Politics and economics are at the heart of society and affect everyone. You'll gain an in-depth understanding and interest in both fields. You'll graduate with transferable skills in analysis, critical thinking and independent research. This will put you in a position to pursue a career in government, finance and business or advocacy organisations. As a member of the Russell Group, cutting edge research conducted by academics in the department feed into your modules. Our FinLab provides experience and training in the analysis of financial data. It includes a suite of Bloomberg terminals, used by traders. Ranked 11th in the UK for Graduate Prospects (Complete University Guide, 2026), the Politics and International Relations Department provide a suite of employability initiatives, in addition to those provided by the university, to help you gain the experience and skills to stand out. Key Features of This Course

Gain specialist knowledge of microeconomics (the behaviour of individuals and businesses), macroeconomics (the behaviour of the economy as a whole), and political concepts such as democracy and international relations

You'll also have the freedom to shape your studies by choosing optional modules to suit your interests or career plans. Examples include Chinese politics, ethics, criminology and industrial economics.

As part of this course, you can also spend a semester abroad

Student Support Your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) will be there to help guide you throughout your time at Southampton, offering career advice and guidance, as well as signposting to pastoral services if needed. Every lecturer you have will also have ‘office hours’, where you can come and ask any questions you need. With connections and experience across international organisations across the World, UK-based think tanks, councils and government, our academics have real-world knowledge to help guide your career choices. Further information The department is based at Highfield Campus, our oldest and largest campus, located close to Southampton Common. It's the academic heart of our University and home to social events, sports facilities, and our Students' Union.

Modules

We teach a range of core modules in politics and economics in Year 1, as well as further compulsory modules in Year 2 and 3 which build on this knowledge foundation. Four modules are studied per semester. There are optional module choices in all three years. The dissertation is compulsory in Year 3, and you decide whether to pursue it in politics or economics, depending on your own interests. Research methods and statistics modules are taught in Year 1 and Year 2, to deliver the key skills required on this type of programme, to support your research and study in your other modules, and to prepare you for the dissertation in Year 3. Students pick optional modules from a range (please see our website for details). In addition to this, our Curriculum Innovation Programme offers our students the chance to take optional modules outside their core disciplines. This allows you to personalise your education, to develop new skills and knowledge for your future. Students pick optional modules from a range (please see our website for details). In addition to this, our Curriculum Innovation Programme offers our students the chance to take optional modules outside their core disciplines. This allows you to personalise your education, to develop new skills and knowledge for your future.

Assessment method

Modules are examined at the end of the semester in which they are taught, and in some cases a coursework mark will contribute to the overall grade for the module. Final degree classes are based upon marks from the second and third years.

How to apply

14Jan

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:: LL12

Institution code:: S27

Campus name:: Main Site - Highfield Campus

Campus code:: -

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - ABB

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - Not accepted

Access to HE Diploma - D: 30 credits M: 15 credits

Scottish Higher

We normally consider applicants who offer at least 1 Advanced Higher. Applicants presenting with only Highers will be considered on a case by case basis. Where Highers are taken over two years it might be expected that higher grades are achieved, particularly in any specific subjects required. For example, S5 – S6 (2 years): AABBB (A in specific subject) or S6 (1 year): ABBBB (A in specific subject). Unless a more advanced level (Higher or Advanced Higher) is specified in the stated entry requirements, all applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4"

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD

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

Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF) - DD

Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF) - D

Scottish Advanced Higher

Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education. Unless a more advanced level (Higher or Advanced Higher) is specified in the stated entry requirements, all applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 32 points

Standard offer: Pass, with 32 points overall with 16 points at Higher Level and grade 5 at Higher Level in 'Analysis and Approaches' or 'Applications and Interpretation'. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP): Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales - B

Extended Project - A

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H1, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - D3, M2, M2

GCSE/National 4/National 5

We welcome applicants with other qualifications eg. European Baccalaureate. You will be expected to attain an equivalent standard to the A level applicant. For more details on the suitability of your qualifications or foundation programme please contact the Admissions Team at [email protected]

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/politics-and-economics-degree-bsc

English language requirements

Test	Grade	Additional details
IELTS (Academic)	6.5	with no component below 6.0

All programmes at the University of Southampton are taught and assessed in the medium of English (other than those in modern foreign languages). Therefore, all applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency.

Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/language.page

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England	£9250	Year 1
Northern Ireland	£9250	Year 1
Scotland	£9250	Year 1
Wales	£9250	Year 1
Channel Islands	£9250	Year 1
Republic of Ireland	£9250	Year 1
EU	£24200	Year 1
International	£24200	Year 1

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

Please see our website for further details and updates: www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/fees-funding.page

Provider information

Visit our website

University of Southampton
Highfield
Southampton
SO17 1BJ

Course contact details

Visit our course page

Undergraduate Admissions - Faculty of Social Sciences

[email protected]

023 8059 4732

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Location	Qualification	Study mode	Duration	Start date	Apply
Main Site - Highfield Campus	BSc (Hons) - Bachelor of Science (with Honours)	Full-time	3 years	21 September 2026	Available to Apply	Course option 188d0a3a-21d8-417b-9ae4-0c35195b9985

Politics and Economics at University of Southampton - UCAS

Degree level: Undergraduate

Politics and Economics

Course options

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Course summary