Program Overview

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Philosophy, Politics and Economics BA Honours

The Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) BA Honours degree brings together three disciplines into one flexible degree. On this degree programme, students will:

• Equip themselves 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.

Course Overview

This degree programme allows students to structure their degree in the way that suits them best. This can be an equal split across all three subjects, a focus on any two, or specialising in the one they're most passionate about. Students can shape their degree and adapt it as their academic and career goals develop.

Quality and Ranking

• Global Top 140 University - QS World University Rankings 2026
• 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• 42% of research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
• Global Top 160 University - Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025

Modules and Learning

The information below is intended to provide an example of what students will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and students will complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage.

Stage 1

• Compulsory modules introduce key concepts and approaches in philosophy, economics, and politics, developing the technical and mathematical abilities students will need to succeed.
• Optional modules:
  • Analysing Economic Data
  • Mathematics for Economics
  • Economic Analysis
  • Studying Political Economy: Ideas, Theories and Skills
  • Existentialism and the Self
  • Introduction to Moral Philosophy
  • Foundations of Philosophy
  • Philosophical Approaches to the Humanities and Social Sciences and Critical Reasoning
  • Introduction to Aesthetics
  • UK Politics: Westminster and Beyond
  • Key Concepts in International Politics
  • Order and Disorder: The Shaping of the 21st Century
  • Power and Inequality: How to Study Global Politics ... and Change the World
  • Politics of Happiness
  • State, People and Politics: Comparative Politics in a Globalised World

Stage 2

• Compulsory module: Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: Social Issues in Contemporary Political Philosophy
• Optional modules:
  • International Economics
  • Economics of Regulation
  • Economic Evaluation and Investment
  • Applied Economics
  • Mathematical Economics
  • Python Programming for Economists
  • British Economic History
  • Ecological Economics and Environmental Policy
  • Economics of Inequality and Disadvantage
  • Microeconomic Analysis
  • Macroeconomic Analysis
  • Ethics and the Modern World
  • Consciousness, Art and Technology
  • Kant and Post-Kantian Philosophy
  • Practice and Creative Practice of Philosophy
  • Texts in Contemporary Philosophy: Barbara Stiegler: Adapt!
  • Politics of the Middle East
  • Becoming a Political Researcher
  • Government and Politics of the USA
  • The Politics and Policy of the European Union
  • Power and Poverty in the Global Economy
  • A Global History of Political Thought
  • Political Violence and the Modern State
  • Democracy or Autocracy? What are the differences and how do we analyse them
  • Sex, Gender and Power
  • The Global Politics of Race
  • International Organizations and Diplomacy
  • Place-Based Philosophy: Investigating Context through Fieldwork
  • Italian Thought

Stage 3

• Optional modules:
  • Final Year Dissertation in PPE
  • Final Year Project in PPE: Semester 1
  • Final Year Project in PPE: Semester 2
  • Advanced Microeconomics
  • Advanced Macroeconomics
  • Behavioural Economics and Experimental Methods
  • Advanced Econometric Analysis
  • Monetary Economics
  • Public Economics
  • Advanced Time Series Econometrics
  • Financial Economics
  • Economics of Risk and Uncertainty
  • Health Economics
  • Industrial Economics and Policy
  • Game Theory
  • Happiness Economics
  • Environmental Economics
  • Place-Based Philosophy: Investigating Context through Fieldwork
  • Social and Political Philosophy
  • Continental Political Thought
  • The Networked Society: Human Identity and Practices
  • Practice and Creative Practice of Philosophy
  • Phenomenology and Twentieth Century Philosophy
  • Philosophy and Psychoanalysis
  • World Philosophies
  • Political Leadership in Britain
  • Who and why votes for far right? Using data for political analysis
  • Political Parties and Elections in the UK
  • Politics of Immigration
  • Politics of Citizenship
  • Gender and Sexuality Politics in the Middle East
  • Public Policy: Theories, Cases, Skills
  • Politics as a Way of Life
  • Power and Policy: Understanding Impact
  • Labour Economics
  • Economics of Banking
  • Microeconometrics
  • Development Economics
  • The Ethics of Killing
  • Applied Data Science for Political Research
  • Texts in Contemporary Philosophy: Barbara Stiegler: Adapt!

Opportunities

Work Placement

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. Students 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 their dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.

Study Abroad

Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of the degree. Students will be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities, and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for their future.

Facilities and Environment

Students will be based in the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology's Henry Daysh Building.

Support

Students 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

Entry Requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and the university accepts a broad range of qualifications.

The entrance requirements and offers below apply to 2026 entry.

• A-Level: AAB
• GCSE Mathematics grade A or 7 required if not taken at A or AS Level.
• International Baccalaureate: 34 points
• Standard Level Mathematics or Mathematical Studies required at grade 5 if not offered at Higher Level.

Tuition Fees and Scholarships

The 2026 entry home fees have not yet been confirmed.

• Qualification: BA Honours Full time
• Home students Full time: 3 years | Tuition fees (Year 1) Not Set
• International students Full time: 3 years | Tuition fees (Year 1) £24,500

The university supports EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships.

How to Apply

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, students must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. Students will need:

• the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
• the UCAS code for the course they want to apply for
• the UCAS 'buzzword' for their school or college

If students are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, they will still use the Apply system. They will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

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Open Days and Events

The university regularly holds open days and events for prospective students. These events provide an opportunity to meet with academic staff, learn more about the courses and facilities, and get a feel for the university and its surroundings.

Visit the university's website for more information on upcoming open days and events.