Economics and Politics

Economics and politics is a combination that reflects the inseparability of these two domains in practice. Economic policy is always political, shaped by ideologies, institutional interests and the distribution of power in society. Political outcomes, in turn, are shaped by economic conditions: how growth is distributed, how markets are regulated, and what happens when economic systems face shocks.

Studying both disciplines together gives you the conceptual tools to understand how governments, markets and political actors interact and how that interaction shapes outcomes at national and global level.

At Aberystwyth University, this three-year full-time degree draws on the strengths of two departments with strong reputations for teaching and research. You will develop a solid understanding of economic theory and quantitative methods alongside a broad engagement with political institutions, political theory, international relations and comparative politics. You will examine how global markets are affected by events including pandemics, natural disasters and geopolitical shifts, and how political systems respond to and shape those responses.

The programme develops your analytical, research and communication skills in ways that are directly relevant to careers in the public and private sectors.

Graduates from economics and politics programmes pursue careers in the civil service, government, policy research, international organisations, journalism, finance, consulting and the third sector. The combination of economic analysis and political understanding is particularly valuable in roles that require insight into public policy, regulatory affairs, international trade and the political economy of contemporary challenges. Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in economics, politics, international relations, public policy or law, deepening their expertise and opening more senior professional roles.