Economics with Politics BSc (Hons) with professional placement or study abroad

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Bath

Program Overview

The BSc Economics with Politics at the University of Bath combines analytical economics with the study of political systems, institutions and public policy. It suits students who want to understand how economic theory and political decision-making interact at national and global levels.

Curriculum structure

Year 1:
Students develop core foundations through Principles of Economics, Mathematics for Economics, and Introduction to Politics, building essential economic reasoning, quantitative skills and an understanding of political ideas and institutions.

Year 2:
The focus shifts to deeper analysis with Intermediate Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and Comparative Politics, strengthening theoretical knowledge while examining how different political systems shape economic outcomes.

Year 3:

You can choose to do a professional placement or study at one of their overseas partner institutions, or combine the two in your third year. This is an opportunity to enhance your CV, gain new skills, and establish networks either within industry, internationally, or both.

Year 4:
In the final year, students specialise through options such as Political Economy, Public Economics, and International Relations, applying advanced economic models and political analysis to real-world policy and global challenges.

Focus areas: “Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Political Economy, Public Policy, Comparative Politics, Quantitative Methods”

Learning outcomes: “Analyse economic and political systems; apply quantitative tools to policy questions; evaluate institutions and governance; conduct independent economic and political research.”

Professional alignment (accreditation): Supports careers in public policy, government, economics, political analysis, consultancy, international organisations and postgraduate study.

Reputation (employability rankings): The University of Bath consistently ranks highly for Economics and graduate employability in major UK league tables such as QS, Guardian and the Complete University Guide.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Bath, economics isn’t just theory—it’s applied learning in action. The BSc Economics with Politics program integrates real-world exposure through placements, industry projects, and data-driven coursework that mirror the decisions economists make every day. You’ll gain hands-on experience using advanced statistical tools, work with real economic datasets, and have the chance to apply your knowledge through a professional placement or study abroad year. The program is built to help you connect economic theory with the policy and business environments shaping the global economy.

You’ll also benefit from state-of-the-art facilities and active engagement with employers, research centres, and government institutions. Bath’s strong focus on employability means you’ll graduate with practical skills in data analysis, econometrics, and decision-making that employers in finance, consultancy, and policy value highly.

Here’s how Bath helps you turn learning into real experience:

Professional Placement Year: Option to spend your third year working in industry, with previous students placed at organizations such as Bank of England, HM Treasury, PwC, Deloitte, and Accenture.
Study Abroad Opportunities: Partner universities include leading institutions across Europe, North America, and Asia, enabling students to gain international exposure and comparative economic insight.
Data and Research Facilities: Access to specialized resources like the Computing and Data Analysis Labs and Economics Resource Centre, supporting econometric modeling and policy research.
Software and Analytical Tools: Training in industry-relevant platforms such as Stata, EViews, R, and Python for quantitative analysis and forecasting.
Departmental Seminars and Guest Lectures: Frequent sessions with policymakers and economists from institutions like the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Bank of England, offering firsthand insight into contemporary issues.
Group Research Projects: Collaborative work on real-world economic problems, often using data provided by industry or government agencies.
Library and Learning Resources: The University of Bath Library provides 24/7 access to extensive databases, journals, and the Bloomberg financial platform.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the University of Bath’s BSc Economics with Politics progress into highly skilled roles across the private and public sectors, with many working as economists, financial or business analysts, researchers, and policy professionals in leading organisations such as Barclays, BlackRock, Citigroup, Deloitte, EY, Lloyds Banking Group, PwC, Schroders, UBS and others. Around 84–90% of graduates are in work and/or further study 15 months after graduation, reflecting Bath’s consistently excellent national standing for economics graduate prospects. Typical roles span economic analysis, public policy, financial services, and business consulting in both UK and international contexts.

Typical job roles: Economist, Financial Analyst, Policy Analyst, Business/Strategy Consultant.

Therefore, students can expect strong support and outcomes in terms of career development and employability:

University services: Bath’s Careers Service offers one-to-one guidance, sector-focused events, skills workshops, internship and placement support, and access to an extensive employer and alumni network; students can also opt for a professional placement or study abroad year to gain paid experience and build contacts in government, NGOs, banks, and consultancies.
Employment stats and salary figures: Economics-related graduates from Bath report around 84% in work and/or further study 15 months after graduation, with typical earnings around £31,500 at 15 months and long‑run averages for Bath politics/economics graduates in the £44,000–£89,500 range, among the best in the UK.
University–industry partnerships: Strong links with major employers such as Barclays, BlackRock, Citigroup, Deloitte, EY, Lloyds Banking Group, Pacific Life Re, PwC, Rathbones, Schroders and UBS support placements, internships, graduate schemes and project-based work, often leading directly to job offers.
Long-term accreditation value: Bath’s national ranking for economics graduate prospects (2nd in the UK in one major guide) and its reputation for rigorous quantitative training and policy-focused teaching give the degree long-term value for careers in finance, government, and international organisations.
Graduation outcomes: A high proportion of graduates enter professional and managerial roles in business and public service associate professions, business research and administration, and management; many report finding their work meaningful and progress quickly into more senior positions.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue their studies with postgraduate programmes such as MSc Economics, MSc Economics and Finance, MSc Public Policy, or related fields like international development and political economy at Bath or other leading universities, using the strong quantitative and policy background from this degree as preparation for research degrees (MPhil/PhD) or professional postgraduate training in areas such as public policy, international relations, data analytics, or finance.