Undergraduate BSc (Hons)
Economics and Politics
By understanding the relationship between economics and politics, you will open doors to a range of careers from consultancy and banking, to national, international and local governments.
By understanding the relationship between economics and politics, you will open doors to a range of careers from consultancy and banking, to national, international and local governments.
Gain the modern tools economists use to analyse real economic problems, and the tools used in politics to understand how ideas and political systems shape what citizens, businesses, and governments do. This degree gives you analytical, data, and communication skills, and a unique perspective on the way the world works.
This unique - and informed - perspective on the world is valuable not only to you, but to employers. The understanding of the context our world operates in gives you a head start in any career you are looking to jump into. More specifically, we give you the ideal skillset, knowledge and confidence to go into careers where you can make a real difference. Your future could be in banking, NGO's, government or the UN, but whatever you do, you'll be able to effect change in the places you want to see it.
This programme is also available with a Year in Industry, so you can get a taste of whatever industry you want to go into and boost your career prospects as part of your degree.
Study in a supportive learning community, ranked 17th for student satisfaction in The Complete University Guide 2024.
Join our student-led societies: you could expand your network with Kent Invest or get a taste for geo-politics with Kent's Model UN.
This course is designed in partnership with alumni and employers to prepare you for the world of work.
Learn from inspiring lecturers who advise governments, businesses, and international organisations.
Politics and economics are deeply ingrained within our society. An understanding of them means you can go out into the world, make your mark and effect change.
Our typical offer levels are listed below and include indicative contextual offers. If you hold alternative qualifications just get in touch and we'll be glad to discuss these with you.
BBB
The University will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and National Extended Diploma qualifications (QCF; NQF; OCR) on a case-by-case basis.
120 Tariff points from your IB Diploma, Typically H5, H6, H6 or equivalent
Mathematics grade B / 6. However, those who hold GCSE Mathematics at grade 5 will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Pass the University of Kent International Foundation Programme.
The University will consider applicants holding T level qualifications in subjects closely aligned to the course.
The University welcomes applications from Access to Higher Education Diploma candidates, who will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The following modules are what students typically study, but this may change year to year in response to new developments and innovations.
You take one of Mathematics for Economics Mode A or Mathematics for Economics Mode B, depending on your mathematics level, you then take all remaining compulsory modules.
Economics is the study of how we make choices about what to produce and consume, given our limited resources. Microeconomics explores the decisions made by individuals and firms, offering a fascinating lens through which to understand the world around us.
In this module, you'll learn to think like an economist, building and using models to answer economic questions. You'll develop critical thinking skills and learn how to evaluate models and integrate empirical evidence into your analyses. This is why microeconomics training, even at an introductory level, is useful in many jobs and walks of life. The emphasis in this module will be on how economics can help us understand the society we live in.
The module covers fundamental topics, such as demand, supply, and equilibrium. It also covers other topics related to real-world problems which are relevant to understanding human behaviour and society, including labour markets, strategic choices and inequality.
Macroeconomics is the study of the economy as a whole. It aims to explain topics such as inflation, unemployment, short-term fluctuations in GDP, and long-term economic growth. It analyses the aggregate behaviour of households, firms, and the government to understand how they collectively influence economic outcomes.
This module starts by introducing you to the measurement of GDP, inflation, and unemployment in an economy. It explains equilibrium in the market for consumer and investment goods and in financial markets. It then uses this knowledge to apply macroeconomic models to analyse the effects of government and central bank policy on outcomes like consumption, inflation, and unemployment. The macroeconomic analysis in this module uses mathematical and graphical representations of economic relationships which will support the narrative arguments.
You’ll learn to appreciate the close relationship between an economic argument and the underlying economic theory. You’ll also learn how different assumptions and theories can lead to different economic predictions. This module builds the foundation for macroeconomics in the second year and later macroeconomics-related optional modules.
Economists face a fundamental problem: we aim to describe in simple terms complex interactions that involve millions of very different actors such as households, businesses and policymakers. How can we make sense of what is happening and help others understand how the economy works? More importantly, what can we do about those aspects of the economy that aren’t working well? The answer is to use mathematics, which helps us comprehend complex problems.
This module has two aims. The first is to build your confidence and ability to understand the mathematical tools that economists use, such as linear algebra, differentiation, logarithms and exponentials. The second is to use economic applications to illustrate how mathematical economics differs from the textbook mathematics you will have studied at school. These applications will also show that even the simplest mathematical tools are powerful at explaining economic behaviour.
Mode A of this module is designed for students who already have a background in mathematics. It therefore focuses more on the applied part to develop your ability to think like an economist.
Economists face a fundamental problem: we aim to describe in simple terms complex interactions that involve millions of very different actors such as households, businesses and policymakers. How can we make sense of what is happening and help others understand how the economy works? More importantly, what can we do about those aspects of the economy that aren’t working well? The answer is to use mathematics, which helps us comprehend complex problems.
This module has two aims. The first is to build your confidence and ability to understand the mathematical tools that economists use, such as linear algebra, differentiation, logarithms and exponentials. The second is to use economic applications to illustrate how mathematical economics differs from the textbook mathematics you will have studied at school. These applications will also show that even the simplest mathematical tools are powerful at explaining economic behaviour.
Mode B of this module is designed for students who have not studied much mathematics at school. It therefore focuses on helping you build a solid foundation in mathematical methods.
One of the most important skills of an economist is the ability to routinely work with data and be the ‘numbers person’ for their team. By extracting the information that exists in the correlations between variables, we can test our theoretical models and identify the most useful ones, or make forecasts that can be used to help decision makers.
All these important components of the economist’s toolkit are rooted in statistics, a field that is becoming increasingly relevant and valuable in a world characterised by Big Data and machine learning.
This module introduces you to some of the fundamental concepts in statistics, such as probability distributions, sampling and inference, correlation and regression, all of which will form the foundation for other modules later in your degree. Most importantly, it gives you an insight into the practical questions and problems that statistics can solve. It will also teach you how to detect and understand the common ways in which statistics are misused and misinterpreted in everyday situations.
What makes political systems tick? How can we understand, assess and make sense of politics? This module introduces you to the empirical study of the key structures, institutions, processes, outcomes and behaviours in political systems. You’ll become familiar with the content and shape of political life, and how academic scholars study it. The module also introduces the data, methods and techniques that give you the tools to study politics.
You’ll learn how to conduct basic political research to learn about political life. You’ll also build your capacity to explore political phenomena independently and be able to apply your skills to empirical evidence commonly found in policy reports and academic work.
What should a democracy look like? Can an unequal society be just? When is it legitimate to resist a government? By introducing you to debates regarding these foundational issues in political theory, this module will help you develop your knowledge of foundational ideas and thinkers. You'll also develop the ability to critically reflect upon, and construct arguments to defend, your own answers to crucial questions about the nature of politics.
Lectures introduce these ideas and provide opportunities for you to debate their significance. Workshops provide opportunities for you to become familiar with the reading, critically discuss its significance, and develop the writing skills required to successfully engage in arguments on political theory.
By the end of the module, you'll have developed knowledge of key concepts in political theory and gained experience of applying them in academic and non-academic contexts.
Why are some economies rich and others poor? How do investment and new ideas affect our living standards? Why do some occupations earn so much more than others? And why can’t the market find work for every jobseeker?
This intermediate module in macroeconomics focuses on medium to long-term economic outcomes including economic growth, employment, and inequality. Economic growth is the most important determinant of living standards in the long run, but it alone doesn’t necessarily improve living standards for all. Income distribution is also crucially important for ensuring widespread progress in living standards.
This module first analyses the long-term determinants of economic growth, including the role of investment in new capital, education, and new ideas. You’ll then analyse the labour market, exploring issues such as why some people who want to work are unemployed, and how different skills or occupations drive changes in economic inequality.
The study of economics is the study of human behaviour and decision-making. How do people make decisions regarding what to buy, how much to work, how much to save, or who to marry? What happens when people’s decisions depend on what they think other people will do? What happens when the outcomes of people’s actions are uncertain, or when people don’t have full information about the decisions in front of them? These types of decisions are important for the individuals making them – but also for the society as a whole because they affect overall wealth, inequality, and the environment.
In this module – which comprises the first half of an intermediate course on microeconomic theory – you’ll develop an analytical framework and toolkit for thinking about questions such as the ones above. The module introduces the fundamental theoretical foundations of microeconomics and provide examples of their application. In addition to consumer theory, other typical topics include game theory, choice under uncertainty, contract theory, altruism, and irrationality.
What does doing politics with words mean? Politics is about power, which is constructed through language and discourse. In this module, we critically interrogate how political actors construct language, the motives behind these discursive constructions and the political realities and possibilities they create. We look at the hidden meanings behind words and language and challenge you to think critically about who is saying them, in what contexts they are being said and for what purposes.
You’ll learn to apply various qualitative research methods and techniques such as interviews, focus groups, participant observation, and thematic and discourse analysis. The module enables you to read, interpret and critically assess arguments and data drawing on qualitative methods in political science and international relations. You’ll be introduced to the logic of empirical research in the social sciences, and to basic concepts and techniques of qualitative interpretive approaches. You’ll be able to apply your skills to empirical evidence commonly found in policy and academic work.
Are markets always the best method for delivering products and services? Are there scenarios in which government intervention can improve welfare? This module builds on and extends what you have learnt in previous microeconomics modules.
You’ll develop a deeper understanding of how companies make decisions and analyse how this behaviour is impacted by available production technologies, the level of competition in the market, the existence of externalities, and the characteristics of the goods to be produced.
You’ll examine market characteristics and the strategic aspects of individual decision making which may lead to market failures. This will provide insights into the types of government intervention that can improve market outcomes in real-world situations. These can include the reduction of anti-competitive behaviour, tackling environmental externalities, and ensuring efficient provision of public goods.
We’ll explore policy interventions which can move individual decisions towards more efficient outcomes, such as competition policy, taxes, and tradable permits. Additionally, we'll explore how societies, rather than individuals, can make collective decisions over resource allocation when preferences differ across the population, which is particularly relevant in the case of public goods.
Explore the politics of the global climate crisis at the international, national and local level. Whether it is global climate change governance, national or local climate adaptation policy making and plans, or individual attitudes and behaviour, we need to understand what motivates actors and how a combination of motivations and structure translate into climate action in various contexts and societies. You'll gain the tools to explain the politics of the global climate crisis at the international, national and local level. You'll draw from a variety of debates from political science, international relations, human geography and urban studies. In addition to an overview of key policy documents driving the discourse, you'll explore interdisciplinary theorisations across the social and natural sciences that help rethink the arguments in renewed ways. This includes the critical role of cities and an understanding of how key concepts such as the Anthropocene and adaptation and mitigation shape the global climate emergency agenda.
Why did a diverse group of states embark on a process that has led to the world’s most extensive example of international integration, the European Union? Since its inception the European Union has grappled with changes in global politics as well as economic and political challenges, many of these multiplying in recent years. There has never been a more important and interesting time to learn about the EU and its politics. You'll learn and understand how the European Union has reached where it is today, how its political system works, how it makes policy, its strengths and weaknesses and how it has been driven by the politics and economics of its member states as well as its place in the international system. In exploring these elements, you'll develop your own answers to the questions of why states pursue cooperation and integration at the European level and what the EU’s future might be.
What is democracy? How can it be measured? Is populism a threat to democracy? Is democracy likely to survive? You'll consider these questions by first exploring the nature of democracy as a form of government and reviewing the way it has been conceptualised and measured across countries and over time. Review how and why some countries have become democratic while other have not and what factors can explain variation between countries. Assess to what extent democracy is under threat, the nature of threats such as populism, their roots and how they could be countered. Conclude by trying to predict its likely trajectory in the foreseeable future. You'll gain an analysis of the past, present,and future of democracy and its significance in contemporary politics.
With the world's largest economy and most powerful armed forces, the United States sets the world stage. Yet, according to many critics, the US’s own political system is in crisis and turmoil, polarised on hot-button culture issues but also witnessing an attack on democracy itself by an ex-president and his loyal acolytes. Trump challenged both our notions of who could be elected to the most powerful job and our long-established theories about how the US government can and should work and Biden has struggled to make significant legislative reforms in the face of implacable Republican opposition in Congress.
The US, like many other nations, faces serious public policy questions on the economy, health, energy, education, guns, crime, poverty and immigration, among others, but can its seemingly dysfunctional political system rise to the challenge? You'll take a critical look at US politics and formulate your own answer to this and other questions through this comprehensive introduction to the politics and government of the United States.
How should the relationship between economic forces and world politics be understood? This module explores change and continuity in the world economy and gives you the tools to understand the nature of the link between economics and international relations. Through the lens of political economy, which pertains to the complex relationships between society, the state and the market, you'll debate and analyse the economic dimensions of contemporary international relations.
Major themes of the module include: governance; globalisation; institutions; interdependence; power; conflict; cooperation; hegemony; and crisis. Specific content may shift year-to-year depending on current events, possibly covering: trade; development; poverty; global health; the financial sector; foreign investment; hunger; the energy sector; climate change; and the relationship between political economy and conflict. Across these topics, you will critically examine the interests, relationships and conflicts of individual actors in the global political economy. This allows you to better to economic issues on a national stage into an international context, so you are better able to asses situations with all of the contributing factors to them, giving you the insight to find solutions.
What dynamics shape foreign policy, and how does foreign policy shape international relations? You’ll examine the foreign policies of nation-states and in doing so learn how to study foreign policy in a rapidly changing international environment. Investigate the dynamics of foreign policymaking in the context of major events and crises in international politics. Specific case studies will vary from year to year, but are likely to cover issues of diplomacy, war and security, economic competition, and institutional cooperation.
You'll gain insight into the complex relationship between the analysis and practice of foreign policy. Cases are explored via different international actors (including states but also examining the role of specific leaders), the foreign policy environments they inhabit (internal and external, structural and institutional), and the motivations that inform policymakers’ actions and interactions. You’ll compare and contrast different theories, enabling you to critically assess your advantages and weaknesses by applying them to real world examples. This application of your knowledge and skills demonstrates to employers that you are able to take complex theory and put it into practice, a valuable skill in a fast paced, ever changing international landscape.
What does the modern state look like? How has the legitimacy of the state, as an institution, been justified in the history of political thought? How have ideas shaped and influenced revolutionary movements? How have revolutions in turn shaped the thinking of those who lived through them? When are revolutions ever justified?
By critically analysing the key thinkers and texts in the history of political thought, you’ll gain the key tools needed to think through two of the most important forces that have shaped modern politics: the rise of the state, and the revolutions that followed it. This allows you to better understand the process that has led to the nation states of today, and explore the question as to what will happen next, will revolutions and their ideals 'wither away'? Or is there another stage to come?
Topics in Advanced Macroeconomics builds on the Stage 1 teaching of macroeconomics and provides a comprehensive framework for understanding short-run fluctuations in economic activity.
You will integrate theoretical concepts and recent real-world examples, with a focus on examining the emergent policy implications. You’ll develop your extant analytical skills which will enable you to assess the key determinants of economic fluctuations and evaluate the range of policy responses to stabilise the economy in the presence of shocks.
You start by examining stylised facts about business cycles, such as the alternating phases of expansions and contractions in economic activity, fluctuations in output, employment, and inflation. A key part of the module is learning about how and whether policymakers should respond to these fluctuations using monetary and fiscal policy. Through exploring these questions, you will learn how to distinguish between demand and supply drivers of these fluctuations, and how the appropriate policy response differs in these two cases.
In open economies, we show how important it is to understand the behaviour of exchange rates, and how they both affect and are affected by macroeconomic policy. We also cover in detail macroeconomic research on the modelling of economic agents’ expectations about the economy and the crucial contribution this has made in allowing us to understand how macroeconomic policy affects wages, prices and employment.
What are the essential practical skills you need to succeed in the world of finance? This module explores this question in three sections.
To successfully complete this module, you’ll be expected to demonstrate theoretical knowledge as well as be able to apply the concepts you learn to actual data.
What advanced tools do economists use to estimate causal effects and deal with endogeneity and spurious regressions in leading economic applications? This module equips you with the latest econometric tools and explores topics such as micro-econometrics, empirical macroeconomics, and simulation-based methods. You’ll learn to choose an appropriate methodology for your economic question as well as to critically evaluate existing empirical findings from recent economics literature.
You’ll be exposed to econometric methods such as instrumental variables, pooled-OLS, fixed and random effects models, cointegration methods, difference-in-differences and simulation-based methods. You’ll discuss the technical aspects of each method and evaluate them alongside examples from empirical economics including seminal research papers stemming from demand and supply estimation, health economics, macroeconomics and labour economics.
Practical sessions and hands-on exercises using specialised software will provide you with the necessary skills to apply advanced econometric techniques. After completing the module, you’ll be prepared to investigate important and intriguing empirical questions that are relevant to current economic policy.
Time-series econometrics is an important tool for economists, with vital applications in empirical macroeconomics and finance. The central objective of this module is to equip you with essential skills in effective forecasting, which is crucial for policymakers in institutions like central banks. The Bank of England, for example, relies on accurate forecasting to maintain a 2% inflation target for price stability.
You’ll learn forecasting principles and techniques, including ad hoc forecasting, autoregressive moving average (ARMA) models, ARCH/GARCH volatility modelling, and advanced methods like big data and machine learning. Additionally, you’ll explore state-space and VAR models. Teaching includes hands-on practical exercises using specialised software for pseudo-out-of-sample forecasting, with no prior knowledge of such software required.
The curriculum addresses real-time macroeconomic data release, providing insights for policymakers. After completing the module, you’ll be well-prepared to independently conduct forecasting and empirical research in both macroeconomics and finance, using your skills in real-world economic analysis and policymaking.
Negotiations are essential in building and sustaining international cooperation and peace. You'll gain a comprehensive understanding of negotiation concepts and the practical skills essential for effective negotiation in professional and personal contexts. Through a combination of theoretical insights, case studies, and interactive exercises, you'll explore key negotiation theories, strategies and techniques. These include bargaining strategies, power dynamics, communication skills, and ethical considerations.
You'll engage in simulated negotiation scenarios to apply theoretical concepts in practice, honing your negotiation skills and developing your ability to analyse and navigate complex negotiation situations. By the end of the module, you'll have gained valuable insights into negotiation theory and acquired practical negotiation skills that are applicable across a wide range of fields and industries.
What are the causes and effects of booms and recessions in economic activity? How can policy respond to fluctuations in the macroeconomy to stabilise the economy? What can we learn from past recessions for future economic policy?
This specialist macroeconomics topic focuses on the short-run behaviour of the macroeconomy, as opposed to economic growth or international macroeconomics. You’ll study inflation, unemployment and short-run output fluctuations. You’ll analyse macroeconomic policy tools to control short-run economic outcomes. Gain an understanding of short-run macroeconomic issues and available policy tools and how to use macroeconomic models in order to rationalise observed macroeconomic data. This set of skills is crucial and gives you a real edge in the job market where your ability to contextualise economic policy changes and interpret data is in high demand.
Through combining aspects of environmental economic and green finance with knowledge of mathematical and statistical methods, you’ll be on your way to understanding the link between theory and policy application.
You’ll be introduced to fundamental key skills used by environmental economists in the application of economics to real world environmental issues and will understand how economic theory can be translated into practical policy advice. To demonstrate the link between theory and applied settings you’ll use appropriate software such as Excel and R, continuing your development in using information technology within a structured environment.
You’ll consider a variety of practical environmental economic and green finance issues. Alongside formal lectures, computer workshops and seminars are designed to develop academic research skills and the ability to communicate ideas both verbally and in writing. This gives you the full toolset you need to stand out to employers and make informed decisions in environmental economics.
Economics is more interconnected than ever before. So an understanding of international economics is crucial to operate across borders in both business and government,
Focused topics in international trade include the analysis of the effects of trade on economic development, policy debates, and the role of international trade in shaping economic outcomes at both the micro and macro levels. Through consideration of the key concepts of international finance, such as the balance of payments, exchange rates, and the impact of globalisation on current account and macroeconomic policies, you’ll gain a solid understanding in the theoretical underpinnings and practical aspects of monetary and financial relations between countries and enhance their abilities to analyse trade-related issues.
By studying trade and finance topics, you’ll gain a comprehensive overview of the global economic environment. You’ll be equipped with the analytical frameworks and institutional knowledge necessary to engage effectively with international economic issues, preparing you for careers with an international outlook.
Understand a variety of economic growth issues from both empirical and theoretical perspectives.
After exploring historical and modern statistics you’ll learn about the core theories of economic growth. Building on the insights from the core theories of growth and empirical observations, You’ll consider key growth questions. What are the determinants of economic growth? Can we sustain long-run economic growth by just investing in machines and why is it essential to have productivity growth to sustain long-run growth in the standards of living? Why are some countries more productive than others? Can the lack of knowledge of modern production processes be the whole answer? What roles do management practices and allocation of economic resources to different uses play in productivity differences across countries?
Through exploring these key questions, you'll come to understand economic growth from all angles, meaning you are able to suggest policy and improvements to help drive economic growth.
Game theory is a theoretical framework for conceiving social, economics and business situations among competing players. It is the science of strategy, or at least the optimal decision-making of independent and competing actors in a strategic setting. The curriculum is enriched with Game theory and is used in various fields to lay out various situations and predict their most likely outcomes. Businesses may use it, for example, to set prices, decide whether to acquire another firm, and determine how to handle a lawsuit.
You’ll study the main equilibrium concept, the Nash equilibrium, and it’s several refinements under different types of games, guiding students thorough the analysis of strategic choices in a variety of game structures, from cooperative engagement to competitive stand offs. A number of different scenarios and examples will be considered to explain how strategic decision making plays a role in solving every-day problems.
The strategic interaction between firms and the dynamics of competition between them in different markets are both interesting from a theoretical point of view and important from an applied policy perspective. What competitive weapons do firms use? Which strategies can firms use to soften competition To what extent are mergers driven by efficiency or by market power considerations?
You’ll be encouraged to ask the question of when, and how, the government should intervene to facilitate the competitive process. Study the theories that are key to understanding firm strategies and the basis for regulatory intervention. You’ll approach issues that are present in everyday news such as anti-competitive practices, the effect of market power on consumer welfare and the incentives for product innovation, private and public effects of mergers. You will have the chance to discuss and understand many of these topics in a more structured and economically informed way, so you can suggest new approaches and improvements to industrial economics and government intervention.
Why are living standards in some countries so much higher than in others? How did they get that way, and what can be done to promote growth and improve livelihoods in poorer countries? We will engage with these questions as well as some of the answers that have been proposed.
You'll study the structure of poor economies and the behaviour of individuals, firms and governments within them. Focus will be placed on providing a strong theoretical background for understanding these issues and engaging with data and modern empirical techniques that are commonly used by development economists when conducting research. This knowledge of development economics will help you in looking to drive growth to developing countries in a sustainable way, in order to improve living conditions for those in the countries.
This is your introduction to the topic of political economy using microeconomic analytical tools. The idea that economic policy in any country or even internationally is a product of not just economic rationale but also of ambient political realities will be explored in a variety of settings.
You’ll gain an overview of microeconomic theories and current empirical methods that have been used to bring new insights to issues related to political economy. There will be an emphasis on connecting theoretical models to observed empirical findings and evaluating the analytical rigour of both aspects in different contexts. You’ll also explore how these issues relate to themes in development, public and environmental economics. By understanding political economics, you will be better able to evaluate different global approaches to economics from different nations, allowing you to operate more effectively in a global marketplace and across borders.
Public expenditure accounts for a large fraction of the economy and has a major impact on its functioning. You’ll be introduced to the theories that allow us to analyse the economic role played by the state. Use the tools of microeconomics and empirical analysis to study the impact of government policies on individual behaviour and the distribution of resources in the economy.
You’ll explore the economic arguments for and against government intervention in the economy and take on insights from behavioural economics into the analysis and design of public policies. You’ll also review literatures on relevant and timely policy issues. This will allow you to find your own views within the debate and effectively suggest improvements to theory or policy in order to drive economic growth and stability.
Delve into how decisions by individuals, families, and households impact and are impacted by the distribution of wages, employment, and opportunities. Scrutinize inequalities among men and women, social classes, and ethnic groups, considering the role of policies and institutions in shaping these dynamics. The field also explores the intricate relationship between the world of work and the macroeconomic performance of the economy, providing insights into trends in the distribution of welfare within and across countries.
You’ll explore areas of topical interest and importance that will cover the main insights of and approaches taken by researchers in the field. Theoretical issues, empirical evidence and questions of policy are considered, drawing on research covering a range of OECD countries. A key focus will be on the discussion and evaluation of data and research. You will gain an understanding of how the world of work effects households and families as well as the tools to help you evaluate both research and policy. You will be able to synthesise information from various sources and present findings to diverse audiences, giving you the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to launch a career in economics.
Many of the political ideas we take to be the most important were developed in early modern, or even ancient periods. Can concepts like democracy, liberty and justice help us understand the distinct political problems posed by issues such as global warming, artificial intelligence, or decolonisation?
You’re introduced to a range of cutting edge issues within political theory, and your ability to use theory to respond to pressing political issues is developed. You’ll explore how political theorists are conceptualising contemporary political questions and shaping the way that we are responding to them. In doing so you will gain knowledge of contemporary political thought and develop your ability to understand how theorists make sense of rapidly changing circumstances in politics. You’ll become familiar with advanced work at the forefront of the discipline of political theory, while being encouraged to consider how these ideas might be applied and communicated in non-academic contexts. This development of critical insight and the knowledge on how to apply it is crucial as you step into a career focused on finding solutions to contemporary problems.
Advanced democracies face a range of policy challenges that need to be dealt with to ensure prosperity, sustainability, civic engagement and the effective operation of the political system. Analyse the current policy challenges facing Britain, and explore what solutions might be implemented to address these challenges.
You’ll consider a range of different pressure-points facing the country, which might include issues around territorial governance (eg. the integrity of the UK; the UK’s place in the international system), complex policy issues (eg. environmental protection; economic fairness) and patterns of citizen behaviour (eg. levels of political engagement). For each pressure-point, you’ll explore the nature of the policy challenge, identifying potential policy solutions and assessing the costs and benefits associated with these solutions. Through coverage and assessment, you’ll enhance your ability to identify, analyse and solve complex policy problems facing British politics today.
In democratic systems, policy decisions are supposed to reflect citizens’ opinions or preferences. The nature of public beliefs is thus a central concern of policy-makers and a focus for political analysis. Yet what are citizen opinions and how are they formed? The democratic ideal sees expressions of public opinion as reflecting citizens’ true preferences and a ‘rational’ processing of information. Yet people’s opinions may not meet these ideals. Instead, individual opinions may be shaped by a range of external influences, and information may be interpreted in a selective and one-sided manner.
If so, this raises questions about whether people’s opinions can be manipulated, and suggests the presence of biased beliefs and potentially of misinformation. Public debate in countries like Britain and the US shows many signs of belief manipulation, partisan biases and misinformation. You’ll explore why public discourse might suffer from these problems and what might be done to overcome them. In doing so, you’ll grow your understanding of the role of citizens in contemporary democratic systems, and enhance your evaluative and analytical skills.
Dictatorships are rising around the world. According to the Varieties of Democracy Institute, in 2022 just over one quarter of the world’s population were living in a full democracy, a number that has fallen dramatically in the 21st century. But what is dictatorship, autocracy, authoritarianism?
You will analyse the different forms that non-democratic rule takes and will examine the rise of these kinds of regimes and their leaders, as well as the support and the resistance of their citizens. Explore how dictatorships persist, why they fall, and the role of the international community. You’ll use case studies of dictatorship from China to Iraq, and draw on films, documentaries, books, and cutting-edge political science studies. With the rise of dictatorships, your understanding of them will help you work across the globe in politics or international relations, and your experience will be increasingly relevant and valuable to employers.
What does the future look like? Who is it for? What do emerging technologies, such as social media, artificial intelligence, and changes in working conditions mean for the future of political institutions?
Many texts of literature and political theory - from dystopia, to utopia - make claims about what the future will look like, even if speculatively. You’ll be introduced to recent developments in political theory, utopian and dystopian literature and science fiction which have made claims about the future, developing your ability to think critically about these claims, and allowing you to creatively consider how political thought might help us understand the relationship between the past, present and future of political events.
How does who we are influence how we understand and engage with politics? Is identity always political? Should political decision making take our identities into account? Evaluate contemporary debates about identity politics, and develop your own responses to these and other questions.
You will explore scholarly literature on identity politics as well as certain key texts from a range of approaches that explore the significance of identity with the field of Politics and International Relations. Bringing these together, you will then be able to assess how these traditions may inform contemporary debates about ‘who we think we are’ while also investigate ways in which we may think about ourselves at the limits of, or even outside of, those traditions.
You will be encouraged to apply this material in two ways: as a framework for reflecting upon your own identity and as a way of critically understanding how or if we should judge the identity of others. You’ll develop your knowledge of identity politics and the relationship between them with a view to being able to apply these to your own sense of identity in relation to other people. This makes you a far better communicator across issues where identity is key, allowing you to help bring new solutions to these problems and drive positive change.
How can we understand the Middle East? Why have states in the region experienced conflict and instability? Should the solution to violence come from outside the region, or can problems only be resolved from the inside? You’ll answer these questions through understanding of the societies, cultures, spaces and political systems of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), with their diversity, histories and complexities.
You’ll explore different themes related to MENA politics, using different states and societies from the region as case studies. Gain insights into the root causes of conflicts; the persistence of authoritarian regimes; the rise of youth protest movements; tradition versus modernity; and urbanism versus periphery. An interdisciplinary approach is applied to the study of the region, bringing in insights and methods from politics, geography and anthropology. You’ll take a comparative approach, placing the MENA region in a broader context and applying lessons from other parts of the world to better understand the region. Your ability to study the region and put it in the context of the rest of the world and across different disciplines and approaches demonstrates to employers that you are able to make critical insights to a wide range of issues and offer new insights and solutions to enduring problems and questions.
The Indo-Pacific is arguably the world’s most economically and politically dynamic region. But despite nuclear, territorial, and historical tensions, growing superpower competition, and cross-border threats from crime to the environment, the region has remained relatively peaceful and stable since 1945.
You'll seek to understand the most urgent security issues in the Indo-Pacific region and develop the knowledge and skills to provide nuanced and concise policy advice on them. You’ll begin by exploring the puzzle of the region’s stability by practically applying lessons from international relations theories and analyse what rising US-China competition means for regional states and the future of the region. Move on to analyse three key security challenges in the region in depth: the risk of war over the Taiwan Straits; nuclear proliferation on the Korean peninsula; and territorial disputes in the South China Sea. You’ll develop skills delivering policy advice about these challenges through group exercises about hypothetical and real-life crises, as well as developing your own written policy memos and briefings. This experience helps you demonstrate to a wide range of employers that you not only have knowledge of international relations, but that you also have the skills to apply that knowledge and find solutions to emerging problems.
Politics and International Relations is a fast moving, dynamic field of study. You’ll gain the opportunity to work at the cutting edge of the discipline by studying emerging issues and problems. Learning is structured around a topic or topics that draw on current research from one or more of the school’s main, informal pathways: behaviour and institutions, the world, and political ideas.
You’ll be encouraged to take a lead in your own learning by making sense of issues which are either not fully understood, under dispute, or that have unclear significance. In doing so you will establish yourself as a critical independent learner who can engage with emerging issues within the field. Being at the forefront of new developing problems gives you the ability to explore new urgent issues in future. This adaptability and critical insight makes you stand out to employers and opens the door to a wide range of careers.
All of our modules are taught by a combination of lectures and small group sessions, which include seminars, computing practicals, problem sets, debates and role-play games.
We are committed to making sure that you leave Kent with much more than just a degree in Economics. We put great emphasis on the development of transferable skills, including numeracy, analytical problem solving, data analysis, and written and oral communication, as well as subject-specific skills for further study at postgraduate level.
The modules are assessed by continuous assessment of coursework throughout the year and an end-of-year exam in the final term. A number of modules at each stage are assessed solely through coursework.
Our main teaching methods are lectures, seminars, working groups, PC laboratory sessions and individual discussions with your personal tutor or module teachers. Assessment is through continuous feedback, written examinations, assessed essays and oral presentations.
We hold a weekly extra-curricular Open Forum organised by our School research groups, where students and staff have the opportunity to discuss and debate key issues of the day that affect higher education and politics in the world today.
For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours. The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules.
Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules.
Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.
For course aims and learning outcomes please see the course specification.
The skills have prepared me to support countries undergoing International Conflict.
Our Economics and Politics graduates have excellent prospects, and we are committed to helping you achieve success. Your combination of skills sets you up for a range of roles in areas such as: accountancy, banking and finance, journalism and government. Some of the top employers for our graduates include:
If you meet someone in the industry who is also a Kent alumni, they are happy to network with you.
*The Government announced on 4 November 2024 that tuition fees in England for Home students will increase to £9,535 from £9,250 for the academic year 2025/26. This increase requires Parliamentary approval, which is expected to be given in early/mid 2025.
Tuition fees may be increased in the second and subsequent years of your course. Detailed information on possible future increases in tuition fees is contained in the Tuition Fees Increase Policy.
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
You will require regular access to a desktop computer/laptop with an internet connection to use the University of Kent’s online resources and systems. Please see information about the minimum computer requirements for study.
Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details.
We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.
Next steps
If you are from the UK or Ireland, you must apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not from the UK or Ireland, you can apply through UCAS or directly on our website if you have never used UCAS and you do not intend to use UCAS in the future.
We welcome applications from students all around the world with a wide range of international qualifications.
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