When heading to university, Grace was expecting to study economics and progress to a career in a sector like investment banking.

However, she discovered BSc (Hons) International Development with Economics at Bath, which gave her a platform to combine the subject she’d loved with social sciences.

This has led her to a career working with The Good Economy, an independent impact advisory firm.

We spoke to Grace to find out about her journey.

A course that combined by interests

When I was originally applying to university, I thought I’d end up doing straight economics. In fact, every other course I applied for was pure economics, except the one at Bath where I discovered BSc (Hons) International Development with Economics.

At school, my favourite subjects were geography and economics; this degree felt like the perfect combination of the two. Pairing the social and human side of geography with the data aspects of economics gave me a way to look at the world through both lenses.

I’ve always loved economics, but sometimes it felt too focused on graphs and theories from the past. What excited me about this course was the real-world application: learning about how economics and geography intersect in ways that matter today, beyond textbooks.

Discovering the power of a placement

Initially, I hadn’t planned on doing a professional placement, but after hearing the talks about them in my first year, I realised how valuable it could be for employment. Everyone around me seemed to be exploring placements, so I switched to that version of the course. That decision turned out to be one of the best I made.

At first, I thought I’d follow the typical economics path into investment banking. I even did a day at JP Morgan and came away knowing it wasn’t for me.

What I did take from that experience was an interest in how private capital could be used for social good. That idea of impact investing, and combining profit motives with positive social outcomes, really appealed to me. I saw a placement opportunity at The Good Economy, an independent impact advisory firm, whose focus is on building an economy that serves people and the planet.

During my placement, I worked across three departments. Some projects were UK-focused, like housing, where my skills in report writing and data analysis were useful even if the subject matter wasn’t directly tied to international development. But I also got to work on consultancy projects in emerging markets, including one with Founders Factory Africa, a venture capital firm. I researched how SMEs in Africa contribute to jobs and reducing inequality, the kind of work my degree had prepared me for.

Beyond the technical knowledge, the soft skills mattered most: report writing, data analysis, and the confidence to communicate clearly. It was rewarding when my placement overlapped with my studies, like in a policy evaluation module where the lecturer mentioned The Good Economy as a case study. That connection between classroom learning and real-world practice was exciting.

From placement to career

My dissertation explored BP’s response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, looking at how they repaired their corporate image and whether that constituted greenwashing. That topic was directly influenced by my placement, where we had to be careful not to support greenwashing in consultancy reports.

After graduating in July 2025, I started full-time at The Good Economy. I’ve already moved from being a research and project management assistant to an impact analyst, taking on more responsibility and seeing clear progression.

If you’re interested in the social side of economics (ESG, sustainability, or impact) International Development with Economics gives you something distinctive. It’s less pure maths, more flexible, and it stands out on your CV. Recruiters notice it, and it opens up conversations about why you chose a different path.

Community and belonging at Bath

For me, Bath was about diversity and community. I don’t think there’s anywhere better to be a student. I always felt looked after; if something went wrong, someone nearby would know who I was and make sure I got home safely. That sense of community was special.

Bath city itself is beautiful, and I loved how it was small enough to feel familiar but still had plenty going on. I joined the tennis society as a casual player, went to events, and made friends for life. That combination of academics and social life was ideal.

Most of my free time was spent enjoying the city, which involved brunches, cocktails, and exploring. Café au Lait was my favourite brunch spot, and I loved the buzz of the management building on campus for studying. When I wanted quiet focus, I’d book a room in the Virgil building in town. That balance between work and leisure made Bath feel like home.

Choice and flexibility

One thing I learned is that module choices matter more than you think. In my second year, I picked a module because it seemed like a lighter load, but that decision meant I couldn’t take the green economics module in my fourth year, which I would have loved.

Overall, the flexibility of the course was a real strength. I took politics and criminology modules alongside development and economics, and even a youth crime module that wasn’t directly related but was fascinating. That variety gave me a broad base of knowledge and lots of examples I could draw on in interviews.

Guest lecturers brought real-world perspectives into the classroom, too.

Confidence stepping into the next chapter

My placement taught me discipline and confidence. Some students came back and treated their final year like a nine-to-five job, but I found the freedom of time overwhelming at first. Eventually, I learned how to focus better by separating work and home, studying in the Virgil building rather than my room.

The broad range of modules and experiences gave me countless examples to use in interviews. Whether it was climate change, policy evaluation, or criminology, I could always draw on something relevant. That breadth is what makes International Development with Economics so versatile.

If you know you want to go into investment banking, a straight economics degree might give you the quantitative skills you need. If you’re not fixed on something yet, or if you’re interested in sustainability and social impact, SPS offers flexibility and variety. It helps you discover what you enjoy and gives you the tools to pursue it.