Workload

Workload details across the four years of the economics degree

During your first and second year, you will have between six and nine lectures and three tutorials every week.

In your final two years, you will have several weekly teaching sessions, although they depend upon the options you choose.

We value independent study very highly at Edinburgh, so we expect you to spend considerable time outside of your lectures and tutorials completing secondary reading and research.

On Wednesday afternoons, you will usually not have any teaching sessions as this allows extracurricular activities to take place.

Below is a sample timetable, showing you what a week in your first year of study could look like:

Assessment

Your work will be assessed through essays, projects and class examinations depending upon which courses you choose. You will often work in small groups to complete projects and to prepare presentations. Exams usually take place around January and May. 

Study Support

We understand that finding the right place to go for help can be difficult, especially as you are going through a transition from school to university-level studying. You will have an assigned Student Adviser who will be your first point of contact. They can direct you to resources and workshops that meet your needs, or offer coaching sessions to help keep on top of your studies. If you need any learning adjustments, your Student Adviser can guide you through the process of getting those in place. 

Economics also has its own peer learning group, EconPALS, where senior students organise reading sessions and workshops to help you understand the material covered in the Economics 1 course.

Find out more about support the School can offer by going to the 'Support Services' section on the left-hand side.

I've immensely enjoyed studying Economics at the University of Edinburgh. It's such an inspirational environment that encourages academic excellence, cooperation, feedback and support throughout. My studies have also provided me with both the technical and soft skills necessary to secure a summer internship and a graduate job.