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Pandemics, wars, and political unrest have shown us that understanding economics and international relations is vital.
The global economy is made up of interconnected countries – all have their own structures and economic policies. To navigate these complex relationships, governments, and international organisations need people like you to understand economic theory and its interplay with politics.
You’ll be studying specialist areas in each subject that combine economics and international relations. All of this will help you understand how economics and international relations work together. Being able to investigate the relationships between economic variables will be key. Throughout your studies, you'll have access to our Bloomberg trading room where you’ll use the same data used by practitioners in industry.
Our teaching team makes an impact on policy-making and public debate through their research. We’re also near London’s financial centres, the City and Canary Wharf, which means we invite guest lecturers to share their insights with you about specialist areas such as Brexit Britain, and international development.
Our annual 'Focus on Economics' programme includes workshops to help you explore career options in consulting, government, investment banking, insurance, and trading. Together with optional modules in specialised areas, you’ll start to get an idea of what your future career looks like.
You can complete your 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.
Compulsory:
DisclaimerThe programme structure shown is for prospective/new students and may vary for existing students.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Two elective modules to be chosen from all level 5 SEF or SPIR modules. Elective modules offered may vary from year to year. Examples of SEF elective modules are:
SEF elective modules
Examples of SPIR elective modules are:
Compulsory
Students must choose at least three modules (45 credits) from a list of level 6 economics modules. Elective modules offered may vary from year to year. Examples of elective modules are:
Students must choose at least three modules (45 credits) from a list of level 6 politics modules. Elective modules offered may vary from year to year. Examples of elective modules are:
Up to two modules (30 credits) may instead be chosen from any other degree programme offered by Queen Mary (subject to availability). Students 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.
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 Finance 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.
You can do either a year in industry or a year abroad - you cannot combine these options.
You will receive approximately three hours of weekly contact time per module, in the form of 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
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.
Assessment is by a variety of methods including formal examinations, in-class tests, coursework of various forms, presentations, independent dissertation. Most modules will have two methods of assessment.
You will study Economics and International Relations 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.
The School offers excellent on-campus resources to aid your studies, including:
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.
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: AAB with A in Maths at A-Level.
Our standard contextual offer: ABB with A in Maths at A-Level.
More information on our contextual offer criteria can be found on our contextualised admissions page.
Please note that General Studies and Critical Thinking are excluded from any A-Level offer and cannot be considered.
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
Discover more about the English Language requirements for this course.
We accept a wide range of European and international qualifications in addition to A-levels, the International Baccalaureate and BTEC qualifications. Please visit International Admissions for full details.
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.
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 International Relations, providing an excellent basis for employment in the private or state sector or for further academic study.
Our graduates go on to a wide range of careers within large financial companies, professional services firms and high-profile public sector organisations.
Recent Economics graduates have been hired by:
The School of Economics and Finance runs weekly careers workshops and events. Our annual 'Focus on Economics' and 'Focus on Finance' programmes offer exclusive workshops which will give you a thorough understanding of 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 giving students opportunities to visit a range of employers – which in the past has included Barclays, Lloyds of London and KPMG.
The Queen Mary careers team can offer:
Learn more about
Economics and International Relations - BSc (Econ) (Hons)
Economics and International Relations with Integrated Foundation Year - BSc (Econ) (Hons)
Economics and International Relations with a Year in Industry - BSc (Econ) (Hons)
Economics and International Relations with a Year in Industry and Integrated Foundation Year - BSc (Econ) (Hons)
Economics and International Relations with Year Abroad - BSc (Econ) (Hons)
Economics and International Relations 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.