Lancaster University Management School

Course Details

BA (Hons) Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Course Description

Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) is a classic joint degree and one of our most popular joint degree choices. Many politicians, journalists, civil servants, authors and broadcasters studied PPE as undergraduates. You will explore important philosophical, economic and political ideas in relation to one another. For example, the study of Philosophy provides a historical background and develops your critical reasoning skills and understanding, which are directly relevant to Politics and Economics. In Politics, you will examine the history and basis of political ideas and critically reflect upon the nature and activities of political institutions. You will learn how political decisions concern, and are influenced by, economic matters. You will also critically engage with a range of economic models and theories. The first year of your degree course is designed to give you a firm grounding in each of the three disciplines through the core modules: Introduction to Philosophy; Politics and Governance in the Contemporary World, and Principles of Economics. In your second and third years, you’ll develop your skills and knowledge, choosing from a wide range of optional modules in the three subject areas. For example: Modern Political Thought; International Relations and Security; Ethics: Theory and Practice; Managerial Economics, and International Economics.

Course Duration

NumberDuration
3year

Career outcomes

Our Philosophy graduates have gone on to work in accountancy, local government, banking, the Civil Service, teaching, nursing, fashion and journalism. Others have pursued postgraduate degrees. A Philosophy degree helps you develop skills in critical reasoning, clarity of thought and communication. These skills are very much at a premium in the employment market. Over 40% of graduate vacancies are open to students of any discipline. Employers look for clear thinking, broad vision, independence, the capacity to locate and analyse problems and exercise judgement in their solution, to present situations lucidly and argue effectively for favoured courses of action. Your degree will equip you with these skills. Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, but that you also graduate with relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.




BA (Hons) Philosophy, Politics and Economics Lancaster University Management School