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Economics, Politics and International Studies (BSc/BA) (Full-Time, 2021 Entry)

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UCAS Code
LLD2

Qualification
Bachelor of Science (BSc) or Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Duration
3 years full-time (or 4 years with placement)

Start Date
27 September 2021

Department of Study
Department of Economics

Location of Study
University of Warwick


Our Economics, Politics and International Studies (BSc/BA) crosses subject boundaries, combining economics and political analysis. It enables you to contextualise economic theory and practice within national and global political structures and behaviour. It also gives a rounded perspective of how governments, companies and individuals function in the 21st century, with up-to-date analysis and debate of key events.


Course overview

This challenging degree crosses subject boundaries, combining economics and political analysis. It enables you to contextualise economic theory and practice within national and global political structures and behaviour. It also gives a rounded perspective of how governments, companies and individuals function in the 21st century, with up-to-date analysis and debate of key events.

You can maintain a breadth of study while focusing on areas that interest you, particularly during your final year when you’ll have the flexibility to select up to six optional modules alongside a core module in Making of Economic Policy.

Our guest lectures 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.

You can choose to specialise either in Economics, or Politics and International Studies in your second and third years, continuing with the other subject as a minor. Alternatively, you may opt for a Bipartite (dual) pathway in your final year.


Course structure

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 Bipartite (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%.


How will I learn?

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


Contact hours

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


Class size

Your lecture size will naturally vary, especially for the optional modules, but also for core lectures.

Some of the larger modules may have 200-450 students in them. You will then typically have weekly support and feedback classes with around 15-20 students.


How will I be assessed?

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% on coursework and 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 abroad 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 Economics with Study Abroad).

General entry requirements

Our selectors value a breadth of subjects. You should therefore avoid subjects with significantly overlapping curricula where possible - for example, Economics and Business Studies.

A level:

  • A*AA
  • You will also need A*/Grade 8 in GCSE Mathematics

IB:

  • 38 to include 4 in Higher Level Mathematics or 5 in Standard Level Mathematics (either ‘Analysis and Approaches’ or ‘Applications and Interpretation’).

BTEC:

  • We welcome applications from students taking BTECs alongside two A levels
  • You will also need A*/Grade 8 in GCSE Mathematics

Additional requirements:

You will also need to meet our English Language requirements.


International Students

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

Find out more about international entry requirements.


Contextual data and differential offers

Warwick may make differential offers to students in a number of circumstances. These include students participating in the Realising Opportunities programme, or who meet two of the contextual data criteria. Differential offers will be one or two grades below Warwick’s standard offer (to a minimum of BBB).


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.


Taking a gap year

Applications for deferred entry 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.

Year One

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 Techniques

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


BSc Economics Pathway

Year Two

Economics 2

You'll develop 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.

Applied Econometrics

You'll learn important skills of both academic and vocational value, an essential part of the intellectual training of an economist and social scientist and also useful for your future career. These skills include awareness of the empirical approach to economics and social science; reviewing and extending fundamental statistical concepts; methods of data collection and analysis; regression analysis, its extensions and applications; use of spreadsheets and statistical packages such as SPSS or STATA. You will then be able to apply this knowledge to a research project of your own.

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 modules 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


Year Three

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 in Economics


BA Politics and International Studies Pathway

Year Two

Economics 2

You'll develop 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 modules 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 Three

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 in PAIS

BA Bipartite

Year Three

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 in Economics and PAIS


Examples of optional modules/options for current students:

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

Tuition fees

Find out more about fees and funding


Additional course costs

There may be costs associated with other items or services such as academic texts, course notes, and trips associated with your course. Students who choose to complete a work placement or study abroad will pay reduced tuition fees for their third year.


Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship 2021

We believe there should be no barrier to talent. That's why we are committed to offering a scholarship that makes it easier for gifted, ambitious international learners to pursue their academic interests at one of the UK's most prestigious universities. This new scheme will offer international fee-paying students 250 tuition fee discounts ranging from full fees to awards of £13,000 to £2,000 for the full duration of your Undergraduate degree course.

Find out more about the Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship 2021

Your career

Graduates from these 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 careers such as: analysts; associate consultants; advertising accounts managers and creative directors; business and financial project management professionals; chartered and certified accountants; economists; finance and investment analysts and advisers; management consultants and business analysts; quality assurance technicians and taxation experts.


Helping you find the right career

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant who can support you. They offer impartial advice and guidance together with tailored workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

  • 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.

Ioan, Warwick student

“My experience has been wonderful. I have already learnt so much and have made friends on my course from all around the world, who can thus contribute new insights during discussions in seminars. I feel like my degree is really helping me to understand how the world works, and preparing me to face the world when I graduate.”

Ioan

Year 2, BSc/BA Economics, Politics and International Studies

This information is applicable for 2021 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our terms and conditions to find out more.