Economics and Politics
Economics and Politics addresses two disciplines that are inseparable in practice and mutually illuminating in academic study. Economic theory explains the forces that determine how resources are allocated, how prices are set, how growth is generated and how inequality is produced and perpetuated. Political theory examines how power is organised and exercised, how collective decisions are made and contested, and what values should guide public life.
The relationship between the two is fundamental: economic policy is a political act, and political structures shape economic outcomes. Studying them together gives you the analytical tools to understand how societies work at their most basic level.
At Durham University, this full-time three-year programme includes a sandwich placement year, a year abroad and work placement opportunities, and involves the study of economics and politics in equal measure. You will explore the connections between these closely linked disciplines, examining topics that range from the economic effects of climate change and healthcare policy to the political dimensions of financial markets and the legitimacy of new monetary systems. The programme develops rigorous quantitative and analytical skills alongside political and economic theory, building a comprehensive toolkit for understanding and engaging with complex contemporary challenges.
Economics and Politics graduates are among the most sought-after in the graduate market. The civil service and government economic service, finance and investment banking, management consultancy, journalism, think tanks, international organisations and development finance institutions are all common destinations. The combination of quantitative rigour and political understanding is particularly valued in policy research, economic consultancy and public service leadership.
Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in economics, politics, public policy or international development, and the degree is a strong platform for doctoral research in either discipline.