Key information
- Duration:
- 3 years full time
- Typical A-level offer:
- ABB, including Mathematics
View full entry requirements - UCAS code:
- L1G3
- Start date:
- September 2025
- 11th in the UK for Economics and Business (US News & World Report Best Global Universities 2023)
- Top 15 in the UK for Business and Economics (The Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2024)
- =16th in the UK for Economics and Econometrics (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024)
There is a growing demand for economists with digital and big data skills. This course will give you the practical skills, knowledge and confidence to tackle real-world challenges – from constructing socioeconomic policy to assessing individual behaviour.
At Sussex, we’re committed to making an innovative and transformative contribution to digital and data futures. You’ll learn from experts in the University of Sussex Business School and the School of Engineering and Informatics.
The course integrates emerging technologies, including simulations and adaptive learning platforms. You’ll explore:
- economic theory and the framing of complex problems
- applications of programming languages to address economic problems
- socioeconomic applications and implications of big data and AI.
From workshops to industry collaboration and field visits, you’ll apply your learning to real-world scenarios.
You’ll gain advanced data analytical skills and learn how to apply them to large data sets, as well as data communication, visualisation and presentation skills. This diverse skill set will open doors to many career opportunities. When you graduate, you’ll be ready for analyst roles in banking, research institutions, economic consultancies, government policy advising, and more.
Accreditation
You'll join the EQUIS and AMBA-accredited University of Sussex Business School. Learn more about all of our course accreditations here. Find out more
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.
Course content
Find out about our types of undergraduate degrees, their structure, modules and credits
Your degree
You get introduced to the core principles of economics and strengthen your applied mathematical skills. Exploring programming concepts, you’ll learn about algorithmic problem solving. You’ll explore the fundamentals of data structures hands-on in lab learning.
Teaching
Teaching methods typically include lectures, seminars and practicals/workshops.
60%: Lecture
28%: Seminar
12%: Practical
Assessment
Assessment methods typically include examinations and coursework.
28%: Coursework
72%: Examination
Contact hours and workload
This year of study includes approximately 1,200 hours of work. This breaks down into about 240 hours of contact time and about 960 hours of independent study.
Engage and actively participate throughout your studies to get the most out of your course.
Your modules
Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
Autumn teaching
- Contemporary Economic Issues
- Introduction to Economics
- Introduction to Mathematics for Finance and Economics
- Programming Concepts
Spring teaching
- Applied Mathematics for Economists
- Data Structures and Algorithm
- Microeconomics 1
- Macroeconomics 1
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more module details.
Your degree
You’ll move on to more advanced study and explore real-world applications. Alongside developing your skills in statistics and econometrics, you can choose to study microeconomic or macroeconomic theory in more detail. You’ll continue your journey into data science, data coding and visualisation applications in economics, and applied machine learning techniques.
Teaching
Teaching methods typically include lectures, seminars and practicals/workshops.
53%: Lecture
22%: Seminar
25%: Practical
Assessment
Assessment methods typically include examinations, coursework and a practicals/project.
35%: Coursework
45%: Examination
20%: Practical
Contact hours and workload
This year of study includes approximately 1,200 hours of work. This breaks down into about 240 hours of contact time and about 960 hours of independent study.
Engage and actively participate throughout your studies to get the most out of your course.
Your modules
Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
Autumn teaching
- Introduction to Data Science
- Introduction to Econometrics
- Mathematical Statistics
Spring teaching
- Applied Machine Learning
- Applied Statistics for Finance and Economics
- Data Coding and Visualisation 1
Options
Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
Autumn teaching
- Macroeconomics 2
- Microeconomics 2
Spring teaching
- Advanced Macroeconomics
- Advanced Microeconomics
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more module details.
Study abroad (optional)
Apply to study abroad – you’ll develop an international perspective and gain an edge when it comes to your career. Find out where your course could take you
If your application to study abroad is successful, you’ll have to meet the academic requirements at Sussex and also at the partner university. Find out more about studying abroad as a Sussex student
Placement (optional)
To help you gain experience and increase your employability, you can apply for an optional placement as part of your course. You’ll be responsible for applying for and securing your placement. Our dedicated careers team can provide you with information and advice. If you’re successful in obtaining a placement, this will form part of your course.
Find out more about placements and internships
Please note that if you’re receiving – or applying for – USA federal Direct Loan funds, you can’t transfer to the version of your course with an optional study abroad period in any country or optional placement in the USA if the number of credits for the placement/internship exceeds 25% of the total credits for your course. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid
Your degree
Applied modules in economics and applications of data science, machine learning and text analysis will help you bring your skills and learning together. From growth and inequality to economics of crime, you’ll have the opportunity to broaden your knowledge in specialised areas. You’ll also write a dissertation on an applied topic.
Teaching
Teaching methods typically include lectures, seminars and practicals/laboratory.
57%: Lecture
18%: Seminar
25%: Practical
Assessment
Assessment methods typically include examinations, coursework and a practicals/project.
24%: Coursework
46%: Examination
30%: Practical
Contact hours and workload
This year of study includes approximately 1,200 hours of work. This breaks down into about 200 hours of contact time and about 1,000 hours of independent study.
Engage and actively participate throughout your studies to get the most out of your course.
Your modules
Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
Autumn teaching
- Applied Econometrics
- Financial Econometrics
- Machine Learning, Text Analysis and Econometrics
Spring teaching
- Applied Economics Dissertation
- Economics and Data Science
Options
Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
Autumn teaching
- Experimental Economics
- Financial Economics
- International Trade
- Topics in Growth and Inequality
Spring teaching
- Behavioural Economics
- Economics of Crime
- Economics of Gender and Family
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more module details.
Silver
The student experience and student outcomes are typically very high quality.
This rating was awarded in 2023, for four years.
(Teaching Excellence Framework 2023)
Find out more about our approach to teaching and supporting you to thrive
Our staff
Careers
You’ll develop communication, analytical, software and numeracy skills. These skills mean you could go into a wide range of graduate jobs, including in:
- banking
- research institutions
- economic consultancies
- think tanks
- government policy advising
- the Civil Service.
Based in the University of Sussex Business School, you’ll get extensive career support. This includes connecting you with employers, alumni mentoring, networking, guest lectures and workplace skills development.
The University of Sussex Business School is home to the UK Trade Policy Observatory (UKTPO). This leading independent group analyses the UK’s trading future after Brexit. We also have the Bloomberg Financial Markets Lab where you can access real-time data from the Bloomberg Professional services platform.
The active Economics Society at Sussex also provides further networking opportunities. The Society invites guest speakers and runs events that bring together Economics students and others who share an interest in economics.
Working while you study
Our Careers and Entrepreneurship team can help you find part-time work while you study. Find out more about career development and part-time work
Design your future at Sussex
Taking the next step in your career can feel daunting, but we’ll help you to explore, connect and flourish throughout your studies and beyond.
As a Sussex student, you’ll learn how to tackle real-world challenges and have access to tailored programmes of careers support:
- our Career Lab helps you to explore your options, build key skills and connect with employers. Take part in internships, community consultancy projects and insight visits, where you can learn about life at organisations including Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, Gatwick Airport and the Knepp Rewilding Project
- one-to-one coaching with your Faculty Careers Consultant can enable you to identify your career goals, write an effective CV and prepare for future interviews
- entrepreneurship initiatives like StartUp Sussex and Ideas Lab can empower you to turn your concepts into reality.
Explore how our Careers and Entrepreneurship team can support you
Winner
Supporting Student and Graduate Employability Award
AGCAS Awards for Excellence 2024
Winner
Entrepreneurship Catalyst Award
National Enterprise Educator Awards 2024
A-level - contextual offer
BCC, including Mathematics
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma and one A-level - contextual offer
Grade C in A-level and Distinction, Merit in Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate and two A-levels - contextual offer
Grades BC in A-levels and Merit in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate.
Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced - contextual offer
BCC from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate and two A-levels, including Mathematics at grade C.