Year of entry
- 2025
UCAS code
- LL14
Duration of study
- 3 years or 4 years with international, placement or entrepreneurship year
Politics with Economics - BA (Hons)
Course summary
What impact does politics have on economies and how do markets shape politics? The relationship between political and economic power is essential for comprehending our society, its challenges, and how to change it. Explore contemporary developments in both the political sphere and the economy, asking fundamental questions to understand how politics shapes the economy and vice versa. Placement opportunities will enable you to gain valuable experience in the workplace and prepare you for careers in government, business and finance.
Why study Politics with Economics at Keele University?




Double Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework
Keele is one of only 15 broad-based universities in England - out of over 100 - to have been awarded Gold in both the 2017 and 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) exercises, demonstrating our consistent teaching excellence.

Additional opportunities





There are a range of additional opportunities for this course.
Please note that undertaking one may impact the availability of another.
Parliamentary Studies
Intrigued by how the UK Parliament operates? In your third year, you can apply to take our Parliamentary Studies module, delivered through a partnership between the Houses of Parliament and Keele Politics. The module provides a detailed knowledge of how Parliament works in both theory and practice. Keele is one of only 23 universities delivering the course and has done so successfully since 2019.
Keele provides academic and theoretical content, and Parliament provides practical teaching about the work, processes and business of Parliament. You will visit Parliament and develop a wide range of analytical skills, examining the role of Parliament as a policy maker and completing assessments set by Parliamentary staff.
Work Placements
Our Politics with Economics programme at Keele offers the chance to engage with work placements as part of your degree programme to gain valuable experience in the workplace on real-world case studies. You will collaborate with professionals in industry by demonstrating your knowledge and expertise and learning new skills which will support your professional journey. From analytical thinking, problem-solving, leadership and organisational skills, you will be well equipped for a range of careers.
You also have the option to gain hands-on experience with a placement year in between years two and three of your degree programme and prepare for employment after university at greater lengths. This will enable you to build confidence and demonstrate your abilities in a professional environment, using the skills you have gained throughout your degree programme.
Study abroad
Enhance your career prospects with an International Year at one of our partner institutions in between years two and three of your degree programme. This exciting opportunity enables you to explore different cultural perspectives, establish international networks and gain new experiences whilst building your personal and professional attributes, supporting your career prospects.
Entrepreneurship Year
Showcase your innovative ideas and creativity and develop your business concept to excel further in your career. If you would like to establish your own start-up or have been inspired by your studies to develop your own business, the entrepreneurship year is a great opportunity to delve into your creative aspirations and pursue your own project. The Entrepreneurship Year in taken within Keele’s Smart Innovation Hub and is available as an additional year between Year 2 and 3 of your studies.
Please note, the Entrepreneurship Year is available to UK students only.
Learn a language
Discover languages at Keele. Whether you are a complete beginner or already have a foundation of knowledge, we offer a flexible and guided route to developing your skills. We currently offer British Sign Language, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish.
Being multilingual can assist with your career prospects and encourage you to stand out against competition, as well as increasing your employment prospects overseas. This is also a fantastic opportunity for your personal development where you can practise your reading, writing and oral skills and build key characteristics such as time management, adaptability, and motivation.
Entry requirements
These are the typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If your qualifications aren't listed, please contact us to check if we can accept them. If you don't think you'll meet the stated requirements, you may be able to access this course via a Foundation Year.
Typical offer
Please ensure you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and/or English language requirements.
Please select your qualification from the drop-down list below for the full entry requirement information
A Level
BBC in three A Levels.
Contextual Offer: CCC in three A Levels.
You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
BTEC Extended Diploma / National Extended Diploma
DMM in any BTEC Extended Diploma / National Extended Diploma.
Contextual Offer: MMM in any BTEC Extended Diploma / National Extended Diploma.
You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
BTEC National Diploma / Diploma
Distinction and Merit in any BTEC National Diploma / Diploma and C in one A Level, or Merit and Merit in BTEC Diploma and A in one A Level.
You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
BTEC National Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma
Distinction in any BTEC National Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma and CC in two A Levels, or Merit in any BTEC National Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma and BB in two A Levels.
You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
T Level
Merit in any T Level.
You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
International Baccalaureate Diploma
554 in three Higher Levels or 29 points.
Contextual Offer: 444 in three Higher Levels or 27 points.
You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, or 3 in IB Middle Years Maths, or 3 in IB Diploma Standard Level Maths (any), plus an English language qualification (see below).
International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme
We encourage applications with the IBCP but recognise that your combination of qualifications may differ depending on where you are studying.
If you are taking a BTEC National Diploma / Diploma with one or more Higher Levels, your offer will be similar to our BTEC + A Level offer (see 'BTEC National Diploma / Diploma') but with an HL requirement of 6 for A, 5 for B, or 4 for C.
For any other combination, please contact the University Admissions Team for advice.
Access to HE Diploma
112 UCAS points in any Access to HE Diploma including Distinction in at least 15 Level 3 credits.
You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
Welsh Baccalaureate / Bagloriaeth Cymru
The Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate is equivalent to one full A Level at the same grade and can be included alongside 2 other A Levels in a standard A Level offer for this course (see A Level). All subject specific requirements will still need to be met.
Scotland - Highers and Advanced Highers
BCCCC in five Highers, or CD in two Advanced Highers and CC in two Highers, or CCD in three Advanced Highers.
You will also need: C in National 5 Maths, or 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
If you have B or higher in the EPQ and are studying A Levels, BTEC, the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or an Access to HE Diploma, you will typically receive an alternative offer which will be lower than the standard offer. Please see 'Alternative and contextual offers' below.
Core Maths
If you have B or higher in Core Maths and are studying A Levels, BTEC, the International Baccalaureate, or an Access to HE Diploma, you will typically receive an alternative offer which will be lower than the standard offer. Please see 'Alternative and contextual offers' below.
Ireland - Leaving Certificate
H3, H4, H4, H4, H4, H4 in the Irish Leaving Certificate.
You will also need: O4 / H6 in Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
China - Gaokao
70% in the Gaokao.
You will also need: 60% in Senior Secondary School or Gaokao Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
India - Standard XII
Average of 65% from four subjects in the ICSE, CBSE or Western Bengal Standard XII, or average of 70% from four subjects in any other Standard XII.
You will also need: 6 or C2 in Secondary School Examination Maths, or Pass in Standard XII Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
Germany - Abitur
2.4 overall average in the Abitur.
You will also need: 10 in Maths in the Abitur, plus an English language qualification (see below).
France - Baccalaureate
12 in the French Baccalaureate / International Option Baccalaureate / Baccalauréat Français International.
You will also need: 10 in Maths in the Baccalaureate, plus an English language qualification (see below).
Hong Kong - Diploma
443 from two electives and one core subject in the HKDSE.
You will also need: 2 in HKDSE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
Spain - Bachillerato
Overall average of 7 in the Título de Bachillerato.
You will also need: 5 in Graduado en Educación Secundaria (GES) Maths or 6 in Título de Bachiller Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
Italy - Diploma di Esame di Stato
75% in the Esame di Stato.
You will also need: 5 in Maths in the Diploma, plus an English language qualification (see below).
Cyprus - Apolytirion
17.5 / 83% in the Apolytirion.
You will also need: 14 in Maths in the Apolytirion, plus an English language qualification (see below).
Portugal
Overall average of 15 in a Secondary Certificate.
You will also need: 10 in Secondary Certificate Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
Canada - Diploma
60% / BCCCC in five courses in the Grade 12 Diploma.
You will also need: 50% in Grade 11 Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
Kenya - KCSE / Diploma
We do not accept the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.
We may accept a two year Diploma. Please contact the University Admissions Team for advice.
Nigeria - Senior School Certificate / OND
We do not accept the Senior School Certificate (WAEC or NECO) for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.
We may accept an Ordinary National Diploma with GPA of 2.5 or a Merit / Lower Credit. Please contact the University Admissions Team for advice.
USA - Advanced Placement
443 from three Advanced Placement subjects.
You will also need: C in Grade 12 High School Diploma Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
Ghana
We do not accept the West African Senior School Certificate Examination for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.
Sri Lanka - Advanced Level
BBC in three Advanced Levels.
You will also need: C in O-Level Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
Malaysia - STPM
BBC in three Principal Level subjects in the STPM.
You will also need: C in SPM Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
Pakistan - Secondary School Certificate
We do not accept the Secondary School Certificate for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.
Singapore - A Levels (H2)
BBC in three H2 Levels.
You will also need: C in O-Level Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
European Baccalaureate
70% overall.
You will also need: 6 in European Baccalaureate Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
NCUK
Pass NCUK Foundation Year with BBC and a C in EAP English Language module and grade A in EAP for Nursing courses.
You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or international equivalent.
Uganda - Advanced Certificate of Education
BBC in three Principal Level subjects in the Advanced Certificate of Education.
You will also need: 6 in UACE or UCE Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
Zimbabwe - Advanced Level GCE
BBC in three Advanced Level subjects.
You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below).
English language requirements
All our courses require an English language qualification or test. Most students meet this through a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please visit our English Language pages for details, including test information for international students. For students who require a test, this course requires a result from Group A.
Alternative and contextual offers
We're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. We offer alternative offer schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying in the Keele region, and recognition of a range of additional qualifications.
General information
The entry grades outlined indicate the typical offer, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary conditions based upon a candidate's application.
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"My time at Keele was crucial in supporting me getting to where I am today. The economics elements were crucial to gaining a good understanding of economic theory (quite handy as an economist), and studying Politics was really important in developing the skills I needed to be a leader in the civil service. Beyond the practical knowledge like understanding how Parliament works, the soft skills I gained from Keele were incredibly helpful. In my job, I'm often asked to produce advice for ministers who are keen to understand a particular issue in only a couple of pages - I remember writing a mock research report for The House of Commons library in one of my modules, which was excellent practice!"
Keele Business School
Hear from our students and staff – who share their personal experiences of studying and teaching at Keele.
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"On my work placement, everyone is so friendly, well that is until it comes to Mario Kart at lunch and then it’s war. It’s safe to say no two days are the same at Nintendo, one day I will be comprising my own sales reports to present and the next I’ll be standing on a field getting blown away by helicopters volunteering with Starlight. It’s hectic and ever changing but I have already grown so much and I am ready for the year ahead, bring it on! "
Foundation year
Foundation year overview
Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, offering preparation for your chosen degree with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete.
This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, build your confidence, and provide a better understanding of higher education.
On our Foundation Year, you'll join our undergraduate community from the outset, with access to all the facilities and support you'd get as an undergraduate student at Keele.
Discover the Keele difference
Everything’s on your doorstep at Keele, and you’ll soon feel at home and make friends wherever you go.
We help students manage their money and ensure that they receive any funding for which they may be eligible.
Make yourself more employable after graduation by taking advantage of the whole host of additional opportunities.