Policy, Politics and Economics BA

At Birmingham, studying Policy, Politics and Economics is about much more than lectures — it’s about learning by doing. From the very start of your degree, you’ll put theory into practice through real policy case studies, collaborative projects, research-led teaching, and hands-on data analysis. You’ll develop the skills to work with real-world problems, understand how decisions are made, and explore how policies are designed and implemented. With access to top-class facilities, research centres, and an active student community, your learning environment will feel dynamic, practical, and deeply connected to the world around you.

Here’s how you’ll gain real, hands-on experience throughout your degree:

• Interdisciplinary group projects: Modules like Global Issues: Perspectives from Policy, Politics and Economics bring students together to work on real-world challenges — combining political analysis, economic data, and policy design to propose solutions to complex global problems.

• Policy and research-led teaching: You’ll learn from academics actively involved in government policy, international development, and political consultancy — and you’ll often apply their research directly to your coursework and projects.

• Student-led PPE Society: Join an active society where you can organise debates, host panel discussions, and meet visiting speakers from politics, business, and public policy, building professional networks from your first year.

• Extensive library and digital resources: Access world-class political archives, economic datasets, and policy databases through Birmingham’s library system, which has one of the most comprehensive social science collections in the UK.

• Advanced computing and data facilities: Make use of specialist IT clusters and statistical tools that support your quantitative work — from econometric modelling to policy impact analysis.

• Independent research opportunities: Undertake a final-year dissertation or research project on a topic you’re passionate about, with one-on-one academic supervision and access to departmental research centres.

By the time you graduate, you won’t just understand how politics, policy, and economics work — you’ll have hands-on experience analysing real data, crafting policy solutions, and debating ideas with experts and peers.

A degree in Policy, Politics, and Economics from Birmingham gives you the knowledge, analytical ability, and practical skills to shape decisions that impact society. Our graduates go on to make a real difference in roles such as policy analyst, public affairs consultant, economic researcher, and government or NGO advisor — working on everything from climate policy and social reform to international trade and global governance. Employers value the breadth of skills PPE graduates bring — combining critical thinking with data analysis and policy insight — which opens up diverse career pathways across public, private, and non-profit sectors.

Here’s how Birmingham helps you stand out in the job market:

• Specialist career support: The university’s Careers Network offers one-on-one career coaching, CV and interview workshops, and sector-specific events focused on public policy, international relations, and economics — all designed to help you build confidence and make connections.

• Employer links and opportunities: Birmingham is consistently ranked the #1 most targeted university by top UK graduate employers (High Fliers Report), meaning recruiters actively seek out PPE graduates for graduate schemes and internships.

• Strong graduate outcomes: A large proportion of students enter employment or further study within 15 months of graduating, with many progressing to roles in government, NGOs, think tanks, consulting, and global institutions.

• Impressive salary potential: Graduates from related social science degrees earn an average of £32,000 soon after graduation, with potential to rise to around £45,000–£46,500 within five years, demonstrating the high market value of the skills gained.

• Long-term relevance: While not tied to a specific accreditation, this degree’s interdisciplinary approach ensures your skills stay relevant and in demand across sectors such as policy development, economics, research, public administration, and international affairs.

Further Academic Progression:
Many graduates choose to deepen their expertise by pursuing postgraduate study. You could progress to a master’s degree in Public Policy, International Development, Political Science, or Economics, or even pursue doctoral research. Birmingham offers a range of postgraduate programmes that build directly on this BA, making it a seamless next step for your academic journey.