Economics or politics: which should I study?
Economics may suit you better if you enjoy analysing markets, incentives, data and mathematical models. Politics may suit you better if you are more interested in governments, institutions, power, public policy and political ideas. Both can lead to overlapping interests and careers, so compare the modules, teaching, assessment methods and optional subjects offered by the courses you are considering.
Key points
- Economics can involve substantial quantitative analysis, statistics and formal modelling, although the balance varies by programme.
- Politics may emphasise reading, argument, research and analysis of institutions, political behaviour and policy, with methods varying by course.
- You can sometimes combine the subjects or study one alongside modules from the other, depending on the university and degree structure.
Things to check
- Course content, mathematical requirements, assessment and opportunities to combine subjects differ by university and country; check the official course information.