Economics with International Foundation Year

Economics is the social science concerned with how individuals, organisations, and societies make decisions about scarce resources. It examines how markets work, how prices form, how governments can influence economic outcomes, how growth and inequality arise, and how policy interventions affect behaviour and welfare. At degree level, economics develops both theoretical insight, through the construction of formal models of behaviour and markets, and empirical skill, through the analysis of data using statistical and econometric methods.

It is a discipline that rewards mathematical ability and careful logical reasoning, and one whose applications touch virtually every aspect of social and public life.

At the University of Reading, this four-year full-time programme includes an international foundation year, making it particularly suited to students who need an additional year of preparation before degree-level study, whether because of prior educational background, international qualifications, or a need to develop English language and academic skills. The foundation year is integrated into the four-year degree structure and gives you a supportive transition into the discipline before you progress to core economics content. From there, you will study microeconomics, macroeconomics, quantitative methods, and the history and philosophy of economic thought, before engaging with more specialised areas according to your interests.

Reading's economics department has a strong tradition in financial economics, international economics, and applied econometrics.

Economics graduates are among the most in-demand across the graduate labour market. Career paths include roles in banking, investment management, consultancy, the civil service, international organisations, think tanks, and economic research. The quantitative and analytical skills the degree builds are also valued in data science, finance, and technology.

Many graduates pursue postgraduate study in economics, financial economics, econometrics, public policy, and related fields, and research degrees offer a route into academic or advanced applied research careers.