Overview
Do you want to combine the study of economics with a modern foreign language? Economics is not only about stocks, shares, and financial markets; it relates to every aspect of our lives where there is a demand to produce and supply goods and services.
Economics at Essex is a home for the tenacious and bold. We encourage you to ask difficult questions so you can work with us to break intellectual boundaries and pioneer new solutions to issues of global concern. Learning a modern language on top of this offers you a distinct advantage over colleagues in the public or private sector Speaking more than one language not only develops your confidence to travel and work internationally but also allows you to communicate with co-workers from all over the world.
Our course gives you a thorough introduction to all aspects of economics, including micro and macroeconomics, and qualitative and mathematical research methods. Examine the decisions of individuals, the strategies of firms and the policies of individuals to understand and challenge the standard rules of economics.
Alongside this, you also study a language, choosing from French, German, Italian, Portuguese or Spanish, which allows you to graduate at either Proficiency or Mastery Level, spending one year of your studies abroad. Throughout your course, a growing understanding of economic concepts is matched by your increasing competence with your chosen language.
Our Department of Economics is rated consistently high for student satisfaction and is top 5 in the UK for research, with over 90% of their research rated as “world-leading” or “internationally excellent” (REF 2014).
Study abroad
Your education extends beyond the university campus. We support you in expanding your education through offering the opportunity to spend a year or a term studying abroad at one of our partner universities.
Studying abroad allows you to experience other cultures and languages, to broaden your degree socially and academically, and to demonstrate to employers that you are mature, adaptable, and organised.
If you spend a full year abroad you’ll only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee to Essex for that year. You won’t pay any tuition fees to your host university
Placement year
Alternatively, you may also undertake a work placement abroad.
Whichever option you choose, an international experience can give you the experience of other cultures and languages, broadening your degree socially and academically and demonstrating to employers that you are mature, adaptable and organised.
If you complete a placement year you’ll only pay 20% of your usual tuition fee to Essex for that year.
Our expert staff
Study and work alongside some of the most prominent economists.
Our researchers are at the forefront of their field and have even received MBEs. Many of our academic staff provide consultancy services to businesses in London and other major financial centres, helping us to develop research for today’s society as well as informing our teaching for the future.
Our modern languages staff are also internationally renowned.. All our language teachers are native or bilingual speakers, we maintain excellent student-staff ratios, and we integrate language learning with linguistics wherever there is synergy.
In addition to helping you acquire practical foreign language skills, our staff share their expertise with you in the areas of professional translation, interpreting and subtitling, film and art, business, and culture.
Specialist facilities
- Extensive software for quantitative analysis is available in all computer labs across the University
- Access to two multimedia language teaching labs which are equipped with state-of-the-art Melissi Digital Classroom software, and fitted with computers integrating audio-visual projectors and large screens
- A new 20-position Interpreting Lab
- Meet other linguists and practice your language skills at our Language Cafés
- Experience world cinema at our Modern Languages film club
- Our Languages for All programme offers you the opportunity to study an additional language alongside your course at no extra cost
Your future
As a graduate of this course, you’ll have strong problem solving, data analysis and quantitative skills, which are valued highly by employers. In a job market which is becoming increasingly global, having studied a foreign language places you in a very advantageous position regardless of which career path you follow.
Our students find themselves in demand from a wide range of employers in a host of occupations, including financial analysis, management, public administration and accountancy, as well as directly in roles using economic knowledge.
Our recent graduates have gone on to work for a wide range of high-profile companies including:
- Bank of England
- Barclays
- Citigroup
- Deloitte
- Ernst and Young
- Morgan Stanley
- Bank of New York
- Santander
We also work with the University’s Student Development Team to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.
Why we’re great
- We are Top 5 in the UK for our research excellence – you can learn from the best.
- You’re taught by world-leading academics who are experts in their field
- We give you diverse employment potential and the chance to meet future employers.
Structure
Course structure
We offer a flexible course structure with a mixture of core/compulsory modules, and optional modules chosen from lists.
Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The course content is therefore reviewed on an annual basis to ensure our courses remain up-to-date so modules listed are subject to change.
Teaching and learning disclaimer
Following the impact of the pandemic, we made changes to our teaching and assessment to ensure our current students could continue with their studies uninterrupted and safely. These changes included courses being taught through blended delivery, normally including some face-to-face teaching, online provision, or a combination of both across the year.
The teaching and assessment methods listed show what is currently approved for 2022 entry; changes may be necessary if, by the beginning of this course, we need to adapt the way we’re delivering them due to the external environment, and to allow you to continue to receive the best education possible safely and seamlessly.
Year abroad
On your year abroad, you have the opportunity to experience other cultures and languages, to broaden your degree socially and academically, and to demonstrate to employers that you are mature, adaptable, and organised. Our Programme Specification gives more detail about modules on your year abroad.
Teaching
- Teaching is arranged to allow freedom in how you organise your learning experiences
- After receiving a general overview of a topic in your two-hour weekly lecture, you discuss and solve the issues it raises in a class with 15 to 20 fellow students
- Optional support classes in Economics
- Activities designed to develop your practical language skills, such as role-play and class presentations
- Cultural and social themes are explored through film, music, the internet, theatre and literature
Assessment
- You are assessed each year through a mixture of coursework and end-of-year examinations
- The weighting of your Economics modules is set at 50% coursework and 50% exam
- For many of your second- and final-year modules, coursework takes the form of an extended essay
- Languages assessed through role-plays and translations
- Complete your final year project in consultation with a personal supervisor
