Course Overview

Key Information

• Course Code: LLD2
• Qualification: Bachelor of Science (BSc) or Bachelor of Arts (BA)
• Duration: 3 years (full-time) or 4 years with study abroad
• Start Date: Monday 25 September 2023

Course Overview

This challenging degree crosses subject boundaries, combining economics and political analysis. Policy-making is influenced by economics and many of the policies that we see today around the world are based on economic analysis.

By considering both disciplines, you will gain a broad perspective on how governments develop policy and the impact of this on consumers, firms and political structures. The degree is very current, looking at the key issues of the day and encouraging debate and discussion around them.

You can maintain a breadth of study while focusing on areas that interest you, particularly during your final year. You can choose to major in one area and then you will have the flexibility to select up to six optional modules alongside a core module in Making of Economic Policy.

The Student Perspective

Hear Olympia share her experiences of studying in the Department of Economics at Warwick.

Course Structure and Modules

You can choose to specialise in either Economics or Politics and International Studies in your second and third years, continuing with the other subject as a minor; or opt for a Bi-partite (dual) pathway in your final year. If you follow the Economics pathway, you will graduate with a BSc. If you follow the PAIS or Bipartite pathway, you will graduate with a BA.

Within your course regulations, we will permit you to choose modules from any department, subject to our approval and provided that you satisfy the pre-requisites or other requirements for that module and that the offering department permits you to take the module.

The final degree classification is determined by your second and final year marks and each contributes 50%.

Year 1

• Economics 1
  You'll develop an understanding of fundamental and intermediate concepts in micro- and macroeconomic analysis, equipping you with a range of appropriate analytical skills, including descriptive, graphical and mathematical methods. This will develop your ability to analyse economic trends, institutions and policies and the capacity to apply analytical techniques to real-world problems.
• Quantitative Technqiues
  This module combines two modules: Mathematical Techniques and Statistical Techniques. You will cover topics ranging from algebra and calculus to distributions and hypothesis testing, which will provide you with key skills and knowledge that will then applied in many other modules. In addition, you will be introduced to some advanced statistical software packages, which will help you learn about a range of techniques to analyse data and different ways in which you can present data.
• Introduction to Politics
  Introduction to Politics gives you a broad overview of the main issues and theoretical perspectives within Politics. You'll learn first to understand and then apply the core concepts of comparative political science and theory to processes, institutions, ideologies and practical policy-making. You'll conduct a comparative study of different political systems and political change, both in writing and in open debate.
• World Politics
  In this module, you'll be introduced to world politics and the role that international relations plays in the interactions between nations. You'll gain a solid understanding of the historical underpinnings of the structure and systems of states, and become familiar with major theories of international relations post-1945. You'll analyse contemporary writings on world politics and engage critically, both orally and in writing, with key concepts and theoretical debates on the nature of international political systems.
• Plus up to two optional modules

Year 2

BSc Economics Pathway

• Economics 2
  On this module, you will learn to understand and apply the core theoretical models used in macroeconomics, for both closed and open economies, in order to enhance your comprehension of real-world macroeconomic experiences, especially involving macroeconomic policy. By the end of this module, you should be able to present clearly and methodically your understanding of a variety of common theoretical models and their inter-relationships, including through the use of equations and graphics. We will typically cover all major areas, including but not limited to, flexible pricing and sticky-price models; consumption and growth; wage-setting and unemployment; fiscal and monetary policy; international trade and exchange rate systems; and international financial markets.
• Applied Econometrics
  You will gain a solid understanding of intermediate and some advanced principles of microeconomics and be exposed to a range of applications of theory. You will spend time on the use of mathematical concepts in the field for analysis, and cover important principles of general equilibrium and social welfare, market failure, choice and uncertainty, and static and dynamic games of complete and incomplete information. By the end of this module, you will be able to analyse a range of microeconomic concepts, using a range of approaches, including graphical and mathematical techniques and apply your knowledge to policy issues and to the analysis of different sectors.

or

• Econometrics 1
  You'll be equipped with important skills of both academic and vocational value, being an essential part of the intellectual training of an economist and also useful for your future career. This includes an awareness of the empirical approach to economics; experience in analysis and use of empirical data; understanding the nature of uncertainty and methods of dealing with it; and using econometric software packages as tools of quantitative and statistical analysis. With the required necessary skills and knowledge to critically appraise work in applied economics, you'll have a good grasp of the dangers, pitfalls and problems encountered in applied modelling. You will then be able to apply this knowledge to a research project of your own.
• A politics module from:

  Political Theory from Hobbes: Seeking Freedom and Equality

  How should human beings be governed? The thinkers you'll study – from Hobbes to Marx – had very different answers to this question. Building on your understanding of political philosophy, you'll read significant primary and secondary texts to develop your understanding of how political convictions are shaped by the context and history of individual thought and social interaction. You'll confront and assess complex ideas in political theory, and present and defend your point of view, both orally and in writing.

  Politics of International Development

  Many policies have been created in the name of international development yet so many in the world remain in poverty. This module challenges questions like, is poverty reduction the same thing as development? Examining key topics through this module, you will focus on why global inequalities persist today. You will be taught how to critically assess policies and ask what roles and responsibilities key actors, like the World Bank and aid agencies, should have in respect to international development.

  Theories of International Relations

  What has happened and what an event of international importance means might seem common sense, such as in the case of the 9/11 attacks or the global financial crisis, but in this module you will learn to critically examine conventional wisdom about world politics. You will explore different ways of analysing international relations, and what is at stake, exploring theories including those of realism, liberalism, Marxism, constructivism and feminism. Successful completion means you will be able to describe key assumptions in contemporary theories and analyse their purpose, coherence and inherent contradictions.

  States and Markets: An Introduction to International Political Economy

  Political economy shows that social orders, and the institutions that comprise them, need to be studied as complex wholes: power relations, states and markets, how and why a particular social order might work. You will study the classic theorists of political economy and then explore specific themes and issues. Guest lecturers contribute on themes and issues that marry closely with their areas of research interest and expertise. In your studies you will develop good investigative and research skills, including in IT, and learn how to present your arguments in written and spoken form.

  International Security

  This module will provide you with a comprehensive introduction into theories, concepts and practices of international security. You will examine the study of strategy and warfare, debates about the meaning and scope of security and key security actors, institutions and mechanisms in world politics. By the end of this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge using theoretical debates about security in international relations and their relationship to security practices.

• Plus up to two optional modules

BA Politics Pathway

• Economics 2
  You'll develop a deeper understanding of some of the key economic concepts but will also be introduced to new concepts in both micro- and macroeconomic analysis. These include material drawn from general equilibrium, welfare economics, game theory, risk and uncertainty within microeconomics and three equation macro model, open economy macroeconomics and the labour market within macroeconomics. It will introduce you to the analysis of public policy issues such as market failure, insurance, monetary unions and fiscal policy, and will give you a range of tools to analyse economic problems. Your analysis will be underpinned by a rigorous theoretical understanding acquired on the course.
• Political Theory from Hobbes: Seeking Freedom and Equality
  How should human beings be governed? The thinkers you'll study – from Hobbes to Marx – had very different answers to this question. Building on your understanding of political philosophy, you'll read significant primary and secondary texts to develop your understanding of how political convictions are shaped by the context and history of individual thought and social interaction. You'll confront and assess complex ideas in political theory, and present and defend your point of view, both orally and in writing.
• A politics module from:

  Politics of International Development

  Many policies have been created in the name of international development yet so many in the world remain in poverty. This module challenges questions like, is poverty reduction the same thing as development? Examining key topics through this module, you will focus on why global inequalities persist today. You will be taught how to critically assess policies and ask what roles and responsibilities key actors, like the World Bank and aid agencies, should have in respect to international development.

  Theories of International Relations

  What has happened and what an event of international importance means might seem common sense, such as in the case of the 9/11 attacks or the global financial crisis, but in this module you will learn to critically examine conventional wisdom about world politics. You will explore different ways of analysing international relations, and what is at stake, exploring theories including those of realism, liberalism, Marxism, constructivism and feminism. Successful completion means you will be able to describe key assumptions in contemporary theories and analyse their purpose, coherence and inherent contradictions.

  States and Markets: An Introduction to International Political Economy

  Political economy shows that social orders, and the institutions that comprise them, need to be studied as complex wholes: power relations, states and markets, how and why a particular social order might work. You will study the classic theorists of political economy and then explore specific themes and issues. Guest lecturers contribute on themes and issues that marry closely with their areas of research interest and expertise. In your studies you will develop good investigative and research skills, including in IT, and learn how to present your arguments in written and spoken form.

  International Security

  This module will provide you with a comprehensive introduction into theories, concepts and practices of international security. You will examine the study of strategy and warfare, debates about the meaning and scope of security and key security actors, institutions and mechanisms in world politics. By the end of this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge using theoretical debates about security in international relations and their relationship to security practices.

• Plus up to two optional modules

Year 3

BSc Economics Pathway

• Making of Economic Policy
  You will explore the relationship between economics and politics, including through critiquing theory and examining real-life phenomena from the post-war period to the present. You will gain an informed understanding of the differences and complementarities in economic and political analysis and their impact on economic performance, including through close study of the effects of globalisation on the autonomy of national economic policy, and the impacts of inflation, unemployment, market failure, migration, the welfare state, income distribution, corruption and public finance. We aim for you to acquire the knowledge and analytical skills needed for a career in government, the media, financial services sector, business associations or industry.
• Plus up to six optional modules, including a required number from Economics

BA Politics Pathway

• Making of Economic Policy
  You will explore the relationship between economics and politics, including through critiquing theory and examining real-life phenomena from the post-war period to the present. You will gain an informed understanding of the differences and complementarities in economic and political analysis and their impact on economic performance, including through close study of the effects of globalisation on the autonomy of national economic policy, and the impacts of inflation, unemployment, market failure, migration, the welfare state, income distribution, corruption and public finance. We aim for you to acquire the knowledge and analytical skills needed for a career in government, the media, financial services sector, business associations or industry.
• Plus up to six optional modules, including a required number from PAIS

BA Bipartite

• Making of Economic Policy
  You will explore the relationship between economics and politics, including through critiquing theory and examining real-life phenomena from the post-war period to the present. You will gain an informed understanding of the differences and complementarities in economic and political analysis and their impact on economic performance, including through close study of the effects of globalisation on the autonomy of national economic policy, and the impacts of inflation, unemployment, market failure, migration, the welfare state, income distribution, corruption and public finance. We aim for you to acquire the knowledge and analytical skills needed for a career in government, the media, financial services sector, business associations or industry.
• Plus up to six optional modules, including a required number from Economics and PAIS

Optional Modules

Optional modules may change from year to year. Recently, a selection of the following options have been offered:

• Political Economy
• Politics of International Development
• International Security
• International Relations
• Behavioural Economics
• The Industrial Economy
• Environmental Economics
• Topics in Applied Economics
• Languages

Research in Applied Economics (RAE)

Listen to our students discuss how they chose their dissertation subject, what they found interesting and what they ended up researching in their dissertations.

Teaching, Learning and Assessments

Teaching

You will have a combination of lectures, and small group support and feedback classes.

Our guest lectures also enable you to learn from and interact with leading business and policymaking figures, and our research-led teaching exposes you to new thinking from the very start.

Class sizes

Your lecture size will naturally vary, especially for the optional modules, but also for core lectures. Some of the larger modules may have 150-500 students in them. You will then typically have weekly support and feedback classes with around 15-20 students.

Typical contact hours

You will receive approximately 3 hours of contact time per day, making 15 hours on average per week.

Assessments

This varies across each year and between Economics and PAIS, as will the types of assessments.

Typically in year one, you will have more formative assessments than in years two and three. The typical module in years one and two is based 20-30% on coursework and 70-80% on the final examination, but assessment weights and methods do still vary.

This is even more the case for final year modules, where the assessment methods vary widely depending on the modules chosen.

Study Abroad

We currently offer an exciting range of opportunities for you to spend a year abroadLink opens in a new window studying in a higher education institution either in Europe, at the University of Monash in Australia, or with our partners in China and Canada. Studying overseas can add immeasurably to your personal development, future study and career opportunities. It will also offer you an opportunity to experience an alternative university system.

If you’re successful in gaining a Study Abroad placement, your degree programme will become a four year programme and, assuming you pass sufficient modules whilst abroad, the title of your course changes to add the suffix ‘with Study Abroad’ to the existing title (e.g. BSc/BA Economics, Politics and International Studies with Study Abroad).

Entry Requirements

Typical Offers

Please note: Our selectors value a breadth of subjects. We also do not accept Critical Thinking and General Studies.

Contextual Offer

We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria. See if you’re eligible.

BTEC

We welcome applications from students taking BTECs alongside two A levels, including A* or Grade 8 in GCSE Mathematics.

International Qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications. For more information, please visit the international entry requirements page.

Warwick International Foundation Programme (IFP)

All students who successfully complete the Warwick IFP and apply to Warwick through UCAS will receive a guaranteed conditional offer for a related undergraduate programme (selected courses only).

Find out more about standard offers and conditions for the IFP.

English Language Requirements

All students will also need to meet our English Language requirements.

Taking a gap year

Applications for deferred entry are welcomed.

Interviews

We do not typically interview applicants. Offers are made based on your UCAS form which includes predicted and actual grades, your personal statement and school reference.

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees

Find out more about fees and funding.

Careers

Graduate Destinations

Graduates from our Economics degrees have gone on to work for employers including:

• Accenture
• Amazon
• Bank of America Merrill Lynch
• Bloomberg
• Centrica
• Department for International Trade
• HSBC
• Investec
• PwC
• Santander UK
• Teach First
• UBS
• Unilever

They have pursued roles such as:

• Analysts
• Associate Consultants
• Advertising Account Managers
• Business Analysts
• Business and Financial Project Management Professionals
• Chartered and Certified Accountants
• Creative Directors
• Economists
• Finance and Investment Analysts and Advisers
• Management Consultants
• Quality Assurance Technicians
• Taxation Experts

Heping you find the right career

Our Department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

• Careers in Economics Webinar Series
• Careers in Economics Event
• Investment Banking Uncovered
• Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
• Mock Assessment Centre workshops
• Manage Your Digital Identity and Use LinkedIn Effectively

Find out more about careers support at Warwick.