Choosing the right undergraduate program can be pivotal in one’s educational journey. Among various options, a Bachelor of Economics (BA Economics) stands out for its blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application in understanding the complexities of economies.
Economics is a social science that studies how individuals, organisations, and nations utilise limited resources to fulfil unlimited wants. In today’s interconnected world, understanding economics has become crucial.
A BA in Economics equips students with analytical skills to comprehend and address real-world problems and opportunities. However, is choosing bachelor of economics degree an ideal choice for your aspirations and career goals?
Let’s understand this program in detail. This blog explores what a BA Economics degree entails, its benefits, career prospects, and important considerations for students.
All You Need To Know About BA Economics
BA Economics is a 3-year degree providing insights into economic theory, policy conceptualisation, data-driven analysis, and real-world application.
What Do You Study In BA Economics?
The core curriculum spans
- Microeconomics
- Macroeconomics
- Econometrics
- Mathematical Economics
- Public Economics
- Money & Banking
- International Trade
- Development Studies
- Environmental Economics
- Behavioural Economics
- Financial Economics, and more
Admission Norms
Eligibility criteria require senior secondary level education with minimum aggregate marks between 45-60% from a recognised national or state education board.
Having studied core subjects like English, Mathematics, Economics, Statistics, and Accountancy in grades 11-12 is preferred by most colleges.
Many institutions also conduct their own entrance tests to evaluate applicants’ conceptual aptitude, quantitative skills, communication abilities, and general economics and business awareness before admission.
Choosing Bachelor of Economics Degree
Economics is the study of how societies use scarce resources to produce, distribute and consume valuable commodities among individuals and groups.
An in-depth understanding of economic theories, policies, systems, and behaviours allows one to critically evaluate problems, analyse trade-offs, weigh alternatives, make rational choices and frame optimal solutions, i.e. invaluable skills required in business, government and personal life.
Here are 7 vital benefits of studying BA Economics.
- Develop intellectual versatility with exposure to history, politics, psychology, philosophy, and mathematics.
- Apply economic frameworks to real-world issues like poverty, environment, trade, taxes, budgets, etc.
- Build technical skills in research, statistical analysis, critical thinking, and data interpretation.
- Understand political, social, and cultural contexts influencing economic policies.
- Explore career opportunities in corporate management, public policy, international development, analytics, journalism, academia, etc.
- Cultivate transferable abilities in logical reasoning, problem diagnosis, report writing, presentations, etc.
- Gain knowledge to make sound personal financial decisions and grow wealth.
Economics, In Conjunction With Another Focus
Pairing economics with another discipline can enhance your skill set and employment opportunities. Popular combinations for master’s degree after a bachelors in Economics include
- Business Administration/Finance/Accounting
- Mathematics/Statistics
- Public Policy/Political Science
- Law
- International Relations
- Environment/Ecology
- Journalism/Media Studies
- Engineering/Technology
Dual specialisation equips graduates with technical expertise in another field where economic analysis can be applied. This expands career opportunities.
Career Prospects & Salary Insights
Are you wondering what jobs you can get after graduating with a BA in Economics? Well, there are several options.
These diverse jobs span across industries like
- Corporate Banking
- Financial Advisory
- Statistics
- Management Consulting
- Accountancy
- Public Policy
- Administration
- Media
- Socioeconomic Research
- Teaching
We have listed a few job roles with approximate salaries at the entry level below. Here you go!
(*pm- per month)
| Job roles | Description | Salary Insights |
| Financial Analyst | Analyse financial data to make investment recommendations and help firms/individuals make informed financial decisions. | INR 18,000 to INR 30,000 pm |
| Economic Consultant | Advise government, businesses, and non-profits on economic policy issues, perform impact analyses and provide data-driven recommendations. | INR 25,000 to INR 35,000 pm |
| Market Research Analyst | Collect and analyse data to understand consumer behaviour, market trends, and demand patterns to help organisations make strategic business decisions. | INR 20,000 to INR 30,000 pm |
| Policy Analyst | Research policy issues, evaluate policies’ impact and provide data-backed analysis to public and private institutions to help shape policies. | INR 25,000 to INR 45,000 pm |
| Business/ Data Analyst | Analyse operational/financial data, spot trends, help organisations make data-driven decisions to improve processes and strategy, and reduce costs using analytics. | INR 20,000 to INR 35,000 pm |
| Investment Banker | Advise corporations/ governments on mergers/ acquisitions, underwrite securities offerings, facilitate capital raising and provide strategic advice to clients. | INR 1 L to INR 1.5 L pm |
| Operations Analyst | Analyse workflows, processes, and resource allocation, conduct studies to identify areas of inefficiency and help streamline operations for increased productivity. | INR 30,000 to INR 75,000 pm |
| Business Reporter | Report on company earnings, deals, and financial/ economic news, gather expert commentary and insights to inform readers on business/market developments. | INR 20,000 to INR 40,000 pm |
| Public Sector Manager | Plan, direct, coordinate work in government departments/public agencies, devise strategies, oversee projects and personnel to achieve organisational goals. | INR 20,000 to INR 35,000 pm |
| Professor/Teacher | Educate students in economics, conduct research, publish papers, help develop new insights and inform others through classroom/online teaching. | INR 35,000 to INR 55,000 pm |
Those recruited into prestigious employers and leadership roles can expect higher salary growth over time with career progression. Overall, economics graduates see a significant upside in their peak earning potential.
Advantages Of Pursuing A BA Economics Degree
In addition to diverse career development paths across public, private and social sectors, along with good entry-level earning potential plus upside, an Economics Bachelor’s degree has other tangible and intangible advantages.
Valuable skills learned
- Quantitative data analysis
- Technological proficiency
- Critical thinking ability
- Research competency
- Communication strengths
- Decision optimisation skills
- Problem-solving orientation
- Understanding complex systems
- Data-driven decision making
- Policy evaluation capabilities
- Financial modelling proficiency
- Presentation and report writing skills
This diverse skill set, along with an interdisciplinary perspective, is highly valued by employers, making economics graduates very sought after.
Versatility & Flexibility
Multi-faceted economics training allows changing domains/specialisations, from data analytics, research, journalism, etc., during early career. During mid-career to leadership stints in public policy, banking, consulting, academia, etc.
Graduates can switch between corporate jobs to public service, analytics, political research, writing, entrepreneurship and more over their career lifespan. This flexibility allows economics degree holders to have very dynamic yet stable career trajectories.
Strong Academic Foundation
A bachelor’s degree in economics equips students with core conceptual and analytical understanding that serves as a robust launch pad for specialised master’s and doctoral programs in diverse domains like
- MBA/Finance
- Public Policy
- International Economics
- Data Science/Analytics
- Development Studies etc.
Further specialisation opens doors for leadership roles in think tanks, regulatory agencies, global institutions, universities, evidence-based journalism, policy critique, and research writing.
Factors To Consider Before Choosing BA Economics
Before taking up BA Economics, consider the following pointers
- Interest in Economic Theories- Ensure a genuine interest in understanding economic concepts.
- Math intensity- Requires proficiency in statistics, calculus, algebra
- Learning pace- Concepts build on each other cumulatively week-on-week
- Reading load- Extensive reading assignments from textbooks and academic journals
- Lone focus- Pure economics content without overlapping other subjects till specialisation
- Abstract nature- Theoretical base without much practical exposure initially
- Further studies- Might need a post-graduate degree for job growth beyond entry-level
- Financial Investment- Consider the cost of education versus the potential return on investment
Is Economics Degree Worth Your Time And Cost?
In conclusion, yes, choosing bachelor of economics degree is worth investing 3 years towards for the right candidates. The analytical and critical thinking skills developed are valued in organisations across sectors.
It equips students to diagnose problems, leverage data, communicate insights, and influence decisions purposefully. However, the course is intensive, and career trajectories are rarely linear. One must supplement degree foundations with work experience, self-learning, and networking.
With passion and diligence, though, economics graduates can build expertise in a domain of interest, be it corporate banking, public policy, or journalism, or progress through multiple fields seamlessly.
Choose Takshashila University For Your College Studies!
Takshashila University is a top choice for pursuing a BA in Economics degree. With a focus on imparting a strong foundation in economic theories along with practical skills, the university equips students with a versatile skill set sought by employers.
Students gain hands-on experience through research projects, business simulations and internship opportunities. World-class infrastructure, along with a vibrant campus life, makes learning an enjoyable experience.
Takshashila also offers opportunities for specialisation in fields like finance, public policy and data analytics to boost career prospects. Join today and shape your career with the best! Enquire for the Admission process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is BA Economics a good choice?
BA Economics is a good choice as it provides a solid foundation in both economics and business concepts. The degree exposes students to macroeconomics, microeconomics, and quantitative skills useful for many careers.
2. Which is better, CA or BA Economics?
Both CA and BA Economics are good options, though CA is more specialised in accounting and finance. BA Economics offers a broader overview of both economics and business administration.
3. Is Economics better than BCom?
Both Economics and BCom degrees are good options for students interested in business or economics. Economics may provide a slightly more in-depth understanding of economic theories compared to BCom.
4. Is BA Economics very tough?
BA Economics involves studying complex economic theories and models, so it requires dedication. However, it’s not an excessively difficult degree if students are engaged in classes and devote sufficient time to studies.
5. What are the higher studies options after BA Economics?
After a BA in Economics, popular higher studies options include Master’s programs in Economics, Business Administration, Finance and related fields. Students can also pursue professional degrees like CA, CS, and law to apply their knowledge of economics to different careers.
