Philosophy, Politics and Economics BA

Course overview

Bringing together three disciplines, this PPE degree provides you with skills in critical reasoning, analysis, and planning, as well as core insights across economics, politics, and moral philosophy. This will equip you with the knowledge and understanding needed to understand how human societies work, how they might be changed for the better, and how they might adapt in response to the global challenges that they face.

Core modules will introduce you to key concepts and approaches in philosophy, economics and politics, plus enable you to develop the technical and mathematical abilities you’ll need to succeed in your future career or further study.

We offer an impressive range of optional modules across the three subject areas, so you can tailor your degree to suit you. This means you could develop your understanding of subjects as wide-ranging as the ethics of life and death, UK macroeconomic policy, ancient philosophy, economic development or African politics.

This diverse selection of modules, spanning continents and millennia, means you’ll graduate with a remarkable amount of knowledge – and also be equipped with the skills needed to become a future leader.

Course details

In your first year you’ll take core modules in key areas such as economic theory and comparative politics, and you'll work towards the mathematical skills you’ll need for economic study.

You’ll also take the Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) First Year Seminar, which is offered only to PPE students. This will train you in analytical thinking and classic philosophical texts.

Core modules in your second year will develop your understanding of topics like macroeconomics and microeconomics. In philosophy, you’ll choose between modules on political and moral philosophy, and in politics, you’ll choose between a module on justice, community, and conflict and a module on 20th century political problems. You’ll also choose from a wide selection of optional modules across all three subjects. In addition, you’ll be able to explore discovery modules from across the University.

By your final year, you’ll be able to apply the critical, interpretive and research skills you’ve acquired when you undertake a final year project. You will also have the opportunity to tailor your studies to your particular ambitions and interests to an even greater extent. You will have the liberty to pursue your interests in Discovery modules outside of the three disciplines if you so choose, and to focus more centrally upon two of the three disciplines in your final year of study where you might plan to specialise further.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Philosophy, Politics and Economics BA in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Level 1 students must study either one or the other of the below modules:

Year 2 compulsory modules

Year 2 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Level 2 students have the option of doing either of the following two Philosophy modules, but must do at least one of them: PHIL2321 Political Philosophy 20 credits, PHIL2322 Moral Philosophy 20 credits. Level 2 students also have the option of doing either of the following two Politics modules, but must do at least one of them: PIED2602 Justice, Community, and Conflict 20 credits, PIED2601 Revolution and Reaction 20 credits. Alongside this, Level 2 students have the freedom to spend their remaining credits on a wide range of Optional modules, including (but not limited to):

Year 2 discovery modules

Year 3 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Discovery modules

Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.

This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

We also use different types of assessment, which are usually a mixture of exams and essays. However, some modules may also assess you on oral presentations or group work. Support will be on hand throughout your time at Leeds – for example, you’ll be able to attend extra classes on exam technique and public speaking.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAA

GCSE: 7/A in Mathematics is required as a minimum. Although it is not a formal requirement, many of the strongest applicants for PPE will also be taking AS or A level Mathematics. However, all applicants will be considered on their individual merits.

Other course specific tests:

Alternative qualification

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information contact the School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science Undergraduate Admissions team.

You can find out more about what it is like to be an international student by speaking to a Link to Leeds ambassador. They can’t help you with your application, but they can tell you how they have found living and studying in Leeds.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

Fees

UK: £9,250 (per year)

International: £24,000 (per year)

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will remain capped at £9,250 for 2023/24 and 2024/25. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2023/24 and 2024/25
Tuition fees for international students for 2023/24 and 2024/25 are available on individual course pages.

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Applying

Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

Read our guidance about applying.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2024

This course is taught by

School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science
School of Politics and International Studies
Leeds University Business School

Contact us

Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures Admissions

Email: artsadmissions@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Career opportunities

Gaining a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics requires you to study varied and challenging subjects. This course will equip you with impressively broad subject knowledge as well as transferable skills that are valued by many different types of employer.

You’ll be an excellent communicator who can present and defend your views clearly, and you’ll be comfortable working independently or as a team. You’ll also have strong research skills and highly developed skills of analysis and interpretation.

All of these qualities are attractive to employers, and graduates from all three schools involved in delivering the course have gone on to succeed in areas such as politics, management, the civil service, journalism, the media, education and the charity sector. Many have also pursued postgraduate study.

We do everything we can to support your career ambitions. Our students particularly benefit from events within the School which give you the chance to meet and learn from entrepreneurs in the world of business, charities or elsewhere in the third sector.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.

Study abroad and work placements

Study abroad

All University of Leeds students can apply to spend a year studying abroad. It’s a great way to gain an insight into another culture, as well as gaining valuable experience that will look great on your CV.

The School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science also has exclusive exchange links with universities in Denmark, France and Spain – language classes are available before you go to prepare you for the experience.

Read more about Study abroad in Philosophy, Religion and History of Science

Work placements

Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.

Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.

Related courses