BSc Economics and Politics with Study Abroad (LL14)

2027 entry | view 2026 entry

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Economics and Politics with Study Abroad (LL14)

How to apply
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Course summary

Develop a deep understanding of economic and political systems by studying complementary social sciences on this joint honours degree. You will experience stimulating intellectual challenges from two Schools with strong reputations for teaching and research (THE analysis of REF2021).

You will build core economic knowledge in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics the statistical methods used to estimate economic models and analyse data. In Politics, teaching is organised around three themes: political theory, comparative and national politics, and international relations. You will study the politics of individual countries and governments, as well as relationships between nations, communities and individuals.

A wide range of optional units in both subjects allows you to tailor the degree to your interests and career goals. You may explore topics such as global justice, behavioural economics, political thought, industrial economics, gender politics, international trade and many others.

During the year studying abroad, you'll also explore economics and politics in a non-UK context, learning in English but at an international university in one of numerous global destinations. Visit Centre For Study Abroad to find out more.

Students who wish to specialise further in politics may complete an optional dissertation in their final year, applying their research skills to a topic of their choice.

By graduation, you will be well prepared for a successful career. On average, Bristol economics graduates earn 10% more than other UK economics graduates 15 months after finishing their degree, with typical salaries between 31,000 and 44,000 that year (discoveruni.gov.uk, graduates from 2022-23).

Recent BSc Economics and Politics graduates have gone on to roles such as Investment Analyst, Journalist, Policy Advisor, Funding Manager, Data Analyst, Associate Consultant and Researcher. They work in organisations including the Civil Service, Bloomberg, Barclays, the Financial Conduct Authority, JPMorgan Chase and Bank Negara Malaysia.

Course structure

Economics follows a sequence of core units in the first and second years, covering microeconomics, macroeconomics, mathematics and statistics. These foundations prepare you to specialise in areas that interest you through a wide selection of optional modules in your third year. Previous options have included development economics, behavioural economics, history of economic thought, international trade, environmental economics and health economics.

In Politics, first-year mandatory units introduce political concepts and ways of thinking politically. You will also choose between introductory modules in international relations or comparative government and politics. In your second and final years, you will select from a diverse range of optional units, including political economy, UK politics, US politics, gender, security and conflict, global justice, political theory, NGO development and more.

Your third year will be spent at a leading international institution abroad, where you'll learn in English but broaden your horizons through the immersive experience of studying economics and politics in another country. Discover more on our Centre For Study Abroad pages.

Research skills are embedded throughout the programme, and students may choose to complete a Politics dissertation in the final year.

Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.

Go to programme catalogue

Entry requirements

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.

AAA including Mathematics and an essay-based subject. Essay-based subjects include: Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art and Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.
ABB. Essay-based subjects include: Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art and Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.

Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer
DDD in any essay-based Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma and A in Mathematics at A-level (or equivalent)

Find out more about BTEC entry requirements
36 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in an essay-based subject, and Mathematics with either 6 at Higher Level (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations) or 7 at Standard Level (Analysis and Approaches). Essay-based subjects include: Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art and Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.
32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in an essay-based subject and Mathematics with either 5 at Higher Level (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations) or 7 at Standard Level (Analysis and Approaches). Essay-based subjects include: Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art and Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.

Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer
Advanced Higher: AA in Mathematics and an essay-based subject, and Standard Higher: AAAAB. Essay-based subjects include: Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art and Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.
Access to HE Diploma in Engineering, Science, or Computing (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include: at least 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit or above; and at least 15 credits from Mathematics units, of which at least 12 (including algebra, calculus and trigonometry) must be at Distinction and at least 9 credits at Distinction in an essay-based subject. Or Access to HE Diploma in Business, Humanities, Social Sciences, Psychology, Law or History (or similar titles), with the 45 graded Level 3 credits including at least 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit or above (including at least 9 credits at Distinction in an essay-based subject), plus A in A-level Mathematics.. Essay-based subjects include: Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art and Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.

More about Access to HE entry requirements
Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales or the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.
Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

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