Your career

Graduates from the Department of Economics are some of the most sought after by the UK’s best employers.

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Our graduates are amongst the most sought after by some of the UK's top employers because of the wide range of skills they can bring to the workplace, particularly:

  • Analysis of economic, business and social issues.
  • Communication of economic ideas.
  • Ability to organise, interpret and present quantitative data.
  • Ability to simplify complex information, while still retaining relevance.

Examples of job roles our graduates go into:

Finance and insurance

Professional and commercial

Government and public sector

  • Economist, HM Treasury.

  • Assistant Economist, Office for Budget Responsibility.

  • Economist, Ofcom.

  • Graduate Researcher, YouGov.


Work placements (Degree with a placement year)

Most of our courses give you the opportunity to do a year-long paid work placement, which provides you with valuable work experience and enables you to apply your economics knowledge and skills in the workplace.

These optional placements are in your third year of study and you will return to Sheffield for your fourth year. Recent student placements have been with the Bank of England, IBM, Lloyds Bank and Volkswagen.

You’ll need to make applications for placements yourself, but guidance and support will be provided through the process.

Placements are excellent preparation for entering a competitive job market and ideal if you're looking to secure a job after your degree with a top employer.

What our students say about placements

 Ed Brophy profile photo

I have gained a huge number of business critical skills that I believe will stand me in good stead for future employment

Ed Brophy BSc Economics with Employment Experience

Ed is a final year BSc Economics with Employment Experience student. He recently completed his placement at Toyota GB.

Theo El-Maawiy profile

Having worked on economics in the real world has consolidated my economics knowledge

Theo El-Maawiy BA Economics with Employment Experience

Theo El-Maawiy is a final year BA Economics with Employment Experience student. He recently just completed his placement at HM Treasury.

Mariana profile

I now know what career path I might be following in the future

Mariana Lucia Montano Martinez BA Economics with Employment Experience

Mariana is a final year BA Economics with Employment Experience student. She recently just finished her placement at SMBC Japanese Bank in London.

Photo of economics students Arinola Lawal

My placement year helped to build my confidence

Arinola Lawal BA Economics with Employment Experience

Arinola did a placement year working as a Junior Commercial Manager at IBM in Manchester.

An economics student at graduation - image

My placement was a great chance to make myself stand out by learning some skills a lot of graduates wouldn't have

Joseph Hubbard BSc Economics with Employment Experience

Joseph did a placement year with the Department for Work and Pensions to gain work experience after graduation.

Undergraduate student who did work experience

My leadership skills were recognised during my placement year

Elizabeth Kohorn-Hill BSc (Hons) Economics with Employment Experience

During her placement year Elizabeth's work was widely recognised and valued by her colleagues at the Department for Work and Pensions, so much so she was offered a job after graduation.

Four students laughing while sat at a bench, outside the Students' Union

International Merit Scholarships

We offer a generous package of financial support for international students including 75 undergraduate scholarships worth £10,000 towards the annual tuition fee and 125 postgraduate taught scholarships worth £5,000 towards the tuition fee. Applications are now open for existing offer holders.