BSc Economics and Politics with Study Abroad (LL14)

2026 entry | view 2025 entry

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Economics and Politics with Study Abroad (LL14)

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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, which includes an additional year studying overseas.

Experience enriching and exciting intellectual challenges from two schools with strong reputations for teaching and research.

You'll build your core economics knowledge in areas like microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics – the use of statistical methods to estimate economic models.

Politics is organised around three themes: political theory, comparative and national politics, and international relations. You'll therefore study the politics of individual countries and governments, as well as the relationships between countries, communities and individuals.

You'll also be able to tailor your degree to suit your interests and career ambitions with optional modules in both economics and politics. This enables you to explore topics ranging from global justice to behavioural economics, political thought to industrial economics, gender politics to international trade, and more.

An optional dissertation will enable you to apply your knowledge and skills in a specialist area of politics if you choose – honing your research and analysis capabilities as you explore a question of particular interest to you.

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 Bristol Abroad to find out more.

By the end of the programme, you'll be well-prepared for a successful career. On average, Bristol economics students earn 26% more than other UK economics graduates within five years of graduation – typically enjoying salaries between £42,500 and £77,500 per year (discoveruni.gov.uk, 2024).

Recent BSc Economics and Politics graduates have gone on to work at organisations including the Civil Service, Bloomberg, Barclays, the Financial Conduct Authority, JPMorgan Chase, and Bank Negara Malaysia.

Job roles of recent course graduates include Investment Analyst, Journalist, Funding Manager, Policy Advisor, Data Analyst, Associate Consultant, and Researcher.

Course structure

Economics follows a series of core units in the first and second years, covering economics, mathematics and statistics.

This lays the foundations for specialising in the areas of economics that most interest you in your final year. Previous optional economics modules have included development economics, behavioural economics, history of economic thought, international trade, environmental economics, health economics, and more.

Mandatory politics modules in the first year cover political concepts and thinking politically, plus you'll be able to choose between international relations or comparative government and politics modules. In subsequent years, optional modules include subjects such as 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 Bristol Abroad pages.

There is a strong emphasis on developing research skills, with the possibility of completing a politics dissertation in your 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 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.

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
85% overall, with 8.5 in 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.
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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