Economics is traditionally divided into two broad categories: microeconomics and macroeconomics.

Microeconomics involves the decisions of individual units, such as a firm producing goods and trying to make a profit or a household earning income, buying products and trying to achieve the highest level of satisfaction.

Macroeconomics looks at the factors that determine the total output of the economy as a whole and analyses the mechanisms that cause inflation, unemployment and growth.

All of our students study the principles of microeconomics and macroeconomics, but there is also a great deal of choice within our programmes. You will have the opportunity to develop an interest in fields such as government policy, developing countries, the economics of business, and international trade and finance.

Year 1

In first year you will study these courses:

• Introduction to the market mechanism
• International trade
• Economic development
• Macroeconomics
• Macroeconomic policy in an open economy.

Year 2

In second year you will study these courses:

• Intermediate macroeconomics
• Intermediate microeconomics
• Introduction to mathematical economics
• Economic data analysis.

Years 3 and 4

If you successfully complete the courses in first and second year, you may progress to Honours (years three and four).

In third year you will take courses in microeconomic analysis and macroeconomic analysis. These courses develop advanced analytical tools that can then be employed in relation to other courses. You will also take courses in econometrics, which involves the statistical techniques of economic analysis. In fourth year the compulsory course of Government and the economy puts the skills you have developed in your first three years into action by studying current policy issues. In fourth year you will also

• work in teams on a series of projects that will develop your understanding of a range of important issues
• present your results to your classmates
• write a dissertation on a topic of your own choice.

Note

No previous knowledge of economics is required for entry to first year.

You can choose to spend part or all of your second or third year at another university within the EU as part of the Erasmus student exchange scheme. Alternatively, you can study in the United States, Canada, South America, Australia or New Zealand.

At Honours, it is possible to do this degree together with a language. It usually involves spending a year abroad between the second and third years of the programme. This type of degree is particularly useful if you hope to develop a career overseas.

There is strong evidence that our graduates are in demand by a wide range of employers thanks to their developed skills in research, analysis, communication, team working, decision making and problem solving. 90% of our Economics graduates are in work or further study (Unistats 2010).

Our recent Economics graduates have been employed by

• Morgan Stanley, financial analyst
• Lloyds banking group, graduate recruitment scheme in banking
• European Parliament (Glasgow Office), internship
• Speirs & Jeffrey, investment assistant
• BNP Paribas, investment banking operations
• Arcadia Group, management trainee/buyer
• CRISIL Irevna, research analyst
• Scottish Liberal Democrats, researcher
• PricewaterhouseCoopers, trainee accountant.