If you’re an avid follower of national and international events, and you at least occasionally read the finance and business sections of the news, a degree in economics could be for you. As a social science, the study of economics is people-focused. It’s about money, yes, but it’s also about understanding the full spectrum of issues that impact on financial situations – including politics, sociology, law, psychology, geography and history. In fact it’s so diverse, that at some universities it’s classed as a bachelor of arts (BA) and at others as a bachelor of science (BSc). However, while economics is not just about number-crunching and spreadsheets, you will need to demonstrate strong aptitude in both maths and ICT. The next most important attributes are an ability to analyse problems clearly, and an enthusiasm for understanding current affairs and the world around you. Economics at university is often offered as part of a joint degree, paired with subjects including politics, management, history, mathematics, computer science, engineering and modern languages.

The broad and well-respected set of skills provided by an economics degree means a wide range of careers are open to economics graduates. Many go on to work in the finance sector, in fields such as banking, accountancy, insurance, trading, tax and auditing. Other common career paths, include roles in sales, marketing, management and human resources – all based on a strong understanding of business processes and markets. There are also many advisory and consultancy roles open to economics graduates, which could mean providing advice for banks, government agencies, or indeed any large business. Others pursue careers in journalism, statistics, IT, or even entrepreneurship. Why are economics degrees so popular?