BA (Hons) Politics and Economics Bachelor's degree at the University of Nottingham
BA (Hons) Politics and Economics at University of Nottingham. At Nottingham, this degree puts global and comparative politics at its centre, so you'll spend real time examining how political systems actually operate, compete against one another and change over time, rather than treating politics as…
About this course
You will explore global and comparative politics, examining how political systems operate, compete and evolve. From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) Politics and Economics is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at the University of Nottingham. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Economics graduates from this provider, 95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 75% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £34,500. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Economics, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Stronger evidence Published sample: 110. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 95% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 95% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year one 10 modules
- Foundations of Macroeconomics: Growth, Cycles and PolicyCore
Module details
Begin your macroeconomics education by studying the aggregate economy. Focus on short-term economic fluctuations and long-term growth and debate the role of government in economic management. Learn basic macroeconomic models and apply them to real-world situations.
- Foundations of Microeconomics: Choice, Markets and WelfareCore
Module details
Start your journey in microeconomics. Analyse household and firm choices, market demand and supply, and various market structures, such as perfect competition and monopolistic firms. Learn to evaluate economic outcomes and market failures and develop essential skills for studying economics.
- Introduction to Comparative PoliticsCore
Module details
Discover the differences and similarities between modern democratic states. This module covers everything from political systems and constitutions to voting behaviour and the challenges facing democracies today. You'll learn to compare political systems and understand the dynamics of democratic and authoritarian regimes.
- Mathematical Economics and Statistical MethodsCore
Module details
Gain a solid foundation in the mathematical and statistical methods used in economics. Learn linear algebra, optimisation and regression analysis and apply these techniques to economic modelling.
- Problems in Global PoliticsCore
Module details
Uncover the major issues in global politics, from security threats to inaction on climate change. This module uses real-world examples to help you understand the complexities of international relations and the roles of states and non-state actors in addressing global problems, while taking a close look at the nature of 'global politics' itself.
- Quantitative EconomicsCore
Module details
Master the mathematical and statistical methods used in economic modelling. Study mathematical finance, function analysis, differentiation, optimisation, integration, statistical methods and regression analysis. Apply these tools to analyse economic problems and develop your quantitative skills.
- Quantitative MethodsCore
Module details
Develop your skills in mathematical and statistical methods for economic modelling. Focus on mathematical finance, function analysis, differentiation, optimisation, integration, statistical methods and concepts and regression analysis. Apply these techniques to understand and solve economic problems.
- Understanding Global PoliticsCore
Module details
Get to grips with the big questions in international politics and the theories that explain them. You'll explore both traditional and modern approaches to understanding global issues, providing a solid foundation for further study in international relations.
- Current Economic IssuesOptional
Module details
Tackle pressing global economic issues such as globalisation, economic growth financial crises, emerging economic superpowers and rising economic nationalism. Use economic models to understand these challenges and explore potential policy responses. Engage in discussions and tutorials to deepen your understanding and develop critical thinking skills.
- Mathematical Economics and EconometricsOptional
Module details
Learn the mathematical methods essential for economic modelling, covering linear algebra, optimisation, statistical methods for data analysis, statistical distribution theory, inference and regression analysis. Apply these concepts to solve economic problems and prepare for advanced econometrics studies.
Year two 13 modules
- Principles of MacroeconomicsCore
Module details
Study intermediate macroeconomics, covering goods, labour and money markets. Analyse policy questions related to exchange rates, monetary and fiscal policy and economic inequality. Understand the main issues and developments in modern macroeconomics.
- Principles of MicroeconomicsCore
Module details
Build on your first-year microeconomics knowledge with intermediate topics like general equilibrium, welfare economics and game theory. Analyse the strategic behaviour of firms, voters and governments. Develop your analytical skills through diagrams and mathematical techniques.
- Applied EconometricsOptional
Module details
Learn the theory and practice of econometric methods, focusing on regression analysis. Apply these techniques to real-world economic situations using specialist software and develop your empirical analysis skills through hands-on exercises and tutorials.
- British Party PoliticsOptional
Module details
Understand the central role of political parties in the British political system. This module examines the structures, ideologies and fortunes of British political parties, helping you grasp their importance in shaping government policy and public opinion.
- Democracy and its CriticsOptional
Module details
Investigate the principles of democracy and the arguments of its critics. This module uses primary sources to explore historical and contemporary debates in democratic theory, helping you develop analytical skills to assess its merits and limitations.
- Development EconomicsOptional
Module details
Explore the economic challenges faced by developing countries. Study topics like poverty, fertility, migration and agricultural markets. Analyse key policy issues and apply relevant economic theories to real-world problems.
- Econometric Theory IOptional
Module details
Advance your econometric skills with new statistical and econometric concepts. Study the multivariate linear regression model and develop the analytical skills needed for theoretical econometric analysis. Understand the applicability and limitations of econometric models.
- Econometric Theory IIOptional
Module details
Learn to analyse economic time series using advanced statistical techniques. Study the theoretical properties of time series models and methods for forecasting. Understand the behaviour of economic time series and their implications for empirical modelling.
- Environmental and Resource EconomicsOptional
Module details
Examine environmental issues from an economic perspective. Study market failures, environmental policy instruments and the valuation of environmental benefits. Analyse topics like the EU Emissions Trading System, fisheries and biodiversity.
- Experiencing National IdentityOptional
Module details
Explore how national identities are expressed and contested in everyday life. This module examines the role of identity in local and international contexts, teaching you key approaches in qualitative research and data analysis.
- Experimental and Behavioural EconomicsOptional
Module details
The module aims to prompt thinking about economics as an empirical science and what that entails. It will introduce you to attempts to relax conventional assumptions such as unlimited rationality and own-payoff maximisation. It will provide a foundation knowledge relating to the design and implementation of appropriate experimental tests of economic theories and will enhance your presentation and communications skills.
- Financial EconomicsOptional
Module details
Learn the theoretical concepts related to risk allocation by financial institutions. Apply these concepts to analyse financial and banking crises. Understand investor behaviour and the role of financial markets in risk allocation.
- Global SecurityOptional
Module details
Explore global security issues from the Cold War to the present day. This module covers everything from state use of force and cyber security to human security and nuclear weapons, building on
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
The course is structured to build from foundations towards independent, specialist work. You'll start with core theory in both politics and economics, giving you the conceptual tools to make sense of political systems and economic behaviour before you're asked to apply them. Alongside this, research and methods teaching equips you to handle data and evidence critically, a skill that underpins almost everything else you'll do on the course. As you progress, applied practice modules let you test theory against real political and economic problems, and specialist options mean you can shape your final years around the areas that interest you most, such as comparative politics, political economy, or specific regional or economic themes depending on what's offered when you get there. The degree culminates in an independent project, where you choose a question and work through it largely under your own direction, supported by professional skills teaching that helps translate your academic work into skills employers recognise.
Who it's for
This course suits someone who's genuinely curious about why political systems look the way they do, not just what happens in Westminster or Washington, but how and why different countries' institutions diverge, compete and adapt. If you find yourself drawn to news stories about elections, trade disputes or policy reform and want to understand the mechanics behind them, rather than just following the headlines, you'll likely enjoy the comparative and economic angles this degree takes. You should be comfortable with a mix of essay-based argument and more quantitative, methods-driven work, since the course asks you to move between the two. Most students accepted onto this course arrive with A-levels or equivalent qualifications, typically within the 144–159 UCAS tariff range, though this reflects what recent entrants held rather than a fixed requirement. Studying this will feel like building an increasingly sophisticated toolkit: early modules give you shared theoretical ground, while later years let you specialise and eventually pursue a question of your own choosing through the independent project. If you like the idea of finishing your degree having produced a substantial piece of original work, rather than only sitting exams, that independent project stage is worth thinking about seriously.
Careers & job market
Nationally, across Economics courses, 87% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after finishing, and 75% of those in work are in roles classed as highly skilled, figures that reflect the national Graduate Outcomes picture for the subject area rather than anything specific to Nottingham graduates alone. National earnings data (LEO) for the field shows starting salaries 15 months after graduation ranging from £26,500 to £35,000, rising to between £26,775 and £37,800 after three years, and £36,125 to £51,000 after five years. These are national ranges across the whole graduate population studying this type of course, not a promise of what any individual will earn, and they'll depend heavily on the sector, role and location you end up in. It's also worth noting that 92% of students on courses like this nationally continue past their first year, either still enrolled or having completed, a reasonable indicator of how manageable and engaging students tend to find this kind of degree once they're into it.
University & format
You'll study full-time over three years at the University of Nottingham, a public, research-intensive institution founded in 1881 and a member of the Russell Group. It's worth checking the University's own funding pages for details of any bursaries or scholarships you might be entitled to, since these can vary and change from year to year.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
Work placement. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 90% |
| a Baccalaureate | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code LL21). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at University of Nottingham →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Economics graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £34,500 | £30,500 – £40,000 | 110 |
| 3 years after | £38,500 | £32,000 – £47,500 | 305 |
| 5 years after | £55,500 | £44,000 – £76,000 | 325 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 110. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in economics · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Economics nationally
National figures for Economics graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 110. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Economics courses at the same study level.
Compared with 594 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Finance ProfessionalsSOC 2020 242 · 40% of published destinations · ASHE median £47,173
- Administrative occupationsSOC 2020 41 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,006
- Managers, directors and senior officialsSOC 2020 1 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £51,733
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 30; response rate: 70%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Economics graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Economics graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Banks & consultancies
- Bank of England
- Government Economic Service
- Think tanks
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Economics graduates.
Economics Associate / Director - ManchesterPegasus GroupEconomics Graduate AssistantSt Edward's School, OxfordEconomics ExaminersEduqasEconomics SpecialistVella RecruitmentEconomics AnalystOFWATEconomics PhD Scholarship (ESRC-Funded)Royal Holloway, University of LondonIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £34,500. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 9.1 out of 10: NSS 83% · in work or study 95% · continued 95%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
University of Nottingham
Social sciences across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around The University of Nottingham
844 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Economics right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to University of Nottingham from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £35,423 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check University of Nottingham’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with University of Nottingham and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at University of Nottingham
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
Request information about BA (Hons) Politics and Economics
Prospectus, key dates, entry and funding, free to your inbox.