Philosophy, Politics and Economics BA Honours
- UCAS code: LV10
- Full time
- 3 years
Engage with the political, economic, and philosophical ideas that shape our world today
You are currently viewing course information for entry year: 2026
Next start date:
- September 2026
UCAS Institution name and code:
- NEWC / N21
Course overview
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the forces that shape political, philosophical, and economic societies.
Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) BA Honours brings together three disciplines into one flexible degree. On our degree programme, you'll:
- Equip yourself with the tools to analyse and respond to the complex challenges of the modern world.
- Develop the skills to think critically, analyse evidence, and communicate ideas with confidence.
- Gain experience in strategic planning, problem-solving, and research.
- Build strengths in communication, data analysis, IT, and organisation.
- Tackle global challenges and succeed in a wide range of careers.
You’ll also have the flexibility to structure your degree in the way that suits you best. This can be an equal split across all three subjects, a focus on any two, or specialising in the one you're most passionate about. You can shape your degree and adapt it as your academic and career goals develop.
Compulsory modules introduce key concepts and approaches in philosophy, economics and politics, developing the technical and mathematical abilities you’ll need to succeed.
Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2025-26.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Quality and ranking
Professional accreditation and recognition
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.
Modules and learning
Modules
The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Featured module
POL3146: Final Year Dissertation in PPEConduct original research at the intersection of politics, philosophy and/or economics. Engage in an in-depth examination of an issue in Political Systems and Comparative Politics, International Relations, or Political Philosophy
Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions
In your first year, you’ll take compulsory modules in key areas such as political economy and work on the mathematical skills you’ll need for economic study.
You’ll also choose from a range of Politics and Philosophy modules, helping you to build a strong foundation in philosophy, politics, and economics.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Analysing Economic Data | 10 |
| Mathematics for Economics | 20 |
| Economic Analysis | 30 |
| Studying Political Economy: Ideas, Theories and Skills | 20 |
You’ll study one compulsory module learning about how the social and political world ought to operate, with a particular focus on social issues .
You'll also be able to tailor your studies to your ambitions and interests by choosing modules from each discipline.
At the end of Stage 2 you’ll be able to apply to spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: Social Issues in Contemporary Political Philosophy | 20 |
During Stage 3 you’ll be able to apply the critical, interpretive and research skills you’ve gained and apply these in your final year PPE project or dissertation. You'll also tailor your studies to an even greater extent through optional modules.
Modules
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Final Year Dissertation in PPE | 40 |
| Final Year Project in PPE: Semester 1 | 20 |
| Final Year Project in PPE: Semester 2 | 20 |
We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They are based on the modules chosen by our students in 2024-25.
Teaching time is made up of:
- scheduled learning and teaching activities. These are timetabled activities with a member of staff present.
- structured guided learning. These are activities developed by staff to support engagement with module learning. Students or groups of students undertake these activities without direct staff participation or supervision
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
You'll be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, exercises, and debates. You will also be required to show your learning through presentations and essays.
You’ll be encouraged students to bring philosophical, political, and economic perspectives to bear on real-world issues through focused small-group discussion.
Assessment methods
You'll be assessed through a combination of:
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Assessments
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Case studies
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Coursework
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Dissertation or research project
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Essays
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Examinations – practical or online
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Group work
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Portfolio submission
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Presentations
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Projects
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Reflective report/journal
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Reports
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Seminar tasks/exercises
Skills and experience
You’ll develop a range of professional, academic and personal skill that are sought after by employers in a wide range of industries.
By completing this programme, you’ll gain the skills to
- critically evaluate arguments and evidence - giving you the confidence to question assumptions and make well-informed decisions.
- express your views clearly and persuasively – enabling you to share your ideas with impact.
- analyse both qualitative and quantitative information - preparing you to handle complex data and draw meaningful insights from it.
You’ll also gain essential transferable skills, such as:
- effective communication
- plan and organise projects
- IT tools and numerical skills.
You’ll become more adept at critical reasoning, analytical thinking, and strategic planning, which are vital for tackling today’s global challenges.
You’ll learn how to work with different sources of information, from data sets to digital libraries, and how to apply tools from philosophy, politics, and economics to real-world issues.
At the same time, you’ll gain experience in working across disciplines, managing complex information, and carrying out independent research, all of which prepare you to thrive in both further study and professional environments.
Opportunities
Work placement
Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.
You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.
If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year, and your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year. A work placement is not available if you're spending a year studying abroad. Placements are subject to availability.
Find out more about work placements
Study abroad
Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.
You may choose to spend either one or two semesters on an international exchange at a partner institution. The exchange usually takes place at Stage 3 with either the first semester (September to January) or the full year being the period of the exchange.
Facilities and environment
Facilities
You'll be based in the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology's Henry Daysh Building.
Support
You will have one-to-one academic and pastoral support from a personal tutor and from a student.
A tutor in the department has twice won a student-nominated award for pastoral care in recent years.
Your future
A degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics is highly respected by employers and graduates from this area typically go on to work in a wide variety of fields, including:
- Local and national government
- Charities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the UK and abroad
- Accounting, banking and finance
- Education
- Marketing
- Journalism and media
- Management consulting and business
- Law
Make a difference
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Careers support
Our Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Visit our Careers Service website
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Entry requirements
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications.
The entrance requirements and offers below apply to 2026 entry.
| A-Level | |
|---|---|
| International Baccalaureate | |
|---|---|
Other UK and the Republic of Ireland qualifications
Alternative offers at Newcastle
Through one of our contextual or alternative offer routes, you could receive an offer of up to three grades lower than the typical requirements.
Contextual offers
We use certain contextual data from your UCAS form, alongside your application, to consider challenges that you may have faced in your education and the potential effect this may have had on your qualifications. This means you may be eligible to receive a lower contextual offer.
PARTNERS offers
One of the largest and longest support entry routes to university if its kind for students from underrepresented backgrounds. We support applicants from application through to study.
Realising Opportunities offers
A unique programme delivered in collaboration with 10 leading, research-intensive universities in the UK. The programme is open to students in Year 12/first year of college.
Pathways to Newcastle offers
Pathways to Newcastle, our national skills entry route, is available for specific subject areas.
High Performance Athletes
We support promising athletes at the application stage, who compete in regional, national or international levels in their sport.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Entrance courses (INTO)
International Pathway courses are specialist programmes designed for international students who want to study in the UK. We provide a range of study options for international students in partnership with INTO.
These courses are specifically designed for international students who want to study in the UK and progress onto one of our undergraduate degrees. Our International Study Centre, has a range of study options including:
- International Foundation
- International Year One
- English Language courses
Find out more about International Pathway courses
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course.
Tuition fees and scholarships
Tuition fees for academic year 2026-2027
The 2026 entry home fees have not yet been confirmed.
| Qualification: BA Honours | |
|---|---|
|
Home students full time 3 years |
Tuition fees (Year 1)
Not set |
|
International students full time 3 years |
Tuition fees (Year 1)
24,500 |
Year abroad and additional costs
For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year.
Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.
Scholarships
Find out more about:
How to apply
Apply through UCAS
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- the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
- the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
- the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college
If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.
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