Economics shapes the world around us – from the cost of living to the climate crisis, from global trade to local jobs. At its core, economics is the study of how people, organisations and governments make choices about resources, and how those choices affect society. It provides a framework for understanding growth, inequality, markets, and the challenges of sustainability in a changing world.
Economists apply this knowledge to real-world problems. They analyse data, test ideas, and provide insights that help us understand what drives economies and how decisions can improve outcomes. Economists work in many settings: in government, designing policies on tax, health, or education; in central banks, guiding monetary policy and financial stability; in business, shaping strategy and investment; and in international organisations, tackling global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and trade. Others work in academia, research and teaching.
Studying economics equips you with the tools to understand the world and the skills to change it. It develops analytical thinking, problem-solving, and a deep understanding of data—skills that are in demand across many careers. An economics degree can lead to opportunities in academia, policy, finance, consulting, international development, and beyond. More importantly, it gives you the knowledge to engage with the big issues of our time—how to grow economies fairly, how to reduce inequality, and how to make societies more sustainable and resilient.
