Economics BSc (Hons)

In the first two years of your degree (known as sub-honours) you will take the required modules in Economics alongside modules in at least one other subject in the Faculty of Science.

1st Year

Students will take all of the following first-year modules:

• Macroeconomics: introduces the study of economics at the national and global level.
• Microeconomics: explores the basics of the market system and consumer and producer behaviour.
• Mathematics for Economists: covers calculus and algebra to provide indispensable mathematical tools for modern economists.

Students with a school qualification in Economics may take a more advanced first-year module in Economics which assumes prior knowledge.

2nd Year

Students will take all of the following second-year modules:

• Intermediate Microeconomics: deepens the general understanding of microeconomics gained in first year.
• Intermediate Macroeconomics: explores theories of the determinants of long-run economic growth and theories of the causes of short-run “business-cycle” fluctuations.
• Statistics for Economists: introduces statistical methods and regression analysis.

If you decide to take Economics in your third and fourth years, you can choose from a wide variety of advanced options. Single-honours students are required to take at least one module in Econometrics.

Here is a sample of Honours modules which have been offered in previous years:

• Decision and Game Theory
• Economic Fluctuations
• Economics of Development
• Economics of the Environment
• European Macroeconomics
• Incentives and Contracts
• Inequality and Redistribution
• Innovation Economics
• International Trade
• Mathematical Economics
• Political Economy
• Public Economics.

In fourth year, students may also undertake a dissertation or research project on a topic of their choice. This independent project enables you to develop key research skills which are desired by both prospective employers and by graduate schools offering postgraduate degrees.

The sub-honours modules listed here are the compulsory modules that students must take in order to graduate in this subject. However, most students at St Andrews take additional modules, either in their primary subject or from other subjects they are interested in. For Honours-level, students choose from a range of Honours modules, some of which are listed above.