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Economics and Politics with Study Abroad

Course details
  • BSc (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time including placement abroad
  • September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site

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.

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
LL14
Institution code:
B78
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and accepts a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate study. If you studied at a school, college or university outside the UK, please select the relevant page for further information on qualification equivalences, scholarships and details of our education representatives in your country/region: bristol.ac.uk/international/countries/

Open days

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

A level
AAA - ABB

Standard offer: AAA including Mathematics and an essay-based subject.

Contextual offer: ABB including Mathematics and an essay-based subject.

Please visit: bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/entry-requirements-qualifications/contextual-offers/ for more information about contextual offers.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDD

DDD in any essay-based Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma, AND A in Mathematics at A-level (or equivalent).

Access to HE Diploma
D: 30 credits M: 15 credits

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.

Mature students can contact mature-students@bristol.ac.uk to check the suitability of their Access course.

Scottish Higher
AAAAB

Standard Higher: AAAAB.

Scottish Advanced Higher
AA

Advanced Higher: AA in Mathematics and an essay-based subject.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
32 - 36 points

Standard offer: 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).

Contextual offer: 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).

Please visit: bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/entry-requirements-qualifications/contextual-offers/ for more information about contextual offers.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

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.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

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.

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. We consider a large range of contextual factors when making application decisions.

If you receive and accept an offer from the University of Bristol, and you meet the terms of your offer in full, you will be accepted.

Learn more on the University of Bristol website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Fees are subject to annual review and are liable to rise each year. Home fees will be set in line with UK government policy and updated as per their guidance, while international fees increase annually in line with expected inflation rises. Visit bristol.ac.uk/ug-fees-funding for further information, including estimated fees for subsequent years and typical total costs.

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