Which economics degree is right for you?

On the Economics BSc, you will study microeconomics and macroeconomics to an advanced level while several quantitative modules will develop your data analysis and problem-solving skills.

You’ll be able to explain how people, firms and governments make decisions in a variety of settings based on incentives and resource constraints. You will engage with current problems ranging from inflation and growth, to international trade, globalisation, the environment, health care, families and education.

You’ll be equipped with tools and knowledge to work in analyst and research jobs, ranging across government, industry and the financial, retail, consultancy or development sectors as well as in academia.

The Economics and Finance BSc equips you with the skills to launch a successful career in the financial and commercial sectors. Along with a solid foundation of core economic theory, mathematics and econometrics, you will specialise in financial markets, institutions and products.

Through trading simulations and portfolio management activities you will gain relevant experience and develop a deeper understanding of finance in practice, preparing you for a wide range of jobs, e.g. in investment banking, financial consulting.

The optional modules in your final year will allow you to either extend your quantitative skills or widen your knowledge to other fields in economics.

This recently refreshed Business Economics and Data Analytics BSc will appeal to those who want to specialise in the economics related of the business sector.

While grounded in economic theory, mathematics and econometrics, this course will enable you to discover how businesses operate and make use of data-supported analysis.

By learning how to process and analysing data using a variety of programming platforms, you will discover how businesses can use large datasests to enhance their performance. Skills like these will position you for managerial roles across many business operations (e.g., business strategy, logistics, sales, finance) or related fields (e.g. accounting, auditing).

If you like mathematics but also want to apply it to real-world scenarios, then this Economics and Mathematics BSc degree is for you! You will develop an extensive range of highly technical and quantitative skills and will use them in economics applications. The course content is split between economics and mathematics modules to give you a solid knowledge in both disciplines.

You will be well-suited for a wide variety of different careers involving problem-solving, complex datasets and quantitative tools. For example, you could be working as a data scientist supporting business decision-makers, an analyst for a government agency or a corporate consultant.

Study our BSc Politics and Economics degree to gain an in-depth understanding of core political and economic concepts, theories, and methodologies, and see how these two disciplines often work together.

Your time will be split equally between modules in politics and economics enabling you to develop knowledge and skills in both disciplines. In the final year, you will have the opportunity to select modules from a wide variety of options enabling you to think critically about some of today’s most pressing challenges, such as those relating to policy-making and voter behaviour, international relations, institutions, the environment and globalisation. Your skills will be relevant to careers in government, development, the civil service, and business.

If you don’t meet our entry requirements, you might still be able to apply for this degree with a Business and Economics Foundation Year. This is an extra year of study to develop your skills and make it easier for you to get started at university. On successful completion of your foundation year, you’ll be ready to progress to the first year of your degree.

This one-year, full-time foundation year programme will provide you with knowledge of business and economics concepts, theories, ideas and tools to make it easier to get started at university.

You will also carry out a research project where you can explore in detail a topic of your choice, using either quantitative or qualitative research methods (or a mix of both).

PLEASE NOTE: Neither the Politics and Economics BSc nor our Business and Economics Foundation Year follow the same first year as the four economics programmes listed above and neither are CIMA-accredited.

Strong transferable skills

Our degrees place emphasis on technical analytical skills and their application to real-world challenges. These are highly valued by a significant and diverse range of employers.

You will develop transferable qualitative and quantitative research skills, and learn how to design and carry out research projects using market-leading data analysis software.

Course flexibility

Students studying BSc Economics, BSc, Economics and Finance and BSc Business Economics with Data Analysis all follow the same first year in order to build a solid foundation on which to specialise.

This means you can choose to transfer between these programmes from the start of your second year, or continue with your chosen degree, and your decision will be informed by your experiences and conversations with us.

All our economics degrees are accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), fast-tracking your career by giving you exemption from some professional examinations.

Support for your future career

All our programmes include two compulsory employability modules where you will obtain advice and feedback on CV and cover letter-writing, and how to prepare for an interview. You will also be encouraged to think about what kind of career you wish to pursue and how to start working towards your future goals.

Our economics degrees come with an option to work in an industry placement for a year. A placement job will enable you to put your university acquired skills into practise while also developing many more and expanding your professional network. 80% of our placements are paid with 57% of them offering between £18,000 and £30,000.

Study and work abroad

If you’re looking for an international adventure, you’ll find it with Surrey! You’ll have the opportunity to see the world, experience brand new cultures, learn new languages and make new friends by studying and working abroad during your degree.

Financial support is available through various grants and bursaries, as well as Student Finance.