BA (Hons) Economics

Overview

Economics at Durham develops rigorous analytical thinkers. You will model consumer and firm behaviour, analyse macroeconomic indicators, and apply econometric techniques to real datasets. Policy modules examine taxation, trade, development, and environmental economics. Debate seminars challenge assumptions behind headlines on inflation, inequality, and growth. BA (Hons) Economics is taught as one award, not a list of unrelated modules. The published length is 3 years full-time, and the credit total is 360. Students move from Principles of Microeconomics through Principles of Microeconomics; Principles of Macroeconomics; Mathematics for Economists; Economic Statistics & Data Analysis; History of Economic Thought; Applied Economic Issues & Policy, and finish on Honours Economics Dissertation. Each course has a question, a method, and a submission. In this field, students apply the method of the subject to a defined problem and defend the result. Reading is a core text, a case or dataset, and a critique. The artefact a marker expects is a submission that shows the method, the evidence, and the limit of the claim. The award is built so that a graduate can do the following in practice: Build and interpret microeconomic and macroeconomic models Estimate regression models and test economic hypotheses Evaluate policy proposals using cost-benefit reasoning Teaching assumes the student can read a source, attempt a problem before the seminar, and revise after feedback. Attendance at live seminars is part of the design. The capstone or final course must use the methods of the earlier courses; a project that ignores them does not pass. The pages for each course name the topics that are examined. Those topics are the syllabus. A brochure line is not a substitute for them.

Access to Durham University's economics data lab includes World Bank, ONS, and FRED datasets for coursework.

Who This Programme Is For

• ✦Students strong in mathematics and critical thinking
• ✦Future policy analysts, economists, and finance professionals
• ✦Learners interested in global development and trade

Programme Structure & Delivery

Learning Outcomes

• ✦Build and interpret microeconomic and macroeconomic models
• ✦Estimate regression models and test economic hypotheses
• ✦Evaluate policy proposals using cost-benefit reasoning
• ✦Communicate economic analysis to non-specialist audiences

Career Pathways

• ✦Economic Analyst
• ✦Policy Researcher
• ✦Financial Analyst
• ✦Consulting Analyst
• ✦Further Study (MSc Finance)

Curriculum