Economics and Politics

Economics and Politics are natural companions in the study of how societies organise themselves. Economics provides rigorous tools for understanding how markets work, how resources are allocated, how firms and individuals respond to incentives, and how government policy affects welfare. Politics asks how power is constituted and contested, how institutions are designed and reformed, and how democratic and non-democratic systems function in practice.

Studied together, they equip you to analyse the forces that shape public life with both quantitative precision and political understanding.

At the University of Sheffield you will study this three-year full-time programme with the opportunity to undertake a year-long paid work placement in your second year, and a year abroad is also available, giving you the option to study at a partner university and develop a comparative international perspective. Work placement opportunities are embedded within the programme structure through the Sheffield Economics Employability Development scheme, which also offers internships, voluntary work and access to employability advice and workshops. The course develops both quantitative economic analysis and qualitative political inquiry, and you will build skills in data analysis, argument construction, research methodology and policy evaluation that are valued across a wide range of careers.

Graduates of economics and politics programmes are well placed in a broad range of sectors. The civil service and public policy are traditional destinations, as are roles in think tanks, NGOs, international organisations and government advisory bodies. The analytical skills from economics open doors in finance, banking, consultancy and economic research, while the political analysis component suits careers in diplomacy, journalism, advocacy and development.

Many graduates also pursue further academic study, taking master's degrees in economics, political science, public policy, international relations or law, and the combination gives you strong preparation for a range of professional postgraduate routes.