History and Economics BA (Hons)

University of Oxford

Overview

The History and Economics course integrates these two subjects to form a coherent and intellectually stimulating programme. The combination allows insights that neither subject can realise alone. However, it is possible to specialise primarily in either history or economics while still preserving the benefits of an integrated approach.

The combination of economics, economic history and history (political as well as social) means that you will be equipped to view issues in the real world from a variety of contrasting perspectives. You will learn both the historian’s careful approaches to evidence and argumentation and the economist’s analytical and quantitative methods, providing an excellent preparation for a range of professional, financial and academic careers.

The course is designed to equip you with the basic tools of both history and economics, while introducing you to some of the areas which you can study later in more depth. You will be given a wide choice of subjects. Everyone studies Introductory economics, which is designed to give a solid understanding of the foundations of both Microeconomics and Macroeconomics. The economics core papers are identical to those for Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) and students for both courses are generally taught together.

Oxford possesses exceptional library provision for both subjects in the Bodleian Library, the History Faculty and Social Sciences libraries, other faculty libraries and the college libraries.

Careers

Some of the most popular careers for History and Economics graduates include working in industry, management consulting, the law, teaching and many branches of public service, including the Civil and Diplomatic Services, and the Bank of England. Recent History and Economics graduates include a management consultant, a charity officer and an economist.

Michael is currently the Managing Director for Thomson Reuters’ Treasury business across Asia Pacific. He says: ‘Running a broad region as diverse as Asia Pacific requires me to think laterally across cultures coupled with a concise and engaging focus – traits that one hones quickly from the tutorial approach at Oxford.’