What can I do with a degree in Economics?

What can I do with a degree in Economics?

A degree in Economics from the University of Kent equips you with analytical, quantitative, and critical thinking skills, preparing you for diverse roles in areas such as finance and banking, data and research, government and public policy, and business and consulting. Get ideas and inspiration here before booking a one-to-one session with a careers adviser.

Careers in Economics

Economics graduates are in demand in both the public and private sectors. These roles utilise your abilities in data analysis, problem-solving, and understanding of economic principles.

Economist Economists collect, study and analyse data in order to provide specialist economic advice to a range of organisations.

Financial Risk Analyst Identify and analyse areas of potential risk threatening the assets, earning capacity or success of organisations in the industrial, commercial or public sector.

Data Analyst Examine large data sets to understand them, identify trends, and provide insights and analysis through strong presentation, written and verbal communication skills, helping businesses make informed strategic decisions.

Policy Officer Undertake research, consultations, and gather and analyse data to help decision-makers such as government, think tanks, charities and businesses develop and shape policy.

Chartered Accountant Accounting has several distinct areas of specialisation such as: corporate finance, taxation, audit and assurance, forensic, corporate finance and risk management and business recovery and insolvency.

Corporate Investment Banker Providing a range of financial services to companies, institutions and governments implementing long and short-term financial plans helping them achieve their financial goals.

Actuary Actuaries are problem solvers and strategic thinkers, who use mathematical skills to help measure the probability and risk of future events. They use these skills to predict the financial impact of these events on a business and their clients.


Alternative career paths

Management Consultant Help organisations to improve business performance by cutting costs, increasing productivity, creating value and maximising growth. 

Market Researcher Collect and analyse data and information to help clients make informed political, social and economic decisions, specialising in either quantitative or qualitative research.

Insurance Underwriter Analyse risks and make decisions on whether or not to accept applications for insurance cover, and on what terms, with the aim of minimising the risk to their company and helping it to make a profit.

Retail Merchandiser Retail merchandisers maximise stores’ profitability by predicting and monitoring sales trends and accurately controlling stock levels, ensuring the right amount of goods are available to customers and sold at the right price.

Risk Manager Advise organisations on potential risks to the profitability, safety, security or existence of the company. Plan how to avoid, reduce or transfer risk and create contingency plans as preparation in case things go wrong.

Where do University of Kent graduates work?

Organisations that have previously employed University of Kent graduates: 

Public Sector: Government Economic Service: HM Treasury, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), Office for National Statistics (ONS), OFWAT, OFCOM  and the Financial Conduct Authority

Central Banks: Bank of England, European Central Bank

Consulting & Professional Services: Accenture, Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC, McKinsey & Company, NERA Economic Consulting, Frontier Economics, and Cornerstone Research

Retail and Investment Banking: Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, Santander, BNP Paribas, Citibank, UBS, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase & Co and Schroders

Insurance: Allianz; AON; AXA; Lloyds of London; Marsh; Zurich; Hiscox; Hastings Direct; RSA

Research Institutes and Think TanksPublic Affairs Networking (Directory of UK think-tanks), Smart Thinking (research, events and job opportunities from leading UK think tanks, Resolution Foundation (working in the think tank sector).   

Many more opportunities exist across these and other industries.  

Find a job

The Careers and Employability Service provides information and advice on job searching to University of Kent students and recent graduates. This includes a vacancy database advertising a range of graduate jobs, placement year and vacation work/internships. 

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Sector specific recruitment platforms

Civil Service Jobs; City jobs; efinancial careers.

Accountancy: Accountancy careers; ACCA Trainee Accountant Jobs; ICAEW Training Vacancies; CIPFA Training Vacancies; GAAP.

Data analyst: CW jobs; Technojobs; Stats jobs.

w4mp: View political, research and communications job opportunities.

Economist Jobs

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General graduate job search platforms

Gradcracker

Prospects

TargetJobs

LinkedIn Jobs

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Useful resources

LSE Careers: Features information on employment sectors and opportunities for economics graduates.

The Economist: Offers in-depth analysis of global economic trends.(*subscription required).

Financial Times: Provides news on financial markets and economic policies.

Economics Network: Supports economics education and career development.

Royal Economic Society: Founded in 1890 the pre-eminent economics association in the United Kingdom.    

Tips to stand out

  • Build a strong CV: Highlight relevant coursework, internships, and projects. Utilise CareerSet to help develop your CV.
  • Gain practical experience: Seek internships or part-time roles in your areas of interest. Access company websites directly to view internship opportunities.
  • Develop workplace skills: Forage offers  hundreds of free job simulations designed by top employers.
  • Network: Attend industry events and connect with alumni via LinkedIn and the University of Kent Mentor scheme.
  • Stay informed: Keep up-to-date with current economic issues and debates through LinkedIn Groups, listening to business and finance podcasts and reading newspapers such as The Financial Times.
  • Develop technical skills: Learn software tools like Excel, Stata, or R for data analysis.

Year in industry

A year in industry can have a big impact on your employability. By gaining real-world experience and learning key skills in the workplace, and pairing these with the knowledge you gain on your degree, you can become a highly employable candidate in the labour market. The year can be based in the UK or abroad, including your home country if you're an international student, and contribute to your final degree. At The University of Kent, many courses include an optional year in industry between your second and final year, where you undertake graduate-level work related to your studies.     

Further study 

Some Economics graduates pursue further study to specialise or move into research roles. You can search for masters qualifications in subjects such as: Finance, Economics or Data Analytics.

Postgraduate Courses at Kent 

Prospects – Postgraduate Study 

Find a Masters