BA (Hons) International Affairs and Economics

University of Essex

The BA International Affairs and Economics is a one-year, final-year entry degree, designed for transfer students who want to complete their undergraduate studies at a UK university renowned for international affairs and economics.

You’ll develop strong analytical skills, deep knowledge of global systems and economic frameworks, and a degree recognised internationally - preparing you to engage with economic policy, global governance, and international institutions.

Why this course

This final-year entry route is ideal for students who have completed two years of undergraduate study elsewhere, allowing them to gain a UK degree in a single intensive year while accessing immersive teaching, specialist expertise, and internationally recognised credentials.

You’ll study international affairs through the lens of international political economy, examining how global markets, economic policy and financial institutions shape the behaviour of states, multinational organisations and non-governmental actors within the international system.

Explore real-world challenges such as climate change, global inequality, financial crises, and development, in a department whose research informs governments, global institutions, and NGOs. Through seminars, applied research, and collaborative projects, you’ll gain experience analysing and communicating complex economic and international issues.

By the end of your degree, you’ll have the analytical, quantitative and research skills that underpin international political economy - from making sense of global economic trends to understanding how markets, institutions and power shape international outcomes. These strengths also help you feel well-prepared for a variety of internationally focused careers, or further study.