Department

Economics

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Exploring the well-being of societies

Economics is part of your life everyday, through the politics you're involved in, the education you're taught, the environment you live in, the healthcare you receive and the costs you pay to live.

At Essex, you explore the decisions of individuals, the strategies of firms and the policies of governments, to understand how the world works.

We're 4th in the UK for research power (REF 2021), so you will be learning alongside academics who are breaking new ground in all fields of economics, and pioneering new solutions to global issues. We are 7th in the UK for economics in the Guardian University Guide 2025 and top 25 in the UK for economics and econometrics in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024.

We're also home to staff and students from all over the world who want to think, learn and achieve together. So, if you're ingenious, industrious and independent, welcome home.

Our courses

Why
choose us?

7th in the UK for economics in the Guardian University Guide 2025
100% of our postgraduate graduates are in employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2024)
4th in UK for research power in economics and econometrics (THE research power measure, REF 2021)
Top 25 in the UK for economics and econometrics in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
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Insights for Change

The Centre for Behavioural Science allows us to build on that established expertise and expand the possibilities for collaboration. Our centre brings together over a hundred researchers, making an impact across our three faculties of science and health, social sciences and the arts and humanities.

Explore our Centre
Latest news
Check out the most read authors in The Conversation
20 Dec 2024
Fellowship honour for award-winning accounting expert
10 Sep 2024
University of Essex moves into top 25 in The Guardian University Guide 2025
09 Sep 2024
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Need some help?

Do you have a question? Contact us if you would like more information about the Economics Department.

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Contact us
Department of Economics University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ
Telephone: 01206 872728