Summer reading list
Typically, students who ask us for preparatory reading have a number of different needs in mind, so we group our recommendations under headings that correspond to the most frequently asked questions:
We do not require you to do all these readings; rather, we expect you to use your judgement and choose readings matching your individual needs and interests. You can also view some reading suggestions on what Economics is really like hereLink opens in a new window.
If you want to know more about what economics as a discipline is about and where it can lead, there are some easily accessible sources that can be read with equal interest and pleasure by economics graduates or people with no economics knowledge at all. The books listed below are by no means compulsory reading and you are not required to purchase them. However, if you have the time, we hope you enjoy our recommendations. We also recommend reading The Economist magazineLink opens in a new window regularly.
- Duflo, E. and A. Banerjee, (2011) Poor Economics. Public Affairs.
- Harford, T., (2005) The Undercover Economist. Oxford University Press.
- Levitt, S. and S. Dubner, (2009) Superfreakonomics. Harper Collins.
- Mlodinow, L., (2008) The Drunkard’s Walk: How Randomness Rules Our Lives. Pantheon.
- Angrist, J. and J. Pischke, (2014) Mastering ‘Metrics: The Path from Cause to Effect. Princeton University Press.
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If you want to know more about what economics will be like to study in your first year at Warwick then you probably want to have a look at some textbooks. You are not required to purchase these books, you could borrow them from a library or browse them in a bookshop. For students starting Economics:
- Mankiw, N.G., (2022). Macroeconomics, Worth Publishers.
- Frank, R. and E. Cartwright, (2020) Microeconomics and Behaviour (3rd edition), McGraw-Hill.
For students starting LM1D Economics, Politics, & International Studies and LV00 Philosophy, Politics and Economics: (Students on EPAIS and PPE degrees should also consult the equivalent information in the Politics and Philosophy Departments):
- Mankiw, N.G. and M.P. Taylor, (2023) Economics (6th edition), Cengage.
- Besanko, B. and R. Braeutigam, (2014) Microeconomics (5th edition), Wiley.
- Blanchard, O., A. Amighini and F. Giavazzi, (2020). Macroeconomics, European Perspective (4th edition), Pearson.
If you have not passed A-level Mathematics (or equivalent, e.g. IB) you will be taking the modules EC139 Mathematical Techniques A and EC122 Statistical Techniques A in your first year as part of a degree course other than single honours Economics. These modules will cover all the maths and stats you need for your degree but assume that you are able to comfortably apply and quickly build upon GCSE-level maths knowledge. Hence, we encourage you to start your revision now. To help with the revision we are providing the Refresher Maths for Economics online course and advise you to complete Section 1 (Precalculus) and Section 6.1 (Data appreciation) during the summer. (Note that Sections 2 - 5 assume A-level Mathematics and are not required if you have not done A-level in maths.) If you prefer to complement your revision with a textbook, we recommend Part 1 (chapters 1 to 5) of Renshaw, Geoff. 2016. Maths for Economics, Oxford University Press (4th edition) which covers the required topics and will be the main textbook for EC139. You should aim to be familiar with the following topics before you arrive:
- Rules for manipulating algebraic expressions: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division including algebraic fractions and powers.
- Expansion of binomial expressions.
- Linear equations in one variable.
- Simultaneous linear equations in two variables.
- Logarithms.
- Graphs of linear equations.
- Graphical solutions of linear equations.
- Descriptive statistics: mean, standard deviation, histograms, plotting data.
Studying at university is necessarily a challenging experience, but there are now many useful books which can help you to improve your study skills, for example:
- Cottrell, Stella., (2019) The Study Skills Handbook (5th edition), Palgrave Macmillan (Print Book).
- Burns, Tom and S Sinfield.,(2022) Essential Study Skills: The Complete Guide to Success at University (5th edition), SAGE Publications Ltd. (Print Book)
- Reid, G and J Guise., (2021) Effective Study and Learning, Luminate.
- Goodwin, J., (2017) Studying with Dyslexia:4 (Pocket Study Skills), Red Globe Press
- Gurung, R.A.R and J. Dunlosky.,(2023) Study like a Champ, American Psychological Association
Additional help and advice can be found via the Library.