Economy and Society
School of Creative Management
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Programmes
BA (Hons) Economics
Learning
Our teaching provides rigorous, relevant training in economic theory, economic history, modelling, coding, statistics, and econometrics with real-world applications. Our teaching approach focuses on both student engagement and the development of critical thinking to address today’s global challenges in a changing economy and society.
This unique blend enables future economists to use the most appropriate data and methods to tackle important social and business problems. Programmes are delivered through scheduled learning in lectures, supervisions, seminars, labs, and workshops by world-class academics and top researchers across different fields, who regularly publish in leading journals, author books and advise on policy matters.
Our programmes adopt an interdisciplinary approach to teaching. Modules are designed to deliver core concepts in economic theory and rigorous quantitative methods, with a focus on applying them to a broad range of areas, including economic policy, industrial dynamics, finance and banking, development, law, data science and international trade.
You’ll be assessed by a variety of methods, including coursework, examinations, group work, presentations and projects and study in small groups. You will also be assigned a personal tutor throughout your degree.
You’ll have access to facilities that foster innovative teaching, including data analysis labs, lecture halls, and collaborative project spaces.
You'll benefit from access to quantitative software packages, online reference resources, and dedicated support for developing digital skills, computational thinking and data-driven methods in economic analysis. Campus-wide services, including the Library and Careers Service offer resources for learning and communication.
One of the most important libraries in the history of economics and business in the world, the Goldsmiths’ Library of Economic Literature (housed at the Senate House Library), is accessible to our students.
We organise workshops that include keynote speakers, book launch events and seminars related to current challenges affecting the economy and society such as climate change, inequality, financial behaviour, creativity across human and machines, structural change. Invited speakers include scholars from both national and international institutions, with representation from the Global South. Well-known international academics invited as keynote speakers in the past include Anwar Shaikh, Geoff Harcourt, Nancy Cartwright, Roberto Scazzieri, Philippe van Parijs, Zhifu Mi, among others.
Pluralism in our programmes is bolstered through the public-facing events such as roundtables and panels involving scholars from across fields and perspectives. Economics lecturers have developed an extensive, publicly available resource based on interview projects featuring celebrated economists and social scientists such as Ha-Joon Chang, Sheila Dow, Anwar Shaik, Jayati Ghosh, Geoff Harcourt, Tony Lawson, K. Vela Velupillai, Charles Goodhart and Julie Nelson.
Innovative student-facing events – such as topic-specific film screenings with discussions (e.g. on the 2007-08 global financial crisis), walking tours in London exploring the history of key figures in political economy, and guest lectures by industry speakers – are integrated into the teaching of several modules across our programmes.
Career development and employability are embedded throughout our programmes, equipping students with the skills, experience, and confidence to thrive in a competitive job market. Lecturers and tutors support you in identifying career goals, accessing opportunities, and present yourself effectively.
You’ll develop key professional and analytical skills through modules that combine rigorous economic theory with practical applications, including writing, presenting, and data analysis.
You’ll learn to:
- Communicate economic ideas to non-specialists in business and government
- Work effectively in teams, manage time, think critically, and conduct independent research
- Understand both the power and limits of economic models in real-world contexts
- Develop your personal view of how the economy works to tackle global challenges
Optional modules on employability and career strategy, along with practical workshops and one-to-one support—including CV clinics, transferable skills training, and time management—enhance your learning experience and help prepare you for future career success.
You will benefit from studying in London – the financial hub of the UK. In this vibrant global city, you will have access to the top business leaders, economists, and policy practitioners, and access to a wide range of jobs in consultancy, finance, data analysis, and government.
Our graduates go on to have successful careers in finance, investment banking, the civil service, consulting, academia, creative industries, marketing, and start-ups—both in the UK and internationally.
At Goldsmiths, you’ll immerse yourself in a subject you love within a welcoming and creative campus community.
Based in South East London, our vibrant setting connects you directly to the capital’s business, technology, and cultural networks. Your learning goes far beyond the classroom through partnerships, guest lectures, and real-world industry experience.
You’ll be supported by inspiring academics, dedicated staff, and fellow students who are passionate about making a difference. And because we’re in London – ranked the world’s number one student city (QS Best Student Cities 2025) – you’ll benefit from our close links with some of the capital’s leading creative and cultural organisations.
Discover the campus for yourself with our Virtual Tour.
Teaching
Our teaching provides rigorous, relevant training in economic theory, economic history, modelling, coding, statistics, and econometrics with real-world applications. Our teaching approach focuses on both student engagement and the development of critical thinking to address today’s global challenges in a changing economy and society.
This unique blend enables future economists to use the most appropriate data and methods to tackle important social and business problems. Programmes are delivered through scheduled learning in lectures, supervisions, seminars, labs, and workshops by world-class academics and top researchers across different fields, who regularly publish in leading journals, author books and advise on policy matters.
Our programmes adopt an interdisciplinary approach to teaching. Modules are designed to deliver core concepts in economic theory and rigorous quantitative methods, with a focus on applying them to a broad range of areas, including economic policy, industrial dynamics, finance and banking, development, law, data science and international trade.
You’ll be assessed by a variety of methods, including coursework, examinations, group work, presentations and projects and study in small groups. You will also be assigned a personal tutor throughout your degree.
Facilities
You’ll have access to facilities that foster innovative teaching, including data analysis labs, lecture halls, and collaborative project spaces.
You'll benefit from access to quantitative software packages, online reference resources, and dedicated support for developing digital skills, computational thinking and data-driven methods in economic analysis. Campus-wide services, including the Library and Careers Service offer resources for learning and communication.
One of the most important libraries in the history of economics and business in the world, the Goldsmiths’ Library of Economic Literature (housed at the Senate House Library), is accessible to our students.
Events and guest speakers
We organise workshops that include keynote speakers, book launch events and seminars related to current challenges affecting the economy and society such as climate change, inequality, financial behaviour, creativity across human and machines, structural change. Invited speakers include scholars from both national and international institutions, with representation from the Global South. Well-known international academics invited as keynote speakers in the past include Anwar Shaikh, Geoff Harcourt, Nancy Cartwright, Roberto Scazzieri, Philippe van Parijs, Zhifu Mi, among others.
Pluralism in our programmes is bolstered through the public-facing events such as roundtables and panels involving scholars from across fields and perspectives. Economics lecturers have developed an extensive, publicly available resource based on interview projects featuring celebrated economists and social scientists such as Ha-Joon Chang, Sheila Dow, Anwar Shaik, Jayati Ghosh, Geoff Harcourt, Tony Lawson, K. Vela Velupillai, Charles Goodhart and Julie Nelson.
Innovative student-facing events – such as topic-specific film screenings with discussions (e.g. on the 2007-08 global financial crisis), walking tours in London exploring the history of key figures in political economy, and guest lectures by industry speakers – are integrated into the teaching of several modules across our programmes.
Career development
Career development and employability are embedded throughout our programmes, equipping students with the skills, experience, and confidence to thrive in a competitive job market. Lecturers and tutors support you in identifying career goals, accessing opportunities, and present yourself effectively.
You’ll develop key professional and analytical skills through modules that combine rigorous economic theory with practical applications, including writing, presenting, and data analysis.
You’ll learn to:
- Communicate economic ideas to non-specialists in business and government
- Work effectively in teams, manage time, think critically, and conduct independent research
- Understand both the power and limits of economic models in real-world contexts
- Develop your personal view of how the economy works to tackle global challenges
Optional modules on employability and career strategy, along with practical workshops and one-to-one support—including CV clinics, transferable skills training, and time management—enhance your learning experience and help prepare you for future career success.
You will benefit from studying in London – the financial hub of the UK. In this vibrant global city, you will have access to the top business leaders, economists, and policy practitioners, and access to a wide range of jobs in consultancy, finance, data analysis, and government.
Our graduates go on to have successful careers in finance, investment banking, the civil service, consulting, academia, creative industries, marketing, and start-ups—both in the UK and internationally.
Study with us
At Goldsmiths, you’ll immerse yourself in a subject you love within a welcoming and creative campus community.
Based in South East London, our vibrant setting connects you directly to the capital’s business, technology, and cultural networks. Your learning goes far beyond the classroom through partnerships, guest lectures, and real-world industry experience.
You’ll be supported by inspiring academics, dedicated staff, and fellow students who are passionate about making a difference. And because we’re in London – ranked the world’s number one student city (QS Best Student Cities 2025) – you’ll benefit from our close links with some of the capital’s leading creative and cultural organisations.
Discover the campus for yourself with our Virtual Tour.
Research
Research in Economy and Society adopts a plurality of economic theories and approaches to address important contemporary issues. It builds on a critical and reflective examination of theories and historical contexts, their influence on economic theory and the shaping of economic systems. Our interdisciplinary work employs a diverse range of quantitative and qualitative methods, and combines analytical rigour with historical awareness.
Our staff study the economy and society using a wide range of economic theories: Structuralist, Post-Keynesian, Ecological, Institutionalist, Behavioural and Marxist, to name a few. Our research addresses fundamental challenges faced by both individuals and societies, including issues related to global value chains, trade, migration, inequalities, financialisation, income distribution, climate change, energy transition, the role of technology and algorithms in society.
Researchers within the subject Economy and Society regularly publish in top-tier international journals, author books on contemporary global challenges, and serve on editorial boards of renowned academic journals. We collectively foster a culture of interdisciplinarity and collaboration, a strong research community and have solid networks with leading research institutions at both national and international levels.
We welcome applicants for MPhil/PhD in Economics interested in working on frontier topics with a distinctive, pluralist and interdisciplinary approach that embraces boundary-breaking and imaginative research related to all aspects of the economy and society.
Meet the academics, technical tutors and researchers in the School of Creative Management