Politics and Economics

Politics and economics together address two of the most consequential questions in public life: how power is organised and exercised in societies, and how resources are allocated and welfare is generated or distributed. The disciplines are natural partners. Political decisions shape economic outcomes through policy, regulation, and public spending, while economic forces shape political behaviour, institutional design, and the distribution of power.

Understanding the relationship between politics and markets, states and economies, is essential to making sense of the modern world.

At the University of Southampton, this three-year programme develops an in-depth understanding of both disciplines, equipping you with the analytical, critical thinking, and research skills valued by employers across government, finance, business, and advocacy. You will study political theory and institutions alongside microeconomics, macroeconomics, and quantitative methods, developing the ability to examine political and economic questions rigorously and from multiple perspectives. The programme includes a sandwich placement year and embedded work placement opportunities, giving you direct professional experience in a relevant context that strengthens both your understanding and your employability.

Graduates from politics and economics programmes pursue careers across a very wide range of fields. Government, the civil service, financial services, economic consultancy, journalism, international organisations, think-tanks, advocacy and NGO work, and management in private sector organisations are all common destinations. The combination of political understanding and economic rigour is particularly valued in roles that sit at the intersection of policy and markets.

Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in economics, politics, public policy, law, or international affairs, building on the analytical foundations the degree provides.