Economics

Economics is the systematic study of how individuals, organisations and societies make decisions under conditions of scarcity, and what the consequences of those decisions are for the allocation of resources, the distribution of income, and the performance of economies over time. It develops a precise, analytical mode of thinking that can be applied to an extraordinary range of questions, from the pricing of goods and the behaviour of firms to the management of national economies, the design of public policy, and the economics of environmental and social challenges. It is one of the most intellectually rigorous and professionally versatile of the social sciences.

At the University of Stirling, this four-year full-time degree gives you a thorough grounding in both microeconomic and macroeconomic theory, alongside the mathematical and statistical methods that are central to modern economic analysis. The four-year Scottish degree structure allows for a gradual and thorough development of your knowledge and skills, moving from foundational theory to advanced and specialist topics. A year abroad is available, giving you the opportunity to study at a partner institution and to develop an international perspective on how economic systems work in different political and cultural contexts.

You will develop strong quantitative and analytical skills, the ability to construct and evaluate economic arguments, and the capacity to communicate your analysis clearly in written and oral forms. Research methods, including econometrics, are a core part of the curriculum.

Graduates from economics degrees at Stirling move into financial services, economic consultancy, the civil service, international organisations, business, data analysis, public policy, research and academia. The analytical rigour of economics training makes it one of the most versatile qualifications in higher education, and postgraduate study in economics, finance, or public policy is a well-supported pathway.