Philosophy, Politics and Economics VL52 September 2024

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Typical offers

Typical offers
A Level	A*AA
BTEC	D*DD
International Baccalaureate	38

Course details

Do you question what drives human actions and decisions? Are you curious about the ways in which government policies impact society? Or the ethics of global production and consumption?

Philosophy is the study of the important questions that arise in all areas of human life. By combining the study of philosophy, politics and economics you’ll gain insight into the thinking behind some of the big ideas that shape contemporary society.

This prestigious degree offers you the opportunity to explore these three important disciplines – their connections, influences and impact. You’ll gain an understanding of how and why they’ve been so inextricably linked historically, and the ways in which they’ve developed and diverged over the course of the last two centuries, both in content and in method.

Using a combination of academic theory and real-world practice, you’ll examine issues such as global politics, ethics and economic growth, gaining the knowledge and skills to pursue different lines of inquiry and the confidence to question your own thinking.

While the first year provides a foundation in all three areas, the choice broadens substantially in subsequent years. Across Years 2 and 3, you’ll study a minimum of two modules for each discipline, and you can tailor the remainder of your choices from a wide selection of option modules.

The course offers the opportunity to add a placement year or spend a year abroad, increasing the degree from three years to four. This extra dimension, coupled with the variety of option modules gives the degree the flexibility and eclecticism that are its defining characteristics.

The rigorous academic framework opens the door to a wide range of career options including policy making, journalism, the financial sector, the legal profession, consultancy, education and the civil service.

Course structure

Year 1

Core modules:

Principles of Economics provides a sound foundation for modules in micro- and macroeconomics. You will cover areas including methodology of economics, supply and demand, consumer spending choices, competition and growth theories.

Economic Methods familiarises you with the use of mathematical and statistical tools in solving economic problems. You will look at equations, matrix algebra, calculus, statistics, distribution, confidence intervals and hypothesis testing.

Ethics and Values provides a structured introduction to moral philosophy, including applied ethics, by exploring key moral concepts and showing how they influence moral practices and theories.

Knowledge and Reality introduces philosophical problems in epistemology (the study of knowledge), and metaphysics (the study of reality and ourselves).

In recent years, optional modules have included:

Researching Politics and International Relations
Introduction to Political Theory
Introduction to Comparative Politics
Introduction to International Relations
Perspectives of Political Economy.

Year 2

In recent years, optional modules have included:

The Philosophy of Economics and Politics: Theory, Methods and Values
Political and Social Philosophy
Macroeconomics
Microeconomics
Economic Theory.

The fourth module is chosen from a wide selection of politics modules.

Year 3 (Year 4 if undertaking a placement or year abroad)

The Dissertation is a detailed and critical examination of a relevant area of either philosophy, politics or economics. It develops your ability to plan and manage your own learning and provides you with an opportunity to research a specific topic and present your findings and conclusions.

Plus four additional options from an extensive selection of modules across the three subject areas.

Additional pathways

Students on BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics can apply to be transferred onto either the Year Abroad or with Placement pathway during the second year. Places on these pathways are in high demand and if you are chosen your studies will extend from three years to four.

Placement

You may be able to take a work placement. Find out more.

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Entry requirements

A level offer – A*AA including an arts/humanities or social sciences subject and Mathematics.

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma – D*DD and A level requirements as above.

IB Diploma score – 38 with 666 in higher level subjects, including an arts/humanities subject and Mathematics.

In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements, please note:

We welcome applications from those with other qualifications equivalent to our standard entry requirements and from mature students with non-standard qualifications or who may have had a break in their study. Please contact our Admissions Selectors.

We do not accept Advanced Higher Statistics as a substitute for AH Mathematics. If you are taking both of these subjects at this level then a further two Advanced Highers are necessary.

For students taking the IB we are happy to accept either Higher Level grade 6 or Standard Level grade 7 in Mathematics. Mathematical Studies is not acceptable.

One Arts/Humanities subject at A level or equivalent is required. In the past successful applicants have commonly satisfied this condition, by studying one or more of the following subjects: History, Philosophy, Government and Politics, English Literature; any ancient or modern language; Geography, Religious Studies. Such a list cannot be comprehensive, so if you are unsure over whether the subjects that you are currently following or are planning to take, meet our standard requirements please contact our Admissions Selector for further details.

If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take an International Foundation Year pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.

Alternative qualifications

Other UK qualifications

EU qualifications

International qualifications

International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree might have the option to complete an International Foundation Year.

English language requirements

Country specific information

Fees and funding

Full Time Fees

Tuition fees
Home students	£9,250 per year
EU students	£27,600 per year
Island students	£9,250 per year
International students	£27,600 per year

The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.

The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.