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Economics and Politics

  • BSc (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • September 2026
  • Undergraduate
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More about University of Bristol

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

Develop a deep understanding of economic and political systems by studying complementary social sciences on this joint honours degree.

Experience enriching and exciting intellectual challenges from two schools with strong reputations for teaching and research.

You'll build your core economics knowledge in areas like microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics – the use of statistical methods to estimate economic models.

Politics is organised around three themes: political theory, comparative and national politics, and international relations. You'll therefore study the politics of individual countries and governments, as well as the relationships between countries, communities and individuals.

You'll also be able to tailor your degree to suit your interests and career ambitions with optional modules in both economics and politics. This enables you to explore topics ranging from global justice to behavioural economics, political thought to industrial economics, gender politics to international trade, and more.

An optional dissertation will enable you to apply your knowledge and skills in a specialist area of politics if you choose – honing your research and analysis capabilities as you explore a question of particular interest to you.

By the end of the programme, you'll be well-prepared for a successful career. On average, Bristol economics students earn 26% more than other UK economics graduates within five years of graduation – typically enjoying salaries between £42,500 and £77,500 per year (discoveruni.gov.uk, 2024).

Recent BSc Economics and Politics graduates have gone on to work at organisations including the Civil Service, Bloomberg, Barclays, the Financial Conduct Authority, JPMorgan Chase, and Bank Negara Malaysia.

Job roles of recent course graduates include Investment Analyst, Journalist, Funding Manager, Policy Advisor, Data Analyst, Associate Consultant, and Researcher.

Our Economics and Politics BSc is accredited by CIMA.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BSc (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • September 2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
LL12
Institution code:
B78
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Bristol has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

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:
B78
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and accepts a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate study. If you studied at a school, college or university outside the UK, please select the relevant page for further information on qualification equivalences, scholarships and details of our education representatives in your country/region: bristol.ac.uk/international/countries/

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff Not accepted

A level AAA - ABB

Standard offer: AAA including Mathematics and an essay-based subject.

Contextual offer: ABB including Mathematics and an essay-based subject.

Please visit: bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/entry-requirements-qualifications/contextual-offers/ for more information about contextual offers.

Essay-based subjects include: Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Literature; Environmental Studies; Film; Geography; Government and Politics; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Philosophy; Politics; Psychology; Religious Studies; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Theatre Studies; and Welsh.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) DDD

DDD in any essay-based Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma, AND A in Mathematics at A-level (or equivalent).

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

Access to HE Diploma in Engineering, Science, or Computing (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include: at least 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit or above; and at least 15 credits from Mathematics units, of which at least 12 (including algebra, calculus and trigonometry) must be at Distinction and at least 9 credits at Distinction in an essay-based subject

OR Access to HE Diploma in Business, Humanities, Social Sciences, Psychology, Law or History (or similar titles), with the 45 graded Level 3 credits including at least 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit or above (including at least 9 credits at Distinction in an essay-based subject) PLUS A in A-level Mathematics.

Mature students can contact mature-students@bristol.ac.uk to check the suitability of their Access course.

Essay-based subjects include: Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Literature; Environmental Studies; Film; Geography; Government and Politics; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Philosophy; Politics; Psychology; Religious Studies; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Theatre Studies; and Welsh.

Scottish Higher AAAAB

Standard Higher: AAAAB

Scottish Advanced Higher AA

Advanced Higher: AA in Mathematics and an essay-based subject.

Essay-based subjects include: Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Literature; Environmental Studies; Film; Geography; Government and Politics; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Philosophy; Politics; Psychology; Religious Studies; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Theatre Studies; and Welsh.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 32 - 36 points

Standard offer: 36 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in an essay-based subject, and Mathematics with either 6 at Higher Level (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations) or 7 at Standard Level (Analysis and Approaches).

Contextual offer: 32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in an essay-based subject, and Mathematics with either 5 at Higher Level (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations) or 7 at Standard Level (Analysis and Approaches).

Please visit: bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/entry-requirements-qualifications/contextual-offers/ for more information about contextual offers.

Essay-based subjects include: Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Literature; Environmental Studies; Film; Geography; Government and Politics; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Philosophy; Politics; Psychology; Religious Studies; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Theatre Studies; and Welsh.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/ D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/ M2 is B, and M3 is C.

European Baccalaureate offer: 85% overall, with 8.5 in Mathematics and an essay-based subject.

Essay-based subjects include: Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art & Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. We consider a large range of contextual factors when making application decisions.

If you receive and accept an offer from the University of Bristol, and you meet the terms of your offer in full, you will be accepted.

Learn more on the University of Bristol website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

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

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

Related courses

At University of Bristol

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