Program Overview

---

Philosophy, Politics and Economics BA

The University of Sheffield offers a Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) BA program that provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the ideas and theories that shape our world. This interdisciplinary program combines the concepts, historical context, and analytical skills from philosophy, politics, and economics to help students understand complex social and political realities, evaluate the impact of government policies, and change the world.

Course Description

The PPE program at the University of Sheffield is a distinctive degree that offers a genuinely interdisciplinary experience. The program focuses on the intersection of philosophy, politics, and economics, with core modules that cover the major questions, concepts, and traditions in each of the three disciplines. Students will learn to evaluate issues from multiple perspectives, combine creative thought and analytical rigor in solving problems, and develop a range of quantitative, qualitative, and argumentative skills.

Modules

The program includes a range of modules, including:

• Principles in Philosophy, Politics and Economics
• Thinking Politically: Key Concepts
• Foundations of Economic Analysis and Policy
• Ethics and Society
• Political Theory in Practice
• Statistics and Econometrics
• Case Studies in Politics, Philosophy and Economics
• Politics, Philosophy and Economics Capstone
• Final Year Research Project

Optional modules include:

• Religion, Reason and Reality
• Death and Killing
• Writing Philosophy
• History of Philosophy
• Planet Politics
• Race and Racism in World Politics
• Reason and Argument
• Bodies, Sex and Desires
• Science, Medicine and Society
• Western Political Thought
• British Politics
• Gender Politics
• Global Political Economy
• Economic History of Britain and the Modern World
• Classical and Contemporary Thinkers in Economics
• Mathematical Methods for Economics 1
• Mathematical Methods for Economics 2
• Feminism
• The Political Economy of Global Capitalism
• Contemporary Security Challenges
• Europe in Crisis
• International Economics
• Labour Economics
• Religion and the Good Life
• Chinese Politics
• Migration and World Politics
• Oppression and Resistance
• Public Economics
• Macroeconomic Policy
• Ethics: From Theory to Practice
• Philosophy of AI and Robotics
• Science and the Search for Reality
• Global History of Philosophy
• Social Justice Today
• Autocracies and Democracies
• Global Culture Wars
• The Ethics of Political Leadership
• Understanding Elections
• Practical Politics: How to Make Policy and Influence People
• Corporations in Global Politics: Possibilities, Tensions, and Ambiguities
• State and Society in China
• Political Psychology
• Britain and the European Union
• International Trade
• Health Economics
• Economic Analysis of Inequality and Poverty
• Education Economics
• Political Economy
• Environmental Economics
• Behavioural Economics
• Economics of Race and Gender

Learning and Assessment

The program is taught by experts working at the cutting edge of philosophy, politics, and economics. Students will learn through lectures, seminars, workshops, and guided research projects. The program's approach to assessment combines academic rigor with an innovative approach to developing employable skills. Assessment styles are tailored to each module and include traditional academic exams and essays, independent research projects, group presentations and class discussion boards, and reflective practice reports.

Entry Requirements

The standard entry requirements for the program are:

• A Levels: AAA
• International Baccalaureate: 36
• BTEC Extended Diploma: D*DD in a relevant subject
• BTEC Diploma: DD in a relevant subject + A at A Level
• Scottish Highers: AAAAA
• Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels: A + AA
• Access to HE Diploma: Award of the Access to HE Diploma in Social Sciences, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 39 at Distinction and 6 at Merit
• GCSE Maths: grade 6/B
• English language requirements: GCSE English Language at grade 4/C; IELTS grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component; or an alternative acceptable English language qualification

Graduate Careers

The PPE program at the University of Sheffield prepares students for work in government, NGOs, and other third sector employers, and organizations focused on understanding, interpreting, and advocating in the public policy arena. The range of quantitative, qualitative, and argumentative skills gained will set students apart from other graduates.

Department

The School of History, Philosophy and Digital Humanities at the University of Sheffield offers a supportive and inclusive community, with opportunities to engage with real-world problems and make a difference in the community. The school's staff specialize in engaged, interdisciplinary, and cutting-edge research, which informs all aspects of teaching.

University Rankings

The University of Sheffield is a world top-100 university, ranked 92nd in the QS World University Rankings 2026. The university is also ranked number one in the Russell Group for student experience, based on aggregate responses in the National Student Survey 2025.

Student Profiles

Students on the PPE program at the University of Sheffield come from a diverse range of backgrounds and have a wide range of interests and career aspirations. The program's interdisciplinary approach and focus on developing employable skills make it an attractive option for students who want to make a difference in the world.

Fees and Funding

The tuition fees for the PPE program at the University of Sheffield are:

• Home students: £9,535 (2025 annual tuition fee)
• Overseas students: £23,810 (2025 annual tuition fee) The university offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to help students fund their studies, including automatic scholarships worth up to £10,000 for overseas fee-paying students.

Placements and Study Abroad

The PPE program at the University of Sheffield offers opportunities for placements and study abroad. Students can add an optional placement year to their degree, converting the three-year course to a four-year Degree with Placement Year. The university also has partnerships with over 250 universities worldwide, offering opportunities for study abroad.