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Philosophy, Politics and Economics BSc
Degree Structure
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).
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 or independent research project and includes a number of optional and elective modules depending on the concentration and stream.
A sustained policy and methods focus distinguishes the UCL PPE and, for students wishing to specialise, there is a separate Quantitative Methods (QM) stream, provided by the UCL Q-Step Centre.
Upon successful completion of 360 credits, students on the mixed method stream will be awarded a BSc (Hons) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics.
Upon successful completion of 360 credits, students on the Q-Step stream will be awarded a Bsc (Hons) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics with Social Data Science.
Upon successful completion of 360 credits, you will be awarded a BSc (Hons) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics.
Degree Benefits
Learn from world-leading experts in politics and international relations in the UCL Department of Political Science and School of Public Policy, who will teach your classes.
Acquire the knowledge and know-how you need to analyse the major political problems of our time and evaluate how we should respond to them.
Link your studies with real-world political developments, both through coursework that engages with current events and by learning from eminent practitioners at our flagship Policy & Practice Seminar Series.
Develop a portfolio of skills in how to undertake research; analyse data; argue persuasively and communicate effectively, valued by employers in both the public and private sectors.
Careers
The Philosophy, Politics and Economics BSc programme exposes students to the modes of reasoning, types of evidence, and methods used by the three disciplines, a concentration in two disciplines, and case examples of the contributions of a multidisciplinary approach to complex problems.
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.
UCL is committed to helping you get the best start after graduation. Read more about how UCL Careers and UCL Innovation and Enterprise can help you find employment or learn about entrepreneurship.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees
The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2024/25 academic year. The UK fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2024/25 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.
- UK students
- £9,250 (2024/25)
- Overseas students
- £31,100 (2024/25)
Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found here.
Additional costs
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
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.
Departmental scholarships
Funding opportunities relevant to the department may appear in this section when they are available. Please check carefully or confirm with the programme contact to ensure they apply to this degree programme.
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.
Application and next steps
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.
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