levels with an English examination board.

Alternative qualifications

• Other UK qualifications

• EU qualifications

• International qualifications

International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree might have the option to complete an International Foundation Year.

English language requirements

Country specific information

Full Time Fees

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 remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.

Of those students who graduated in 2019:

• 96% are in paid employment or further study 15 months after graduation across all our programmes

Of those in employment:

• 81% are in high skilled employment
• With an average salary of £29,000.

(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)

Our Economics degrees help you prepare for employment, and our qualifications are highly successful in creating job opportunities.

For more information see our Business School website.

Rankings

• 6th for Economics in The Complete University Guide 2023
• Top 10 in The Guardian UniversityGuide 2022.

Staff

For a current list of staff, please see the Business School web pages.

Facilities

With our rigorous curriculum and exceptional teaching, you’ll build world-class foundations for graduate employment or further study. You’ll also get a taste of real business – learning from expert faculty members and guest speakers, as well as through hands-on work placements and international study opportunities. With our flexible programmes, you’re in control – choosing a route that suits your own interests and career aspirations.

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 the personal academic advisor are embedded into the learning experience to help you get more out of your studies.

As you move into the final year the focus on self-directed learning and independent research increases, particularly around the dissertation, as you begin to prepare for professional or postgraduate life. Teaching staff offer drop-in surgeries where a member of the team is available to provide support.

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.

A level offer – A*AA including Mathematics.

BTEC Level 3 NationalExtended 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:

• 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.

• Applicants are encouraged to avoid studying both Economics and Business Studies A2 levels.

• We do not accept Advanced Higher Statistics as a substitute for AH Mathematics. If you are taking both of these subjects at this level then a further Advanced Higher is necessary.

• 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.

• You are not required to have A level Economics though for anyone taking this subject this will form part of the offer made to you.

• 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.

• If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take an International Foundation Year pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.

• 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.

Science A levels

Applicants taking Science A levels that include a practical component will be required to take and pass this as a condition of entry. This applies only to applicants sitting A levels with an English examination board.

Alternative qualifications

• Other UK qualifications

• EU qualifications

• International qualifications

International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree might have the option to complete an International Foundation Year.

English language requirements

Country specific information

The tuition fees for 2024/25 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 remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.

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 2019:

• 96% are in paid employment or further study 15 months after graduation across all our programmes

Of those in employment:

• 81% are in high skilled employment
• With an average salary of £29,000.

(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)

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.

For more information see our Business School website.

Rankings

• 6th for Economics in The Complete University Guide 2023
• 7th in The Guardian University Guide 2023
• 9th in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

Staff

For a current list of staff, please see the Business School web pages.

Facilities

Based within the state-of-the-art Business School, we are close to University services and resources and only a mile from the historic centre of Durham, a city with UNESCO World Heritage Status.

Our modern and spacious teaching and learning areas include lecture theatres, seminar rooms and study areas.

The Business School library houses extensive collections of business, economics, finance and management books and offers access to over 10,000 journals online. 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.

Find out more: