Economics and History BA

Course overview

From trade and industry to living standards and medicine, economic issues have often been at the heart of historical change. This varied and dynamic degree gives you a deep understanding of economic issues in the modern world, as well as an insight into how societies change over time.

Modules will introduce you to key concepts in both subjects, such as historiography, economic theory and statistics. Then you’ll build on this when you choose from an impressive range of optional modules spanning periods, cultures and sectors.

You could study anything from transport economics and international trade to ethics and the global banking sector, alongside the Industrial Revolution, the British East India Company, and decolonisation. It’s a fantastic opportunity to discover new perspectives on history and the present, and to gain a broad base of skills that employers seek.

The University of Leeds has plenty of useful resources for economic historians. The world class Brotherton Library holds a wide variety of manuscript, archive and early printed material in its Special Collections. The University Library's Special Collections includes extensive records of businesses in the region dating back to the Industrial Revolution. The University is also home to the M&S Archive, one of the biggest collections in the UK for the history of retail and consumption.

The University Library offers full training to help you make the most of our resources.

Take a look around our libraries:

Brotherton Library
Laidlaw Library
Edward Boyle Library

Course details

A joint honours degree allows you to study the same core topics as students on each single honours course, but you’ll take fewer optional and discovery modules so you can fit in both subjects.

Your first year will lay the foundations for your degree. Our modules will provide you with a foundation in key economic theories, and in history you’ll have opportunities to develop and broaden your historical skills, as well as exploring different approaches to the past. You’ll also develop the mathematical skills you need, taking different modules depending on your previous qualifications.

From this point, you’ll develop your knowledge across the next two years. Core modules in your second year will improve your knowledge of microeconomics and macroeconomics. In history you’ll keep some balance across historical periods, and you’ll choose from options in both subjects so you can tailor your degree to suit you. Examples could include the economics of work and labour, medicine in the Middle Ages, or global business history.

Throughout your degree, you’ll develop your skills in independent research and analysis. You’ll put these into practice in your final year when you undertake an independent piece of research on a topic of your choice.

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.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Economics and History BA in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Year 2 compulsory modules

Year 2 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Year 3 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

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

Our tutors are experts in their fields, and their teaching is informed by their own cutting-edge research.

We use a range of teaching methods to help you benefit from their expertise, including lectures, seminars, tutorials or occasionally workshops. However, independent study is also central to this degree, since it allows you to develop your skills in research and analysis. You will be able to apply your skills and knowledge in a final year research project on a topic of your own choice.

Academic staff have bookable office hours for advice and feedback, and you’ll also benefit from working closely with your tutors during one-to-one supervision sessions, our personal tutoring schemes, on field trips (such as archive and museum visits).

The University offers a variety of tailored support for historians and philosophers; the University Library runs free classes and workshops so you can learn how to use them.

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

Assessment methods may vary, depending on the modules you choose. Exams and essays are the most common, but some modules may also include group work, oral presentations, source commentaries, annotated bibliographies, book/literature/historiographical reviews, blog posts, Wikis, podcasts, and other methods as part of the mix. We offer plenty of support, including the chance to attend extra classes on issues such as exam technique, public speaking and structuring an essay if you need them.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAA

GCSE: Grade 7/A in Mathematics

Other course specific tests:

Where an applicant is taking the EPQ in a relevant subject this might be considered alongside other Level 3 qualifications and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A Levels, this would be AAB plus grade A in the EPQ.

We welcome applications from mature students with Access qualifications, and from students with a wide range of qualifications.

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 offer: AAB (excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking) at A Level and pass Access to Leeds

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.

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 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 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: £22,250 (per year)

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will remain capped at £9,250 for 2023/24 and 2024/25. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for international students for 2023/24 and 2024/25 are available on individual course pages.

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.

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.

Read our guidance about applying.

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 2024

This course is taught by

School of History
Leeds University Business School

Contact us

Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures Admissions

Email: artsadmissions@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Career opportunities

A joint honours degree in Economics and History equips you with in-depth knowledge of two subjects, but it also offers you a valuable range of transferable skills that are actively sought by employers.

You’ll be able to analyse both quantitative and qualitative data, and you’ll have strong research and problem-solving skills. You’ll be comfortable working both independently and within a team, and you’ll have the organisational skills needed to manage two very different subjects.

Graduates have gone onto careers in diverse areas as a result. They include business and finance, management, the civil service, journalism, the media, law, education and the charity sector. Many others go on to postgraduate study. Read more about Graduate destinations.

We do everything we can to help prepare you for your career. Student-run career groups allow you to get together with other students who share your career goals, while you could also become a peer mentor or apply for one of our paid internships. Or you could take one of our career-related modules to develop your employability or explore your options.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.

Study abroad and work placements

Study abroad

On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America. 

Find out more at the Study Abroad website.

Work placements

Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.

Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.

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