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Examine the big issues facing the UK and the world from two different – and complementary – perspectives.
The study of economics leads naturally to questions about the policies of governments. Our Economics and Politics degree explores both topics in equal depth and is especially suited to anyone with an interest in public policy and government decision-making.
During the first two years you’ll cover macroeconomics and microeconomics, and learn to apply quantitative techniques. Final-year options apply this core knowledge to more specialised areas such as labour, industrial and health economics, technology and innovation, and business cycles.
With a wide choice of politics modules, you can study the specific contexts of different countries – or take a broader view with themes such as globalisation, racism and political violence.
You can complete your Economics and Politics degree in three, four or five years. If you choose to spend a year studying abroad or take a year in industry, this will take place in Year 3, and the Year 3 modules will instead be studied in Year 4. If you are taking an integrated foundation year, this will take place before Year 1.
DisclaimerThe programme structure shown is for prospective/new students and may vary for existing students.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Compulsory
Choose two electives (including at least one politics module and one economics module) from
Politics
Economics
Topics in Econometrics
Up to two modules (30 credits) may instead be chosen from any other degree programme offered by Queen Mary (subject to availability). You may also choose one module (15 credits) at level 5.
Apply for this degree with any of the following options. Take care to use the correct UCAS code - it may not be possible to change your selection later.
International students can apply for our Economics and Politics BSc with an Integrated Foundation Year. The foundation year, taught on campus by Queen Mary lecturers, prepares you for the rest of the programme and can be started in either September or January.
Develop your business skills and spend a year on placement – apply for our Year in Industry option. You'll put your understanding of economics into practice in a real-world environment, gaining invaluable experience for your future career. Find out more.
Go global and study abroad as part of your degree – apply for our Economics and Politics BSc with a Year Abroad. Queen Mary has links with universities in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia (partnerships vary for each degree programme).
Find out more about study abroad opportunities at Queen Mary and what the progression requirements are.
Doing Economics and Politics has allowed me to do two subjects I am really interested in. I like the diversity of topics within both subjects and the styles of learning are very different. I find it most interesting when the two topics overlap, for example using economic theory to describe political ideologies such as communism. It allows you to draw ideas from another area and adapt it.
You will receive approximately three hours of weekly contact time per module, comprising lectures led by academic staff and smaller classes.
For every hour spent in class, you’ll complete a further two to three hours of independent study.
Student Support at the School of Economics and Finance
Assessment typically includes a combination of coursework (presentations, assignments, essay report writing, in-class tests, research and project work) and/or examinations in January and May.
The Schools of Economics and Finance and Politics and International Relations both offer excellent on-campus resources to aid your studies, including:
The Graduate Centre
You will study Economics and Finance in one of Queen Mary’s newest buildings – the Graduate Centre which opened in 2017. The £39m building was built with energy efficiency in mind, and provides access to the latest banking and finance industry software used by economists in finance or government.
Our designated computer labs that have a wide range of industry packages including Eviews, Maple, Mathematica, Matlab and Stata. You can access economic and financial data through platforms including Macrobond, Wharton Research Data Services and The Economist, and get free access to popular industry publications.
The building itself has a Harvard-style lecture theatre and a number of spacious seminar rooms to facilitate your learning experience. The ground-floor Café Grad serves Starbucks Coffee, as well as a tasty selection of sandwiches, salads and cakes.
As an Economics and Finance student, you will also have full access to the university’s academic and pastoral support. You will be assigned an academic adviser who will guide and support you throughout your studies at Queen Mary.
Alternative offers may be made to applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification.
For further information please visit: qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry/epq
Our standard contextual offer: Grades AAB with A in Maths at A-Level. Excludes General Studies, Critical Thinking and Use of Mathematics, Maths Studies.
Our enhanced contextual offer (for care experienced students, refugee/asylum seekers or students who have completed Realising Opportunities or Access to Queen Mary): Grades ABB with A in Maths at A-Level. Excludes General Studies, Critical Thinking and Use of Mathematics, Maths Studies.
More information on how this information is used for a contextual offer can be found on our contextualised admissions page.
Academic requirements
This programme combines a three-year degree with a bespoke foundation year, providing you with a smooth pathway as an international or EU student whose prior education or English language proficiency does not enable you to apply directly for a three-year degree.
This programme is designed for students who have completed a good high school education that consists of at least 12 years study. For full country specific entry requirements and qualification equivalencies visit: qmul.ac.uk/international/countries
If you have taken both GCSE and A level exams (or equivalent qualifications) in the UK you will not be considered for admission to this programme. In such cases we recommend that you apply for the relevant three year programme with entry in year 1.
English language requirements
Minimum of IELTS 6.0, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component.
We accept a wide range of European and international qualifications in addition to A-levels, the International Baccalaureate and BTEC qualifications. See the School of Economics and Finance entry requirements for detailed information by country.
Find out more about our English language entry requirements, including the types of test we accept and the scores needed for entry to the programme.
You may also be able to meet the English language requirement for your programme by joining a summer pre-sessional programme before starting your degree.
See our general undergraduate entry requirements.
UK students accepted onto this course are eligible to apply for tuition fee and maintenance loans from Student Finance England or other government bodies.
Please note that UK students accepted onto Integrated Foundation courses starting in January are not eligible for student loans from Student Finance England.
Queen Mary offers a generous package of scholarships and bursaries, which currently benefits around 50 per cent of our undergraduates.
Scholarships are available for home, EU and international students. Specific funding is also available for students from the local area. International students may be eligible for a fee reduction. We offer means-tested funding, as well as subject-specific funding for many degrees.
Find out what scholarships and bursaries are available to you.
We offer specialist support on all financial and welfare issues through our Advice and Counselling Service, which you can access as soon as you have applied for a place at Queen Mary.
Take a look at our Student Advice Guides which cover ways to finance your degree, including:
This degree offers professional training in economics and invaluable political understanding, alongside transferable research, analytical and communication skills.
Graduates move into government, policy, research or campaigning roles or into the commercial world, including large financial companies and professional services firms.
Recent Economics and Politics graduates have been hired by:
Both Schools run regular careers workshops and events. Our annual 'Focus on Economics' and 'Focus on Finance' programmes offer exclusive workshops covering careers in consulting, government, investment banking, insurance, trading and more.
We arrange a number of work experience opportunities and organise a competitive Careers Taster Scheme where students visit a range of employers – which in the past has included Barclays, Lloyds of London and KPMG.
The School of Politics and International Relations offers one-to-one academic guidance, tailored workshops and external speakers on topics such as careers in public affairs and working in Parliament.
The Queen Mary careers team can also offer:
Learn more about career support and development at Queen Mary.
Economics and Politics - BSc (Econ) (Hons)
Economics and Politics with Integrated Foundation Year - BSc (Econ) (Hons)
Economics and Politics with a Year in Industry - BSc (Econ) (Hons)
Economics and Politics with a Year in Industry and Integrated Foundation Year - BSc (Econ) (Hons)
Economics and Politics with Year Abroad - BSc (Econ) (Hons)
Economics and Politics with Year Abroad and Integrated Foundation Year - BSc (Econ) (Hons)
The Discover Uni dataset (formerly Unistats)
The School of Economics and Finance at Queen Mary is ranked fourth in London and 25th among all economics departments nationally by the Complete University Guide 2020. As one of London’s top Schools of Economics and Finance, we provide a solid foundation in economic and financial theory and practice, driven by research-led teaching from experts in the field, ensuring that not only will you be studying at the cutting edge of these disciplines, but also across a wide range of extracurricular school activities to enhance your learning experience.
We’re a growing School invested in high-quality teaching, and we pride ourselves on our friendly and informal approach. Our London location is home to the nation’s Parliament, political think tanks and economic powerhouses, we host high-profile speakers, and we offer students regular contact with Westminster, Whitehall and the third sector.
Our staff are active researchers with diverse interests, from British politics to the Middle East, which is reflected in our teaching and the breadth of our programmes.