Economics

Studying economics teaches you about social policy and financial markets, useful for careers in finance, accountancy and government administration

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Actuarial analyst
• Chartered accountant
• Compliance officer
• Data analyst
• Economist
• External auditor
• Financial risk analyst
• Investment analyst
• Political risk analyst
• Risk manager
• Statistician
• Stockbroker

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Business development manager
• Civil Service fast streamer
• Data scientist
• Diplomatic service officer
• Local government officer
• Management consultant
• Policy officer
• Quantity surveyor

Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

Work experience

Look for work experience within the job sector that you're interested in. For example, if you would like to work as an economist, you may want to consider applying for a place on the Government Economic Service (GES) summer scheme. You’ll need to be in your penultimate year and have a predicted grade of a first class or a 2.1 honours degree.

Individual government departments may also be able to offer work experience and you should contact the department directly to find out more.

You could also consider work experience or work shadowing in areas such as accountancy, banking or finance. Contact local employers to see if they can help you.

Any work experience is useful as it allows you to build essential skills in a variety of areas including teamworking, communication and time management. Contact local volunteering or charity organisations such as Do-it for volunteering opportunities.

Search for placements and find out more about work experience and internships.

Typical employers

Economists are employed in a variety of settings in both the public and private sectors.

The largest employer of economists is the Civil Service through the GES. The Bank of England also provides vacancies through its graduate development programme.

Economics graduates also find employment in areas such as:

• banks (high street and city)
• charitable and not-for-profit organisations
• consultancies
• insurance and accountancy firms
• government departments and think tanks.

Find information on employers in accountancy, banking and finance, business, consulting and management, public services and administration and other job sectors.

Skills for your CV

An economics degree gives you subject-specific skills enabling you to apply economic principles and models. You'll gain an understanding of the large driving forces shaping social policy and financial markets and learn skills in statistical analysis.

You'll also develop valuable transferable skills, including:

• communication - presenting findings and explaining complex data
• numeracy - handling complex data and applying mathematical and statistical analysis methods
• problem solving - extracting information, drawing conclusions and making recommendations
• computing - using specialised software
• time management - completing specific tasks within designated time frames
• analytical skills - analysing research methods, data, conclusions and recommendations.

Further study

You may choose to continue studying economics at a higher level, either for personal interest or to help with entry into a particular career. You could choose to specialise within a certain area of economics, such as health, agriculture or regional economic development.

Postgraduate study can also help you change career focus or gain the professional qualifications you need to practise in certain career areas, such as accountancy.

Although it is not essential, postgraduate study can offer an advantage if you want a career in a competitive area.

For more information on further study and to find a course that interests you, see Masters degrees and search postgraduate courses in economics.

What do economics graduates do?

Six of the top ten jobs held by economics graduates in employment in the UK are related to business, finance and marketing. Including finance professionals (27%), business, research and administrative professionals (16%), sales, marketing and related associate professionals (6%), business associate professionals (5%), administrative occupations in finance (4%), and finance associate professionals (3%).

Find out what other economics graduates are doing 15 months after finishing their degrees in What do graduates do?

Graduate destinations data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

Find out more

• The Economist
• Royal Economic Society
• Society of Professional Economists (SPE)