Economics and Geography BA

Course overview

Both economics and geography play crucial roles in providing sustainable solutions to global issues in business, the environment, politics — and society at large. By combining these two highly regarded disciplines at Leeds, you can learn the fundamentals in both, whilst cultivating a huge amount of transferable skills that are sought after by some of the most reputable companies worldwide.

This joint honours degree means you’ll have the advantage of being taught by expert academics from both Schools: the triple-accredited Leeds University Business School and the School of Geography, which is ranked among the highest in the world for this subject. You’ll learn the solid foundations in both areas, with the chance to shape your degree to suit your own interests and career aspirations through a range of optional modules.

You’ll have access to many of the specialist facilities in each School, alongside CV-enriching opportunities like fieldwork projects, paid work placements and the chance to study abroad.

Graduating with a BA economics and geography degree from Leeds will equip you with the extensive skill set and knowledge you’ll need to pursue a rewarding career in a wide variety of industries across the world.

Why study at Leeds:

• Experience expert teaching, co-taught by the Leeds University Business School and parented by the School of Geography, which has taught geography for over 100 years. Learn from internationally renowned academics and researchers at the forefront of their areas who specialise in a variety of economics and geography fields.
• Benefit from excellent teaching facilities, including extensive library collections, specialist labs, lecture theatres and dedicated computer clusters, fully equipped with the latest technology to support your learning.
• Take advantage of our world-leading research here at Leeds University Business School and the School of Geography which informs our curriculum and has had a pioneering impact on current global agendas, influencing key decision-makers in shaping environmental protection, public health and the economy.
• Put theory into practice with our overseas and UK-based fieldwork activities, where you’ll experience ‘real world’ learning that will advance your research, project planning and teamwork skills whilst gaining hands-on experience highly valued by future employers.
• Enhance your career prospects and give your CV that competitive edge before you graduate with our paid industrial work placement opportunities and optional careers skills module placements. Our close industry links have meant previous students have secured placements at — and built professional relationships with — major organisations such as Mercedes-Benz and Lloyds Banking Group.
• Gain invaluable life experience and advance your personal development with our exciting study abroad programmes, spanning across many universities worldwide.
• Make the most of your time at Leeds by joining our student society GeogSoc which gives you the chance to meet like-minded students who share your passion for geography. The society organises a range of social activities and trips, and has football and netball teams in the University’s intra-mural league.

Course details

Each year of this course is designed around a combination of key compulsory core modules in the School of Geography and the Business School, as well as opportunities to take further optional modules in both schools and discovery modules across the wider University to suit your interests.

Year 1

You’ll develop a grounding in the foundational concepts and themes of Human Geography and Economics, plus key skills in academic writing, digital learning and statistical analysis. Core modules explore the economic and social importance of cities in an urban age, global economic history and economic theory, with a choice of optional modules that span planetary environmental crisis, neighbourhood and population change, migration and development, and economic controversies.

Year 2

You’ll be provided with a core programme of research approaches in human geography as well as grounding in the theory and application of microeconomics and macroeconomics. You’ll supplement this from a choice of optional modules that include geo-politics and international development, service planning for changing populations, economic geography, natural resource management, and a variety of economics modules covering transport, health, labour, industry, ethics, business, policy, research, and the international economy – so that you can begin to specialise in the ideas and issues that interest you most.

Year 3

You’ll have the chance to put your research training into practice, by undertaking a significant independent final year project with either a geographical or economic focus depending on your interests. You’ll also choose from a range of advanced optional modules, allowing you to deepen your specialist interest in particular aspects of economics and human geography.

Options include urban social movements, creating alternative futures, population and health geographies, retail location planning, global insecurities, migration and encounter, and a variety of economics modules covering transnational corporations, famines, monetary theory, trade unions, public enterprise and regulation. You’ll also have the choice of a professional development project or teacher placement module working with an external organisation.

One-year optional work placement or study abroad

To advance your skill set and boost your experience, you can apply to take up an industrial placement or study abroad at one of the many universities we’re in partnership with worldwide. Both of these options will extend your degree by 12 months.

Fieldwork

Ask any of our students and they will tell you that taking part in field trips is one of the most enjoyable and memorable aspects of the geography programmes at Leeds. We offer a range of fieldwork opportunities and these provide a great opportunity to study a fascinating subject in contrasting environments away from the University.

In year 1, there is opportunity to use Leeds as your ‘laboratory’, carrying out group work around the city you live in, while in future years you’ll have the option to undertake residential field classes in the UK and abroad.

During field trips you’ll learn essential fieldwork and team working skills and transferable skills that will prove invaluable to your future career.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

Modules

Year 1

Compulsory modules

The Urban Age (with tutorials and fieldwork) – 20 credits

You will learn about the dynamic nature of urban and economic geography, exploring the geography of cities and urban settlements and their constitution by environmental, economic, social and political processes through time and space. Particular attention is paid to planetary urbanisation, urban planning, systems of collective consumption, housing and the welfare state, service and retail economy, neoliberal globalisation, post-industrial urbanism, power, austerity and contestation. Key features of the module are small group tutorials and local urban fieldwork.

Mathematics and Statistics for Economics and Business 1B – 10 credits

This module will provide you with basic knowledge of mathematics and statistical tools that are required to understand economics and business, and therefore build the foundation for further learning later in the course.

Economics and Global History – 10 credits

You will receive an introduction to analytical global economic history and learn about some of the 'lessons of the past’, while also covering key economic concepts and theories. This module will give you a sense of perspective when studying a variety of modern economies across the world, both developed and developing.

Economic Theory and Applications – 30 credits

You will develop an economic understanding of the world of individual choice, business behaviour, national level economic systems and government economic policy. You will be introduced to economic models and how to interpret relevant data to understand economic issues, as well as the key data manipulation and analysis skills you need for this.

Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

• Digital Geographies – 20 credits
• Planet Under Threat – 20 credits
• Global Geopolitics, Migration and Uneven Development – 20 credits
• Population, Society and Space – 20 credits
• Mathematics and Statistics for Economics and Business 1A – 10 credits
• Economic Controversies – 10 credits

Year 2

Compulsory modules

Research Approaches in Human Geography – 20 credits

This is an essential training programme for human geography students in the fundamentals of devising, conducting and writing up qualitative research so that you are equipped to conduct your own final year independent research project. You will first learn about the core ideas and scientific approaches underpinning human geography and be trained in the key skills of compiling, summarising and critically analysing different literatures and data sources. This is followed by training in research design, methodology and a variety of qualitative research methods before putting them into practice through conducting fieldwork, data collection, and data analysis in a research team.

Intermediate Microeconomics – 10 credits

You will consider a range of microeconomic problems and learn about the approach that microeconomists take when attempting to solve these problems. You will also develop insight into how mathematical modelling is used to understand problems of consumer theory and producer theory.

Intermediate Macroeconomics – 10 credits

You will consider a range of macroeconomic problems and learn about the approach that macroeconomists take when attempting to solve these problems. You will develop insight into how macroeconomic models and concepts are used to understand macroeconomic problems.

Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

• Zero Carbon Futures Residential Field class – 20 credits
• Career Skills in Geography – 10 credits
• Political and Development Geographies – 20 credits
• Geographies of Economies - 20 credits
• The Making of the Modern City - 20 credits
• Citizenship and Identity: Comparative Perspectives - 20 credits
• Sustainability: Living within limits - 20 credits
• Planning Services for Changing Populations - 20 credits
• Political and Development Geographies - 20 credits
• Social and Spatial Data Analysis with GIS – 10 credits
• Social Ecological Systems – 10 credits
• Introduction to Health Economics – 10 credits
• Theories of Growth, Value and Distribution – 10 credits
• Industrial Economics – 10 credits
• Mathematics for Business and Economics 2 – 10 credits
• The International Economic Environment – 10 credits
• International Economics – 10 credits
• Business Economics – 10 credits
• Economics Research Methods – 10 credits
• Statistics and Econometrics – 20 credits
• Labour Economics – 10 credits
• How to be a Successful Policy Economist – 10 credits
• Ethics and Economics – 10 credits
• Transport Economics – 10 credits
• Project Appraisal – 10 credits

Year 3

Final year project

Either

Economics Joint Honours Final Year Project – 30 credits

You will be provided with the skills and knowledge to conduct a substantial research project within the discipline of economics, broadly defined to permit insights from other disciplines such as, but not limited to, human geography.

OR

Human Geography Dissertation – 40 credits

You will successfully plan, implement and write up an individual research project on a human geography topic of choice. You will develop a broad range of skills including general communication, writing and project management skills, subject- specific skills, methodological skills that may include primary and/or secondary data collection, and various data analysis skills.

Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

• Residential Fieldtrip (various destinations) – 20 credits
• Retail Location Planning – 20 credits
• Field Research Project – 20 credits
• Migration Crises in the Mediterranean – 20 credits
• Contested Cities – 20 credits
• Creating Alternative Futures – 20 credits
• Advanced Population and Health Geographies – 20 credits
• Geocomputation and Spatial Analysis – 20 credits
• Geographies of Global Insecurities – 20 credits
• Geographies of Global Insecurities: New Dynamics – 10 credits
• Environment, Conflict and Policy – 20 credits
• Professional Development Project – 20 credits
• School and Educational Placements – 20 credits
• Spaces of Migration and Encounter – 20 credits
• Spaces of Migration and Encounter: Concepts and Contemporary Experiences – 10 credits
• Introduction to the Economic Evaluation of Health – 10 credits
• Advanced Microeconomics – 10 credits
• Transnational Corporations in the World Economy – 10 credits
• Economic Development – 20 credits
• Economics of Famines – 20 credits
• Environmental Economics – 10 credits
• Applied Econometrics – 10 credits
• Behavioural Economics – 10 credits
• Modern Theories of Money and Monetary Policy – 10 credits
• Public Enterprise and Regulation – 10 credits
• Advanced Macroeconomics – 10 credits
• International Economics: Integration and Governance – 20 credits
• The Economics of Unions – 10 credits
• Economics of Business and Corporate Strategy – 20 credits
• Travel Activity Analysis – 10 credits
• Social Analysis and Social Psychology for Transport – 10 credits

Discovery modules

Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.

This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

You will learn through a range of teaching methods, including lectures, tutorials , seminars, computer classes, group-work, online exercises and fieldwork, depending on the modules you study.

Independent study is also an important part of this course, and will develop your research and analytical skills in order to think and work independently.

You will receive guidance and support throughout your degree, and there will be opportunities for extra support through one-to-one assistance, workshops and skills training. You will have a personal tutor all the way through your degree.

Our Virtual Learning Environment will help to support your studies: it’s a central place where you can find all the information and resources for the School, your programme and modules.

You can also benefit from support to develop your academic skills, within the curriculum and through online resources, workshops, one-to-one appointments and drop-in sessions.

Watch our taster lectures to get a flavour of what it’s like to study at Leeds:

• Unlocking Sustainable Cities

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed using a range of methods. There will be timed examinations, essay and report writing, presentations, practical exercises, posters, blogs, vlogs, podcasts, research-based projects (such as the dissertation) and reflective logs.

All assessments are closely tied to the learning objectives of the course to ensure you graduate equipped with cutting-edge knowledge and skills, as well as being structured to help you develop the key transferable qualities that employers are looking for within the workplace.

Assessments are reviewed annually to ensure they remain fair and inclusive, and to maintain an element of flexibility within optional module choices such that you can select a package of learning to best reflect your own learning style and long-term career goals.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAA preferably including Geography

If Geography is not included, we would expect two A-levels from History, English, Economics, Sociology, a modern language, Psychology, Mathematics and Biology. Offer excludes A-Level General Studies or Critical Thinking.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), International Project Qualification (IPQ) and Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (ASCC): We recognise the value of this qualification and the effort and skills required to undertake it, where an applicant is taking the EPQ/IPQ/ASCC this may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. The EPQ/IPQ/ASCC taken with A-Levels, for example, could be AAB with an A in the EPQ/IPQ/ASCC.

GCSE: Mathematics at grade A 7 or above, and English at grade 6 or above, or an equivalent English language and Mathematics qualification. We will accept Level 2 Functional Skills English in lieu of GCSE English.

Alternative qualification

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds A Level offer: ABB plus a pass in the Access to Leeds scheme.

If you do not have the formal qualifications for immediate entry to one of our degrees, you may be able to progress through a foundation year. We offer a Studies in Science with Foundation Year BSc for students without a science background at A-level and an Interdisciplinary Science with Foundation Year BSc for applicants who meet specific widening participation criteria.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

Fees

UK: £9,250 (per year)

International: £24,750 (per year)

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2022/23
For UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2022/23 the fee will be £9,250. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by the government and may vary if policy changes.

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2023/24
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students for 2023/24 have been agreed by the UK Government and will remain at the current fee level of £9,250. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by the government and may vary if policy changes.

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2023/24
Tuition fees for international students for 2023/24 should be available on individual course pages from September 2022.

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Additional cost information

Because we recognise the value of field experience, the school heavily subsidises or covers transport and accommodation costs for compulsory taught field courses and many optional field trips. You will have to supplement the cost of some optional field trips.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Applying

Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

We may consider applications submitted after the deadline. Availability of courses in UCAS Extra will be detailed on UCAS at the appropriate stage in the cycle.

Read our guidance about applying and writing your personal statement.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2023

This course is taught by

School of Geography
Leeds University Business School

Contact us

School of Geography Undergraduate Admissions

Email: geo-ug-enq@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Career opportunities

The employment opportunities when graduating with a joint honours degree are far-reaching — especially in globally recognised disciplines like economics and geography.

The breadth of knowledge, experience and skills you’ll learn in teamwork, commercial awareness, report-writing, numerical analysis, IT expertise and investigation are widely transferable and desirable to a whole host of employers.

University of Leeds students are among the top 5 most targeted by top employers according to The Graduate Market 2022, High Fliers Research, meaning our graduates are highly sought after by some of the most reputable companies in the field.

Qualifying with this degree from Leeds will set you up with the core foundations you need to pursue an exciting career across a wide range of industries, including:

• Finance
• Management
• Marketing
• Real estate
• Journalism
• Government

Here’s an insight into the job positions our joint economics and geography graduates have obtained since leaving Leeds:

• Marketing Service – Apple Ltd
• Finance Analyst – Barclays
• Sustainability Consultant – Comstock Partners
• Senior Project Manager – Canal and River Trust
• Principal Analyst – Maryland General Assembly
• Test Analyst Manager – Zurich Insurance Company Ltd

Read profiles of our alumni to find out more.

Careers support

At Leeds we help you to prepare for your future from day one. Our Leeds for Life initiative is designed to help you develop and demonstrate the skills and experience you need for when you graduate. We will help you to access opportunities across the University and record your key achievements so you are able to articulate them clearly and confidently.

You will be supported throughout your studies by our dedicated Employability team, who will provide you with specialist support and advice to help you find relevant work experience, internships and industrial placements, as well as graduate positions. You’ll benefit from timetabled employability sessions, support during internships and placements, and presentations and workshops delivered by employers.

You will also have full access to the University’s Careers Centre, which is one of the largest in the country.

Study abroad and work placements

Study abroad

This programme offers you the option to spend time abroad as an extra academic year and will extend your studies by 12 months. You will return to Leeds to complete your final year of study.

Studying abroad is a unique opportunity to explore the world, whilst gaining invaluable skills and experience that could enhance your future employability and career prospects too.

From Europe to Asia, the USA to Australasia, we have many University partners worldwide you can apply to, spanning across some of the most popular destinations for students.

Once you’ve successfully completed your year abroad, you will be awarded the ‘international’ variant in your degree title which demonstrates your added experience to future employers.

Find out more at the Study Abroad website.

Work placements

The graduate recruitment market is highly competitive so it’s important that you stand out. An industrial placement could be the opportunity you need to impress potential employers and improve your chances of securing the career you want.

Benefits of a work placement year:

• 100+ organisations to choose from, both in the UK and overseas
• All placements are salaried
• Build industry contacts within your chosen field
• Our strong connections with industry mean you’ll be in direct contact with potential employers
• Advance your experience and skills by putting the course teachings into practice
• Gain invaluable insight into working as a professional in a particular company or sector
• Improve your employability

If you decide to undertake a placement year, this will extend your period of study by 12 months and, on successful completion, you will be awarded the ‘industrial’ variant in your degree title to demonstrate your added experience to future employers.

With the help and support of our dedicated Employability team, you can find the right placement to suit you and your future career goals.

Here are some examples of placements our students have recently completed:

• Deloitte, Auditor
• Mercedes-Benz, Marketing
• Cheshire NHS Clinical Commissioning Group
• Lloyds Banking Group, Risk Industrial Placement
• Javelin, Data Analyst

During your industrial placement, you will have an industrial supervisor from within the company, plus an academic supervisor who will keep in touch throughout your placement.

The optional placement year takes place between years two and three.

Find out more about work experience on the  Careers website.

Related courses