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Studying Economics at Trinity College Dublin

Economics in Trinity College Dublin offers a number of degree possibilities. It can be taken with one of a variety of other subjects or it can be taken on its own. The subject range can accommodate the mathematically-inclined student, students interested in finance or accountancy, students wishing to pursue a career in business or those with an interest in policy studies or in European issues. It is important to stress that students do not need to have taken Economics at second level to pursue a degree in Economics at Trinity College. Analysis of examination results at the end of first year indicates that the results obtained by students who had never studied the subject before are on par with those who have.

Economics in BESS (TR081)

Economics is of one of four departments contributing to the BESS course, the others being the School of Business Studies, the Department of Political Science and the Department of Sociology. Students who choose to study Economics through  BESS can opt to pursue a single honors degree (called a moderatorship at Trinity) in Economics or a joint honors degree with either Business Studies or Political Science. (Those who would like to combine Economics with Sociology can do so by choosing the TSM (TR001) option). There are over 200 students admitted each year to the BESS degree programme.

The great strength of studying Economics in the BESS Faculty at Trinity is its flexibility. All students who enter BESS through TR081 have a common first year which provides a broadly-based introduction to business and the social sciences. This allows students to gain an understanding of each of the main disciplines taught in the Faculty so that they can make a more informed choice about their options in later years. With effect from 2011/2012 students study the following six subjects:

• Economics
• Mathematics and Statistics
• Sociology
• Organisation and Management
• Political Science
• And either Introduction to Law or
• A Language

In the second year, students begin to specialise more narrowly in Economics and perhaps one of the other disciplines. At the end of the second year, students must then decide whether they wish to pursue a single honors degree or a joint honors degree for their final two years. Those who study Economics as a single honors degree will take only Economics courses in their final years, while those who choose to study Economics together with either Business Studies or Political Science will take half of their courses from both disciplines in each of the final two years. Regardless of which route you take, all students are awarded a B.A. (Hons) on successful completion of the four-year programme.

Economics in the Two-Subject Moderatorship degree programme (TSM, TR001)

TSM Handbook 2011/2012

This option allows students to combine Economics with one of: Geography, German, History, Mathematics, Philosophy, Psychology, Russian, Sociology or Spanish. There are 48 places open to Economics entrants each year in this option.  TSM students attend the same lectures and tutorials as BESS students.

The attraction of the TSM programme is that it introduces students to two disciplines during their undergraduate studies. The particular combinations have been chosen because they match well together. Economics and Mathematics, for example, will appeal to students with a high mathematical ability who are interested in a career in finance or actuarial studies. Economics and Geography is an excellent choice for those interested in urban and regional planning.

At Trinity, TSM subjects are combined in one of two patterns, Pattern A and Pattern B. In Pattern A, both subjects are studied equally throughout a student's four years in College. In Pattern B, a student has the choice to specialise in either of the two subjects in their final year.

Language Skills

Studying Economics at Trinity has an increasingly European dimension. One obvious way of studying Economics with a European language at Trinity is through the TSM Economics and Germanic Studies, Spanish or Russian combinations.
However, the possibilities of studying Economics with a language are much wider than this. For example, students studying Economics through BESS choices may, in their first and second years, take courses in either French or German, intended in part to enable them to study at a university abroad during their third year. These courses are designed to develop language skills, oral and written, with special emphasis on aspects of the language of particular relevance to Business Studies, Economics and the other social sciences.

Economics student societies

There is a lively student life at Trinity which includes a number of student societies specifically devoted to economics and business interests. The Dublin University Business and Economics Society (DUBES) organises lectures and seminars throughout the year and is also well known for organising the annual Economics Colors Debate against UCD Economics students.  The Student Economic Review Committee organises the publication of the annual Student Economic Review which publishes essays written by Economics students in the Department.

To view the SER website please go to: http://www.tcd.ie/Economics/SER/event.php?type=&key=5

After College

An Economics training opens up many career opportunities. An Economics graduate is attractive to any employer looking for a combination of numeracy and high analytical skills. Economics graduates in the past have gone into banking, stockbroking, accountancy, investment analysis and the financial sector generally, accountancy and planning. Others have taken up policy advice roles in the public service, in semi-state bodies, in the European institutions and with industry associations and economic and management consultancies. Other economics graduates are prominent in journalism, in business and publishing. A small number take up academic careers and teaching.

In choosing to study at Trinity students enjoy the magnificent campus site situated in the heart of Dublin city. The College currently has around 15,000 students, of whom 20% are postgraduates. The Economics Department is situated in the Arts and Social Sciences Building where most lectures and classes are also held. One of Trinity's main assets is its Library. With a bookstock now approaching 3 million volumes, it is one of the largest in Europe. Undergraduate students also have access to modern computer facilities, good sporting opportunities and there is a wide and diverse range of student societies and activities from which to choose.

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