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Undergraduate Study

BA Politics, Philosophy and Economics - 2024 entry

Please note: The below is for 2024 entries. Click here for 2025 entries.
UCAS code L0V0
Duration 3 years
Entry year 2024
Campus Streatham Campus
Discipline Politics and International Relations
Contact

Web: Enquire online
Phone: +44 (0)1392 723192

Typical offer

View full entry requirements

A levels: AAA
IB: 36/666
BTEC: DDM

Contextual offers

A-Level: ABB
IB: 32/655
BTEC: DDM

Overview

  • You’ll learn how government is constituted, how being and truth are deliberated and how goods, services and peoples are economically organised
  • Challenge yourself by exploring some of the major questions facing human society including war and peace, democracy, resource scarcity and distribution, the natural environment and faith and reason
  • Our flexible programme, with a wide range of optional modules, means you can tailor your degree to your interests and career ambitions
  • Get involved with the Politics, Philosophy and Economics student society, meet likeminded people, attend socials, go on trips and hear from guest speakers
  • You’ll be well prepared for careers in business, finance, journalism and politics – many past PMs have been PPE graduates!

View 2025 Entry

Request a prospectus

Open days and visiting us

How to apply

Contact

Web: Enquire online

Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72

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We are in the Top 10 in the UK for our world-leading Politics and International Studies research*

* Based on research rated 4* in REF 2021

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Top 10 in the UK for Politics and Philosophy

10th for Politics and 7th for Philosophy in the Complete University Guide 2024

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Top 10 in the UK for Economics

9th in the Complete University Guide 2024

Entry requirements (typical offer)

Qualification Typical offer Required subjects
A-Level AAA n/a
IB 36/666 n/a
BTEC DDM n/a
GCSE C or 4 and A or 7 Grade C or 4 in English Language and Grade A or 7 in Mathematics
Access to HE 30 L3 credits at Distinction Grade and 15 L3 credits at Merit Grade N/A
T-Level Distinction N/A
Contextual Offer

A-Level: ABB
IB: 32/655
BTEC: DDM

Specific subject requirements must still be achieved where stated above. Find out more about contextual offers.

Other accepted qualifications

View other accepted qualifications

English language requirements

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.

NB General Studies is not included in any offer.

Grades advertised on each programme webpage are the typical level at which our offers are made and provide information on any specific subjects an applicant will need to have studied in order to be considered for a place on the programme. However, if we receive a large number of applications for the programme we may not be able to make an offer to all those who are predicted to achieve/have achieved grades which are in line with our typical offer. For more information on how applications are assessed and when decisions are released, please see: After you apply

Course content

The BA Politics, Philosophy and Economics degree programme is made up of compulsory (core) and optional modules, which are worth 15 or 30 credits each. Full-time undergraduate students need to complete modules worth a total of 120 credits each year. Within the programme as a whole a minimum of 90 credits and a maximum of 150 credits should come from each discipline. At least 15 credits of stage 3 modules must be from each discipline.

The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

Your core modules will provide you with an introduction to all three disciplines and will specifically explore issues relating to power and democracy, the philosophy of morality, philosophical analysis and economic principles. 

Compulsory modules

105 credits of compulsory modules made up of:

30 credits of compulsory Politics modules, including 1 x 15 credit module from Stage 1 Politics (POL1xxx) options.

30 credits of compulsory Philosophy modules, chosen from the 4 x 15 credit core modules (PHL1xxx) listed here.

45 credits of compulsory Economics modules made up of BEE1029 (30 credits) and EITHER BEE1024 for holders of A-level maths or equivalent qualification OR BEE1035 for those without A-Level Maths or equivalent.

CodeModule Credits
POL1019 Power and Democracy 15
PHL1006 Introduction to Philosophical Analysis 15
PHL1013 Philosophy of Morality 15
PHL1002A Knowledge and Reality 1 15
PHL1002B Knowledge and Reality 2 15
BEE1029 Economic Principles 30
BEE1035 Basic Quantitative Methods If A Level Maths or equivalent has not been taken15
BEE1024 Mathematics for Economists If A Level Maths or equivalent has been taken15

Optional modules

15 credit option module from either:

Politics modules (POL1xxx) https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=politics

Philosophy modules (PHL1xxx) https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=philosophy

Economics modules (BEE1xxx) https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=economics

 

Please note that modules are subject to change and not all modules are available across all programmes, this is due to timetable, module size constraints and availability

You’ll explore how your three disciplines overlap in fields such as political philosophy (eg, considering topics such as liberty, justice, rights and citizenship), economic policy and the economics of politics. You’ll compare political systems and reflect on the nature of society, considering philosophical questions relating to inequality and power.

Compulsory modules

90 credits of compulsory modules made up of:

30 credits of Politics modules.

a - 30 credits of Philosophy modules, selected from Stage 2 Philosophy compulsory modules list (2 x 15 credit modules).

30 credits of Economics modules.

CodeModule Credits
POL2046 The Economics of Politics 15
POL2050 Political Philosophy 15
PHL2010A Philosophy of Mind 1 [see note a above]15
PHL2043 Philosophical Research [see note a above]15
PHL2015 Body and Mind [see note a above]15
PHL2016 Metaphysics [see note a above]15
PHL2018 Philosophy of Language [see note a above]15
PHL2118 Moral agency in social context [see note a above]15
BEE2038 Intermediate Microeconomics 15
BEE2039 Intermediate Macroeconomics 15

Optional modules

30 credits from either Stage 2:

Politics modules (POL2xxx) https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=politics

Philosophy modules (PHL2xxx) https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=philosophy

Economics modules (BEE2xxx) https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=economics

Please note that modules are subject to change and not all modules are available across all programmes, this is due to timetable, module size constraints and availability

Students spend this stage in a partner University on an Erasmus/Socrates exchange or other approved programme of study.

The year abroad comprises 120 credits. Assessment is based on the credits gained at the partner institution abroad.

Compulsory modules

120 credit compulsory placement module

CodeModule Credits
HAS3999 Study Abroad (HASS) Year Abroad 120

The centre-point of the final year is the dissertation. This provides you with the opportunity to explore an area of interest and to demonstrate what you have learned over the previous years of your degree. You will also take up to three other specialist modules to create a programme of work fully reflecting your interests.

Compulsory modules

30 credits of compulsory modules.

b - You must take POL3040 or BEE3068 or PHL3040.

CodeModule Credits
POL3040 Dissertation [see note b above]30
BEE3068 Economics Dissertation [see note b above]30
PHL3040 Philosophy Dissertation [see note b above]30

Optional modules

90 credits from either:

Politics modules (POL3xxx) https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=politics

Philosophy modules (PHL3xxx) https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=philosophy

Economics modules (BEE3xxx) https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=economics

Please note that modules are subject to change and not all modules are available across all programmes, this is due to timetable, module size constraints and availability

At least 15 credits of stage 3 modules must be taken from each discipline.

Course variants

UCAS code:  L0V1

Our four-year ‘with Study Abroad’ degree, offers you the possibility of spending your third year abroad, studying with one of our many partner universities.

Why Study Abroad?

Living and studying in a different country is an exciting experience that broadens your academic and cultural horizons, as well as giving you the opportunity to widen your circle of friends. Students who have studied abroad demonstrate initiative, independence, motivation and, depending on where they stay, may also have gained a working knowledge of another language – all key qualities that employers are looking for in today’s competitive employment environment.

Where can I Study Abroad?

We have partnership arrangements with many prestigious institutions across the globe. Exactly where you can apply to study will depend on the subjects you are studying at Exeter. For a full list please visit the Study Abroad website.

Does it count towards my degree?

Credit for academic work during your year abroad is arranged by agreement between the University of Exeter and the host institution. These marks are then translated back into your degree at Exeter. If you are Studying Abroad for a semester or full year, your time abroad will count toward your final degree. Please refer to your College Study Abroad co-ordinator for further details.

How does it affect my tuition fee and funding?

For the year that you spend studying abroad you will pay a significantly reduced tuition fee to Exeter, but nothing to your host university – for more information visit our fees pages. You will continue to receive a maintenance loan if you are eligible for this whilst on your Study Abroad year.

Fees

Tuition fees for 2025 entry

UK students: £9,250 per year
International students: £24,700 per year

Scholarships

The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students, such as our Global Excellence Scholarships*. Financial support is also available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed and progress through higher education.

* Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.

Find out more about tuition fees and scholarships

I am currently on my work abroad placement in Brussels working for a Think Tank in European economic policy called Bruegel. It’s been amazing so far. Being immersed in a different culture and meeting new people with completely different experiences of life has been incredible.

Working for a think tank has also immeasurably improved my research and academic skills – I regularly get to attend research meetings with scholars at the top of their field.

Read more from Saffron

Saffron

BA Politics, Philosophy and Economics with Employment Experience Abroad

Learning and teaching

How will I learn?

We use a wide range of teaching methods as well as encouraging independent study with an increasing emphasis on seminar discussion and project work in your second and third years

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Project and group work
  • Independent study

You will also have access to personal and subject tutors who will give you the individual help and guidance you need to succeed.

How will I be assessed?

We use a range of assessment methods including many designed to reflect the skills required by employers:

  • Exams
  • Essays
  • Projects
  • Individual and small group presentations
  • Dissertation in your final year

You must pass your first year modules in order to proceed but your performance at this level does not count towards your final degree classification.

ExeTalks

ExeTalks are a chance to discover some of the fascinating research undertaken at the University of Exeter delivered by the academics who teach on our programmes.

Optional modules outside of this course

Each year, if you have optional modules available, you can take up to 30 credits in a subject outside of your course. This can increase your employability and widen your intellectual horizons.

Proficiency in a second subject

If you complete 60 credits of modules in one of the subjects below, you may have the words 'with proficiency in [e.g. Social Data Science]' added to your degree title when you graduate.

  • A Foreign Language
  • Data Science
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Innovation
  • Law
  • Leadership
  • Management
  • Social Data Science

Find out more about proficiency options

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Your future

Develop skills valued by employers

As a Politics, Philosophy and Economics graduate you will have an understanding of the philosophical, political and economic foundations of order and justice as well as the ability to interrogate the meaning and practice of the market economy on a global scale. Throughout your studies you will develop a range of professional, academic and personal skills that are highly sought after by employers including:

  • Analytical, critical and independent thinking
  • Independent research
  • Problem solving
  • Discussion and collaborative working in diverse environments
  • Collecting, assessing and presenting evidence
  • Written and verbal communication
  • Articulating ideas and constructing arguments
  • Organising, planning and time management
  • Understanding numerical and written information

Career paths

A degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics is highly respected by employers and PPE graduates can go on to work in a wide variety of fields, including:

  • Local and national government
  • Charities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the UK and abroad
  • Accounting, banking and finance
  • Education
  • Marketing
  • Public relations
  • Journalism and media
  • Management consulting and business
  • Law

Further study

The flexible nature of a Politics, Philosophy and Economics degree means that you could choose to specialise in several areas at postgraduate level such as:

  • Conflict, Security and Development
  • European Politics
  • Political Thought
  • Philosophy
  • Behavioural Economics and Finance
  • Financial Economics

Exeter Award and Exeter Leaders Award

Many of our students participate in the Exeter Award and Exeter Leaders Award. These schemes encourage you to participate in employability related workshops, skills events, volunteering and employment which will contribute to your career decision-making skills and success in the employment market.

Developing your skills and career prospects

We provide a range of support to help you develop skills attractive to employers. You will be able to access a range of specific activities such as careers skills sessions and employer-led events, or seek bespoke advice and support from Employability Officers.

The Career Zone also organises a busy schedule of activities including careers fairs, skills workshops, and training events, and can advise on graduate opportunities and volunteering.

 

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