What can you do with an economics degree?

Things to consider when choosing a career or considering further study after studying an economics degree

Knowledge and skills

Your study of economics will provide you with knowledge and skills that are valuable to employers, both in terms of directly-relevant technical skills in addition to broader soft skills, such as:

analytical skills: synthesis and interpretation of large data sets; identification of trends, drawing conclusions and recommendations, etc.
close attention to detail
strong written skills and ability to write documents such as clear and concise formal reports
logical thinking
commercial awareness
problem-solving skills.

Career options

15 months after graduating*

95% of our economics graduates are in work or further study

78% of graduates agree that their current activity is meaningful

92% of economics graduates said their degree was a formal requirement for their job or gave them an advantage

Economics degrees offer a broad range of career opportunities.

Whichever aspect of economics you’ve studied, it’s worth remembering that many different types of business may be open to you as a future workplace. For example, the knowledge and skills gained during your economics degree would give you options such as working in analytical roles across a wide range of industries and sectors. Job options that relate directly to your degree include:

Actuarial analyst
Chartered accountant
Data analyst
Economist
External auditor
Financial risk analyst
Risk manager
Statistician
Stockbroker.
Related job options to these degrees include:
Business development manager
Civil service fast streamer
Data scientist
Local government officer
Management consultant
Police officer
Quantity surveyor.

You could also apply the broader skills developed during your degree to many other opportunities: it is estimated that although graduate employers often specify a minimum degree classification as part of their shortlisting, approximately 70% of graduate employers do not specify that you must have studied a particular subject to work for them. However, graduate employers do highly prize skills such as logical thinking, analytical skills, problem-solving and commercial awareness which are some of the key skills you can develop during your course. Therefore, you could use your degree to access work in almost any sector or industry.

*Data is from the Graduate Outcomes Surveys covering the three years of 2019/20 – 2021/22. Graduates were surveyed 15 months after graduating. Data displayed is for UK-domiciled, first degree, full-time graduates who are working, studying or looking for work.

Employment opportunities

Below is a snapshot of what some of University of Plymouth accounting and finance graduates told us they were doing six months after graduation. For some graduates, these jobs serve as ‘stepping stones’ to professional posts by providing relevant workplace experience.

Assistant Buyer
Audit and Accounts Trainee
Buyer/ Procurement Manager
Data Analyst
Economist

Estimator
Lead Analyst/Associate
Operations Executive
Pricing Analyst
Supply Chain and Logistics Graduate (Project Analyst)
Trainee Financial Advisor

Employers

Admiral
Bank of New York
Cornwall Council
Jaguar Land Rover
NFU Mutual
Office for National Statistics
PwC

Things to consider when choosing a career or considering further study after studying an economics degree.

Discover employment and further study opportunities that you could consider once you graduate with an economics degree and learn how you can stand out to graduate employers.

We encourage you to:

undertake career planning and research
build your networks, meet employers and graduates
gain essential work experience during your course
attend career fairs and events
continually develop your skills and knowledge
get involved with relevant clubs and societies
visit the Careers Service for advice.

Further study

Some of the careers chosen by economics graduates will require or benefit from further study, so this should be considered carefully. The University of Plymouth offers the following related postgraduate study options:

You should consider the financial implications of further study as well as selecting a programme that suits your interests, learning style and future career direction. The following websites are a good starting point for exploring postgraduate options, but you may also benefit from talking to a Careers Consultant about your individual situation.

Some useful websites to help you find a suitable postgraduate programme:

Careers Service support

Accessing support from the Careers Service couldn’t be easier, come along to the Careers Service Helpdesk in the

Student Hub

or access our

24/7 online resources

There is a wide range of support available from skills workshops to events, placements and internships advice, 1-2-1 appointments and help getting started with LinkedIn.

Our bite-sized Skills Workshops can give your career the boost it needs. Choose from a range of topics:

effective career planning
job hunting techniques
finding part-time work
CVs and interviews
mastering LinkedIn
considering postgraduate study
and more.

Workshops are delivered by the Careers Service, however they are also an opportunity to learn from your peers, share experiences and ask questions. Visit myCareer to see the full range of activities and to book your place.

Connect with graduates

Build your network and job sector knowledge using LinkedIn’s alumni tool. This will allow you to see the career journeys of graduates from your programme, the qualifications they completed, the skills they developed and employers they worked for. You can then ‘connect’ with people of interest.

search LinkedIn for ‘University of Plymouth’
select ‘Alumni’
filter the results by subject, sector, company or location.

For more information about the alumni tool select the LinkedIn alumni tool guide. If you are looking for help to set up or learn how to make the most out of your LinkedIn profile, select the LinkedIn guide for students or

come to one of our workshops

Other advice and guidance

Gain work experience

Undertaking work experience in your first and second years will help you stand out from the crowd when the time comes for you to complete applications for graduate employment and further study. Work experience develops valuable skills and qualities that employers are looking for and is essential for many roles. It can also help you to confirm or rule out particular career choices. Furthermore, experience in the workplace can bring you into contact with people who may be able to assist you at the beginning of your career.

You have plenty of options open to you. You could apply for a placement year, work part-time around your studies, undertake volunteering or approach organisations directly to negotiate short periods of work experience. Some organisations offer paid internships over the summer or of one year’s duration.

The University of Plymouth Students’ Union also offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities.

Clubs and societies

Engaging in a sport or society shows employers you are engaged and seek out opportunities, it also helps you improve your teamwork, communication and negotiation skills. Committee members develop leadership, diplomacy and organisational skills and will gain experience of meetings, handling funds, and society promotion

You may choose to join a society that is specifically linked to economics or take the opportunity to explore the huge range of clubs, societies and sports, all of which can help you to broaden your horizons and explore new interests.

Tutor and academic support

Your tutor and other academic staff are an excellent source of support for your career development. They will have experience and contacts across industry and academia, so do approach them for advice and insights into careers you are considering. Your tutor will ultimately be writing references for your employment or further study applications, therefore establishing a positive relationship with this person is invaluable.