BESS
Studying Economics as part of BESS
Economics as part of BESS provides a broad-based education in the social sciences combined with the opportunity to specialise in a chosen subject. All students follow a "common" first year programme; in this way students are introduced to a wide range of subjects giving them the opportunity to explore new interests without committing to a particular subject at that early stage.
During the second year students may choose from a range of optional courses before deciding at the end of the year which degree course to follow in third and fourth year. The BESS programme is thus designed to give students extra time to make a well-informed decision about their future studies and career paths.
Economics Degree Options in BESS
At the beginning of third year students may choose to focus solely on Economics through the Single Honours programme. Alternatively, they may choose to pursue a Joint Honours option by combining Economics with either Business Studies, Political Science or Sociology. Economics subject requirements differ depending on whether a student decides to pursue a Single or Joint Honours Economics degree.
Single Honours Economics
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First Year (Junior Freshman):
Students pursue the common programme regardless of their final degree option. -
Second Year (Senior Freshman):
In second year students select six subjects from the range of courses offered by BESS. Single Honours students take Intermediate Economics, Economy of Ireland and Mathematical and Statistical Methods plus three optional courses. -
Third Year (Junior Sophister):
Students in third year take six courses. Those pursuing a Single Honours Economics degree take Economic Analysis and Econometrics and at least one other Economics course. -
Fourth Year (Senior Sophister):
In their final year, students take four courses. Economic Theory is a core requirement and students may choose three of the remaining courses offered.
Joint Honours Economics
In this option Economics is taken with either Business Studies, Political Science or Sociology. The core economics requirements for a Joint Honours degree are as follows:
- First Year (Junior Freshman):
Students pursue a common programme regardless of their final degree option. - Second Year (Senior Freshman):
In second year students select six subjects from the range of courses offered by BESS. Joint Honours Economics students must take Intermediate Economics, Economy of Ireland and Mathematical and Statistical Methods.
Please note that the Business School and Political Science Department also require students to take specific courses. Refer to the handbooks issued by these Departments for further information. - Third Year (Junior Sophister):
Students in third year are required to take six courses in total. Those pursuing a Joint Honours Economics degree must take three Economics courses, one of which must be chosen from a designated subset of the available courses. - Fourth Year (Senior Sophister):
In their final year, students take four courses. Students must take any two of the Economics courses offered. There are no compulsory fourth year Economics courses for the Joint Honours Economics degree option.
For more information, please visit the BESS Office website.