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Philosophy, Politics and Economics BSc

London, Bloomsbury

The Philosophy, Politics and Economics BSc (PPE) aims to provide breadth and depth in understanding social and political phenomena and the principles informing, and consequences following, policy choices. Teaching across UCL's highly regarded Departments of Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics combines an education in social sciences and philosophy with a comprehensive grounding in research methods.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
3 academic years
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£9,535
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£36,500
Programme starts
September 2025
Application deadline
29 Jan 2025
UCAS course code
4V86
Apply via UCAS

Entry requirements

A levels IB Diploma Other qualifications
Grades
A*AA
Subjects
A* in Mathematics.
GCSEs
English Language at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 4.

Contextual offer information

Grades
A*BB more about contextual offers
Subjects
A* in Mathematics.
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4.
Points
39
Subjects
A total of 19 points in three higher level subjects including 7 in Mathematics, with no higher level score below 5. The programme will accept either 'Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches' or 'Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation' at higher level.

Contextual offer

Points
36 more about contextual offers
Subjects
A total of 17 points in three higher level subjects including grade 7 in Mathematics, with no higher level score below 5. The programme will accept either 'Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches' or 'Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation' at higher level.

UK applicants qualifications

For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:

Equivalent qualification

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

D2,D3,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Prinicipal Subjects, with D2 in Mathematics.

A1,A,A at Advanced Highers (or A1,A at Advanced Higher and A,A,A at Higher), to include Mathematics at A1.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A levels at grades A*AA. A* in Mathematics required.

International applications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

Access and widening participation

UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.
Check your Access UCL Scheme eligibility

Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates

The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.

Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.

For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.

English language requirements

The English language level for this programme is: Level 4

Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.

A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.

Course overview


In year one, students take modules introducing the three disciplines and the principles of social and political analysis.

In years two and three, students choose modules in two disciplines (politics and philosophy or politics and economics concentration) and in research methods. A limited number of study abroad placements may be available (subject to first-year grades and a successful application) for students who wish to study abroad in year three, transferring to a four-year programme at the end of the second year.

The final year includes a dissertation in either political science, economics or philosophy (depending on your chosen discipline).

A sustained policy and methods focus distinguishes the UCL PPE programme and, for students wishing to specialise, there is a separate Social Data Science (Q-step) stream, provided by the UCL Social Data Institute. Upon successful completion of 360 credits, students on the Social Data Science (Q-Step) stream will be awarded a BSc (Hons) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics with Social Data Science.

What this course will give you

Enjoy a learning environment created by UCL's internationally recognised research departments of Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics.

Acquire applied and policy knowledge with UCL's PPE programme, housed in UCL Political Science - home of our Policy and Practice Seminar Series with its eminent list of speakers.

Gain the skills needed to provide evidence for policy problems and prepare for research and work inside and outside academia. Study a breadth of methods or choose the Social Data Science (Q-step) stream.

Take a degree inspired by UCL's founding tradition in political economy and its historic Bloomsbury location.

Teaching and learning

In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

Upon successful completion of 360 credits, you will be awarded a BSc (Hons) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics.

Modules

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

The discipline and methods stream you choose will dictate the compulsory and optional modules available.

In year one all students take compulsory modules in philosophy, politics and economics, and an introduction to quantitative research methods. Students following the Economics route will take a compulsory Mathematics for Economics module. Students following the Philosophy route will take a compulsory Social Science Research module.

In years two and three you will choose modules in two disciplines (politics and philosophy or politics and economics) and in research methods. The following are compulsory in year two:

A limited number of study abroad placements may be available (subject to first year grades) for students who wish to undertake a year abroad, in year three of a four year programme.

The final year includes a dissertation in either political science, economics or philosophy alongside six further modules (options dependent on your chosen discipline and stream).

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

Compulsory modules






Compulsory modules






Optional modules











Political Behaviour: Voters, Public Opinion and Political Participation



Political Representation


Regulating Big Business










Compulsory modules





Your learning

Teaching is based on lectures and seminars across the three participating departments. Normally lectures are accompanied by small-group seminars or tutorials that allow for an in-depth and participatory approach to the topic.

Each 15-credit module is equivalent to 150 hours of study. This time is made up of formal learning and teaching events such as lectures, seminars and tutorials, as well as independent study. You are generally expected to attend one lecture and one seminar per module per week. The majority of modules are taught over one term although some do span over two terms.

Assessment

Your modules may be assessed by written coursework, by examination, presentations or an independent research project or dissertation. Graded coursework and comments prepare the students for the dissertation and independent research projects.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) Bsc Information Session

Watch this video to find out more about UCL's Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) Bsc programme, entry requirements, course structure and other helpful information. Recorded Spring 2024.

Watch on demand event

Online - Open day

Politics and International Relations BSc Information Session

Watch this video to find out more about UCL's Politics and International Relations BSc programme, entry requirements, course structure and other helpful information. Recorded Spring 2024.

Watch on demand event

The foundation of your career

The degree combines an education in social sciences and philosophy with a sustained treatment of the methods of social and normative inquiry. Drawing on multiple lines of inquiry, the degree prepares students for the contemporary and increasing likelihood of a multi-career working life.

Philosophy, Politics and Economics BSc is the gold standard of multidisciplinary degrees for those seeking careers in the public sector, the media and the policy community.

Employability

Our goal is to produce graduates who can undertake independent research on complex questions, collecting and analysing data and other forms of evidence; who can express complicated ideas clearly and communicate them effectively in speech and writing and who can construct and defend reasoned arguments about philosophy, politics, and economics.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £9,535
Tuition fees (2025/26) £36,500

Fees are for Undergraduate 2025/26 entry and are for the first year only. Fees for subsequent years may be subject to increase: Student Terms and Conditions. UK fees are in line with the Government announcement on fee cap increases and are subject to the passing of secondary legislation. Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2025/26 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.

Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this programme.

A guide including rough estimates for these and other living expenses is included on the UCL Fees and funding pages. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).

Funding your studies

Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Scholarships

The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.

Next steps

Your application

We are looking for students with an interest in the relationship between current political issues, philosophical ideas and economic systems. Applicants should demonstrate critical engagement with contemporary political and economic challenges, and show evidence of quantitative aptitude, good communication skills, analytical ability, and self-motivation.

How to apply

Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.

Selection

For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.

Selection is made on the basis of information contained in the UCAS application and the reference supplied.

Apply via UCAS
Application guidelines
Download prospectus

Got questions? Get in touch

Political Science
Political Science

polsci.admissions@ucl.ac.uk

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