| UCAS code | L0V0 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 years |
| Entry year | 2025 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Politics and International Relations |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: ABB |
| UCAS code | L0V1 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years |
| Entry year | 2025 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Politics and International Relations |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
Overview
- You’ll learn how government is constituted, how being and truth are deliberated and how goods, services and peoples are economically organised
- Challenge yourself by exploring some of the major questions facing human society including war and peace, democracy, resource scarcity and distribution, the natural environment and faith and reason
- Our flexible programme, with a wide range of optional modules, means you can tailor your degree to your interests and career ambitions
- Get involved with the Politics, Philosophy and Economics student society, meet likeminded people, attend socials, go on trips and hear from guest speakers
- You’ll be well prepared for careers in business, finance, journalism and politics – many past PMs have been PPE graduates!
Top 15 in the UK for Politics and Philosophy
11th for Politics and 8th for Philosophy in the Complete University Guide 2025
Top 15 in the UK for Economics
14th in the Complete University Guide 2025 and joint 15th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
We are Top 10 in the UK for our world-leading Politics and International Studies research
Based on research rated 4* in REF 2021
Top 10 for graduate prospects
Joint 8th for Economics graduate prospects in The Complete University Guide 2025
Top 15 in the UK for Politics and Philosophy
11th for Politics and 8th for Philosophy in the Complete University Guide 2025
Top 15 in the UK for Economics
14th in the Complete University Guide 2025 and joint 15th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
Entry requirements (typical offer)
| Qualification | Typical offer | Required subjects |
|---|---|---|
| A-Level | AAA | n/a |
| IB | 36/666 | n/a |
| BTEC | DDD | n/a |
| GCSE | C or 4 and A or 7 | Grade C or 4 in English Language and Grade A or 7 in Mathematics |
| Access to HE | 30 L3 credits at Distinction Grade and 15 L3 credits at Merit Grade | N/A |
| T-Level | Distinction | N/A |
| Contextual Offer | A-Level: ABB |
Specific subject requirements must still be achieved where stated above. Find out more about contextual offers. |
| Other accepted qualifications | ||
| English language requirements |
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country. |
|
NB General Studies is not included in any offer.
Grades advertised on each programme webpage are the typical level at which our offers are made and provide information on any specific subjects an applicant will need to have studied in order to be considered for a place on the programme. However, if we receive a large number of applications for the programme we may not be able to make an offer to all those who are predicted to achieve/have achieved grades which are in line with our typical offer. For more information on how applications are assessed and when decisions are released, please see: After you apply
Course content
The BA Politics, Philosophy and Economics degree programme is made up of compulsory (core) and optional modules, which are worth 15 or 30 credits each. Full-time undergraduate students need to complete modules worth a total of 120 credits each year. Within the programme as a whole a minimum of 90 credits and a maximum of 150 credits should come from each discipline. At least 15 credits of stage 3 modules must be from each discipline.
The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
Your core modules will provide you with an introduction to all three disciplines and will specifically explore issues relating to power and democracy, the philosophy of morality, philosophical analysis and economic principles.
Compulsory modules
105 credits of compulsory modules made up of:
30 credits of compulsory Politics modules, including 1 x 15 credit module from Stage 1 Politics (POL1xxx) options.
30 credits of compulsory Philosophy modules, chosen from the 4 x 15 credit core modules (PHL1xxx) listed here.
45 credits of compulsory Economics modules made up of BEE1029 (30 credits) and EITHER BEE1024 for holders of A-level maths or equivalent qualification OR BEE1035 for those without A-Level Maths or equivalent.
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POL1019 | Power and Democracy | 15 |
| PHL1006 | Introduction to Philosophical Analysis | 15 |
| PHL1013 | Philosophy of Morality | 15 |
| PHL1002A | Knowledge and Reality 1 | 15 |
| PHL1002B | Knowledge and Reality 2 | 15 |
| BEE1029 | Economic Principles | 30 |
| BEE1035 | Basic Quantitative Methods If A Level Maths or equivalent has not been taken | 15 |
| BEE1024 | Mathematics for Economists If A Level Maths or equivalent has been taken | 15 |
Optional modules
15 credit option module from either:
Politics modules (POL1xxx) https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=politics
Philosophy modules (PHL1xxx) https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=philosophy
Economics modules (BEE1xxx) https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=economics
Please note that modules are subject to change and not all modules are available across all programmes, this is due to timetable, module size constraints and availability
You’ll explore how your three disciplines overlap in fields such as political philosophy (eg, considering topics such as liberty, justice, rights and citizenship), economic policy and the economics of politics. You’ll compare political systems and reflect on the nature of society, considering philosophical questions relating to inequality and power.
Compulsory modules
90 credits of compulsory modules made up of:
30 credits of Politics modules.
a - 30 credits of Philosophy modules, selected from Stage 2 Philosophy compulsory modules list (2 x 15 credit modules).
30 credits of Economics modules.
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POL2046 | The Economics of Politics | 15 |
| POL2050 | Political Philosophy | 15 |
| PHL2010A | Philosophy of Mind 1 [see note a above] | 15 |
| PHL2043 | Philosophical Research [see note a above] | 15 |
| PHL2015 | Body and Mind [see note a above] | 15 |
| PHL2016 | Metaphysics [see note a above] | 15 |
| PHL2018 | Philosophy of Language [see note a above] | 15 |
| PHL2118 | Moral agency in social context [see note a above] | 15 |
| BEE2038 | Intermediate Microeconomics | 15 |
| BEE2039 | Intermediate Macroeconomics | 15 |
Optional modules
30 credits from either Stage 2:
Politics modules (POL2xxx) https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=politics
Philosophy modules (PHL2xxx) https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=philosophy
Economics modules (BEE2xxx) https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=economics
Please note that modules are subject to change and not all modules are available across all programmes, this is due to timetable, module size constraints and availability
Students spend this stage in a partner University on an Erasmus/Socrates exchange or other approved programme of study.
The year abroad comprises 120 credits. Assessment is based on the credits gained at the partner institution abroad.
Compulsory modules
120 credit compulsory placement module
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HAS3999 | Study Abroad (HASS) Year Abroad | 120 |
The centre-point of the final year is the dissertation. This provides you with the opportunity to explore an area of interest and to demonstrate what you have learned over the previous years of your degree. You will also take up to three other specialist modules to create a programme of work fully reflecting your interests.
Compulsory modules
30 credits of compulsory modules.
b - You must take POL3040 or BEE3068 or PHL3040 or BUS3001. Please note that BEE3068 has pre-requisites: BEE1038 or BEE2041 or BEE2032 (or one of the co-requisites: BEE3066 or BEE3071).
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POL3040 | Dissertation [see note b above] | 30 |
| BEE3068 | Economics Dissertation [see note b above] | 30 |
| PHL3040 | Philosophy Dissertation [see note b above] | 30 |
| BUS3001 | Dissertation [see note b above] | 30 |
Optional modules
90 credits from either:
Politics modules (POL3xxx) https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=politics
Philosophy modules (PHL3xxx) https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=philosophy
Economics modules (BEE3xxx) https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=economics
Please note that modules are subject to change and not all modules are available across all programmes, this is due to timetable, module size constraints and availability
At least 30 credits of stage 3 modules must be taken from each discipline. This is inclusive of the dissertation modules.
Course variants
UCAS code: L0V1
Our four-year ‘with Study Abroad’ degree, offers you the possibility of spending your third year abroad, studying with one of our many partner universities.
Why Study Abroad?
Living and studying in a different country is an exciting experience that broadens your academic and cultural horizons, as well as giving you the opportunity to widen your circle of friends. Students who have studied abroad demonstrate initiative, independence, motivation and, depending on where they stay, may also have gained a working knowledge of another language – all key qualities that employers are looking for in today’s competitive employment environment.
Where can I Study Abroad?
We have partnership arrangements with many prestigious institutions across the globe. Exactly where you can apply to study will depend on the subjects you are studying at Exeter. For a full list please visit the Study Abroad website.
Does it count towards my degree?
Credit for academic work during your year abroad is arranged by agreement between the University of Exeter and the host institution. These marks are then translated back into your degree at Exeter. If you are Studying Abroad for a semester or full year, your time abroad will count toward your final degree. Please refer to your College Study Abroad co-ordinator for further details.
How does it affect my tuition fee and funding?
For the year that you spend studying abroad you will pay a significantly reduced tuition fee to Exeter, but nothing to your host university – for more information visit our fees pages. You will continue to receive a maintenance loan if you are eligible for this whilst on your Study Abroad year.
Fees
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
UK students: £9,535 per year
International students: £24,700 per year
Scholarships
The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships*.
Financial support is also available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed and progress through higher education.
* Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.
I am currently on my work abroad placement in Brussels working for a Think Tank in European economic policy called Bruegel. It’s been amazing so far. Being immersed in a different culture and meeting new people with completely different experiences of life has been incredible.
Working for a think tank has also immeasurably improved my research and academic skills – I regularly get to attend research meetings with scholars at the top of their field.
Saffron
BA Politics, Philosophy and Economics with Employment Experience Abroad
Learning and teaching
How will I learn?
We use a wide range of teaching methods as well as encouraging independent study with an increasing emphasis on seminar discussion and project work in your second and third years
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Tutorials
- Project and group work
- Independent study
You will also have access to personal and subject tutors who will give you the individual help and guidance you need to succeed.
How will I be assessed?
We use a range of assessment methods including many designed to reflect the skills required by employers:
- Exams
- Essays
- Projects
- Individual and small group presentations
- Dissertation in your final year
You must pass your first year modules in order to proceed but your performance at this level does not count towards your final degree classification.
ExeTalks
ExeTalks are a chance to discover some of the fascinating research undertaken at the University of Exeter delivered by the academics who teach on our programmes.
Optional modules outside of this course
Each year, if you have optional modules available, you can take up to 30 credits in a subject outside of your course. This can increase your employability and widen your intellectual horizons.
Proficiency in a second subject
If you complete 60 credits of modules in one of the subjects below, you may have the words 'with proficiency in [e.g. Social Data Science]' added to your degree title when you graduate.
- A Foreign Language
- Data Science
- Entrepreneurship
- Innovation
- Law (Penryn Campus only)
- Leadership
- Management
- Social Data Science
Your future
Develop skills valued by employers
As a Politics, Philosophy and Economics graduate you will have an understanding of the philosophical, political and economic foundations of order and justice as well as the ability to interrogate the meaning and practice of the market economy on a global scale. Throughout your studies you will develop a range of professional, academic and personal skills that are highly sought after by employers including:
- Analytical, critical and independent thinking
- Independent research
- Problem solving
- Discussion and collaborative working in diverse environments
- Collecting, assessing and presenting evidence
- Written and verbal communication
- Articulating ideas and constructing arguments
- Organising, planning and time management
- Understanding numerical and written information
Career paths
A degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics is highly respected by employers and PPE graduates can 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
- Public relations
- Journalism and media
- Management consulting and business
- Law
Further study
The flexible nature of a Politics, Philosophy and Economics degree means that you could choose to specialise in several areas at postgraduate level such as:
- Conflict, Security and Development
- European Politics
- Political Thought
- Philosophy
- Behavioural Economics and Finance
- Financial Economics
Exeter Award and Exeter Leaders Award
Many of our students participate in the Exeter Award and Exeter Leaders Award. These schemes encourage you to participate in employability related workshops, skills events, volunteering and employment which will contribute to your career decision-making skills and success in the employment market.
Developing your skills and career prospects
We provide a range of support to help you develop skills attractive to employers. You will be able to access a range of specific activities such as careers skills sessions and employer-led events, or seek bespoke advice and support from Employability Officers.
The Career Zone also organises a busy schedule of activities including careers fairs, skills workshops, and training events, and can advise on graduate opportunities and volunteering.
We are Top 10 in the UK for our world-leading Politics and International Studies research
Based on research rated 4* in REF 2021
Top 10 for graduate prospects
Joint 8th for Economics graduate prospects in The Complete University Guide 2025
