Education

10 Best Universities for Economics in the UK – A Guide for Aspiring Students

Photo of author

By Kaleem Bhatti

This guide compiles the names of the best universities for economics in the UK. It will help students who want to pursue a career in economics. Read further to find out which institution is best.

Studying economics equips individuals with the skills to understand global economic market trends the flow of business, and address societal challenges. Furthermore, it allows students to learn other transferable skills, such as IT literacy and strategic planning.

Are you interested in pursuing a career in business and economics but need information about which university you should get admission to? Our article brings the solution to your problem. Here, we’ll enlist the 10 best universities in the UK to study economics, which will guide you in your decision-making.

Before hopping on these universities’ lists, let’s review this article’s key insights.

Core Insights:

  • The UK is home to numerous top-ranked institutes that offer exceptional opportunities for students to explore the world of economics.
  • However, picking the right institution needs guidance and in-depth information.
  • In this article, we have shared a list of the top 10 universities for economics in the UK, including the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, the London School of Economics and Political Science, Durham University, the University of Warwick, St Andrew College, and Imperial College of London.

What are the Best Universities in the UK for Economics?

Economics is a widely applicable and relevant subject to every aspect of life. By studying economics, students can also learn subject-specific skills such as finance, business markets, and economic models. According to the Joint Council for Qualification, the number of students who have taken economics as their major increased by 53% between 2013 and 2023.

That’s why most universities have taken the initiative to make their economics programs students’ first choice. Here, we are going to share a list of the best universities for acquiring economics degrees according to Complete University Guide (2024). Let’s explore them.

1. University of Oxford

This institution is one of the most prestigious places to earn an economics degree, known for its rigorous courses and exceptional faculty. The faculty not only provides students with opportunities to learn innovative techniques but also assists in writing coursework. Despite being among the top-ranked universities for economics in the UK, it does not offer pure economics degrees at the undergraduate level.

Instead, Oxford University offers a combination of multiple subjects with economics. One of the most popular combinations is economics, with a management degree. Additionally, like Cambridge University, this school is also a leading economics research centre which has a strong focus on the following subjects:

  • Microeconomics
  • Econometrics
  • Macroeconomics

2. University of Cambridge

According to US News, the University of Cambridge is ranked as the No. 6 top university in the world and the #1 university of economics. This university offers an excellent economics degree program and is well-known for its historical contribution to economics.

Apart from this, this institution collaborates with renowned economics research centres such as Cambridge-INET, which makes it the best university for research-based economics. Plus, students get in-depth knowledge of economic fields by studying the following subjects at this college:

  • Mathematics
  • History
  • Sociology
  • Statistics
  • Politics

3. London School of Economics and Political Science

This university is globally known as the top institution for the study of economics. It contributes greatly to economics as it has leading scholars from the practical industry. The best thing about this institution is that students can acquire degrees in pure economics, econometrics, mathematical economics, and the list goes on.

In addition, they can opt for economics subjects combined with other subjects such as philosophy, sociology, or mathematics. Further, this industry is located in the centre of the city, so it has a robust connection with economics and finance institutes, offering students opportunities to get involved in practical industry. 

4. University of Warwick

The University of Warwick is known for its innovative teaching methods. This highly respected place also offers an interdisciplinary approach that appeals to students worldwide. Like other top universities, this college also emphasises practical learning and is considered the best economics research institute.

Moreover, the University of Warwick has strong connections with the financial industry and mainly focuses on core three subjects that are mentioned below:

  • Macroeconomics
  • Econometrics
  • Microeconomics

In a nutshell, this institution aims to contribute to the economics industry by providing problem-solving solutions and enabling students to boost their analytical abilities.

5. University College London

This university is situated in central and east London and is best known for its exceptional economics degree program. The best thing about this school is that it offers a combination of rigorous courses with opportunities to get involved in the practical field.

Like the London School of Economics, this college also has a strong relationship with reputable finance and policy-making industries. This leading economic research centre works mainly in macroeconomics, behavioural economics, and microeconomics. According to Time Higher Education, this economics college has ranked 22nd.

6. Durham University

Durham University is a renowned economics university that is particularly known for its exceptional combination of interdisciplinary approach and project-based learning. This highly respected economics research centre offers specialised studies in macroeconomics, macroeconomics, behavioural economics, and finance.

Furthermore, students can get assistance from professional economics scholars who have come to this university from across the globe. It also offers exceptional internship opportunities to students that enable them to get practical knowledge of finance, banking management, risk analysis, and more.

7. University of Bristol

If you live near Queens Road, then you must be admitted to the University of Bristol. This institute is committed to providing research-based learning. Further, this economics school offers a wide range of economics courses, including a combination of many other allied courses. With this, the students of this institution get the opportunity to work in the practical industry and learn how to tackle real-world problems.

Besides, the University of Bristol has close relations with various Economic Networks that play a key role in providing holistic finance-based knowledge to students and supporting their contribution to shaping the business market.

8. St Andrew College

This college is ranked #6 in the Complete University Guide report. Its key attribute is that it mainly focuses on sharpening analytical skills and critical thinking abilities in economics.

This top finance research centre provides research opportunities in the following subjects:

  • Macroeconomics
  • Behavioural Economics
  • Microeconomics
  • Econometrics

Additionally, its small faculty allows students to interact more closely with each other and receive personalised support in their studies. Hence, if you are interested in ethical economics, this university is the best option. 

9. University of Manchester

The University of Machester is among the best universities for economics in the UK and fosters the development of practical skills in aspiring students of the economics field. This institute also aims to focus on learning experimental skills and real-world problems related to finance and the economics world.

This university further encourages students to get involved in its research centres and connect with other students from all across the world. Also, students get a chance to explore the insights of becoming entrepreneurs with the help of the strong collaboration of this university with Machester Research Institute. Hence, if you want to explore the world of practical economics, this institution is the best option for you.

10. Imperial College London

Imperial College London is last on the list of best universities for economics in the UK. This institute’s popularity is largely due to its interdisciplinary approach. This institution is well-known for its smooth technology-integration approach and holistic data analysis of the Economics subject.

This university offers multiple degree programs related to economics, and the best part is the combination of these programs with other subjects, such as:

  • Economics with allied mathematics
  • Economics with the combination of finance
  • Economics and mathematics
  • A combination of economics, data science, and public policy

These are complex combinations of subjects that need rigorous hard work and assistance to complete them with success. You can reach out to top-ranked coursework writing companies in the UK that will assist you in completing these courses effortlessly.

Conclusion

Finding the best university to pursue a degree in economics is definitely a hard nut to crack. This article, which lists the top 10 best universities for economics in the UK, will surely be a valuable resource for selecting the best university for this degree program. You just have to take the time to visit the above-mentioned universities, explore their distinctive features, and make a well-informed decision that will resonate with your interests and preferences. We hope that our guide will help you pursue your career in economics.