Economics

Economics is a social science concerning the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services, whilst finance is the study of managing available funds. Economics and finance courses at St Andrews provide structured explorations of key concepts, analysis and techniques.

Castlecliffe stairs with students

Undergraduate

Postgraduate taught

Postgraduate research

University of St Andrews Business School offers PhD programmes in Economics. Economics research typically falls into one of three main themes:

  • applied theory, decision-making, and game theory
  • empirical economics and econometrics 
  • macro and international economics.

To apply, you should first identify and contact a potential supervisor you would like to work with in your intended research area. Find out how to contact a research supervisor.

"I was attracted to the combination of quantitative and qualitative elements in the subject –microeconomics has a strong mathematical foundation, while macroeconomics and economic history involve essay assignments. I appreciated the flexibility in sub-honours as I studied Economics and Psychology for my first two years and additionally took modules in Management and Comparative Literature in my first year."

Valeriya
Valeriya
- St Petersburg, Russia

Awards

First in the UK for economics

Guardian University Guide 2022

First in Scotland for economics

The Complete University Guide 2022

83% of research activity rated 3* or 4*

Most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021)