BSc Economics
Queen's University Belfast
Key Information
Campus location
Belfast, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 18,800 / per year **
Application deadline
Request info *
Earliest start date
Request info
* subject to the availability of places
** international fee
Introduction
A BSc Economics degree allows students to analyse in-depth how economies function (macroeconomics) and how individuals make decisions (microeconomics). The models used by economists combine qualitative and quantitative techniques, and you will have the opportunity to gain analytical, computing, presentation, and writing skills. These transferable skills are highly sought after across industries, and also provide an excellent platform for future entrepreneurs.
Economics Degree Highlights
Economics at Queen’s is ranked in the Top 20 in the UK (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022)
Global Opportunities
- The degree also provides you with further opportunities to work and study abroad through schemes such as Study USA, British Council, Erasmus, International Workplace Tours, Study China, City Scholarships and much more.
Industry Links
- Top performing students are regularly awarded prizes, scholarships and internships from leading companies, such as the Shaw Memorial Prize for best performing second-year student in BSc Economics, and the KPMG Prize for the best graduate in the BSc Economics degree.
World-Class Facilities
- Students will have access to specialist mathematical and statistical training and software, giving them the skills, experience and knowledge necessary to prepare them for careers in economics and business analytics.
Internationally Renowned Experts
- Many of our staff are leading international experts in their fields of research.
Student Experience
- Students can join the Economics Society, a student-run organisation that aims to educate its members on the use of economics in practice through guest speakers, field trips abroad and educational seminars.
Career Opportunities
Those pursuing a career in Economics should enjoy working with numbers and dealing with ambiguous and incomplete information as they attempt to understand and provide solutions to problems. They should also be effective communicators and work well with people. Economists must be prepared to take on challenges and be able to adapt to a constantly changing and dynamic business environment. Many of the skills that students will acquire during their studies at Queen’s will be of great value in a range of different career and life situations. Core transferable skills include the ability to learn independently, problem-solving, understand and interpret very sophisticated economic and financial information, and work productively as part of a team.
The skillset of an Economics graduate is highly sought after by employers, in the public and private sectors. In recent years, students have secured positions in economic analysis and appraisal with a range of government and other public sector organisations, specialist careers in banking and investment appraisal, as well as more generalist positions in economic consulting.
Employment after the Course
Typical career destinations of graduates include:
- Economic Consulting
- Accountancy
- Managers and Administrators in areas such as market research, advertising, sales and personnel
- Education, health or government departments
Employment Links
Graduate employers include PwC; EY; KPMG; Deloitte; BDO; Ulster Bank; Bank of Ireland, First Trust, Northern Ireland Civil Service, Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, BBC, National Trust.
Prizes and Awards
- Economics Group Prize is awarded for the best presentation in the Level 3 Dissertation module.
- Foundation Scholarships for best student in Economics Level 1 and Level 2.
- KPMG Prize is awarded to the best graduate in the BSc Economics degree.
- McKane Medal is awarded to the best final honours student in Economics.
- Shaw Memorial Prize for best performing second-year student in BSc Economics.
- Top performing students are regularly awarded prizes and scholarships from leading companies.
Degree plus award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's, you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world-leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.
Gallery
Curriculum
Year 1
- The Economy (full-year module)
- Communicating Economics
- Mathematics for Economists
- Statistical Methods
- Financial Institutions and Markets
Year 2
- Economic Growth
- Game Theory
- Microeconomics of Markets
- Industrial Organisation
- Introduction to Econometrics
- Macroeconomics
Year 3
- Applied Econometrics
- Students will be able to choose five additional modules from a range which may include:
- Labour Economics
- Economic History
- Public Economics
- Economics Dissertation
- Economics of Networks and Institutions
- International Economics
- Environmental Economics
- Contemporary Economic Issues
Learning and Teaching
Queen’s Management School is one of the largest Schools in the University with more than 1800 full-time undergraduate students and 300 plus postgraduate students. The School has been delivering high-quality programmes for more than 40 years and was one of the first schools in the UK to introduce undergraduate management education. Since then, QMS has been developing and enhancing its teaching portfolio for both local and international students and boasts students from more than 20 different nationalities.
In recent years, the School has benefited from significant investment resulting in many new academic appointments and state-of-the-art facilities including computer teaching labs with specialised software and a Trading Room in Riddel Hall. In addition, the new McClay library houses an excellent selection of Management and related texts and there are extensive IT facilities throughout the campus.
At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high-quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable students to achieve their full academic potential. In line with this, one of QMS’ primary objectives is to deliver innovative learning and teaching programmes that provide students with the competencies and skills to make a positive contribution to business, economic and civic life.
On the BSc Economics programme, we achieve these goals by providing a range of learning environments that enable our students to engage with subject experts both academic staff and industry guest speakers, develop skills and attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world-class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this degree programme are:
- Adviser of Studies
To assist with the choice of modules at the beginning of each academic year - Computer-Based and Other Practical Sessions
These provide students with the opportunity to develop technical skills and apply theoretical principles to real-life or practical contexts. - E-Learning technologies
Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Queen’s Online. A range of e-learning experiences is also embedded in the degree programme through the use of, for example, interactive support materials, podcasts and web-based learning activities. - Induction
Formalised induction for all undergraduate students. For Stage 1 students, this includes several half-day sessions the week before the programme begins to allow students to familiarise themselves with the campus and the degree programme. During Stage 1 there are a number of follow-up sessions throughout the year. Topics such as academic writing, referencing, plagiarism, communication skills, examination preparation and managing time effectively are all covered in these practical sessions - Lectures
These introduce foundation information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading. As the module progresses this information becomes more complex. Lectures, which are normally delivered in large groups to all year-group peers, also provide opportunities to ask questions and seek clarification on key issues as well as gain feedback and advice on assessments. Additional lectures are also delivered by employer representatives and staff from a range of organisations are involved in the delivery of workshops and more practical sessions. In addition to the academic content of the lectures and workshops, this enables employers to impart their valuable experience to QMS Economics students, introduces important local employers to our students and allows our students to meet and engage with potential future employers. - Peer Mentoring Scheme
Whereby students in the second and third year of their degree programme volunteer to mentor Stage 1 students. Developing the programme themselves, with support from academic staff in QMS, the mentors organise informal meetings, regular contact and a series of events ranging from ice-breaker type events to employer-led sessions with the Stage 1 students. - Personal Development Planning
To encourage students to engage in independent learning. - Self-directed study
This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out. - Seminars/tutorials
A significant amount of teaching is carried out in small groups (typically 15-20 students). These sessions are designed to explore, in more depth, the information that has been presented in the lectures. This provides students with the opportunity to engage closely with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of their peers. During these classes, students will be expected to present their work to academic staff and their peers. - Student Support Systems
QMS has an active and coordinated student support system to assist students in making the transition from school to university. - Work placements
The BSc Economics programme does not have a compulsory placement year. However, the School actively supports any student who wishes to avail of an optional placement year, normally between the second and final year of the degree programme.
Assessment
Details of assessments associated with this course are outlined below:
The way in which students are assessed will vary according to the learning objectives of each module. Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first year induction. Modules are typically assessed by a combination of continuous assessment and a final written unseen examination. Continuous assessment consists of: class tests, computer-generated practical experiments where students have to manipulate economic-related data, case study research and analysis of a particular macroeconomic issue, academic essays exploring and critiquing specific economic issues and small group project and presentations whereby groups of three/four students work on a particular economics-related task to provide possible solutions.
Feedback
As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module coordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and peers. University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:
- Feedback is provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that you, as an individual or as part of a group, have submitted.
- Face to face comment. This may include occasions when you make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help you to address a specific query.
- Placement employer comments or references.
- Online or emailed comment.
- General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
- Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid. In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which you can review in your own time.
- Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
- Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.
- Once you have reviewed your feedback, you will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work.
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
How do I fund my study?
There are different tuition fees and student financial support arrangements for students from Northern Ireland, those from England, Scotland and Wales (Great Britain), and those from the rest of the European Union.
Scholarships
Each year, we offer a range of scholarships and prizes for new students.
International Scholarships
Student Testimonials
English Language Requirements
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