BSc (Hons) Politics and Economics with a Placement Year
Course options
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Science
- UCAS Course Code
- LL1P
- Entry Requirements
- AAB
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2023
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Why you should choose us
Of graduates go on to work and/or study within 15 months after the course -
Course Overview
Discover how money and power interact. Few economic questions are untouched by political themes, so this degree combines a thorough grounding in economic analysis with the study of theory and practice of politics.
Taught jointly by the School of Economics and the School of Politics, Philosophy, Language and Communication Studies, you'll gain high-level training in economics alongside detailed insight into political science.
By mastering the tools of both political and economic inquiry, you’ll be able to make wider-reaching predictions and more confident real-world recommendations. You’ll learn to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses both of markets and of governments. And you’ll leave UEA in an excellent position to pursue a range of careers, including in business, consulting, banking, politics, insurance, and the Civil Service.
By combining BSc Politics and Economics with a placement year, in your third year you'll spend nine to 12 months gaining invaluable working experience and employability skills in a relevant area of your choice.
Our BSc Politics and Economics with a Placement Year is ranked in the top 20 for Economics by 'The Guardian University Guide 2023'.
This course allows you to study both economics and politics in a combined approach, giving you a thorough and high-level training in economics while providing you with a detailed insight into political science.
You'll study microeconomics, macroeconomics, economic modelling and statistics, as well as choosing from a broad range of other economics modules such as in behavioural economics, history of economic thought, the European economy, or political economy. At the same time, you’ll study contemporary politics, you may choose to write a dissertation, and you’ll certainly develop your own specialized interests from a very wide range of other modules in political, social and international studies.
Combining BSc Politics and Economics with a placement year, you'll typically spend between nine and 12 months of your third year in a full-time placement, gaining invaluable working experience and employability skills in a relevant area of your choice.
Although you'll be expected to secure your own work placement, dedicated staff within the School and the Careers Service will support and assist you throughout the process of searching, applying for, and ultimately gaining a position. Furthermore, support will also be provided whilst you are on placement and when you return to complete your studies in your fourth (final) year.
You’ll be based in the School of Economics, and you’ll also be taught in the School of Politics, Philosophy, Language and Communication Studies.
The School of Economics is globally respected, especially for its pioneering and world-leading work in behavioural economics. Our active research areas also include macroeconomics, competition economics, environmental policy, conflict theory, finance, and labour market studies in education, family and welfare.
You’ll be joining a vibrant and diverse community. Our student-led Economics Society is the perfect place to network and socialise with fellow students with shared interests. The Norwich Economic Papers, run by a Student Editorial Board, and the ECO Blog are outlets within which you can publish your work. Our within-school internships enable you to participate directly in frontier research. And our Staff Student Liaison Committee gives you a say in the future direction and every day running of the school.
In the School of Politics, Philosophy, Language and Communication Studies you’ll enjoy a social and academic environment which is similarly lively and which plays host each year to a large number of talks by visiting politicians, practitioners, translators and philosophers.
Placement Year and Study Abroad
On this course, you'll spend nine to 12 months of your third year in a full-time placement, gaining invaluable working experience and employability skills in a relevant area of your choice.
Study and Modules
Structure
Over this four-year degree, you’ll take a compulsory core of modules, and then have the freedom to direct your own learning across the two disciplines with a choice of complementary modules.
In your first year, you’ll get to grips with key economic concepts in the year-long modules Introductory Macroeconomics and Introductory Microeconomics. You’ll also take mathematics and statistics modules, which introduce you to basic modelling and statistical techniques economists use.
Your study of politics will be founded in the module Introduction to Contemporary Politics, and you’ll then choose a further introductory module in either global politics or political communication.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
In your first year, lectures mainly take place in a large-group setting and are often used to introduce new concepts, ideas and arguments. But they are also highly interactive. Audience response systems and other technologies will be keeping you engaged and keeping the lecturer informed about your confidence at every step.
There’ll be regular breaks for peer-group discussion. Then, in workshops, you’ll be given a more hands-on experience: working in groups, with your teachers by your side, practicing and applying the new methods you’ve learned.
You’ll also meet regularly in small group environments, led by an academic but within which you’ll be able to discuss, debate and explore ideas with a freer rein. In year 1 these events are also complemented by additional study skills and support sessions.
Your curriculum is designed with employability also in mind. In Year 1, for example, your statistics module will be taught using Excel, to ensure you develop essential transferable skills.
Throughout your studies, we provide the very best support and guidance. A personal adviser and an in-school student support scheme is always available to offer you programme-specific help. A university-wide Learning Enhancement team, based in Student Support Services, is on hand to help with study, writing, research, critical-thinking, revision, examination and time management skills. If you have additional needs due to disabilities such as sensory impairment or learning difficulties such as dyslexia, our Student Support Services can help ensure we cater appropriately for these needs.
Assessment
In your first year, you'll be assessed through a balanced mix of coursework and exams. Coursework is deliberately varied, and can include essays, presentations, and group work.
Each piece of assessment plays a role both in checking your progress, and in supporting your continued learning. Assessment is moreover an opportunity to develop your employability. We aim constantly to provide you both with the broadest workplace skills, and with the evidence you need to showcase these skills to employers.
Structure
In your second year, you’ll continue to strengthen your understanding of the macro and micro economy, alongside learning about the collection and analysis of data. In Introductory Econometrics you’ll build your statistical skills – and get the chance to apply them in a practical project in the module Econometrics Research Project.
States, Institutions and Citizens, one of your modules taught in the School of Politics, Philosophy, Language and Communication Studies, will provide you with a critical understanding of how political systems vary around the world and the pressures facing them. You’ll also choose from a broad range of further modules in political, social and international studies.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
In your second year, you’ll start to experience an even greater diversity of teaching styles and settings. Whilst some core modules are still taken by the whole year-group, you’ll also be embarking on more specialised modules, in smaller groups, as you begin to establish and pursue your own goals and interests.
In this year, you’ll be introduced to more specialised statistical software, and may undertake a data-driven research project of your own.
Some of our modules include contributed content and guest lectures from graduate employers. Also, in this year, you’ll be given ample opportunity to develop your own career strategy, through a rich programme of employability events tailored for economics students.
Assessment
Structure
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Whilst on placement, you’ll be supported by the Placement Team within the School and specialists from the Careers Service.
Assessment
During the placement year there will be a placement meeting / visit involving the supervisor, placement student and representative from the placement team. As a placement student you’ll be required to submit an evaluative report in the form of a presentation, which will be assessed on a pass or fail basis. There will be an opportunity for you to present this report to prospective students when you return in your final year.
Structure
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 40)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 80)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
In your final year, your choice of optional modules is very wide, which means the range of teaching styles you will experience will also depend on your preferences.
Technical training will be delivered through a mix of traditional lectures and practical applications, which will involve the use of specialised software, including programming skills. The learning of more discursive and conceptual subjects will be grounded on group work, debates, collaborative projects, and practice of different forms of writing, from policy-briefs to twitter collections and blogs.
Assessment
Entry Requirements
- A Levels
- AAB. If you are taking an EPQ and three A-levels, we may offer you a one grade reduction on our advertised typical offer, if you achieve an A in the EPQ.
- T Levels
- Obtain an overall Pass including an A in the core of the T Level and a Distinction in the Occupational Specialism. Acceptable subjects are: Digital Business Services, Digital Support Services and Science.
- BTEC
- DDD excluding BTEC Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration
- Scottish Highers
- AAAAA
- Scottish Advanced Highers
- BBC
- Irish Leaving Certificate
- 4 subjects at H2, 2 subjects at H3
- Access to HE Diploma
- Pass Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 36 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 9 credits at Level 3
- International Baccalaureate
- 33
- GCSE
- You are required to have Mathematics at a minimum of Grade B or Grade 5 or above and English Language at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4 or above at GCSE.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS:6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components) for year 1 entry
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
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- Interviews
- Most applicants will not be called for an interview and a decision will be made via UCAS Track. However, for some applicants an interview will be requested. Where an interview is required the Admissions Service will contact you directly to arrange a time.
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Intakes
- This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake is in September each year.
Additional Information or Requirements
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
We welcome and value a wide range of alternative qualifications. If you have a qualification which is not listed here, please contact us via Admissions Enquiries.
Important note
Once enrolled onto your course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include your eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
International Requirements
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. View our International Students pages for specific information about your country.
INTO University of East Anglia
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree:
International Foundation in Business, Economics, Society and Culture (for Year 1 entry to UEA)
International Foundation Mathematics and Actuarial Sciences (for Year 1 entry to UEA)
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
You are eligible for reduced fees during your placement year. Further details are available on our Tuition Fee website.
Extra costs, related to items such as your travel and accommodation, will vary depending on location.
View our information about Additional Course Fees.
How to Apply
Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub.
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information:
Employability
After the Course
Graduating from the School of Economics, you’ll be able to demonstrate a combination of analytical and interpersonal skills that is highly valued by employers. You’ll be well placed to choose from a wide range of career opportunities, including working as an economist, analyst or in other managerial roles, within economics or business consulting, the Civil Service, investment banking and finance, accounting and auditing, insurance and actuarial work, and international think-tanks and organisations.
Careers
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Career destinations related to your degree include:
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Economic Analysis
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Management Consulting
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Government
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Think Tanks
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Political and Economic Risk Analysis
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NGOs and International Organisations