In all our programmes the aims are to increase students' awareness of the subjects taught and to develop those critical faculties which enable them to apply their knowledge when dealing with practical policy issues. All undergraduate programmes students have the opportunity to spend twelve months (during the third year of the programme) on placement with a government department, commercial organisation, or an overseas agency.   Examples of placements included prestigious organisations, including the Bank of England, HM Treasury, HSBC, Shell, Xerox, Cambridge Econometrics, and many other private and public sector employers. Placements are also common through the departments own research programmes - either in the UK or overseas.  Some students also take placements in Europe, and this opportunity is particularly valuable for students who continue to study European language courses within the undergraduate programmes.

Students benefit from ethusiastic and approachable academic staff. The interdisciplinary nature of many of our programmes is also reflected in and informed by staff research interests.