Policy, Politics and Economics with Year Abroad BA

One of the best things about studying Policy, Politics and Economics at Birmingham is how much of your learning goes beyond the classroom. You won’t just sit through lectures—you’ll actively take part in debates, run projects, and even spend a whole year abroad at a partner university. This hands-on approach means you’ll graduate with the kind of practical skills and real-world experience that employers look for.

Here’s how you’ll gain that experience:

• Interactive teaching: Alongside lectures, you’ll take part in lively seminars and tutorials where you debate ideas, test arguments, and work on group projects. Presentations and case studies are a regular part of your learning, so you’ll get confident working with both qualitative and quantitative data.

• Year Abroad: Your third year is spent overseas at one of more than 300 partner universities worldwide. It’s a chance to experience a different academic culture, improve your language skills if you study in a non-English setting, and develop the global perspective employers truly value.

• Specialist facilities: As part of your economics training, you’ll have access to the Birmingham Experimental Economics Laboratory (BEEL), which is equipped with 40 computer terminals for running live decision-making and behavioural experiments. You’ll also use dedicated computer clusters and study spaces in the JG Smith Building and University House.

• Research and data skills: Through groups like the Research in Econometrics and Data Science initiative, you’ll get exposure to real data analysis tools and workshops that sharpen your technical skills.

• Careers and placement support: The College of Social Sciences Careers Network helps you connect with placements in government, NGOs, think tanks, and consultancies. You’ll get tailored advice to prepare you for professional opportunities.

• Beyond the classroom: You can join the PPE Society, attend guest lectures and round-table discussions with policymakers, and even take part in study visits to places like Westminster and Whitehall to see policy in action.

• World-class libraries: You’ll also benefit from the University’s impressive library network, including the Main Library, Orchard Learning Resource Centre, and Cadbury Research Library.

A degree in Policy, Politics and Economics from Birmingham opens doors to a wide range of meaningful careers. Many of our graduates go on to become policy analysts, economic consultants, civil service officers, or work with international NGOs and development agencies. Within just over a year of graduating, students typically earn between £25,000 and £32,000, with salaries often rising to £45,000–£47,500 a few years later.

And here’s how the University helps you get there:

• Dedicated career support – through the Careers Network, you’ll have access to personalised advice, CV and interview workshops, and employer events designed to connect you directly with recruiters.

• Real-world employer projects – initiatives like the Birmingham Project let you collaborate with leading regional employers on live challenges, giving you practical skills that employers value.

• Professional skills training – the Centre for Employability, Professional Legal Education and Research (CEPLER) runs activities such as mock assessments, negotiation workshops, and networking with practitioners from government, NGOs, and law firms.

• Strong employment track record – over 90% of graduates from related courses are in work or further study within 15 months. Salaries are highly competitive compared to national averages.

• Employer recognition – Birmingham has been named the most targeted university by the UK’s top graduate recruiters (Graduate Market Report 2025), which means your degree carries real weight with employers.

Further Academic Progression:
If you’d like to continue studying, you’ll have excellent options. Many students progress to master’s programmes such as Public Policy (MPP), International Political Economy, or Development Studies. Others specialise further in Economics, Global Governance, or International Relations. And for those considering academic or policy research careers, this BA is an ideal foundation for PhD study in politics, economics, or public policy.