Policy, Politics and Economics BA

This course offers a unique interdisciplinary approach, combining critical thinking and real-world applications. You’ll gain the skills to influence policy, navigate complex political landscapes, and contribute to solving the economic challenges shaping societies globally.

• World-Class Expertise: Learn from leading academics in a top research-intensive university.
• Real-World Impact: Tackle pressing global challenges like inequality, health, and education through a dynamic curriculum.
• Interdisciplinary Learning: Combine insights from social policy, politics and economics to tackle pressing societal challenges.

Enhance your future with a Placement Year

In your second year, you’ll receive tailored support from our placements team and our School of Social Policy and Society, including expert advice on CVs, interviews, and career planning. The College of Social Sciences Careers Network team will also support you in securing a placement that aligns with your interests.

Your placement is an opportunity to apply your knowledge to real-world social and public policy challenges and may be in the public, private, or voluntary sectors. You may find yourself engaging directly with policies around crime, poverty, healthcare, and education – the core issues of social policy. Alternatively, you might review your organisation’s HR policies, assess its social media presence, or conduct research on key topics affecting its work. Whatever your role, you’ll gain invaluable experience, develop skills such as problem-solving and adaptability, in addition to building a network of professional contacts resulting in boosting your employability by standing out in the job market.

With assessments such as reports and skills journal, the Placement Year also enhances your final-year studies. To take part, you’ll need to achieve at least 58% in Year 1. If you decide it’s not for you, you can easily return to the three-year programme.

• Lectures: Gain foundational knowledge and insights from expert academics on key concepts, theories, and real-world social policy issues.
• Seminars: Engage in discussions, debates, and collaborative activities to deepen understanding and enhance critical thinking skills.
• Group Work: Develop teamwork and problem-solving abilities by working collaboratively on projects and case studies.
• Projects: Academic projects typically require students to conduct research, analyse data, and draw conclusions based on their discoveries. They may also be expected to work in a team, present their work to an audience, and defend their findings.

Assesment methods and feedback

You will be assessed in a variety of ways across your degree. At the beginning of each module, you will be given information on how and when you will be assessed. Assessment methods will vary within each module and may include: written coursework, such as essays, formal exams and group work.

Support during your studies

You will have access to our comprehensive support system to help you make a smooth transition to university-level study.

• Personal tutors - will get to know you as you progress through your studies. They will provide academic support and advice to enable you to make the most of your time here at Birmingham.
• Wellbeing Officers - provide professional support, advice and guidance to you across a range of issues. They can discuss extensions, disabilities, reasonable adjustments, extenuating circumstances, and help you access wider support on campus and beyond.
• Academic Skills Centre - helps you become a more effective independent learner through a range of high-quality support, with workshops on topics such as note-taking, reading, academic writing and presentation skills.
• Student Experience team - will help you get the most out of your academic and social experience, including research opportunities, study skills support and preparing for your post-university careers.

Contact hours: For all undergraduate modules students usually attend 1 lecture and 1 seminar per week.

The optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.

To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.

Number of A levels required: 3

General Studies: not accepted

T Levels: all subjects considered. Standard offer: Distinction overall with A in the Core Component

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.

• TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 in Listening, 22 in Speaking and 21 in Writing.
• IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any band.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): PTE 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills.
• Cambridge English(exams taken from 2015): Cambridge English: Advanced Minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
• Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 ‘Communicator’ with no less than 33 in each skill
• Trinity ISE II: Not applicable
• Trinity ISE III: Pass in each Skill

Presessional English courses

If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September, including additional online courses in the summer term. Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

Applicants who take the EPQ and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade A in the EPQ. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.

Core Maths qualification

Applicants who take the Core Maths qualification and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade A in Core Maths. If you are also taking A-level Maths, you will not be eligible for an alternative offer through studying Core Maths. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.

*The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study, normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay. The fee for September 2025 entry was £9,535 for UK students. If you are applying for 2026 entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee once it is confirmed by the Government.

Undergraduate loans

To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.

Scholarships, grants and bursaries

At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.

View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.

As the most sought-after UK university by top graduate employers (High Fliers report, The Graduate Market 2024), our Policy, Politics, and Economics BA offers a wealth of career opportunities in government, international organisations, business, and policy consultancy. Whether your goal is to influence political decisions, shape economic strategies, or drive social change, this course provides the analytical skills and practical insights needed to make a meaningful impact across various sectors.

Careers Network

Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offer support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.

Flexible programmes to suit you

Not sure what you want to study?

Explore your options for combining subjects and shape your degree around your interests, whilst developing key skills for the world of work.