Economics

Economics is the discipline that studies how people, organisations, and societies make decisions about the allocation of scarce resources. At Nottingham Trent University, the BA Economics is a three-year full-time programme that includes a year abroad, developing your knowledge of global markets, economic theory, and the quantitative and analytical tools that economic reasoning requires. The programme is designed as a gateway to careers in financial services and a wide range of other sectors where economic understanding is valued.

The degree covers both microeconomics and macroeconomics, developing your ability to analyse how markets work, how firms and consumers make decisions, how governments use fiscal and monetary policy to manage economies, and how international trade and finance shape the global economy. Quantitative methods are central to modern economics, and you will develop skills in statistical analysis and econometrics that allow you to evaluate economic arguments empirically rather than relying on theory alone. The history of economic thought and the major debates that have shaped the discipline are part of the curriculum, giving you the intellectual context for understanding why different economists argue as they do.

The year abroad broadens your understanding of how economies vary across national contexts and develops the international perspective that is increasingly important in a globalised economy.

Economics graduates have consistently strong career prospects across a wide range of sectors. Financial services, including banking, investment management, and financial analysis, are among the most direct destinations, alongside roles in government economic services, the civil service, management consultancy, international organisations, think tanks, and economic research. The analytical and quantitative skills that economics develops are also valued in data science, technology, and the growing field of economic consultancy.

Some graduates go on to postgraduate study in economics, finance, public policy, or related disciplines, which is often required for more senior analytical and research roles. The programme provides a thorough foundation for a career that rewards clear economic thinking.