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Politics and Economics

  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 20 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
University Park Campus
More about University of Nottingham

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

If you are fascinated by how the world works, how governments make decisions, how economies grow or stall, and how both forces shape everyday life, our BA Politics and Economics degree gives you the tools to understand it all with depth and confidence.

This course brings together two powerful disciplines. You will explore global and comparative politics, examining how political systems operate, compete and evolve. Alongside this, you will study the micro and macroeconomic principles that underpin modern societies, from individual decision making to the behaviour of national and international markets. By connecting these perspectives, you will learn to analyse the forces that drive policy, influence elections and determine economic outcomes across the world.

With a wide range of optional modules, you can tailor your degree to match your career ambitions. Whether you’re interested in international trade, global security, public policy or financial systems, you’ll be able to specialise and follow your interests. Our tutors have won awards for their teaching and are regularly featured in the media.

You will be part of a vibrant student community. Join societies such as the Politics Society, Debate Society and United Nations Society to make friends, attend trips and build impressive skills for your CV. You’ll also have automatic membership to the student-led Nottingham Economics and Finance Society (NEFS). They offer networking opportunities, CV advice and additional training through their divisions.

You will also have opportunities to hear directly from influential external speakers, giving you rare insights into global security, diplomacy and policy making. Previous guests have included Sir John Sawers, former Chief of MI6, and Major General Tim Cross.

Our graduates have built successful careers across the private, public and charitable sectors, working as parliamentary assistants, councillors, civil servants, researchers, analysts and consultants. Many now work at major organisations including AON, the BBC, Citibank, the Civil Service, the House of Commons and UNISON.

Course Highlights:

  • Our placements and internship opportunities provide valuable real-world experience that looks great on your CV (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/politics/study/careers/placements/index.aspx).

  • Join our student societies relating to both politics and economics, providing access to training, networking opportunities, guest speakers and trips.

  • Study abroad opportunities in locations such as China, Europe and the USA.

Proven Results:

  • We're ranked in the top 20 in the UK for politics (Complete University Guide 2026).

  • The average starting salary for BA Politics and Economics undergraduates within 15 months of graduation was £35,423 (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2022/23).

Modules

Course Modules

For detailed information about the modules you will study, please visit the course page. https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/courses/UG/Politics-and-Economics-BA-Jt-Hons.html

https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/courses/UG/Politics-and-Economics-BA-Jt-Hons.html

Assessment method

How you will be assessed

Politics

We present you with a variety of different challenges and types of assessment, including exams, essays, verbal presentations and projects. Each unit is assessed separately, meaning there are no daunting final exams at the end of your degree. 
  
You will be given a copy of our marking criteria which provides guidance on how your work is marked. Your work will be marked in a timely manner, and you will receive feedback on the tasks you are given.

Economics

During each semester you will be examined on the modules you have taken. Modules typically have exam-based assessment at the end of the semester (or year), and some have seminar or essay-based elements, including group work.

Assessment methods

  • Coursework

  • Dissertation

  • Essay

  • Examinations

  • Presentation

  • Project work

For detailed information about the course assessment methods please visit the course page: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/courses/UG/Politics-and-Economics-BA-Jt-Hons.html

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • University Park Campus

Study options

  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) • Full-Time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 20 September 2027

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
LL21
Institution code:
N84
Campus name:
University Park Campus
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Nottingham has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
13 January 2027

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:
LL21
Institution code:
N84
Campus name:
University Park Campus

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
AAA

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

Scottish Higher
AAABB

Scottish Advanced Highers at AA are also required

Access to HE Diploma
Distinction: 36 Merit: 9

GCSE requirements – English grade C (numeric grade 4) and Mathematics grade A (numeric grade 7).

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE English grade 4/C and GCSE Mathematics grade 7/A.

Scottish Advanced Higher
AA

Scottish Highers at AAABB are also required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
D*D

Considered along with an A level at grade A

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 34

or 6,6,6 in three Higher Level Certificates

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales
A

Considered along with two A levels at grades AA

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
D*DD

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
D

Considered along with two A levels at grades AA

Applicants to this course may be eligible for our Additional Qualifications Offer Reduction Scheme. If you achieve a grade A in an EPQ, Core Maths*, IB Extended Essay or additional AS level qualification* then you will receive a one grade reduced offer for this course.

Please note that if you qualify for an enhanced contextual offer or receive an alternative offer based on taking four A levels, your additional qualification will not be taken into consideration as we are unable to make any further adjustments to your offer.

  • Additional eligibility requirements apply. View further details on this scheme.
    https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/articles/applying/entry-requirements.html

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5(no less than 6.0 in any element). As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English. Check our English language policies and equivalencies for further details: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/international-applicants/english-language/english-language-requirements.aspx For pre-sessional English or one-year foundation courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a Pre-sessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) course (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/cele/pre-sessional/index.aspx). Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK. If you successfully complete your pre-sessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

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 consider applicants solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential – we use exam grades to prioritise applicants but look at a range of factors and aim to give everyone an equal opportunity to show their achievements.

We understand that background and personal circumstances can have an impact on academic performance at school or college. Applicants who are eligible under our contextual admissions policies may be considered for a reduced contextual offer.

Learn more on the University of Nottingham website

International entry requirements

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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
EU & InternationalTBC
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland£10050*

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

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

View undergraduate tuition fees for UK and international students: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/fees/tuitionfees/202627/undergraduate.aspx

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