History and Economics

History and economics are disciplines that complement each other in powerful ways. History provides the empirical record of how economies, institutions, and social arrangements have developed over time, while economics supplies the analytical frameworks and quantitative methods needed to identify patterns, test theories, and make predictions. Studying them together means you can bring both historical depth and economic rigour to the major questions of public life, from the causes of financial crises to the long-term effects of trade policy.

At the University of Derby, this three-year full-time programme develops your skills in historical research alongside your ability to apply economic theory, data analysis, and professional-grade software to organisational and policy problems. You will study economic theory at both the macro and micro level, statistical and econometric methods, and the history of economic thought alongside the historical periods and themes that illuminate how contemporary economic arrangements came to be. A foundation year is available for students who need to build their analytical grounding before the main degree, a sandwich year gives you extended professional experience, and work placement opportunities run throughout the programme.

Graduates from history and economics programmes are valued across a wide range of sectors. Careers in economic consultancy, financial services, policy research, government departments, journalism, and management are all common. The combination of historical perspective and economic analysis is particularly valuable in roles that require long-range thinking or that involve interpreting complex data in context.

Postgraduate study in economics, economic history, public policy, and business is a natural progression, and many graduates also proceed to professional qualifications in accounting or finance alongside their academic work.