Course Description Document

Course Title	Economics with Data Science (2025-26)
Course Code	8589
Award Title	Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc (Hons))
Awarding Body	University of Southampton
Teaching Institution	University of Southampton
Regulated by	Office for Students
Accreditation	None
Regulations	The Regulations of the University can be found on the University's Governance Webpages: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/about/governance/regulations-policies
Location of study	Southampton
Length of the course	34 Months
Tuition Fees	Fees for students can be located by the student fees page. https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentservices/money-matters/student-fees/index.page

Course Overview

The BSc Economics with Data Science offers a unique (at the time of writing) opportunity to gain in-depth proficiency in Economics and to obtain knowledge of methods in data science, a quantitative skill increasingly highly rewarded in the labour market in economics and finance. The programme offers classical training in economic theory, its application and statistical techniques to measure economic outcomes. Additionally, the programme will familiarise you with key skills in data science that will allow you to analyse large datasets, use algorithmic or machine learning, and apply tools from computational economics. The programme places special emphasise to develop methods in data science from an economic and econometric point of view. The programme will equip you with the knowledge necessary to undertake graduate studies in Economics or Data Science and to pursue a future career as Economist or Data Scientist in the economics or finance sectors.
As all Economics programmes this programme aims to provide knowledge of the key concepts and arguments in the relevant subjects together with the capacity to apply this knowledge in a variety of contexts. In addition, we seek to ensure that all of our students are able to use data and quantitative techniques appropriately and effectively. The overall programme structure is a flexible one, allowing you to discover and pursue your own interests - either by choice of options or, if appropriate, by changing degree programme at the end of year one.

Aims of the Course

This programme will offer you the opportunity to combine an in-depth study of economics with a thorough introduction to methods from data science as used in economic data analysis. In so doing, it equips you with the knowledge and understanding of economic theory, methods in data analysis and their application necessary to undertake graduate study in both economics and data science and to pursue a future career as an economist, with a specialisation in data science, in finance or economics.
The programme aims to:
-equip you with knowledge and understanding of the core areas of economics and methods from data science, i.e. microeconomics, macroeconomics and quantitative methods, computational and statistical methods for economics and the analysis of large data sets;
-enable you to apply economic and statistical analysis to a range of policy problems;
-enable you to use appropriate programming tools to conduct quantitative data analysis addressing economic questions;
-equip you with knowledge and understanding of the workings of the economy and core methods in data science;
-equip you with appropriate conceptual and analytic tools, and to provide opportunities for the development and application of these tools;
-develop critical and evaluative thinking in the context of economics and data science;
-enable you to develop, through the study of economics and data science, a range of skills and abilities that will contribute to your effectiveness in employment;
-support you in becoming an independent learner, and in planning your studies and subsequent career.

Course Structure

The tables below provide a list of the modules that make up your course.

Each module is worth a specified number of credits: you can take a combination of core and compulsory modules enabling you to cover key subject knowledge. Some courses have option modules which enable you to develop your own interests.

Each level of your programme requires a certain number of credits. The number of option modules you can take depends on the number of core modules at a given level and this is also influenced by the requirements of the regulatory requirements for professionally accredited courses. Some courses also have pre and co-requisites, and these are included in individual module information.

Your learning will be led by the latest research, and modules can change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. You can always find the most up-to-date information about your modules and who is teaching them via the information on our webpages and, post enrolment, via the Faculty hub.

If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an option module, it may not be offered. If an option module will not be run, we will advise you as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

The core and compulsory modules available on your course are as follows:

Part I The programme is studied over three years full-time. Each year of full-time study corresponds to one of three Parts of the degree programme. There are 30 study weeks in each part, divided equally into two semesters. The programme has a range of Core, Compulsory and Optional modules. A Core module must be passed in order to progress to the next Part of the degree programme. For some Core modules you may have a choice between two modules. Some modules are Compulsory Options and you have a choice between two or three modules. In each part some of the Optional modules may be from disciplines other than Economics. A list of Optional modules will be available to you via the Student Record Self-Service system. You will have to take 8 modules (60 ECTS/120 CATS) in each Part of the programme, normally equally balanced across the two semesters. Each CATS point can be considered as the equivalent of approximately ten hours of study. All credit-bearing modules offered in this programme are 7.5 ECTS/15 CATS modules. The 150 hours of study for each module are divided into contact time (e.g. lectures, seminars, workshops) and non-contact time when you will be engaged in directed study (preparation for classes) and independent study when you will be involved in producing assignments and preparing and taking examinations. All Economics programmes will equip you with the fundamental methods in economics during Parts I and II, comprising Mathematics and Statistics for Economics and two modules in Macroeeconomics and Microeconomics each. Parts II and III of this programme will allow you to focus more on the application of economic methods to a variety of topics. In each Part you must take a non-credit bearing Economic Skills and Employability module. It will be delivered mostly online and run through the whole year and support you with information and skills relevant for your academic and professional career. In Part I all modules in Semester 1 are Core or Compulsory. However, depending on your A levels you will take either ECON1020 Foundations of Microeconomics, if you do not have Economics A levels, or ECON1022 Principles of Microeconomics, if you have Economics A levels.
Part I Semester 1 Compulsory You must take the following modules;
Code	Module Title	ECTS	Type
MATH1048	Linear Algebra I	7.5	Compulsory
Part I Semester 1 Core You must take and pass the following
Code	Module Title	ECTS	Type
ECON1018	Economics with Experiments	7.5	Core
ECON1008	Mathematics for Economics	7.5	Core
Part I Semester 1 Microeconomics Core Options You must select 7.5ECTS/15CATS from the following; Students without Economics A Level must take ECON1020 Foundations of Microeconomics OR Students with Economics A Level must take ECON1022 Principles of Microeconomics The module will become core once chosen.
Code	Module Title	ECTS	Type
ECON1020	Foundations of Microeconomics	7.5	Optional/Core
ECON1022	Principles of Microeconomics	7.5	Optional/Core
Part I Semester 2 Core You must take and pass the following modules;
Code	Module Title	ECTS	Type
ECON1017	Economics with Data	7.5	Core
ECON1021	Principles of Macroeconomics	7.5	Core
ECON1007	Statistics for Economics	7.5	Core
Part I Semester 2 Options You must select 7.5ECTS/15CATS from the following.
Code	Module Title	ECTS	Type
ECON1011	Quantitative Modelling in Economics	7.5	Optional
MATH1062	Computational Mathematics	7.5	Optional
Part I Whole Year Compulsory You must take the non-credit bearing Economic Skills and Employability module. It will run through the whole year and support you with information and skills relevant for your academic and professional career.
Code	Module Title	ECTS	Type
ECON1016	Economics Skills and Employability 1	0	Compulsory
Part II In Part II you will continue with studying a variety of methods in Economics and Data Science. In Semester 1 you will have the choice between Econometric Theory and Introduction to Econometrics as a first Econometrics module. In Semester 2 you will have to choose one or two of three of modules studying economic applications. In Semester 2 you will also take the module ECON2034 ECON Dissertation: Prelim Info, which will provide you with essential information and skills for your dissertation in Part III. The module will be delivered mostly online. In each Part you must take a non-credit bearing Economic Skills and Employability module. It will be delivered mostly online and run through the whole year and support you with information and skills relevant for your academic and professional career.
Part II Semester 1 Compulsory You must take the following
Code	Module Title	ECTS	Type
ECON2037	Intermediate Macroeconomics	7.5	Compulsory
ECON2039	Intermediate Microeconomics	7.5	Compulsory
Part II Semester 1 Econometrics Compulsory Options You must select 7.5 ECTS/15 CATS from either Note that ECON2041 Econometric Theory requires ECON1011 Quantitative Modelling in year 1. Select ECON2041 Econometric Theory if you performed well on both ECON1011 and ECON1007; otherwise choose ECON2043 Introduction to Econometrics.
Code	Module Title	ECTS	Type
ECON2041	Econometric Theory	7.5	Optional
ECON2043	Introduction to Econometrics	7.5	Optional
Part II Semester 1 Other Option Modules You must select 7.5ECTS/15 CATS from the following You may select modules from LANGXX15, UOSMXX15 and modules from level NQF5 module in subject MANG, DEMO, PAIR or STAT. Either UOSM2011 OR MANG3032 may be taken across Part II and Part III, not both.
Code	Module Title	ECTS	Type
DEMO2014	Population Analysis	7.5	Optional
Part II Semester 2 Compulsory You must take the following ECON2034 is a non-credit bearing module that will support you with information and basic skills for the Economics dissertation in Part III.
Code	Module Title	ECTS	Type
ECON2038	Applied Econometrics	7.5	Compulsory
ECON2034	ECON Dissertation: Prelim Info	0	Compulsory
ECON2042	Econometrics with Big Data	7.5	Compulsory
Part II Semester 2 Core You must pass the following
Code	Module Title	ECTS	Type
ECON2040	Computational Economics	7.5	Core
Part II Semester 2 Economics Applications Compulsory Options You must select 7.5 ECTS/15 CATS from the following;
Code	Module Title	ECTS	Type
ECON2013	Development Economics	7.5	Optional
ECON2004	Dynamic Macroeconomics	7.5	Optional
ECON2044	Games	7.5	Optional
ECON2005	Industrial Economics	7.5	Optional
Part II Whole Year Compulsory You must take the non-credit bearing Economic Skills and Employability module. It will run through the whole year and support you with information and skills relevant for your academic and professional career.
Code	Module Title	ECTS	Type
ECON2035	Economics Skills and Employability 2	0	Compulsory
Part III During Part III you will undertake a research project or dissertation, consisting of two modules, one in each semester. In Semester 1 you will produce a literature review. In Semester 2 you will engage in your own research, and choose either (each will be Core when chosen): - ECON3037 Dissertation: Research Project, an in-depth scientific study yielding a dissertation or - ECON3038 Dissertation: Research Topics, to study contemporaneous economic problems yielding a couple of research papers. The two dissertation modules comprise 300 hours of study divided into contact time (workshops and supervisory tutorials) and a significantly larger portion of hours allocated to non-contact, independent study time. This is because the dissertation is designed to foster independent inquiry and is the culmination of three levels of study, enabling you to apply theories and methods explored at all parts and to examine one area of the discipline in detail. In each Part you must take a non-credit bearing Economic Skills and Employability module. It will be delivered mostly online and run through the whole year and support you with information and skills relevant for your academic and professional career.
Part III Semester 1 Compulsory You must take the following
Code	Module Title	ECTS	Type
ECON3040	Advanced Econometrics with Machine Learning	7.5	Compulsory
Part III Semester 1 Core You must take and pass the following;
Code	Module Title	ECTS	Type
ECON3036	Dissertation: Literature Review	7.5	Core
Part III Semester 1 Economics Applications Compulsory Options You must select between 7.5ECTS/15CATS and 15ECTS/30CATS from the following;
Code	Module Title	ECTS	Type
ECON3027	Labour Economics	7.5	Optional
ECON3015	Principles of Finance	7.5	Optional
ECON3010	Topics in Macroeconomics	7.5	Optional
Part III Semester 1 Other Optional Modules You may select between 0 up to 7.5ECTS/15CATS from the following; You may select modules from LANGXX15 and modules from level NQF6 module in subject MANG, DEMO, PAIR or STAT. Note that ECON3041 Behavioural Economics requires ECON2044 Games or both ECON1018 and ECON2039
Code	Module Title	ECTS	Type
RESM3001	Applied Social Quantitative Analysis	7.5	Optional
ECON3041	Behavioural Economics	7.5	Optional
Part III Semester 2 Compulsory You must take the following
Code	Module Title	ECTS	Type
ECON3016	Empirical Finance	7.5	Compulsory
Part III Semester 2 Core Options You must select 7.5 ECTS/15 CATS; You must choose either Dissertation: Research Project or Dissertation: Research Topics. NOTE: The module will become core once chosen.
Code	Module Title	ECTS	Type
ECON3037	Dissertation: Research Project	7.5	Optional/Core
ECON3038	Dissertation: Research Topics	7.5	Optional/Core
Part III Semester 2 Economics Applications Compulsory Options You must select between 7.5ECTS/15 CATS and 15ECTS/30CATS from the following;
Code	Module Title	ECTS	Type
ECON3008	International Macroeconomics	7.5	Optional
ECON3034	International Trade	7.5	Optional
ECON3004	Public Economics	7.5	Optional
Part III Semester 2 Other Optional Modules You may select between 0 up to 7.5ECTS/15CATS from the following; You may select modules from LANGXX15 and modules from level NQF6 module in subject MANG, DEMO, PAIR or STAT. Note that 3039 Choice and Decision requires ECON2044 Games in year 2. Note that RESM3002 Advanced Social Data Science requires either ECON1011 OR ECON2040.
Code	Module Title	ECTS	Type
RESM3002	Advanced Social Data Science	7.5	Optional
ECON3039	Choice and Decision	7.5	Optional
Part III Whole Year Compulsory You must take the non-credit bearing Economic Skills and Employability module. It will run through the whole year and support you with information and skills relevant for your academic and professional career.
Code	Module Title	ECTS	Type
ECON3033	Economics Skills and Employability 3	0	Compulsory

Learning and Teaching

Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning, and assessment activity, with each ECTS credit taken equivalent to 20 hours of student effort. While your actual contact hours may depend on the option modules you select, the information available on our webpages give an indication of how much time you will need to allocate to different activities.

When not attending lectures, seminars and other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and for other types of assessments and examinations.

Full information about contact hours is provided in individual module information.

Should you wish to revisit this following enrolment, these indications have been located in a permanent resource. This can be accessed at any time via the link below:

https://sotonac.sharepoint.com/teams/CourseSupplementaryInformation/SitePages/Study-Time.aspx

How we'll assess you

Summative assessment(s) usually take place at the end of each module, although some may have interim assessments throughout. Assessment methods might include written examinations and a range of coursework assessments such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations and projects for example. The marks from summative assessments count towards your module mark.

Each module normally contains at least one piece of practice or formative assessment for which you receive feedback. Formative assessments are developmental and any results do not count towards your module mark, but they are an important part of your learning.

The information available on our website gives an indication of the assessment methods used on your course, at each level of your course.

Should you wish to revisit this following enrolment, these indications have been located in a permanent resource. This can be accessed at any time via the link below: https://sotonac.sharepoint.com/teams/CourseSupplementaryInformation/SitePages/Assessment.aspx

Staff involved in delivering the different elements of the course

You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on your course. The team includes senior academics, professional practitioners, specialists with industry experience, demonstrators and technical officers.

Postgraduate research students who have undertaken appropriate training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars if their research specialism is directly related to the topic of the module and may also be involved in practical classes, project work and field trips. All contributions will be carried out under the supervision of the module leader.

Fees

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and standard exams.

Extra costs you may experience

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Depending on the nature of your course, you may be able to choose modules which may have additional costs, such as field studies, travel overseas or industrial placements which will change the overall cost of your course. Details of these costs can be found in module information.

Please also ensure you read the section on additional costs in the Fees, Charges and Expenses Regulations.

The following course-related costs are not included in your fees:

Type	Details
Calculators	Where a calculator is required, all Casio Calculators are allowed but they must be Non-Programmable, Scientific models. More information is available in the Examination Regulations https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/assessment/assess-overview/exam-regulations.page
Stationery	You will be expected to provide your own day-to-day stationery items, e.g. pens, pencils, notebooks, etc. Any specialist stationery items that you may need will be specified in the relevant module profile.
Textbooks	Where a module specifies essential texts, the Library will identify the optimal option(s) to support the module via the course Reading List. This may include e-books (ideally with unlimited concurrent usage) or a digitised chapter extract, supported by a limited number of print books (where available). You may request that the Library purchases additional print copies via 'suggest a book', borrow an additional copy via our inter-library-loans service or you may prefer to buy your own copies for high demand titles.
Printing	In most cases, written coursework such as essays and projects are submitted online. However it may be necessary to submit a hard copy of some projects, business projects and dissertations. The costs of printing a hard copy for submission of such work will be your responsibility. You will also have to cover the cost of photocopying. https://www.southampton.ac.uk/isolutions/students/printing.
IT	"The University provides publicly available workstations with software and some are available via iSolutions, but otherwise you will need to purchase. For more information please click on the following link https://www.southampton...ons/students/index.page"

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from underrepresented backgrounds.

You may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs.

If you are a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant that's linked to your chosen subject area.

Financial Support

The Student Services Centre offers support and advice regarding student finances. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course. You can find more information about financial support via our webpages: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentservices/money-matters/student-support-fund/index.page

Academic support

The Student Support Hub is your first point of contact when it comes to seeking support. The team will answer your questions or concerns about your wellbeing, fees and funding, accommodation and visas. The team will help make sure you receive the support you need, guiding you to further support services where required. You can find more information about student support via our webpages:

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentservices/index.page

One of the most important people you will meet while you are a student at Southampton is your Personal Academic Tutor, who will be allocated to you for your arrival at the University and who is normally a member of academic staff in your own or a closely related subject area. Your Personal Academic Tutor will offer one-to-one support and advice throughout your time at Southampton and will support you in your studies or with other issues you may have. You can find out more via our webpages:

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/academic-support-guidance/personal-tutor.page

Disclaimer

As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. As a result, this course may be revised during a student's period of registration; however, any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Please read our Disclaimer to see why, when and how changes may be made to a student's course.