Economics Schools and Programs in The United Kingdom

Economics Studies in The United Kingdom

Economics is taught at most UK universities as a three-year bachelor's degree in England and a four-year honours degree in Scotland, followed for some students by a one-year master's. The main choice an applicant faces is how mathematical the degree should be. This directory lists 42 schools in the UK that teach economics; London has seven, Edinburgh four and Manchester three.

How the degree is organised

Universities in England usually offer economics as a BSc, a BA, or both. The BSc is the more quantitative route. The University of Bristol says its BSc Economics is designed for students with a suitable A-level Mathematics qualification and recommends its BA Economics to applicants without one. The University of Sussex describes its BSc as a quantitative and empirical approach that includes econometrics and mathematical economics, with a lighter emphasis on mathematics and statistics in the BA. Lancaster University states that its BSc Economics is designed for students who are comfortable and fluent in mathematics.

All three degrees take three years of full-time study. A fourth year is often available: Sussex offers a version with a professional placement year, and Lancaster lets students spend the third year on an industry placement or studying abroad before returning for a final year.

In Scotland the honours degree takes four years and the title can differ. At the University of St Andrews the Economics MA (Honours) is a four-year undergraduate course; the first two years build a general foundation in microeconomics, macroeconomics and quantitative techniques, and students choose specialist modules at Honours level. At the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow the BA Honours in Economics starts with a broad first year across business disciplines, and entry to the Honours year depends on results in the second and third years.

Core content is similar everywhere: microeconomics, macroeconomics, statistics and econometrics, with options such as behavioural economics, international trade, development and finance. Other universities in this directory that teach the subject include University College London, SOAS University of London, The University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University, The University of Manchester and the University of Aberdeen.

Master's degrees

A taught master's normally lasts one year full time. The Development Economics MSc at Sussex is an example: one year, with an entry requirement of an upper second-class (2.1) honours degree in economics that includes intermediate-level microeconomics and macroeconomics. For 2027 entry Sussex lists fees of £28,100 for international students and £15,450 for home students on this course.

Admission and language

Undergraduate applications go through UCAS, with up to five choices. For 2027 entry the equal consideration date for most courses is 13 January 2027 at 18:00 UK time; the date for the universities of Oxford and Cambridge is 15 October. Many universities continue to accept international applications later in the year, according to UCAS.

Typical A-level offers for the BSc are A*AA at Bristol, AAB including Mathematics at Lancaster and ABB-BBB at Sussex, where GCSE Mathematics at grade 6 is required. Strathclyde asks for ABB-BBB at A level. Each university publishes the international school qualifications it accepts.

English requirements for these courses are IELTS 6.5 overall at Bristol and Lancaster and 6.0 at Sussex. For the Student visa, degree-level study requires English equivalent to CEFR level B2.

Fees and visa

International fees for the first year of a bachelor's in economics are £29,300 at Bristol (2027 entry), £27,100 at Lancaster (2027-28), £24,200 at Sussex, £23,200 at Strathclyde (2027-28) and £34,910 at St Andrews (2027 entry). Home students pay £10,050 at Bristol, Lancaster and Sussex.

International students normally need a Student visa. According to GOV.UK (checked in October 2026), the application costs £558 from outside the UK plus the healthcare surcharge, and applicants must show £1,529 per month for courses in London or £1,171 per month elsewhere, for up to nine months. The Graduate visa allows graduates to stay 2 years if they apply on or before 31 December 2026, and 18 months if they apply from 1 January 2027.

Careers

Economics graduates work in banking and finance, government, consultancy and private companies. In the public sector, the Government Economic Service is the professional body for economists in the UK Civil Service; it reports more than 3,500 members and describes itself as the largest recruiter of economists in the UK. Some degrees carry professional recognition in accounting: Bristol states that its BSc is accredited by CIMA, and Sussex that completing its course grants some exemptions towards CIMA membership.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need mathematics to study economics in the UK?

For a BSc, usually yes. Bristol and Lancaster ask for A-level Mathematics or an equivalent for the BSc Economics. Bristol recommends its BA Economics to applicants without it.

How long does an economics degree take?

Three years full time in England, or four with a placement or study abroad year. In Scotland the honours degree takes four years, as at St Andrews and Strathclyde.

What is the difference between a BA, a BSc and an MA in Economics?

In England the BSc is the more mathematical route and the BA has a lighter emphasis on mathematics and statistics. At St Andrews, the MA (Honours) is the four-year undergraduate degree, not a postgraduate master's.