BAEcon Economics and Philosophy / Course details

The BA(Econ) is an interdisciplinary course allowing you to specialise in Economics plus other social science units such as philosophy, politics, and sociology.

You have the flexibility to either delve into technical units in Economics such as Econometrics and Mathematical Economics or combine Economics units covering inequality and climate change with social science units to develop a well-rounded understanding on social issues.

Our Philosophy department covers a wide range of specialisms and choice of optional units, so you can tailor your studies to suit your interests.

Economics and all joint social science pathways share a common first year, allowing you to switch to a different pathway after Year 1, if you want to.

Leading research

World-leading research and teaching in economics has been at the heart of higher education in Manchester since the early days of the University.

Manchester professor William Stanley Jevons (1835 to 1882) helped build the foundations of modern economics.

Three winners of the Nobel Prize in Economics have worked at Manchester:

• Sir John Hicks (1904 to 1989) wrote his most important works on welfare economics during his time at Manchester. 
• Sir Arthur Lewis (1915 to 1991) for his pioneering work in development economics. 
• Joseph Stiglitz (Nobel Prize winner 2001) has led the Brooks World Poverty Institute.

We are proud to be a leading centre for economic research, scholarship and research-led teaching in all areas of the discipline, including microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, financial economics, environmental and resource economics, development economics and industrial/business economics

Study Abroad

You can apply in Year 2 to spend a year abroad in Year 3.  If successful, you will put together a programme of study at the host university in consultation with your Academic Exchange Advisor, to complement your studies at Manchester.

Professional Experience Year Opportunity

You apply in year 1 to boost your employability through a paid Professional Experience Year.

If you meet the criteria, the Professional Experience Team and Careers Service will work with you to find a suitable placement in your 2nd year.

You will then complete your Professional Experience Year in 3rd year extending your degree to four years, before returning to University to finish your final year.

Your degree title will be extended to include 'with Professional Experience', giving you the added advantage of relevant work experience when entering the competitive graduate jobs market.

Course units feature formal lectures supported by smaller tutorials or seminars where you explore the contents of lectures and recommended reading in depth.

Tutorials and seminars are key in improving your written and oral communication skills through group discussions, essay-writing, and presentations.

You are assigned an Academic Advisor who can advise you on selecting course units and career opportunities.

The range of methods is designed to promote in-depth learning and understanding, including:

• essays, coursework and other mid-term evaluations;
• dissertations;
• presentations and group projects; and
• exams.