Program Overview

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Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) Program

The Politics, Philosophy and Economics BCom(PPE) specialisation provides a broad and deep understanding of the world, as well as a wide range of thinking skills required for high-level engagement.

Overview

In the first year, students take economics, politics, and philosophy, as well as a selection of general BCom first-year subjects. From second to third year level, students continue to major in economics and either politics or philosophy. Students can also choose to do a BA (PPE) or take Politics or Philosophy as part of a general BCom degree.

Career Opportunities

• Academia
• Civil Service
• Development
• Diplomatic Corps
• Economics
• International Banking or Finance
• Journalism
• Politics
• Research

Curriculum

First-year

• Economic Theory IA (Microeconomics for Economists)
• Economic Theory IB (Macroeconomic for Economists)
• Introduction to Ethics
• Introduction to Philosophy: Knowledge and Reality I
• Introduction to Political Studies I
• States, Power and Governance
• Computational Mathematics I
• Business Statistics I

Second-year

• Economics IIA and IIB
• A student must choose between Politics II and Philosophy II
• History of Philosophy: A Classical and Early Modern Philosophy
  • AND one of the following:
    • Philosophy of Mind and Psychology II
    • Philosophy of Religion II
    • Philosophy of Science II
    • Social and Political Philosophy II
    • Theories of Justice II
    • Continental Philosophy II
    • African Philosophy
  • OR, two of the following:
    • Social Theories of Modernity
    • South Africa: Politics and Governance
    • Black Consciousness Thought and the Politics of Anti-Racism
• A total of 48 credits must be taken from:
  • Corporate Finance II
  • Investment II
  • Principles of Management IIA
  • Principles of Management IIB (Entrepreneurships)
  • Insurance and Risk Management IIA
  • Insurance and Risk Management IIB
  • Human Resources IIA
  • Human Resources IIB (Labour Relations)
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Principles of Marketing IIA
  • Integrated Marketing Communications
  • Retail Management

Third-year

• Economic Science III
• OR
• Economic Theory III
• OR
• Applied Development Economics III
• A total of 72 credits must be selected from either Politics III or Philosophy III, depending on what was taken in the second year of study
  • AND
    • Epistemology and Metaphysics III
    • Ethics III
    • History of Philosophy B: Further Topics in Modern Philosophy III
    • Philosophy of Social Science
    • Select Movements in 20th Century
    • Philosophy III
    • A selected topic in Philosophy III
    • Senior seminar in Philosophy
    • Philosophy of Language III
    • Symbolic Logic III
    • Philosophy of Art
  • OR
    • Development: Concepts and Experiences
    • Liberty, Justice and the Politics of Difference
    • Conflict and Stability in Postcolonial Africa
    • Selected topics in Political Studies
    • Introduction to Comparative Politics
    • Politics for Public Service
    • Post-Colonial Politics

Entry Requirements

• APS: 38+
• English Home Language OR First Additional Language: Level 5
• Mathematics: Level 5

Wait-listing

Applicants with an APS of 35-37, as well as English Level 5 and Mathematics Level 5, will be wait-listed subject to place availability.

University Application Process

The Student Enrolment Centre at Wits handles all student applications.

• Check the admission requirements for your degree.
• Check if any additional selection requirements apply.
• Submit your application, required documentation, and application fee before the closing date.
• Once you have applied, an Admissions Consultant will be assigned to your application.
• Applicants can monitor the progress of their application/s via the Self Service Portal.
• Part-time students are not eligible for NSFAS funding, University Entrance Scholarships, or campus residence placement.
• If you are an international applicant and/or hold a foreign qualification, please note that additional requirements may apply.

University Fees and Funding

The current average tuition fees for the first year of study are available on the Fees website. The Fees website also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied, you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal.

Programme Details

• Programme Code: CBA12
• Faculty: Commerce, Law and Management
• School: Across all schools
• Qualification: BCom
• Duration: 3 years
• Study Mode: Full-time

Closing Date

• Application Closing Date: 30 September 2025
• Residence Applications: 30 September 2025