Economics and History BA at University of Leeds

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.

Core 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 Tudors 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 historians. The world class Brotherton Library holds a wide variety of manuscript, archive and early printed material in its Special Collections. Our additional library resources are also excellent, and the University Library offers a comprehensive training programme to help you make the most of them.

Leeds has excellent resources for historians, including a wealth of archive material and political documents. The University Library's Special Collections include the Leeds Russian Archive, a resource for the study of Anglo-Russian relations into the 20th century and the Liddle Collection of personal papers from thousands of people who lived through the First and Second World Wars.

Papers from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and extensive correspondence from political figures from around the world are also held in the Special Collections. The University Library offers full training to help you make the most of our resources.

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.