---
title: Economics
date: May 2025
---
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Written by      Ellie Trace             Class of 2025
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## Choosing Modules

Your success and grade outcome in Econ very much so does come down to
what modules you take. If I were to split them up into categories it’d
be Proof-y Modules, Model-y Modules and Literature-y Modules.
Proof-y Modules (like Econometrics and Advanced Econometrics) are
super maths heavy and require a very in depth understanding of a lot
of complicated mathematical concepts. All of your sub-honours modules
I would put into the Model-y Modules category. Essentially going over
diagrams, formulae and concepts designed by other economists and
using/explaining them in different situations. Literature-y modules
(Like Monetary & Financial History or Topics in Economic History) are
ones where you focus more on the history and write essays based off a
few concepts and a fair bit of independent research. You have to
figure out which parts of the subject you like best and succeed the
most in with the coursework. These also simultaneously probably line
up with what you enjoy studying the most. I always tended to go for
anything between the Literature-y and Model-y modules (European
Macroeconomics is a great example of this) because I really liked
doing more practical coursework rather than class tests but wanted to
do something slightly more engaging than essay writing. The finance
modules are definitely challenging but the lecturers are some of
the best in the department and the coursework is super fun and
real-life useful so if you’re willing to sit through a little bit
more maths than usual they’re a great option too!

# Coursework
Dear God, just go to the office hours. Invent questions if you must.
The difference it makes to your grades is monumental. Also modules are
way more fun and interesting if you know your lecturers a little
better. If lecturers recognise you and know you are committed and
trying they are way more likely to look at your coursework with a kind
eye or give you a nudge in the right direction for class tests.

Group Projects in Econ are always a pain, risking a random person in
your group can be massively stressful. Always make sure to go and
clarify in the office hours specifically what the lecturer is looking
for and that will help you focus your work much more and can help
solve any disputes.

## Exams

Econ can be weirdly protective of Past Papers so chatting through
them with the lecturer is always a great shout. Also asking them to
mark your answers to past papers is really important because all the
lecturers have different marking styles and priorities. If you've read
widely beyond the module try and bring in some other sources/context
too and that can really help sell that you know what you’re talking
about in the exam room. Most exam questions tend to be here’s this
model or concept that we talked about in class, explaining what it
means in this context we haven't talked about. These are really just
trying to see that you understand the model or concept more than just
surface level so make sure when you’re studying you’re not just
learning what is said in a lecturer but how it all works and what that
means.

## Enjoying it

Study the stuff you like, avoid the stuff you don't. And definitely
don't just pick modules because your friends are there. Look at the
lecturers and examination structure to make sure you're building your
degree in a way that works for you. The St Andrews Econ degree gives
you far more practical skills than many other Econ degree so make the
most of it, a lot of it is actually really useful when you go into
work! 

## Onwards

A lot of Econ students are very career focussed, I would seriously
consider keeping on top of applying for spring weeks start of year
two, internships year three and all that. The more experience you have
the better --- and sometimes you end up with an offer in second year
that you convert all the way to a grad job. Don't stress if people
around you do have offers and you don’t yet though, I think I applied
to 80 internships and only actually interviewed with 3 but the one I
got was a great fit in the end. Similarly, I know incredibly well
qualified people who didn't get any internships but who got great grad
jobs in the end. It’s always worth putting your hat in the ring as
many times as you can though.