Economics with a Professional Placement Year (BSc)
Cardiff University
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.4) View reviews

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Different course options
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Qualification

BSc - Bachelor of Science

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Location

Cathays Park Campus

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

SEP-25

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Duration

4 Years

Course info

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Qualification

BSc - Bachelor of Science

Location

Cathays Park Campus

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

4 Years

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Subjects

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Economics
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Domestic
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Course info

Why study this courseEconomics is everywhere. From the decision about how much to give to charity to global efforts to tackle climate change, economists are contributing their insights to the public discourse. As an economics student, you will learn to apply cutting-edge mathematical and statistical tools to understanding, and predicting, the behaviour of individuals, firms, markets and countries. These techniques will enable you to not only explain the world around you, but also to quantify ...Read more

Why study this course

Economics is everywhere. From the decision about how much to give to charity to global efforts to tackle climate change, economists are contributing their insights to the public discourse. As an economics student, you will learn to apply cutting-edge mathematical and statistical tools to understanding, and predicting, the behaviour of individuals, firms, markets and countries. These techniques will enable you to not only explain the world around you, but also to quantify how target groups are likely to respond to, for example, the introduction of a new policy or a change in the behaviour of competitors.

Formal economic analysis is, however, only one dimension of the skills you will develop as a Cardiff economist. The world is a complicated place, and no analysis can hope to account for every eventuality. You will learn to make evidence-based decisions about how to simplify reality to make your analysis meaningful, and to defend your decisions convincingly. You will also learn how to communicate both the complexity and nuance of your analysis to a range of specialist and non-specialist audiences both verbally and in written form.

This programme incorporates a one-year professional placement. Supported by our Placements Team, you will gain real-world workplace experience, seeing first-hand how economics training provides unique, valuable insights to employers and how the skills you are developing equip you for life after university.

Cardiff Business School is focused on generating Public Value. For economists, this translates to working ethically and with integrity, but also feeling confident applying economics to understand and help address societys grand challenges. Over your three years with us, you will develop a deep understanding of the most pressing issues facing society and will be equipped with the tools to help to do something about them.

As an economics graduate, you will be highly sought after in many different occupations because of the uniquely diverse skillset you will develop. Cardiff graduates also go on to have successful careers in government, finance, banking, accountancy and consultancy, or to continue their studies at postgraduate level.

Learning and assessment

Each module is taught by active researchers in your field of study. This not only means that your lecturers are subject experts, but also that the module content is informed by the latest developments in the field. You will see state-of-the-art thinking and techniques, combined with contemporary examples drawn from across the globe that bring the theory to life.

Most modules adopt a blended approach, providing two hours of lectures or example sessions each week alongside weekly or fortnightly small group tutorials. These are complemented by a host of online, independent study activities (videos, assignments, discussion boards, reading etc). You will be required to attend all in-person elements and are expected to manage your time effectively to complete all assigned work. Technology is also brought into the classroom, with online polls and other forms of interaction common even in large lectures.

Some learning activities will take place in computer labs, as you get to grips with widely used software like Excel (which employers consistently place a high premium on) and more technical coding-based packages like R.

Students who have completed a work placement year e will have the option to undertake a 20-credit research project in final year. This acknowledges the unique expertise and greater independence you will have developed during your time in industry, enabling you to apply empirical economics techniques to address an important question facing the sector you worked in.

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
22/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
25th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
27th
Economics
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 92 = 8% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
8%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
89%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Economics graduate salary at this uni
£22,000
UK Economics graduate salary
£24,000
What students say
A
Alfie
06 Feb 25

Best is the campus and union, they're ace. Worst is the weather. Might need a bit more help with support but that's..Read more

J
Jemima
28 Jan 25

The accommodation I got put into was private and therefore quite lonely..Read more

Popular A-level subjects

Economics

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

Economics
77%
Mathematics
66%
History
25%
Business Studies
21%
Geography
16%
HESA

Tuition fees

Students living in

Domestic

£9,535 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Domestic

This is the fee you pay if you live within Domestic. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

Year three (sandwich year) - £1,905

£9,535 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Channel Islands

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

Year three (sandwich year) - £1,905

£23,700 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

Year three (sandwich year) - £4,740

£23,700 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

This is the fee you pay if you are an International student. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

Year three (sandwich year) - £4,740

UCAS/IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Economics reviews

Economics
Economics
A
Alfie
06 Feb 25
Economics (BSc)
Best is the campus and union, they're ace. Worst is the weather. Might need a bit more help with support but that's...
Read more
J
Jemima
28 Jan 25
The accommodation I got put into was private and therefore quite lonely...
Read more
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How Economics students rated:

Student rating
( 4.3) 79 reviews
5 star
44%
4 stars
43%
3 stars
13%
2 stars
0%
1 star
0%

How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.4) 3,730 reviews
5 star
50%
4 stars
44%
3 stars
6%
2 stars
0%
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0%
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Uni info

Cardiff University
Park Place Cardiff CF10 3AT United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Cathays  0.1 miles away
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