Economics
- On this page
Active international trade and low inflation, interest rates and unemployment are all signs of a healthy economy. Equally, if your personal finances are in good shape it’s probably down to sound economic management. Whether it’s planning for your future, managing public services, or running a multinational business, the allocation of resources between competing forces is a fine and constantly shifting balancing act.
Because economics directly relates to everyday life it’s a fascinating subject to study.
Our economics qualifications and courses take you from the basic theories and principles, through to more in-depth debate and insight into key issues, such as who wins and loses from globalisation, and ask whether continued economic growth is compatible with environment protection. An economics qualification opens up career opportunities in accountancy, finance and management, although the skills you acquire will be valued and rewarded by many organisations. In fact, research shows that the earnings premium attached to an economics degree is second only to law.
Degrees
(
More about Degrees
More about Degrees
undergraduate.qualification.economics,qualification,,degree,1Undergraduate or bachelors degrees are nationally recognised qualifications consisting of academic study designed to that help you gain a thorough understanding of a subject.
For a degree in a named subject, such as business studies or humanities, you'll study mainly in your chosen subject, although you may be able to include some modules from other subjects.
With The Open University you could also study an Open degree where you can combine a range of modules from similar or different subjects to suit either your particular career or personal interests.
You can use a degree to:
- change careers or progress your current career,
- gain an in-depth knowledge and understanding of a subject you are interested in,
- gain professional recognition,
- go onto postgraduate study, such as a diploma or masters degree.
)
Undergraduate or bachelors degrees are nationally recognised qualifications consisting of academic study designed to that help you gain a thorough understanding of a subject.
For a degree in a named subject, such as business studies or humanities, you'll study mainly in your chosen subject, although you may be able to include some modules from other subjects.
With The Open University you could also study an Open degree where you can combine a range of modules from similar or different subjects to suit either your particular career or personal interests.
You can use a degree to:
- change careers or progress your current career,
- gain an in-depth knowledge and understanding of a subject you are interested in,
- gain professional recognition,
- go onto postgraduate study, such as a diploma or masters degree.
-
Business Studies with Economics
This is a flexible degree that’s accessible and relevant to your workplace. You’ll study how organisations work, how they’re managed, and the external world in which they operate. -
Combined Social Sciences
Develop a rich synthesis of knowledge and skills drawn from the breadth of social sciences subjects: criminology; economics; geography; politics; psychology; sociology; and social policy. -
Economics and Mathematical Sciences
You’ll gain a good grounding in a broad range of mathematical, statistical and computational skills as well as an understanding of economic theory and issues. -
Politics, Philosophy and Economics
An internationally recognised combination of subjects, providing you with skills and understanding particularly relevant to many areas of public service, including civil and diplomatic services and local government. -
Open degree
The BA/BSc Open Degree is a qualification that gives you a huge choice in terms of subjects and modules that you study to make up your degree.
Foundation Degrees
(
More about Foundation degrees
More about Foundation degrees
undergraduate.qualification.economics,qualification,,foundation-degree,1Foundation degrees are nationally recognised qualifications focusing either on a particular job or profession; they combine work place learning with academic study. Designed and developed with external partners, you must be working either as a paid employee or as a volunteer in a related work setting.
A foundation degree is equivalent to two thirds of an honours degree. They aim to enhance the professional and technical skills of staff within a profession or those intending to go into that profession.
You can use a foundation degree to:
- change careers or progress your current career,
- gain technical and professional skills,
- gain professional recognition,
- achieve a full honours degree through further study.
Most of our foundation degrees are also offered as diplomas of higher education for those living and working in Scotland.
)
Foundation degrees are nationally recognised qualifications focusing either on a particular job or profession; they combine work place learning with academic study. Designed and developed with external partners, you must be working either as a paid employee or as a volunteer in a related work setting.
A foundation degree is equivalent to two thirds of an honours degree. They aim to enhance the professional and technical skills of staff within a profession or those intending to go into that profession.
You can use a foundation degree to:
- change careers or progress your current career,
- gain technical and professional skills,
- gain professional recognition,
- achieve a full honours degree through further study.
Most of our foundation degrees are also offered as diplomas of higher education for those living and working in Scotland.
-
Financial Services
This foundation degree will give you the knowledge, competencies and business skills to develop and progress a career in the financial services industry.
Diplomas of Higher Education
(
More about Diplomas of Higher Education
More about Diplomas of Higher Education
undergraduate.qualification.economics,qualification,,diploma-he,1A Diploma of Higher Education (Dip HE) is equivalent to two thirds of an honours degree. They are nationally recognised qualifications focusing either on a particular job or profession, or academic study.
Dip HEs are designed to increase the professional and technical skills of staff within a profession or extend your knowledge and understanding of a particular subject. A Dip HE shows that you are capable of extended study at university level.
You can use a DipHE to:
- change careers or progress your current career,
- gain technical and professional skills,
- gain a greater knowledge and understanding of a subject you are interested in,
- gain professional recognition,
- achieve a full honours degree through additional study.
The Diploma of Higher Education might be of particular interest to those living and working in Scotland.
)
A Diploma of Higher Education (Dip HE) is equivalent to two thirds of an honours degree. They are nationally recognised qualifications focusing either on a particular job or profession, or academic study.
Dip HEs are designed to increase the professional and technical skills of staff within a profession or extend your knowledge and understanding of a particular subject. A Dip HE shows that you are capable of extended study at university level.
You can use a DipHE to:
- change careers or progress your current career,
- gain technical and professional skills,
- gain a greater knowledge and understanding of a subject you are interested in,
- gain professional recognition,
- achieve a full honours degree through additional study.
The Diploma of Higher Education might be of particular interest to those living and working in Scotland.
Certificates of Higher Education
(
More about Certificates of Higher Education
More about Certificates of Higher Education
undergraduate.qualification.economics,qualification,,certificate-he,1A Certificate of Higher Education (Cert HE) is a nationally recognised qualification focusing on either a particular job or profession, or academic study. Equivalent to the first year of a full honours degree, they are the most basic level of qualification that can be gained in higher education and show that you are capable of studying successfully at university level.
You can use a CertHE to:
- gain confidence to study successfully at university level,
- change careers or progress your current career,
- build on your existing experience and gain new skills,
- gain a broad introduction to a subject you are interested in,
- achieve a foundation degree, DipHE or full honours degree through additional study.
)
A Certificate of Higher Education (Cert HE) is a nationally recognised qualification focusing on either a particular job or profession, or academic study. Equivalent to the first year of a full honours degree, they are the most basic level of qualification that can be gained in higher education and show that you are capable of studying successfully at university level.
You can use a CertHE to:
- gain confidence to study successfully at university level,
- change careers or progress your current career,
- build on your existing experience and gain new skills,
- gain a broad introduction to a subject you are interested in,
- achieve a foundation degree, DipHE or full honours degree through additional study.
Getting started with an Access module
There are two ways to start a qualification. If you haven’t studied for a long time or need to build your confidence, beginning your studies with an Access module may be the right choice for you.
Choose a qualification to find out more.
Study a module as a standalone course
You can study a single module on its own for personal interest or to improve your career prospects. See the list of all our individual courses in Economics.
Postgraduate options
If you already have a degree, you may want to see postgraduate courses and qualifications in Social Sciences.
Undergraduate
International students
If you want to study for an undergraduate qualification and you are living outside the UK and Republic of Ireland, visit our international prospectus.
Your questions
Try our frequently asked questions.
Come and meet us at an event near you.
Or contact an adviser by Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90 +44(0) 845 366 60 35
Get a prospectus
Download ororder