Politics and Economics with Professional Development BSc

About the Course

This programme allows you to examine how political and economic factors enter into public and private decision-making. The course also aims to impart a range of technical expertise, including quantitative and computing skills in economics and an understanding of micro- and macro-economic principles and of advanced macroeconomics.

Economics and Finance brochure
Politics and History brochure

Aims

Programmes in Politics will help you to address critical questions. Who has political power? Why do they have it? To whom are they accountable? In whose interest do they exercise it? What is globalisation? Is violent protest ever justified?

Economics courses at Brunel combine an understanding of theory with the practical skills necessary to apply your knowledge to a business, industrial, financial or government environment. It is this combination together with a strong background in finance that distinguishes the Brunel courses from other degrees in economics.

Enquiries

Dr Niall Palmer
Admissions Tutor

Helen Stevenson
Admissions and Marketing Administrator
School of Social Sciences
Tel: +44 (0)1895 265952
Email: helen.stevenson@brunel.ac.uk

Related Courses

• Economics BSc
• Economics with Professional Development BSc
• Politics BSc
• Politics with Professional Development BSc
• International Politics BSc
• International Politics with Professional Development BSc

Special Features

• You have good access to some the best research facilities in the UK, and Westminster and Whitehall are within easy reach.
  
  
• You have the chance to spend a period of study in New York, Rennes, Stuttgart and Helsinki through our student exchange programme.
  
  
• We have good links with key political figures and institutions.
  
  
• Studying Economics allows selective exemption from some professional accountancy and law exams. Not only is this a fast-track way to professional qualifications after you graduate, but it is also a symbol of the quality of the courses.
  
  
• We have good links with business. This means:

Facts and Figures

As well as 250 undergraduates, there are over 40 postgraduate taught and research students in the School of Social Sciences.

Course Content

In the Politics half of this course, you will take core modules in political science methods, British politics, political theory, comparative politics, democratisation and the politics of the EU, and you will have the option of taking more specialised options at Levels 2 and 3.

At Levels 1 and 2 you will have a mixture of core and optional modules. At Level 3 you can choose topics to suit your own personal interests and strengths.

Typical Modules

Please note that module availability is subject to change.

 

Level 1 Core

• Political Science Methods
• Central Themes in Political Thought
• Modern British Politics
• Mathematics and Statistics for Economists
• Microeconomic Principles
• Macroeconomic Principles
  

Level 2 Core

• Comparative Politics
• Macroeconomic Principles 11
• Introduction to Economic Modelling
• Microeconomic Principles 11

Level 2 Options

• Asia-Pacific International Relations: Modern East-West Encounters
• Democracy and Democratisation
• Issues in American Politics
• The Holocaust
• International Relations
• US Foreign Policy from World War II to the end of the Cold War
  

Level 2 (Year 3)

• Work Placement

Level 3 Core

• Advanced Topics in Economic Theory
• European Union Politics: Problems and Prospects
• Dissertation or Economics Project

Level 3 Options

• Econometric Methods and Applications
• Managerial and Industrial Economics
• The Economics of Labour Markets
• International Money and Finance
  
• The Arab-Israeli Conflict
• Globalisation and Governance
• Empire, Imperialism, Hegemony
• India and the World: The International Relations of a Rising Power
• Media, Politics and Power in America
• Marx and Marxism
• Parties and Voters in the UK
• Intelligence and National Security
• Theory and Practice of Cultural Diversity
• Fascism
• The Second World War
• The History and Politics of Heritage
• History, Travel and the Sea
• Rethinking Modern Europe: Borders, Nations and Identities since 1850

Final year dissertation

You will produce a final year dissertation of approximately 15,000 words. This is an important element of the degree and provides you with an opportunity for independent study and original thought and, especially for those on sandwich courses, an opportunity to apply political, economic and financial theories, concepts and models to practical problems.

Your dissertation is a piece of personal research which is often seen by prospective employers and which may stem directly from a work placement. Otherwise the subject will be stimulated by topical issues such as directors’ pay, regulation of utilities or European monetary union.

Computing

The application of computers is an integral part of all economics degrees. You will make extensive use of micro-computers attached to a powerful network and will be linked to other UK and international information sources. Students have access to a wide range of networked facilities within the University, and basic training is provided.

You will gain experience in a range of software widely used in business and economic analysis. You will be trained in the use of these programs. Most students receive some specialist training in the use of econometric software, and all students have access in their final year to the professional Datastream service which provides a wide range of economic and financial data.

Teaching and Learning

The influence of scholarship and experience

Students benefit directly, of course, from the expertise and experience of their teachers. All our courses are informed by the research of lecturers who write important books, publish well-regarded scholarly articles, present papers at other universities and appear in the media, at home and abroad. They are nationally and internationally recognized experts in the fields of politics, international relations, social policy and contemporary history

Research has led to major television and radio programmes and several staff are, or have been, consultants to Government departments as well as to major national newspapers.

Student support

As well as offering students some of the best teaching in our subject areas, we are committed to helping you progress confidently through the levels of your degree programme. To achieve this, we devote as much care to your initiation into higher education, both by entry-level courses and study skills teaching, as to the completion of your learning at Level 3.

By your final year, therefore, you will be in a position to benefit from specialist research-led courses and will be prepared for the research and writing involved in your dissertation.

How will I be taught?

Modules are generally taught by a mixture of lectures and seminars. Depending on its credit rating, you can expect to have one or two hours of lectures per week for each module as well as a one-hour seminar each week or fortnight.

The bulk of every student’s work, however, will undoubtedly consist of private study. On average this should absorb approximately 25 to 30 hours of your life each week.

Lectures – These provide a broad overview of key themes and ideas relating to your course and provide you with a framework from which to carry out more in-depth study.

Seminars – These relatively small groups are used for subjects where the lecture material is examined in more detail, and theoretical concepts are analysed and applied in specific contexts. Seminars provide students with an opportunity for discussion, argument and the development of presentational skills.

One-to-one – You will have one-to-one supervision on your final year dissertation and at all levels you will have a personal tutor who is available to discuss personal and academic problems.

Private study – Real learning requires active involvement by you. Lecturers and seminar leaders can provide guidance and help but you must develop the ability to organise your studies. During your first months at Brunel, you are given help and advice designed to encourage you to become an ‘independent learner’, capable of managing your work effectively.

External visits – Wherever possible we aim to introduce students to the benefits which stem from observing politics in action and to the personal experience of other political systems and ideas. You will visit important political sites in the UK (the University is a short distance from parliament), and depending on the options you select, may undertake overseas visits.

Assessment

Level 1 does not count towards your final degree mark. Level 2 is worth a third, and Level 3 is worth two-thirds. The final year dissertation is worth a third of Level 3 marks.

All modules are assessed at the end of the term in which they are taken. Exact assessment patterns vary, but most are based on a combination of coursework and formal written exams. Typically, coursework marks constitute 25-50% of overall module grades.

Employability

Studying Politics will equip you with a range of transferable skills that will enable you to follow the career you want after graduation. Economics plays a crucial role in the operation, management and regulation of financial institutions, industry and government agencies. As a senior manager in public and private enterprise, a knowledge of economics significantly enhances strategic decision making. Furthermore, such knowledge is crucial in a world of integrating global markets and the information superhighway.

Careers

Politics

A major attraction of our courses is the wide variety of career opportunities to which they can lead. Not surprisingly, Brunel’s politics graduates have gone on to important careers in public and private life.

Our students pursue a wide variety of jobs after graduating. Some, like Margaret McDonagh or John McDonnell MP, opt for careers in politics. Others have joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Home Office, GCHQ and military intelligence.

Many have gone on to work in public and private sector organisations, such as Chase Manhattan, Marks and Spencer, British Airways, Coca Cola Schweppes, HSBC, and the NHS Confederation. Significant numbers have taken further training to pursue careers in broadcasting, journalism, law and teaching at every level.

Economics

Our students have excellent career prospects. Graduates have gone on to work for prestigious companies including Merrill Lynch, NatWest, Morgan Stanley, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, JP Morgan, HSBC, Ernst & Young, the London Stock Exchange and UBS.

Placements

As one of our students you will have the opportunity to take a one-year, professional work placement alongside trained experts in industry, the public sector and commerce, in the UK or overseas. Past students have worked for the Home Office, the Treasury, the Houses of Parliament and organisations such as Epolitix.com and Politics International.

The positive impact of a sandwich placement on graduate employment outcomes across Brunel is considerable. Those who have done placements are also much more likely to be in employment for which they their degree was a formal requirement or where they believe their degree gave them a competitive advantage in recruitment.

Placement leavers from Politics experienced the following outcomes:

• 87.5% progressed into employment or further study
• 71.4% were engaged in a graduate-level activity (employment or further study)
• 60.0% of employed leavers were working in the top three categories of graduate level employment
• The average starting salary was £33,000.

Fees for 2013/14 entry

UK/EU students: £9,000 full-time; £1,000 placement year

International students: £12,000 full-time

We are introducing over 700 scholarships for 2013, meaning that one in five applicants who join Brunel next year will receive financial support from the University. See our fees and funding page for full details

Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to an annual increase.

Entry Requirements for 2013 Entry

• GCE A-level Typical offer AAB, with a Grade C in AS-level Maths or Statistics (if A level Maths is taken, grade B will be required) (General Studies/Critical Thinking not accepted). Applicants who have already achieved at least ABB at A-level and have Personal Statements showing a strong interest in the course and transferable skills will also be considered. Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants within this range.
• Irish Leaving Certificate AAABB, including Maths or Statistics.
• Scottish Advanced Highers AAB, including Maths or Statistics.
• Advanced Diploma Progression Diploma Grade A in Creative and Media, Society, Health and Development, Public Services or Business, Administration and Finance, plus an A-level at Grade B in Maths/Statistics for Additional and Specialist Learning.
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma D*D*D in a related subject plus Grade C in AS-level Maths or Statistics.
• IBDP 35 points 5 in Standard Maths or 4 in Higher Maths.
• Access Complete and pass a related subject Access course with 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher including AS-Level Maths/Statistics grade C.

For all of the above, 5 GCSEs or equivalent at Grade C or above are also required, to include English and Maths at grade B (please note that these must have been gained by the time you submit your UCAS application).

English Language Requirements

Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.