BSc Politics with Quantitative Research Methods

At Bristol, this degree is all about learning by doing. From your very first year, you won’t just study theories—you’ll get hands-on experience working with real data, political debates, and the kinds of research tools that employers value. The course combines classic training in politics and international relations with practical skills in quantitative methods, meaning you’ll learn how to analyse numbers, tell convincing stories with evidence, and apply statistical tools to real-world social and political issues. You’ll benefit from Bristol’s world-class teaching, outstanding library resources, and a research-active environment where the latest methods in data science and political analysis come alive in the classroom.

And because this programme is designed to help you become confident in applying your skills, you’ll make use of the university’s specialist facilities and opportunities throughout your studies:

• Practical data training using statistical software and digital tools is introduced in your first year, with modules like Convincing Stories. Numbers as Evidence in the Social Sciences.

• Research-led teaching with projects that apply data analysis to real political and social questions, from inequality mapping to voting behaviour.

• Dedicated study resources, including the University’s nine libraries, 24/7 study centres, and over 2,000 computers across campus.

• Quantitative research expertise, connected to the University’s Quantitative Spatial Sciences group, which applies machine learning, AI, and advanced methods to social and political data.

• Group projects and applied coursework where you’ll learn to communicate complex data to non-specialist audiences—an essential employability skill.

• Bristol Futures offers opportunities that let you build experience outside the classroom, with skills in innovation, enterprise, and global citizenship.

This mix of academic depth and hands-on experience means you graduate not only with a strong political foundation but also with the technical, analytical, and communication skills employers in government, NGOs, think tanks, and the private sector are actively seeking.

Studying Politics with Quantitative Research Methods at Bristol opens doors to careers where evidence and analysis really matter. Graduates often step into roles like policy analyst, research officer, communications consultant, or public affairs specialist—jobs where you’ll be trusted to turn data into insight and help shape big decisions. Employers value this blend of political understanding and technical skill because it sets you apart in today’s data-driven world.

Here’s how Bristol helps you get there:

• Practical career support: The course is taught through the Q-Step Centre, which not only trains you in advanced data analysis but also offers 140-hour paid internships with government departments, think-tanks, and research organisations.

• Strong employability record: Around 9 in 10 Politics graduates from Bristol are working or in further study within 15 months of finishing, with typical starting salaries around £28,000.

• Real industry links: Thanks to partnerships built through Q-Step, students often gain hands-on experience applying their skills with external organisations before they even graduate.

• Added value of your degree title: Having “with Quantitative Research Methods” in your degree name signals to employers that you’re confident with data, giving you an edge in competitive fields like policy, research, and consulting.

• Graduate outcomes: By your final year, you’ll not only understand political systems but also be able to run your own data-driven research projects—skills that are highly sought after in both public and private sectors.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to take your studies further, this degree sets you up perfectly for a Master’s or PhD in areas such as political methodology, public policy, or data-driven social sciences. The Q-Step training gives you the research confidence to move seamlessly into postgraduate study at Bristol or beyond.