Thankfully for economics students and undergraduates, there are so many online tools available to help improve your economics knowledge and grades.
Often, the key to improving your academic performance and bringing out your inner economist is to deepen your overall understanding of the subject matter. So when it comes to economics, it makes sense that a great place to start is to listen and read as much about the economy, international economics, and current economic theory as possible.
By reading and listening widely, you not only understand how economics shapes the world we live in today, but you’ll also arm yourself with an array of current, real-world examples of business and economic systems that you can slot into essay answers or coursework in your economics courses, whether that's an A-level class or an undergraduate course.
Additionally, any extra-curricular reading or study you do can be further complemented by taking on a private tutor, whether that’s in person or online, to help consolidate all your fundamental knowledge and get you exam ready.
With this in mind, we outline below some of the best blogs, podcasts, and publications online that you can use to learn even more about economics.
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Best Economics Blogs
The great thing about the internet is that there are so many sources of information. Even when it comes to economics blogs, you can be taught so much about the subject, whether you're a beginner, intermediate or advanced learner.
There’s no shortage of fantastic, entertaining and informative economics blogs out there. So whether you want to:
- read an online economics blog from a leading institution to supplement your study;
- find out more about economic issues such as microeconomic theory, statistics, supply, and demand, or monetary policy;
- complement any online tutoring you receive by reading up on current economic affairs; or
- find great examples of current economic issues and public policy to include in your next piece of homework
Reading an economics blog is a fantastic way to learn more about and examine these subjects.
It’s best to read as many blogs as you can, from as many different sources as possible. For example, you can get up to speed on the latest global economic, macroeconomic, and statistical issues and trends by reading the International Monetary Fund’s blog.
If you want to read up on U.K. economic issues or regulation then you would be well-served by reading the BBC’s economics blog, which is run by Kamal Ahmed.
In addition, economics blogs can also help improve your understanding of a particular economics niche or principle, such as econometrics, microeconomics, or macroeconomics.
For example, there are economics blogs out there that specialise in macroeconomics, such as KPMG UK’s economics blog.
Equally, if you’ve always wanted to learn more about Hayek’s theories then you could try Café Hayek, which puts forward arguments against Keynesian principles.
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Best Economics Podcasts
Although reading economics blogs can be one of the best strategies for an intermediate learner to delve deeper into the world of economics, there’s also a lot to be said for regularly listening to economics podcasts.
The great thing about podcasts is that you can listen to them whether you’re at home or travelling, as you can absorb the information within them whilst getting on with other activities.
As the popularity of podcasts has risen, so has the number of economics podcasts increased. This is great news for anyone wanting to learn more about current economic trends, from unemployment to fiscal policy, macro or micro trends, banking and accounting, and beyond.
For example, the podcasts on Freakonomics Radio have been running for almost a decade, so there’s plenty of material to catch up on if you’ve not listened to them before. They also feature special series, such as “The Secret Life of a C.E.O” which are always worth listening to, as you can hear from some of the leading thinkers of today.
Other notable podcasts include those from the Economist Radio and from BBC Radio 4.
The Economist Radio, for example, has new, daily podcasts that you can listen to, and you can also access the podcasts from a variety of sources, such as Google Play, Apple iTunes, and SoundCloud. With podcasts generally not lasting longer than 25 minutes, it’s very easy to fit a podcast or two into your daily schedule.
When it comes to BBC Radio 4’s podcast, More or Less: Behind The Stats, you can learn more about how statistics change how we perceive the world, which is perfect if you’re more interested in the mathematical side of economics.
The other great thing about podcasts is that you can often subscribe to get alerts when a new podcast is released, so it’s very easy to keep up to date with your favourite podcasts.
Best Economics Online Publications
If you’re not a fan of podcasts and prefer studying about the principles of economics or global economies by reading up on the current news events of the day, then reading articles from major online economics publications may be the best way for you to learn and develop your economic analysis and knowledge of economic concepts.
There are plenty of highly-respected, established online publications that have reputable economics sections to help you study. If you're looking for an introduction to economics, examples of publications include:
- The BBC
- The Guardian
- The Economist; and
What online publication you choose to read will largely depend on what your perspective and interests are and what areas of economics or economic problems you place emphasis on.
For example, the BBC and Guardian are great resources if you want to learn more about UK economic and business trends and find local news stories that you can include as examples in an upcoming essay or piece of coursework.
However, if you prefer a news story that focuses on global events, there are articles by publications such as Reuters and the Financial Times that report on events from abroad, including the Eurozone, Asia and beyond. Although they focus on global economic and econometric trends, they do also cover news stories related to UK economic activity regularly, so they can act as a one-stop-shop for your information needs if you wish.
Equally, if you need to know what’s happening in the American economy, then Forbes may be a great publication for you.
If you’re not sure what publications you’d find most interesting, it’s a good idea to start reading articles from two or three publications. That way, you’ll be able to form an idea of what style of articles and what economic concepts most appeal to you.
For example, you may think that your interests are in government regulation, but you actually find out that you most enjoy environmental economics or health economics. You will only know what sector most interests you once you've had a chance to read a number of different articles on a variety of economic principles.
The great thing about online publications is that by reading them, you understand what the fundamental economic issues are of the day, whether they relate to financial economics, behavioral economics, or the principles of macroeconomics.
Best Websites to Find an Economics Tutor
If you’re looking for an economics tutor, there are many online tutoring sites that you can use to find an experienced tutor to meet your educational needs and provide expert tuition.
Whether you look for a tutor on First Tutors, UK Tutors, or Superprof, these sites are a great resource to find an instructor, as they offer:
- Qualified tutors who studied economics at university, from masters graduates to tutors with a PhD;
- Tutors for a number of subjects, from art to mathematics and economics;
- Study tips to help you have more discipline, concentration, efficiency and analytical skills when it comes to revision; and
- Experienced tutors who know how to introduce their students to technical economic theories and economic principles, whilst getting the best out of them
With sites such as Superprof, finding a tutor is as easy as typing in the subject you’d like to find a tutor for, and entering your postcode. Superprof will then match you with tutors that are available locally to teach.
Even if you’re only looking for online tutoring, Superprof also provides a list of tutors that are happy to provide economics lessons remotely.
Online tutoring sites also ensure that you know as much about your prospective tutor as possible before you decide whether to hire them. For example, many sites will also provide a short bio about each tutor, which outlines:
- the tutors' academic background;
- whether they have an economics degree;
- which university they are alumni of; and
- their relevant tutoring experience
Overall, when you’re looking to find ways to learn economics online or want to find out more about the world economy, the global financial system, or business economics, there is a wide range of options available to you.
For those that like reading articles to complement their studies, the best way to learn more about economics online is to read popular economics blogs and online economics publications.
However, if you’d prefer to study on the go, then you’d probably benefit from listening to economics podcasts. Many podcasts, including those from the Financial Times and the Economist Radio, are generally quite short and sweet, which is perfect for those who don’t necessarily have hours each day to commit to additional study.
Of course, one fantastic way to complement any online economics study you do online is to hire online economics tutors. A tutor can discuss current economic and empirical issues with you, and discuss any topics you’ve read about online.
What's more, a tutor can help you prepare for an upcoming exam, essay, or piece of coursework, as a tutor acts as your own personal advisor. They can provide strategies on how to succeed in an examination or teach you about a key theoretical economic idea or economic principles in your curriculum.
Using a site such as Superprof, you can easily find an economics tutor that has the experience to bring the best out in your studies.