Program Overview

Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Explore the deep connections between political and economic theory, and gain insight into the philosophies that shape our society.

Course Details

• Start dates: September 2026, September 2025
• Degree type: BA
• Course length: 3 years full-time
• Location: Durham City
• UCAS code: VL52

Typical Offers

• A Level: A*AA, including an arts/humanities or social sciences subject and Mathematics.
• BTEC: D*DD
• International Baccalaureate: 38

Course Structure

• Year 1 modules:
  • Core modules:
    • Principles of Economics
    • Economic Methods
    • Ethics and Values
    • Knowledge and Reality
  • Optional modules:
    • Researching Politics and International Relations
    • Introduction to Political Theory
    • Introduction to Comparative Politics
    • Introduction to International Relations
    • Perspectives of Political Economy
• Year 2 modules:
  • Core modules:
    • Macroeconomics
    • Political Philosophy
    • Microeconomics
    • Economic Theory
    • The Philosophy of Economics and Politics
  • Optional modules: Remaining modules are chosen from a wide selection of optional modules in politics, philosophy, and economics.
• Year 3 modules:
  • Core modules:
    • Dissertation
  • Optional modules: Plus four additional options from an extensive selection of modules across the three subject areas.

Additional Pathways

• Students can apply to be transferred onto either the with Year Abroad or with Placement pathway.

Learning

• Most learning takes the form of lectures and small-group seminars, complemented by subject-specific tutorials and dedicated economics workshops.
• We place great importance on research-led teaching.

Assessment

• Modules are assessed via a combination of examinations and unseen essay questions, essays, and group projects.

Entry Requirements

• A level offer: A*AA, including an arts/humanities or social sciences subject and Mathematics.
• Contextual offer: ABB, or equivalent, with an A in Mathematics and at least a B in an arts/humanities or social sciences subject.
• BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: D*DD and A level with an A in Mathematics.
• IB Diploma score: 38, with 666 in higher level subjects, including an arts/humanities subject and Mathematics.

Fees and Funding

• The fees for this academic year have not been confirmed yet.
• More information is available here: Tuition Fees - Durham University

Career Opportunities

• Our students graduate with subject-specific knowledge such as economic theory and data analysis, as well as the commercial awareness, IT, and problem-solving skills that are highly valued by employers across the world.
• Previous Economics graduates have gone on to work for global innovators and leaders in their sector, including Ernst and Young, Deloitte, Lloyds Banking Group, PwC, JP Morgan, and for government departments such as the National Audit Office, HMRC, and the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.

Department Information

• Economics: Gain constructive insights from active practitioners and researchers. Our Economics degrees close the gap between the business world and the classroom, and prepare the next generation for success across a range of disciplines.

Rankings

• 7th in The Complete University Guide 2025
• 4th in The Guardian University Guide 2025
• 1st in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Apply

• The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) handles applications for all undergraduate courses.
• Use the UCAS code VL52 when applying.

Similar Courses

• Economics - BSc (UCAS Code: L100)