Undergraduate Course

BA (Hons) Philosophy, Politics and Economics

How to apply

Overview

The details

Course: Philosophy, Politics and Economics

UCAS code: L0V0

Start date: October 2026

Study mode: Full-time

Duration: 3 years

Location: Colchester Campus

Based in: Government

What is the BA Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE)?

The BA Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) is a three-year degree, or four years with an optional placement or study abroad year.

You’ll tackle the big questions shaping the world - from the ethics of policy and the mechanics of democracy to how markets and ideas drive global change. This degree will enable you to develop the tools to think critically, act strategically, and respond to complex societal challenges.

Why this course

A BA Philosophy, Politics, and Economics gives you a unique blend of skills that few other degrees offer. You’ll receive extensive training in research and data methods to analyse complex ethical questions, policy choices, and economic trends.

You’ll study in a department whose research shapes decision-making at the highest levels, giving you first-hand insight into how political, philosophical and economic ideas influence real-world choices. You’ll engage with academics working on live policy debates, ethical challenges and economic analysis, helping you connect rigorous theory with the complex decisions that shape societies.

You can choose to add an extra year on placement or study abroad to put your learning into practice, gain hands-on experience, and broaden your global perspective before graduation.

This degree will help you develop the critical thinking, analytical insight, and practical skills required for early stage career paths in policy, government, economics - or postgraduate study.

Who should apply

Those who refuse easy answers and want to interrogate the forces shaping societies and global decisions
Future policymakers, strategists, or analysts ready to disrupt conventional thinking and influence real-world outcomes
Students drawn to careers spanning government, business, NGOs, and international organisations where bold ideas matter
Critical thinkers who thrive on combining ethical reasoning, political insight, and rigorous quantitative analysis

What you’ll learn

Philosophy and ethics: Explore major philosophical approaches and their relevance to politics and policy
Politics and governance: Study political systems, democracy, globalisation, and comparative politics
Economics and markets: Understand macro- and microeconomics, political economy, and international development
Applied insight: Analyse how philosophical, political, and economic forces interact to shape real-world outcomes
Methods and analysis: Develop research design, statistical, and data analysis skills

Your learning experience

Optional study abroad year: Experience a new culture, expand your horizons, and gain a global perspective on politics and society with the Study Abroad programme
Optional placement year: Apply your learning in a professional environment, develop real-world skills, and build valuable industry connections through Placements at Essex
Research in action: Join staff-led projects and contribute to cutting-edge research, with opportunities for independent study or joint publications
Specialist facilities: Access computer labs, political analysis software, and an industry-leading behavioural science laboratory

Careers and outcomes

A BA in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics prepares you for careers in government, policy, business, and global organisations, combining analytical, economic, and political insight valued worldwide.

Government and public service: Civil Service, policy analysis, public affairs, or political advisory roles
International organisations: UN, NATO, World Bank, EU institutions, and global NGOs
Policy and research: Think tanks, social research, data analysis, and strategic consultancy
Business and finance: Economic analysis, corporate strategy, and regulatory or public policy roles
Media and communications: Journalism, political reporting, public relations, and campaign management

Employers of graduates from this course

Graduates from this course have progressed to roles in national and international organisations, including:

HM Treasury
Royal Bank of Scotland
Barclays Investment Bank
Save the Children UK
World News Media

Meet the researchers

Dr James Christensen

Expert in political philosophy

Department of Government, University of Essex

Dr James Christensen has spent over 15 years exploring the ethical and philosophical foundations of politics and economics. His research - including his Oxford University Press book Trade Justice - challenges moral assumptions that underpin policy debates and global economic systems.

Dr Laura Montanaro

Expert in democratic theory

Department of Government, University of Essex

Dr Laura Montanaro is a normative democratic theorist with 15 years of experience researching democratic theory, political epistemology, and feminist theory. She has published in top journals, is the author of Who Elected Oxfam? (Cambridge University Press), and recipient of a Leverhulme Trust Research Fellowship.

Why choose Essex?

2nd in UK for research outputs in politics and international studies (Grade Point Average, Research Excellence Framework 2021)
9th in the UK for International Relations (Guardian University Guide 2026)
Our alumni include Members of Parliament, a Speaker of the House of Commons, a Home Secretary, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, and many more leaders shaping global affairs

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

GCSE: Mathematics C/4.

Plus one of the level 3 qualifications below:

A-levels: AAB or 136 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels.
BTEC: DDD or 136 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels. The acceptability of BTECs is dependent on subject studied and optional units taken - email ugquery@essex.ac.uk for advice.
Combined qualifications on the UCAS tariff: 136 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A levels or equivalent. Tariff point offers may be made if you are taking a qualification, or mixture of qualifications, from the list on our undergraduate application information page.
IB: 33 points in the IB Diploma or 136 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of 2 Higher Level subjects. Our Maths requirement can be met with either: 2 in Standard level Maths; 2 in Higher level Maths; or 5 in IB Middle Years Maths.
IB Career-related Programme: We consider combinations of IB Diploma Programme courses with BTECs or other qualifications. Advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
QAA-approved Access to HE Diploma: 136 UCAS tariff points, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
T-levels: 136 UCAS tariff points. We consider T-levels on a case-by-case basis, depending on subject studied. Depending on the course applied for there may be additional requirements, which may include a specific grade in the Core.

Contextual Offers:

We are committed to ensuring that all students with the merit and potential to benefit from an Essex education are supported to do so. We make Contextual Offers, of up to two A-level grades (or equivalent) below our standard conditional offer, to applicants from underrepresented groups residing in the UK. Our Contextual Offers policy outlines the full eligibility criteria.

For further information about what a Contextual Offer may look like for your specific qualification profile, email ugquery@essex.ac.uk.

If you haven't got the grades you hoped for, have a non-traditional academic background, are a mature student, or have any questions about eligibility for your course, more information can be found on our undergraduate application information page or get in touch with our Undergraduate Admissions Team at ugquery@essex.ac.uk.

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Undergraduate Admissions team at ugquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.

Structure

Course structure

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components and modules explained

Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

100

The department or school the module will be taught by.

In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.

The module number.

The UK academic level of the module.

A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.

A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.

A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.

The term the module will be taught in.

AU: Autumn term
SP: Spring term
SU: Summer term
FY: Full year
AP: Autumn and Spring terms
PS: Spring and Summer terms
AS: Autumn and Summer terms

COMPONENT 01: CORE

Introduction to Economics

(30 CREDITS)

How do consumers make decisions? Or firms conduct different market strategies? What impact does government policy have on inflation? Or unemployment? Develop your knowledge of economics in relation to a range of contemporary issues. Learn how to apply both micro and macroeconomic principles to the analysis of such problems.

View Introduction to Economics on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: CORE

Introduction to Politics

(30 CREDITS)

What is “Politics”? How have people conceived of political analysis, the state, laws, wars and political parties, across cultures and over time? Gain an understanding of essential concepts in the study of politics and explore the economic, social and intellectual trends that have made democracy possible.

View Introduction to Politics on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: CORE

Introduction to Philosophy

(30 CREDITS)

Begin your study of philosophy with an exploration of epistemology (the theory of knowledge) and identity theory. What does it mean to say that we ‘know’ something? What if that something is ourselves? How do our modes of practical interaction with the world and each other shape our ability to know different kinds of objects? Are there vices of the mind that distort our reasoning and lead our practical deliberations astray? How important is trust in a functional knowledge community? What kind of creatures must we be in order to be capable of knowing things? What role does self-responsibility play in effective knowing? What is it to be a self? How does that differ from having an identity or identities? To what extent are our identities determined by others? Are they up to us? How can the study of philosophy help us with these questions?

View Introduction to Philosophy on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: OPTIONAL

(30 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY

Career Portfolio

(0 CREDITS)

Develop the employability, citizenship, and life skills to successfully compete in the graduate job market after graduation. You complete a portfolio of employability skills and develop a critical understanding of the world of work.

View Career Portfolio on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 01: OPTIONAL

(30 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 02: OPTIONAL

(30 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 03: OPTIONAL

(30 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 04: OPTIONAL

(30 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY

Career Portfolio

(0 CREDITS)

View Career Portfolio on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS

(30 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 02: OPTIONAL

(30 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 03: OPTIONAL

(30 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 04: OPTIONAL

(30 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY

Career Portfolio

(0 CREDITS)

View Career Portfolio on our Module Directory

Placement

On a placement year you gain relevant work experience within an external business or organisation, giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market and providing you with key contacts within the industry. The rest of your course remains identical to the three-year degree.

Year abroad

On your year abroad, you have the opportunity to experience other cultures and languages, to broaden your degree socially and academically, and to demonstrate to employers that you are mature, adaptable, and organised. The rest of your course remains identical to the three-year degree.

Teaching

Teaching is arranged to allow a lot of freedom in how you organise your learning experience
Lab sessions allow you to improve your technical research skills
Optional support classes in economics
We believe that discussion is the lifeblood of philosophy, and we try to keep our classes as small as we can for this purpose
Opportunities to gain work experience on placements and internships

Undergraduate students in the Department of Government generally have a one-hour lecture and a one-hour seminar for each module every week or a two-hour seminar (in the case of smaller modules), but there are variations in place depending on the module.

Assessment

Assessed through a combination of written coursework, presentations, class participation, and end-of-year examinations
If you undertake a placement, you will prepare an assessed report on this experience
Complete your final year project in consultation with a personal supervisor

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

£9,790 per year

International fee

£22,600 per year

Fees will increase for each academic year of study.

If your course has the option to include a placement year or study abroad, and you choose to do so, you will pay the following:

Placement year

20% of your standard tuition fee for that year

Study abroad

Full year abroad

15% of your standard tuition fee for that year

Single term abroad

Standard tuition fee

Scholarships and financial support

There may be scholarships, bursaries or discounts available to help with the cost of this course.

Fees and funding guide

Home/UK fees and funding information

International fees and funding information

What's next

Our events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex. We run a number of Open Days throughout the year which enable you to discover what our campus has to offer. You have the chance to:

tour our campus and accommodation
find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
meet our students and staff

Check out our Visit Us pages to find out more information about booking onto one of our events. And if the dates aren’t suitable for you, feel free to book a campus tour here.

2026 Open Days (Colchester Campus)

Saturday 11 April 2026 - April Open Day

Saturday 20 June 2026 - June Open Day

Find out more

Applications for our full-time undergraduate courses should be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full details on how to apply can be found on the filling in your UCAS undergraduate application web page.

Our UK students, and some of our EU and international students, who are still at school or college, can apply through their school. Your school will be able to check and then submit your completed application to UCAS. Our other international applicants (EU or worldwide) or independent applicants in the UK can also apply online through UCAS Apply.

The UCAS code for our University of Essex is ESSEX E70. The individual campus codes for our Loughton and Southend Campuses are 'L' and 'S' respectively.

You can find further information on how to apply, including information on transferring from another university, applying if you are not currently at a school or college, and applying for readmission on our How to apply and entry requirements page.

If you receive an undergraduate offer to study with us in October 2026 and live in the UK, you will receive an email invitation to book onto one of our Open Days. These events provide the opportunity to meet your department, join interesting taster sessions, tour our campus and accommodation, and chat to current students. You can visit our Open Days event page for more information, including terms and conditions.

A sunny day with banners flying on Colchester Campus Square 4.

Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.

Find out more

View from Square 2 outside the Rab Butler Building looking towards Square 3

If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360-degree virtual tour allows you to explore our University from the comfort of your home. Check out our Colchester virtual tour to see accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.

Chat to us

Got a question about this course? Chat with Professor Natasha Lindstaedt from the Department of Government.

Chat with Natasha

Sign up for emails

Receive updates, tips, and deadlines to support your application

Apply now

Learn how to secure your place at Essex

Visit us virtually

Take a digital tour of the University of Essex

Book an open day

Reserve your place on a campus visit

At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.

BA (Hons) Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Overview

What is the BA Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE)?

Why this course

Who should apply

What you’ll learn

Your learning experience

Careers and outcomes

Employers of graduates from this course

Meet the researchers

Dr James Christensen

Dr Laura Montanaro

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

Contextual Offers:

International & EU entry requirements

Structure

Course structure

Components

Modules

Placement

Year abroad

Teaching

Assessment

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

International fee

Placement year

Study abroad

Full year abroad

Single term abroad

Scholarships and financial support

Fees and funding guide

What's next

Open Days

2026 Open Days (Colchester Campus)

Applying

Visit Colchester Campus

Virtual tours

Sign up for emails

Apply now

Visit us virtually

Book an open day