Economics, Politics and International Studies

Economics, politics, and international studies is a genuinely interdisciplinary degree that recognises the impossibility of understanding any one of these fields in isolation from the others. Economic outcomes are shaped by political choices. Political behaviour is constrained by economic realities.

Both economics and politics play out within international structures that distribute power and resources unequally across states. Studying all three together gives you a comprehensive framework for understanding how the world works that is richer than any single discipline could provide.

At Warwick this three-year programme allows you to take either a BSc or a BA route depending on your preference for the more quantitative or more humanities-oriented aspects of the combination. You will develop a thorough grounding in economic theory and analysis, examining how markets operate, how governments use policy tools, and what drives growth, inflation, and trade. The politics strand covers political institutions, ideologies, and behaviour at both domestic and international levels.

The international studies component extends your reach to the global arena, examining the structures and dynamics of international politics and the role of states, international organisations, and other actors in world affairs.

A year abroad is embedded in the programme, giving you the opportunity to study at an international partner institution and engage directly with a different political and economic environment.

Graduates pursue careers in economic and political analysis, finance, the civil service, international organisations, journalism, consultancy, policy research, and diplomacy. The combination of economic rigour and political understanding is particularly valued by employers in international contexts. Many graduates also go on to postgraduate study in economics, political science, international relations, or public policy.