The BA Economics (two subject degree) combines economics with another discipline or language and takes 3 or 4 years depending on the subject involved. It provides you with a thorough grounding in economic principles while allowing you to create a specialist niche for yourself by studying another subject. See the 'Combinations' tab to see what it may be combined with.
Why study Economics Combined Honours at SOAS?
- we offer the broadest portfolio of modules on economics and political economy
- our unrivalled focus in the study of developing and emerging economies provides you with a more critical approach to economic theory
- our academic staff are specialists within an unparalleled range of emerging and developing economies, and a broad spectrum of theory and policy debates
- theoretical concepts and debates are expertly applied to real issues within the countries of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, as well as in the global economy and interdependencies therein
- we are specialists in the delivery of languages. Your command of a language from SOAS will set you apart from graduates of other universities
- choosing to study a Combined Honours programme will allow you take advantage of the expertise of one of our other departments allowing you create a specialist niche for yourself
Programme Code: See May be Combined With
Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings
Start of programme: September
Mode of Attendance: Full-time
Entry requirements
- A minimum of Grade B (grade 6 in the new structure) at GCSE for those without A-level Maths.
- A Levels:
- AAA-AAB
- IB:
- 37 (666 at HL)
View alternative entry requirements
BTEC: DDD
Access to HE: Minimum of 30 Level 3 Credits at Distinction
Scottish Highers: AAAAA
Scottish Advanced Highers: AAA
Irish LC: 360 points from 5 Higher level subjects at grade C1 or above
Advanced Placement: 4 5 5 (Two semesters - UCAS Group A) plus US HSGD with GPA 3.0
Euro Bacc: 85%
French Bacc: 15/20
German Abitur: 1.5
Italy DES: 85/100
Austria Mat: 1.5
Polish Mat: Overall 80% including 3 extended level subjects
- duration:
- 3 or 4 Years
Please see the Unistats data for the various combinations of this programme under the Combinations tab.
May be combined with:
- African Studies, (TL51 BA/ECAF)
- Arabic+, (LT16 BA/ECA)
- Chinese+, (LT11 BA/ECCH)
- Development Studies, (LL91 BA/ECDVS)
- Hebrew+, (LQ14 BA/HEEC)
- History, (LV11 BA/HEC)
- Japanese+, (LT12 BA/JEC)
- Japanese Studies, (TL21 BA/JSE)
- Korean+, (LTCL BA/KOEC)
- Law,(LM11 BA/LWEC)
- Middle Eastern studies, (TL61 BA/MESEC)
- Persian, (LTD6 BA/PEC) ( + Compulsory Year Abroad which is split between 2 countries)
- Politics, (LL12 BA/POLEC)
- Social Anthropology, (LL16 BA/SAEC)
- South Asian Studies++ (3 Year), (TLH1 BA/SASEC)
- South Asian Studies++ (4 Year), (TLH1 BA/SASEC)
- South East Asian Studies, (TLJC BA/ECSEA)
- Study of Religions, (LV16 BA/SREC)
- Turkish+, (LTC6 BA/TUEC)
+ 4-year degree with (compulsory) one year abroad
++ 3 or 4-year degree with option of one year abroad
Key Information Set data
Click on a combined programme to load KIS data
Students take 120 credits composed of Core, Compulsory and Optional modules.
Core modules: These are mandatory and must be passed in the year they are taken before the student can progress to the next year.
Compulsory modules: These are mandatory but in the case of a failure, students may carry this into their next year provided that they retake and pass the failed element or exam.
Optional modules: These are designed to help students design their own intellectual journey while maintaining a strong grasp of the fundamentals.
Programme structure for students studying Economics as a second subject
The Programme Structure for students studying Economics as a second subject can be found at the bottom of the page. For students studying Economics as the first subject in the joint degree can find their programme structure below:
BA Economics and... (with Economics appearing FIRST in the degree title)
Over the course of a three-year degree, students must complete 360 credits. These can be split evenly between both subjects (180/180), or be varied between the two subjects if the programme structure gives scope for this. Students must have at least 150 credits in the first subject (with a maximum of 240 credits being possible) and 120 credits in the second subject (with a maximum of 210 credits being possible) in order to be awarded a two-subject degree. The subject in which the higher amount of credits has been passed will be named first on the final degree awarded, provided core modules are passed.
Year 1 (For students WITH A-level or equivalent in Maths)
Core Modules
Compulsory Modules
Year 1 Economics Students are also required the following compulsory module/s:
- Plus 60 credits from second subject
- OR 30 credits from second subject, if possible, AND
Year 2 (For students WITH A-level or equivalent in Maths)
Core Modules
Students choose ONE of the following core modules:
Compulsory Modules
- PLUS choose modules from LIST A to the value of 30 credits
- AND modules to the value of 60 credits from the second subject
Year 3 (For students WITH A-level or equivalent in Maths)
Core Modules
Students choose ONE of the following core modules:
Compulsory Modules
- PLUS choose modules from LIST B to the value of 30 credits
- AND modules to the value of 60 credits from the second subject
Year 1 (For students WITHOUT A-level or equivalent in Maths)
Core Modules
Compulsory Modules
Year 1 Economics Students are also required the following compulsory module/s:
- Plus 60 credits from second subject
- OR 30 credits from second subject, if possible, AND
Year 2 (For students WITHOUT A-level or equivalent in Maths)
Core Modules
Students choose ONE of the following core modules:
Compulsory Modules
- PLUS 60 credits from second subject
Year 3 (For students WITHOUT A-level or equivalent in Maths)
Core Modules
Students choose ONE of the following core modules:
Compulsory Modules
- PLUS choose modules from LIST B to the value of 30 credits
- AND modules to the value of 60 credits from the second subject
BA Economics (with Economics appearing Second in the degree title)
Year 1 (For students WITH A-level or equivalent in Maths)
Core Modules
Compulsory Modules
Year 1 Economics Students are also required the following compulsory module/s:
Students choose ONE of the following core modules:
- PLUS 60 credits from second subject
Year 1 (For students WITHOUT A-level or equivalent in Maths)
Core Modules
Compulsory Modules
Year 1 Economics Students are also required the following compulsory module/s:
- Plus 60 credits from second subject
- OR 30 credits from second subject, if possible, AND
Year 2 (For students WITH and WITHOUT A-level or equivalent in Maths)
Core Modules
Students choose ONE of the following core modules:
Compulsory Modules
- PLUS choose modules from LIST A to the value of 30 credits
- AND modules to the value of 60 credits from the second subject
Year 3 (For students WITH and WITHOUT A-level or equivalent in Maths)
Core Modules
Students choose ONE of the following core modules:
Compulsory Modules
- PLUS choose modules from LIST B to the value of 30 credits
- AND modules to the value of 60 credits from the second subject
List A
Module |
Code |
Credits |
Term |
Econometrics |
153400103 |
30 |
Full Year |
- Students may also choose an Open Option module(s) or intercollegiate module(s) to the value of 30 credits. Selection of this/these will be subject to approval by the programme convenor.
List B
- Students may also choose an Open Option module(s) or intercollegiate module(s) to the value of 30 credits. Selection of this/these will be subject to approval by the programme convenor.
Prerequisistes
In order to take.... |
Students should also have taken or provide evidence of equivalence to course convenors for: |
Macroeconomic Analysis |
Introduction to Economic Analysis |
Microeconomic Analysis |
Introduction to Economic Analysis AND EITHER Introductory Mathematics for Economists OR A-level Maths |
Intermediate Mathematics for Economists |
Students who are on stream A (with A-level Maths) or Introductory Mathematics for Economists |
Issues in Economic Development |
Introduction to Economic Analysis and/or Comparative Growth: Theoretical Approaches |
International Economics |
Introduction to Economic Analysis |
Banking and Finance |
Introduction to Economic Analysis |
The Economics of the Environment |
Either Macroeconomic Analysis or Microeconomic Analysis or Issues in Development Economics |
Global Economic Policy |
Either Macroeconomic Analysis or Microeconomic Analysis or Issues in Development Economics |
Gender Economics |
Either Macroeconomic Analysis or Microeconomic Analysis or Issues in Development Economics |
The Economics of the Environment |
Either Macroeconomic Analysis or Microeconomic Analysis or Issues in Development Economics |
Econometrics |
Statistics (module previously called Quantitative Methods in Economics) |
Applied Econometrics for Time-Series Data Analysis |
Econometrics |
Applied Econometrics for Cross-section Data Analyses |
Econometrics |
Economic development of Africa: microeconomic approaches |
Either Macroeconomic Analysis or Microeconomic Analysis or Issues in Development Economics |
Economic development of Africa: macroeconomic approaches |
Either Macroeconomic Analysis or Microeconomic Analysis or Issues in Development Economics |
China's Economic Transformation |
Either Macroeconomic Analysis or Microeconomic Analysis or Issues in Development Economics |
China and World Development |
Either Macroeconomic Analysis or Microeconomic Analysis or Issues in Development Economics |
Political Economy of Development and Change in the Middle East |
Either Macroeconomic Analysis or Microeconomic Analysis or Issues in Development Economics |
Topics in the Political Economy of Contemporary Middle East |
Either Macroeconomic Analysis or Microeconomic Analysis or Issues in Development Economics |
Economic Development of Japan |
Either Macroeconomic Analysis or Microeconomic Analysis or Issues in Development Economics |
Economic Development of Southeast Asia |
Either Macroeconomic Analysis or Microeconomic Analysis or Issues in Development Economics |
Political Economy of Development and Change in South Asia |
Either Macroeconomic Analysis or Microeconomic Analysis or Issues in Development Economics |
Topics in the Political Economy of Contemporary South Asia |
Either Macroeconomic Analysis or Microeconomic Analysis or Issues in Development Economics |
History of Economic Thought and Methods |
EITHER Macroeconomic Analysis OR Microeconomic Analysis OR Issues in Development Economics |
Economic Development in the Asia- Pacific Region |
EITHER Macroeconomic Analysis OR Microeconomic Analysis OR Issues in Development Economics |
Independent Study Project in Economics |
Macroeconomic Analysis and/or Microeconomic Analysis. An average mark of 65% or more in Year 2 is required |
Economic Development in Africa |
Either Macroeconomic Analysis or Microeconomic Analysis or Issues in Development Economics |
Programme Specification
Important notice
The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. If you are a current student you can find structure information on the previous year link at the top of the page or through your Department. Please read the important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.
Teaching & Learning
Our teaching and learning approach is designed to support and encourage students in their own process of self-learning, and to develop their own critical grounds of the economics discipline.
Contact Hours
All full-time undergraduate programmes consist of 120 credits per year, in modules of 30 or 15 credits. They are taught over 10 or 20 weeks. The programme structure shows which modules are compulsory and which optional.
As a rough guide, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study (see Approaches to teaching and learning at SOAS). It will also include class time, which may include lectures, seminars and other classes. Some subjects, such as learning a language, have more class time than others. In the Department of Economics, most undergraduate modules have a two-hour lecture every week. Some, but not all, also have a one-hour seminar or tutorial every week.
More information is on the page for each module.
Modules
Teaching combines innovative use of audio-visual materials, practical exercises, group discussions and conventional lecturing. Modules are taught through a combination of lectures and tutorials, usually a two-hour lecture and an one-hour tutorial weekly. Tutorials are sessions in which students are expected to take lead in discussions and/or present reports or presentations or solve problem sets and applied exercises in quantitative modules. Assessment of most modules is through a combination of written examination and course works.
The Independent Study Project (ISP)
In their final year, students have the opportunity to take an Independent Study Project. Its aim is to provide an opportunity for students to conduct original and independent research on their own initiative, to engage in in-depth analysis of particular subjects and to use a range of economics sources. It too involves no formal classes and is assessed by a single 10,000-word dissertation (including notes but excluding bibliography). For more information on eligibility criteria and how to apply for an ISP, see our guidelines/ independent study project page.
Learning Resources
SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.
An undergraduate degree in Economics from SOAS will give you a solid grounding in economic principles and their application to concrete situations.
Skills gained include:
- expertise in key economics and political economy theories from a pluralist stance, appreciating both orthodox and heterodox views
- expertise in the emerging economies of Africa, Asia and the Middle East
- the ability to think laterally, to take a global perspective, and employ critical reasoning
- statistical and computing skills
- analytical skills
- communication and presentation skills
- choosing to study a joint degree programme will increase the breadth of your knowledge allowing you to develop a specialist niche for yourself
Graduates from the Department have pursued a variety of successful careers, often with Asian or African links, in international organisations, business and industry, banking, accountancy, journalism, consultancy, teaching and higher education. Many have gone on to read for postgraduate degrees either in the Department’s own thriving masters’ and research degree programmes or elsewhere.
Find out more about Economics Graduate Destinations.
Graduates have gone on to work for a range of organisations including:
- BBC World Service
- Bloomberg LP
- Capital Economics
- Deloitte
- Goldman Sachs
- Grant Thornton
- Myers Clark Chartered Accountants
- PWC
- Standard Chartered Bank
Types of roles that graduates have gone on to do include:
- Assistant Economist
- Equity Derivative Worker
- Financial Analyst
- Freelance Broadcast Journalist
- Graduate Tax Trainee
- Policy Data Manager
- Monitoring Analyst
- Risk Consultant
- Sustainability Consultant
- Trainee Chartered Accountant
A Student's Perspective
I chose to study at SOAS because of the interesting course options that cover pertinent topics other leading institutions are yet to cover.
Mariam Iqbal