Politics and Economics

Politics and economics are at the heart of society and affect everyone. You'll gain an in-depth understanding and interest in both fields. You'll graduate with transferable skills in analysis, critical thinking and independent research. This will put you in a position to pursue a career in government, finance and business or advocacy organisations.

As a member of the Russell Group, cutting edge research conducted by academics in the department feed into your modules.

Our FinLab provides experience and training in the analysis of financial data. It includes a suite of Bloomberg terminals, used by traders.

Ranked 11th in the UK for Graduate Prospects (Complete University Guide, 2026), the Politics and International Relations Department provide a suite of employability initiatives, in addition to those provided by the university, to help you gain the experience and skills to stand out.

Key Features of This Course

• Gain specialist knowledge of microeconomics (the behaviour of individuals and businesses), macroeconomics (the behaviour of the economy as a whole), and political concepts such as democracy and international relations

• You'll also have the freedom to shape your studies by choosing optional modules to suit your interests or career plans. Examples include Chinese politics, ethics, criminology and industrial economics.

• As part of this course, you can also spend a semester abroad

Student Support

Your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) will be there to help guide you throughout your time at Southampton, offering career advice and guidance, as well as signposting to pastoral services if needed. Every lecturer you have will also have ‘office hours’, where you can come and ask any questions you need.

With connections and experience across international organisations across the World, UK-based think tanks, councils and government, our academics have real-world knowledge to help guide your career choices.

Further information

The department is based at Highfield Campus, our oldest and largest campus, located close to Southampton Common. It's the academic heart of our University and home to social events, sports facilities, and our Students' Union.

We teach a range of core modules in politics and economics in Year 1, as well as further compulsory modules in Year 2 and 3 which build on this knowledge foundation. Four modules are studied per semester. There are optional module choices in all three years. The dissertation is compulsory in Year 3, and you decide whether to pursue it in politics or economics, depending on your own interests.

Research methods and statistics modules are taught in Year 1 and Year 2, to deliver the key skills required on this type of programme, to support your research and study in your other modules, and to prepare you for the dissertation in Year 3.

Students pick optional modules from a range (please see our website for details). In addition to this, our Curriculum Innovation Programme offers our students the chance to take optional modules outside their core disciplines. This allows you to personalise your education, to develop new skills and knowledge for your future.
Students pick optional modules from a range (please see our website for details). In addition to this, our Curriculum Innovation Programme offers our students the chance to take optional modules outside their core disciplines. This allows you to personalise your education, to develop new skills and knowledge for your future.

Modules are examined at the end of the semester in which they are taught, and in some cases a coursework mark will contribute to the overall grade for the module. Final degree classes are based upon marks from the second and third years.