BA Economics: A Complete Guide

Textbooks describe Economics as the study of allocating scarce resources among the masses in an efficient and optimal manner. But in modern times, the role of Economics has widened in terms of the challenges and objectives that it is facing in the 21st century. We can call it the aftermath of the 2008 economic crisis, that has led to the emergence of new techniques and ideas of effectively operating an economy. Therefore, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that Economics has extended into a broad study of market trends, business cycles, money markets, financial frictions, financial markets, etc. Considering the importance of Economics in society, numerous students plan to make a career in this domain by pursuing a BA Economics after completing their secondary education. In this blog, we will take a look at what a bachelor’s degree course in Economics comprises of, its eligibility criteria, the top universities providing this program as well as its core subjects and career opportunities you can explore in this discipline. 

Overview

BA Economics is a bachelor’s degree program that can be 3 to 4 years long in duration varying from university to university. The course curriculum is designed to equip students to meet the economic challenges faced by the world in current times. It comprises of two main domains of Economics: Macroeconomics and Microeconomics. Further, it studies the theoretical concepts integral to the smooth functioning of an economy along with different types of financial markets as well as contemporary economic trends impacting the world at large.

BA Economics: Core Subjects

BA Economics course is a combination of several core and elective subjects encompassing over different areas of study from Microeconomics to Macroeconomics. Core subjects for the whole curriculum remain fixed for all candidates while electives differ as per an individual’s personal choices. The list given below exhibits a few core subjects taught in the course duration. 

• Introductory Microeconomics 
• Mathematical Methods for Economics
• Intermediate Microeconomics
• Statistical Methods for Economics 
• Introductory Econometrics
• Developmental Economics
• Money and Financial Markets 
• Economic History

Further, as an integral sub-field of Humanities, Economics is also related to several other academic disciplines which you might also study during BA Economics. These integrated areas of study include,

• Agricultural Economics
• Econometrics
• Developmental Economics
• Financial Economics
• Industrial Economics
• Labour Economics
• Business Economics 
• International Economics
• Banking Economics

Also Read: PhD in Economics: A Complete Guide

Eligibility Criteria for BA Economics

Although, key requirements for pursuing a BA Economics degree may vary as per the university one opts for but there are some general eligibility criteria which is commonly set by universities across the globe. Listed below are the common eligibility conditions you need to fulfil in order to apply for BA Economics:

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• Candidates must have passed class 12th from a recognized board of examination.
• A language proficiency examination like PTE, IELTS, TOEFL etc is to be taken by candidates if they plan to study in an anglophone country. 
• Scores of subject tests like the ACT or SAT is also required to apply for a Ba Economics at a university. 

Top Universities for BA Economics

Being a popular course amongst commerce students, BA Economics is offered by numerous universities and colleges across the globe. Given below is a list of top universities that are renowned for their bachelor’s degree programs in Economics. 

University	Location
Harvard University	USA
Stanford University	USA
University of California, Berkeley	USA
The London School of Economics and Political Science	UK
Bocconi University	Italy
National University of Singapore (NUS)	Singapore
University of Toronto	Canada
The University of Melbourne	Australia
The Australian National University	Australia
London Business School	UK

Top Career Options for BA Economics 

Students passing out with a BA Economics degree have an array of career paths to explore. Based on the popular chosen career paths, we have curated a list of top work areas for fresh graduates.

Actuarial Science: This field is preferred by many Economics graduates who have a knack for Mathematics and Statistics. Actuaries use different techniques to determine risks in Insurance, Finance, Banking and other related areas.  

Finance: Course curriculum of BA Economics harnesses the financial skill of individuals enabling them to discover job opportunities in the Finance and Banking sectors. Many students often go for higher studies by opting for an MBA in Finance or MA in Finance. 

Law: The striking combination of Law and Economics can take you to the greatest heights. An Economics graduate can enter the domain of Corporate Law by pursuing a 3-year LLB program. 

Management: BA Economics graduates appear for CAT, GMAT or related exams to further pursue an MBA degree. Management degrees include domains like Human Resource, Operations, Public Relations, Sales, Marketing, etc that offer lucrative career opportunities. 

Consulting: Many firms hire Economics graduates as advisors to address economic problems, prepare detailed reports and formulates policies. Issues faced by such organisations are related to transport of goods and services and fiscal policies. 

Also Read: List of Common Careers for Economics Students 

Thus, we hope that this blog provided you with better clarity on what a course like BA Economics entails. If you are interested in pursuing this program and don’t know where to start, reach out to our Leverage Edu experts and we’ll help you select the right university according to your career ambitions and preferences.