Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Economics (Optional Placement Year) Bangor University, UK

Economics provides us with different ways of thinking about the world and how it functions. It helps us to understand how individuals, businesses and governments do behave; and gives us insights into how they should behave. At one extreme, economics informs the decisions that governments make about some of the most pressing issues of our day, including climate change and inequality. It informs how businesses make decisions about everything from pricing and advertising to investments in product development and corporate strategy. At the other extreme, it can help us as individuals to make better decisions about our own lives; including how hard we should work and how much we should save for our retirements.

At Bangor Business School, we have a team of highly qualified and experienced academics with interests in a wide variety of economic topics including labour markets, political economy, health economics, quantitative economics, regional development, migration and public finance. Our team is engaged in world class research in economics, and regularly works with policymakers in government, regulators and think-tanks. They are dedicated to bringing their insights from the world of policy and research to help you to develop your knowledge and understanding as a developing economist.

This single-honours programme in Economics will allow you to gain an understanding of the workings of modern economies, whilst developing skills that will be of great value for your future life and career. You will gain insights into the ways that firms compete with each other, the behaviours of individuals as consumers and workers, and how governments attempt to manage and regulate these processes. Moreover, you will learn how these factors shape society at large by influencing economic growth, inequality, sustainability and the response to natural and man-made crises. You will build skills in modelling, data and analytical thinking – all highly prized in today’s job market.

Placement Year
This course is available with a Placement Year option where you will study for 1 additional year. The Placement Year is undertaken at the end of the second year and students are away for the whole of the academic year.

The Placement Year provides you with a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons and develop valuable skills and contacts through working with a self-sourced organisation relevant to your degree subject. The minimum period in placement (at one or more locations) is seven calendar months; more usually you would spend 10-12 months with a placement provider. You would normally start sometime in the period June to September of your second year and finish between June and September the following year. Placements can be UK-based or overseas and you will work with staff to plan and finalise the placement arrangements.