Economics Study Guide 2025/26
What you can study
In the School of Economics, you will be taught by academics whose research is actively making an impact on policy and practice. Our courses are current, exciting, and technically rigorous. Econometrics—the application of statistical methods to data to estimate economic models—is a central component of the programme.
You will find units on:
- micro and macro-economics and econometrics
- globalisation and development
- behavioural economics
Pre-requisites
A strong background in mathematics.
Experience in Econometrics is a requirement of several units.
At UK universities, students specialise from their first year and rarely take units outside their degree subject. This means that:
- Year 1 units are suitable for all students.
- Year 2 units require some university study in the discipline.
- Year 3 units require a strong background in the discipline.
Subject pathway students
If you have been nominated to Bristol on the Study Abroad (Economics pathway), you must take the majority of your credits from this study guide. Students on the Study Abroad (Accounting, Economics and Management pathway) can select units from across the Business School and School of Economics.
Feature Unit
-
Understanding global problems using data: inequality, climate change & the economy (TB2) - UNIV10008
Interested in economics, but have no background in the subject or mathematics? UNIV10008 will develop your understanding of global challenges such as inequality, climate change, health and economic crises.
Year 1
Pre-requisites: suitable for all students with a Maths A-level or equivalent.
Teaching Block 1
- Economic Data - EFIM10016. This unit cannot be taken with EFIM10050 due to commonality of subject content. EFIM10016 is suitable for those who have completed an A-Level in Mathematics, or equivalent, and have studied partial and total derivatives. If you don't have this background, we advise you take EFIM10050.
- Economic Principles - EFIM10010
- Mathematical and Statistical Methods - EFIM10008. This unit cannot be taken with the following units due to commonality of subject content: ECON20023, ECON30008 and ECON30010.
Teaching Block 2
- Globalisation and Development - ECON10053
- Principles of Economics - EFIM10050 - this unit cannot be taken with EFIM10016 due to commonality of subject content.
Year 2
Pre-requisites: some university study in the discipline. Economics units can involve specific pre-requisites (please see the unit catalogue entry for more information).
Teaching Block 1
- Econometrics 1 for Economics and Finance – ECON20004
- Growth and Development – ECON20023. This unit cannot be taken with the following units due to commonality of subject content: EFIM10008, ECON30008 and ECON30010.
- Microeconomic Analysis – EFIM20038
Teaching Block 2
- Applied Microeconomics – EFIM20002
- Applied Quantitative Research Methods – EFIM20010
- Econometrics 2 for Economics and Finance - ECON20006. This unit follows on from ECON20004 in Teaching Block 1, so that unit must be completed before starting ECON20006.
- History of Economic Thought – ECON20021
- Macroeconomic Analysis – EFIM20037
Year 3
Pre-requisites: strong background of study in the discipline. Economics units can involve specific pre-requisites (please see the unit catalogue entry for more information). Year 3 units often assume prior extensive study of macroeconomics and microeconomics.
Teaching Block 1
- Communicating Economics – EFIM30049
- Gender, Race and Identity in Economics – ECON30011
- Open-Economy Macroeconomics – ECON30010. This unit cannot be taken with the following units due to commonality of subject content: EFIM10008, ECON20023, and ECON30008.
- Philosophy of Economics – ECON30016
- Topics in Applied Economics A – ECON30007. This unit cannot be taken with ECON30008 due to commonality of subject content.
- Topics in Applied Economics B – ECON30008. This unit cannot be taken with ECON30007 due to commonality of subject content.
Teaching Block 2
- Behavioural Economics – EFIM30027
- Economics of Developing Countries – ECON30071
- Economics of Financial Markets – ECON30018. This unit requires students to have very strong microeconomics training.
- Health Economics – ECON30017
- Industrial Economics – ECON30076
- International Trade – ECON30009
- Macroeconomic Theory and Policy – ECON30077
- Public Economics – EFIM30034
Application queries
Contact the Centre for Study Abroad inbound team if you have any queries about the application process for the study abroad programmes:
Phone: +44 117 39 40207
Email: cfsa-inbound@bristol.ac.uk
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