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King's College London
You are viewing a course in < Politics and economics
Undergraduate degree

Political Economy BA/BSc

UCAS code: L200

Key information

Course type:
Single honours
Delivery mode:
Classroom
Study mode:
Full time
Required A-level:
A*AA
Duration:
Three years
Application status:
Closed
Start date:
September 2022
Application deadline:
26 January 2022
Optional study abroad
Optional internships
Apply via UCAS

Our Political Economy BA/BSc is a high-quality, interdisciplinary programme that will equip you with the skills and knowledge to understand, analyse and contribute to the political and economic institutions of the 21st century, both in the UK and globally. Depending on the modules you choose, you can graduate with either a BA or a BSc degree.

Key benefits

  • Academic study of advanced, cutting-edge economic and political concepts and methods.
  • With over 150 scholars, the Department of Political Economy is a part of the largest concentration of scholars in the field of political economy, public policy and international studies in Europe.
  • Your learning will be supported by an internationally recognised team of experts and leaders in their fields.
  • The degree features a wide range of required and optional modules covering theory and empirics in the field of political economy and developing your qualatative and quantitative analytical skills.
  • You can choose to take a number of optional modules offered through our Politics BA/BSc and PPE degree courses, in addition to those offered as part of the main Political Economy degree course.
Julie

“I like how I can tailor my course to what I am interested in - I focus primarily on the EU, foreign policy, and Russia and Eastern Europe.”

Julie, European Politics BA

The course is taught primarily at our Strand Campus, putting you close to all the facilities offered by the College and within easy reach of the cultural attractions of the Southbank and Covent Garden. The library and computing facilities are readily accessible together with the opportunity to use the University of London library at Senate House.

Course Aims

  • Our Political Economy BA/BSc aims to provide you with a thorough understanding of political and economic events and processes in a global context.
  • If you choose the BA, you will focus primarily on political analysis and processes, while choosing the BSc leads to a course with a stronger emphasis on economic analysis.
  • You will learn to think critically and independently about the issues you encounter in your studies, and develop a range of skills that will support your intellectual, vocational and personal development.
  • Your first year will provide the foundations for the study of economics, politics and the intersection of the two subjects. You will then be able to choose between two pathways through the final two years of the degree, depending on your interests.

Base campus

strand-quad
Strand Campus

Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.

Special features

Optional study abroad
Optional internships

Awarding Institutions

kcl logo

King's College London and Affiliates

Regulating bodies

King's is regulated by the Office for Students

Subject requirements

Required subjects:
None
Preferred subjects:
None

A-Levels

Required grades:
A*AA

Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels.

Notes: If you are taking linear A-levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects. This is with the exception of private candidates who are unable to take the practical component. We do not consider the EPQ at any point of the assessment process.

Contextual A-Level information

AAB Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels. Notes: If you are taking linear A-levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects. This is with the exception of private candidates who are unable to take the practical component. We do not consider the EPQ at any point of the assessment process.

International Baccalaureate

35 points including 766 at Higher Level.

Notes: The total point score of 35 includes TOK/EE.

Contextual International Baccalaureate information

35 points including 665 at Higher Level. Notes: The total point score of 35 includes TOK/EE.

Alternative accepted qualifications

Standard requirements

International applicants

Equivalent International qualifications

Course specific subject requirements are indicated in subject requirements above

English language requirements

English language band: B

Selection process

Application deadline: 26th January 2022 - 18:00 GMT

 

Contextual consideration

We make contextual offers for this programme, which can be found in the entry requirements. As part of the assessment process, we take into account contextual information to gain a more complete picture of each application. More information can be found on the Contextualised admissions website.

Deferrals

Applications can be submitted for deferred entry by choosing the appropriate year of entry on the UCAS application.

If your circumstances change and, therefore, you need to request a deferral after an offer has been made, then we can generally permit these for this programme. However, each deferral request will be considered on a case-by-case basis and we reserve the right to decline any post-offer deferral request. Requests should be submitted via a message on King’s Apply with an explanation of the reason for making the request.

Please note, second deferral requests will only be considered where the request is due to extreme unforeseen extenuating circumstances, for example, health reasons. We are unable to permit deferral requests that go beyond two years and you would need to apply again. This is with the exception of deferrals which are due to military/national service.

Foundation courses

Applicants studying Foundation Year programmes in the UK are welcome to apply for this programme. Foundation programmes from other universities and further education providers in the UK are considered on a case-by-case basis. Whether or not we can consider a particular foundation year as suitable for study at King's depends on the content of the syllabus and modules studied. In the past we have accepted foundation programmes from a number of other institutions.

We are unable to accept Foundation programmes that are integrated as part of a main degree at another institution. These may be called Year 0 or Integrated Foundations. We are also unable to accept non-UK Foundation courses.

Once you have submitted an application, the Admissions Office may contact you via King's Apply to ask for further details on your qualification, such as a list of modules and course specifications.

The King's International Foundation Programme has guaranteed pathways available for progression onto our King's undergraduate degree programmes, and information can be found on the website.

Graduates

Our general entry requirements are based on A-level or equivalent. However, where an applicant is completing/has completed a degree, we are able to consider the degree study as part of the assessment of the application.

Generally, we would consider a minimum of a UK Bachelor degree with a 2:1 grade profile (or overseas equivalent) as meeting the entry requirements for our undergraduate degrees. However, those who have achieved/are predicted a high 2:1 or a First may be considered more competitive.

Once you have submitted an application, the Admissions Office may contact you via King's Apply to ask for further details on your degree study.

Personal Statement

Your personal statement is one of the many factors in the overall assessment of your application, and is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the university and inform us of your commitment to the programme and how the programme fits into your career plans, as well as any work experience or extracurricular activities you have done.

Resits

We are able to consider applicants who have retaken or are retaking their qualifications.

Transfers

Transfers into this programme are not permitted.

Help for international applicants

International Foundation Year

If you don't have a suitable qualification for direct entry to a UK university, we can help with our Foundation year courses.

Pre-sessional courses

If you have an offer from King's, but English isn't your first language, we have courses to help you.

Teaching methods - what to expect

Lectures
Seminars
Group Tutorials
Independent study

Curious to find out more? Access on-demand content including taster lectures and talks, and meet our current staff and students on our subject hub page.

Sitting within the Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy, the Department of Political Economy has an interdisciplinary, social science ethos, fostering a stimulating intellectual environment that has attracted leading scholars. Our research-led curriculum encourages critical analysis and debate on contemporary international political and policy issues.

We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment. On average, you can expect to receive approximately nine hours of taught lectures and six hours of seminars and group tutorials.

In Year 1 you will spend 15% of time in scheduled learning and teaching activities and 85% of time in guided independent study. In Year 2 you will spend 16% of time in scheduled learning and teaching activities, and 84% in guided independent study.  In Year 3 you will spend 12% of time in scheduled learning and teaching activities and 88% in guided independent study.

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Assessment

  • Written Examinations
  • Coursework
  • Assessed Essays
  • Presentations

We will assess your progress and attainment on all the modules you take on both the BA and BSc degrees through a range of techniques including written examinations, coursework, assessed essays and presentations. You may also benefit from some informal assessment during individual modules to help steer your studies and enhance your learning.

Structure

Courses are divided into modules. Each year you will normally take modules totalling 120 credits.

This is a three-year degree course in which you will take a combination of required and optional modules to total 360 credits.

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Employability

Through your Political Economy BA/BSc degree, you will develop a range of transferable analytical skills and interdisciplinary knowledge in the field of political economy that will be valued by a wide-range of employers in government institutions, private sector organisations and businesses, think tanks, policy-consultancies, journalism and communication, and research. 

Many of our graduates proceed to postgraduate studies in top-ranked universities. 

Destinations

Recent graduates have found employment within the following job roles and companies:

  • Public affairs executive, London Chamber of Commerce & Industry
  • Junior political consultant, Ketchum Pleon
  • Production management assistant, BBC
  • Press and communications officer, European Parliament
  • Communications officer, Drugscope
  • Finance analyst, BNP Paribas

Tuition Fees

Full time tuition fees UK:

The UK tuition fee for the 2022-2023 academic year is currently £9,250 per year. This is based on the UK Government’s cap.

Full time tuition fees International:

The International tuition fee for the 2022-2023 academic year is £29,460 per year.

Please note that the International tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

All International applicants to Undergraduate programmes are required to pay a deposit of £2,000 against their first year’s tuition fee. This deposit is payable when you firmly accept an unconditional offer to study with us, and will be offset against your tuition fees when you join King’s.

If you choose the study abroad option with one of King’s partner universities, you will not be charged tuition fees by the host university (although some partners do charge a small administration fee for applying). King’s will continue to invoice for a proportion of King's tuition fees. You should also budget to pay for the associated subsistence costs, such as travel, visas, accommodation and food as well as any vaccination/immunisations required by the country to which you are travelling.   Please see the Study Abroad web pages for details of the relevant partner universities and detailed information on the fees that apply under the Course Essentials tab.

Additional Costs

In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:

  • Books if you choose to buy your own copies 
  • Clothing for optional course related events and competitions 
  • Library fees and fines 
  • Personal photocopies 
  • Printing course handouts 
  • Society membership fees 
  • Stationery 
  • Graduation costs
  • Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses

Funding

The course is taught primarily at our Strand Campus, putting you close to all the facilities offered by the College and within easy reach of the cultural attractions of the Southbank and Covent Garden. The library and computing facilities are readily accessible together with the opportunity to use the University of London library at Senate House.

Course Aims

  • Our Political Economy BA/BSc aims to provide you with a thorough understanding of political and economic events and processes in a global context.
  • If you choose the BA, you will focus primarily on political analysis and processes, while choosing the BSc leads to a course with a stronger emphasis on economic analysis.
  • You will learn to think critically and independently about the issues you encounter in your studies, and develop a range of skills that will support your intellectual, vocational and personal development.
  • Your first year will provide the foundations for the study of economics, politics and the intersection of the two subjects. You will then be able to choose between two pathways through the final two years of the degree, depending on your interests.

Base campus

strand-quad
Strand Campus

Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.

Special features

Optional study abroad
Optional internships

Awarding Institutions

kcl logo

King's College London and Affiliates

Regulating bodies

King's is regulated by the Office for Students

Subject requirements

Required subjects:
None
Preferred subjects:
None

A-Levels

Required grades:
A*AA

Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels.

Notes: If you are taking linear A-levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects. This is with the exception of private candidates who are unable to take the practical component. We do not consider the EPQ at any point of the assessment process.

Contextual A-Level information

AAB Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels. Notes: If you are taking linear A-levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects. This is with the exception of private candidates who are unable to take the practical component. We do not consider the EPQ at any point of the assessment process.

International Baccalaureate

35 points including 766 at Higher Level.

Notes: The total point score of 35 includes TOK/EE.

Contextual International Baccalaureate information

35 points including 665 at Higher Level. Notes: The total point score of 35 includes TOK/EE.

Alternative accepted qualifications

Standard requirements

International applicants

Equivalent International qualifications

Course specific subject requirements are indicated in subject requirements above

English language requirements

English language band: B

Selection process

Application deadline: 26th January 2022 - 18:00 GMT

 

Contextual consideration

We make contextual offers for this programme, which can be found in the entry requirements. As part of the assessment process, we take into account contextual information to gain a more complete picture of each application. More information can be found on the Contextualised admissions website.

Deferrals

Applications can be submitted for deferred entry by choosing the appropriate year of entry on the UCAS application.

If your circumstances change and, therefore, you need to request a deferral after an offer has been made, then we can generally permit these for this programme. However, each deferral request will be considered on a case-by-case basis and we reserve the right to decline any post-offer deferral request. Requests should be submitted via a message on King’s Apply with an explanation of the reason for making the request.

Please note, second deferral requests will only be considered where the request is due to extreme unforeseen extenuating circumstances, for example, health reasons. We are unable to permit deferral requests that go beyond two years and you would need to apply again. This is with the exception of deferrals which are due to military/national service.

Foundation courses

Applicants studying Foundation Year programmes in the UK are welcome to apply for this programme. Foundation programmes from other universities and further education providers in the UK are considered on a case-by-case basis. Whether or not we can consider a particular foundation year as suitable for study at King's depends on the content of the syllabus and modules studied. In the past we have accepted foundation programmes from a number of other institutions.

We are unable to accept Foundation programmes that are integrated as part of a main degree at another institution. These may be called Year 0 or Integrated Foundations. We are also unable to accept non-UK Foundation courses.

Once you have submitted an application, the Admissions Office may contact you via King's Apply to ask for further details on your qualification, such as a list of modules and course specifications.

The King's International Foundation Programme has guaranteed pathways available for progression onto our King's undergraduate degree programmes, and information can be found on the website.

Graduates

Our general entry requirements are based on A-level or equivalent. However, where an applicant is completing/has completed a degree, we are able to consider the degree study as part of the assessment of the application.

Generally, we would consider a minimum of a UK Bachelor degree with a 2:1 grade profile (or overseas equivalent) as meeting the entry requirements for our undergraduate degrees. However, those who have achieved/are predicted a high 2:1 or a First may be considered more competitive.

Once you have submitted an application, the Admissions Office may contact you via King's Apply to ask for further details on your degree study.

Personal Statement

Your personal statement is one of the many factors in the overall assessment of your application, and is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the university and inform us of your commitment to the programme and how the programme fits into your career plans, as well as any work experience or extracurricular activities you have done.

Resits

We are able to consider applicants who have retaken or are retaking their qualifications.

Transfers

Transfers into this programme are not permitted.

Help for international applicants

International Foundation Year

If you don't have a suitable qualification for direct entry to a UK university, we can help with our Foundation year courses.

Pre-sessional courses

If you have an offer from King's, but English isn't your first language, we have courses to help you.

Teaching methods - what to expect

Lectures
Seminars
Group Tutorials
Independent study

Curious to find out more? Access on-demand content including taster lectures and talks, and meet our current staff and students on our subject hub page.

Sitting within the Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy, the Department of Political Economy has an interdisciplinary, social science ethos, fostering a stimulating intellectual environment that has attracted leading scholars. Our research-led curriculum encourages critical analysis and debate on contemporary international political and policy issues.

We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment. On average, you can expect to receive approximately nine hours of taught lectures and six hours of seminars and group tutorials.

In Year 1 you will spend 15% of time in scheduled learning and teaching activities and 85% of time in guided independent study. In Year 2 you will spend 16% of time in scheduled learning and teaching activities, and 84% in guided independent study.  In Year 3 you will spend 12% of time in scheduled learning and teaching activities and 88% in guided independent study.

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Assessment

  • Written Examinations
  • Coursework
  • Assessed Essays
  • Presentations

We will assess your progress and attainment on all the modules you take on both the BA and BSc degrees through a range of techniques including written examinations, coursework, assessed essays and presentations. You may also benefit from some informal assessment during individual modules to help steer your studies and enhance your learning.

Structure

Courses are divided into modules. Each year you will normally take modules totalling 120 credits.

This is a three-year degree course in which you will take a combination of required and optional modules to total 360 credits.

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Employability

Through your Political Economy BA/BSc degree, you will develop a range of transferable analytical skills and interdisciplinary knowledge in the field of political economy that will be valued by a wide-range of employers in government institutions, private sector organisations and businesses, think tanks, policy-consultancies, journalism and communication, and research. 

Many of our graduates proceed to postgraduate studies in top-ranked universities. 

Destinations

Recent graduates have found employment within the following job roles and companies:

  • Public affairs executive, London Chamber of Commerce & Industry
  • Junior political consultant, Ketchum Pleon
  • Production management assistant, BBC
  • Press and communications officer, European Parliament
  • Communications officer, Drugscope
  • Finance analyst, BNP Paribas

Tuition Fees

Full time tuition fees UK:

The UK tuition fee for the 2022-2023 academic year is currently £9,250 per year. This is based on the UK Government’s cap.

Full time tuition fees International:

The International tuition fee for the 2022-2023 academic year is £29,460 per year.

Please note that the International tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

All International applicants to Undergraduate programmes are required to pay a deposit of £2,000 against their first year’s tuition fee. This deposit is payable when you firmly accept an unconditional offer to study with us, and will be offset against your tuition fees when you join King’s.

If you choose the study abroad option with one of King’s partner universities, you will not be charged tuition fees by the host university (although some partners do charge a small administration fee for applying). King’s will continue to invoice for a proportion of King's tuition fees. You should also budget to pay for the associated subsistence costs, such as travel, visas, accommodation and food as well as any vaccination/immunisations required by the country to which you are travelling.   Please see the Study Abroad web pages for details of the relevant partner universities and detailed information on the fees that apply under the Course Essentials tab.

Additional Costs

In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:

  • Books if you choose to buy your own copies 
  • Clothing for optional course related events and competitions 
  • Library fees and fines 
  • Personal photocopies 
  • Printing course handouts 
  • Society membership fees 
  • Stationery 
  • Graduation costs
  • Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses

Funding

Key information

Course type:
Single honours
Delivery mode:
Classroom
Study mode:
Full time
Required A-level:
A*AA
Duration:
Three years
Application status:
Closed
Start date:
September 2022
Application deadline:
26 January 2022
Optional study abroad
Optional internships
Apply via UCAS

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