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93%of our research outputs rated world-leading or internationally excellent
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Global policy influence
Our research has shaped UK migration policies, European Union merger rules and the behavioural implications of water usage
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15thin the UK for economics and econometrics
Overview
About the Department of Economics
We are one of the oldest Economics departments in the UK with a long track record of world-leading research, which spans the entire range of modern economics. Our mission is to advance economic understanding and its real-world applications.
We produce innovative research that explores economic behaviour and societal problems. Our research:
- informs and influences economic and social policy at both national and international levels
- explores interdisciplinary approaches to big questions
- maintains global recognition within the field
Our insights have shaped UK migration and European Union merger policies. We also advise government bodies on the behavioural impacts of water usage.
We foster an inclusive community which enriches our research and promotes teaching excellence. Our department offers rewarding experiences at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Our economics degrees give students transferable skills, such as critical thinking, research, statistical and problem solving skills. We have a 96.5% employment rate for graduates, 15 months after graduation (2020/2021 data, published 2023, sourced from 87 responses).
Join our diverse community where academics and students from many different nationalities work together.
Research culture
Our research enhances our teaching, influences policy and has societal impact. We nurture and empower our staff to carry out global research, tackling intricate economic challenges. Our academic team come from 15 countries around the world so we have a diverse perspective. We encourage cross-disciplinary dialogue.
We structure our research around 4 interconnected research groups:
Our priority is to produce high-quality research with global impact. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 found that 93% of our outputs are world-leading or internationally excellent.
We have expertise across a broad range of subjects such as:
- time series and financial econometrics
- behavioural economics
- game theory
- quantitative and theoretical macro
- labour economics
- applied micro-econometrics
We host weekly seminars with external speakers and internal seminars where existing staff or students present their work. Many of our alumni are now themselves academics in prestigious UK and European universities.
We present our research at:
- worldwide conferences
- seminars
- institutions
- governmental bodies across the UK, Europe, and the USA
Teaching culture
Our commitment to teaching excellence is recognised in our rankings. Our Economics and Econometrics course ranks 15th in the UK in the QS World University rankings 2023 and 10th in the UK in the Times Higher Education survey 2024.
Our commitment to teaching excellence is recognised in our rankings. Our Economics and Econometrics course ranks 15th in the UK in the QS World University rankings 2023 and 10th in the UK in the Times Higher Education survey 2024.
In addition the latest National Student Survey found that 90% of our students think staff are good at explaining things. Equally, 90% agree that our course is intellectually challenging.
We nurture the intellectual leaders of tomorrow. We ensure that our students graduate with strong numeracy skills and the ability to interpret data. Our graduates are valued in fields such as:
- finance
- business consulting
- policy development
- data science
In particular, our BSc in Economics with Data Science offers a unique opportunity to gain in-depth proficiency in economics. It supplements classical training in economic theory and its application, with knowledge of methods in data science. These include algorithmic, machine learning and computational economics tools used to analyse large datasets. They are skills that are increasingly highly rewarded in the labour market in economics and finance.
We also have excellent facilities for students. They can design decision-making experiments in our experimental laboratory. The Bloomberg suite simulates a trading room environment.
We are excited for the future of our recent graduates. In addition to the 96.5% employment rate, the average full-time salary for our graduates, 15 months after graduation, is £33,100. (2020/2021 data, published 2023, sourced from 46 responses).
Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI)
We’re committed to fostering inclusivity. Our diverse community includes 15 nationalities. The principle of equality and a culture of inclusion are the heart of all the practices followed within the department.
Some of our initiatives include:
- peer mentoring students
- supporting students from varied school level educational systems with maths in preparation for studying economics
- supporting flexible working patterns
Athena SWAN
Our Athena SWAN Bronze Award highlights our dedication to gender balance, as well as our comprehensive plan to address areas where we need to improve.
Contribute to research in the field of economics by completing a PhD with us.
Research and outreach
Learn more about how our research informs policymakers and how we support the next generation of economists.
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Economics research
Discover more about our research into economic behaviour, theoretical statistics, experimental economics and macroeconomic modelling.
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Outreach
Find out how we encourage students from a diverse range of backgrounds to do economics. We run our own outreach activities, but also contributes to University-wide schemes.
Our research community
Our world class quality research in the core areas of economics informs a rigorous undergraduate and postgraduate training with a strong emphasis on quantitative skills and state-of-the-art methods.
People
Our world class quality research in the core areas of economics informs a rigorous undergraduate and postgraduate training with a strong emphasis on quantitative skills and state-of-the-art methods.
As a dynamic department attracting students and staff from all over the world, an environment of diversity, the principle of equality, and a culture of inclusion lies at the heart of all the norms and practices designed and followed within the department.
Work with us
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Jobs at Southampton
Find out about career opportunities. We aim for an inclusive environment that attracts, supports and retains the best students and staff from diverse backgrounds and experiences from across the world.
