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BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics

  • UCAS code
    LV12
  • Typical offer
    ABB
  • Year of entry
    2023/24
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  3 Years
  • Year of entry
    2023/24
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  3 Years

Our BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics is a joint degree with a rich history — this combination of subjects has been a well-known favourite choice for politicians and future prime ministers.

Studying philosophy at the University of Reading will equip you with the ability to think logically, to evaluate arguments critically, and to challenge your own ideas and those of other people. We will give you an understanding of the central principles, concepts, problems, texts and figures of philosophy. You will be taught by leading experts whose research strengths lie especially in moral philosophy and the philosophy of the mind and language. You will also have the chance to examine non-Western philosophies such as Indian philosophy.

In politics, you will acquire a strong grounding in fundamental elements of the subject such as political ideas and democratic processes. You can study a wide range of specialist core modules, which cover topics such as British government and politics, European political integration, and political thinking. 

In economics, you will study both applied and practical issues and focus on the relationship between economics and society. This course places less emphasis on mathematical and statistical content than some Economics courses do; instead you will focus on the relevance of these techniques to applied problems. You will still learn necessary maths skills in your core modules, but extensive support is available should you need it.

This course offers you the opportunity to study philosophy, politics and economics in the first year, and allows you to focus on two or continue with all three subjects in your second and final years. Most of your contact time will be spent in small seminar-style groups, allowing you to interact directly with staff and add your own voice to the discussion.

Placement

Placements are encouraged as they provide you with a chance to put your newly acquired knowledge and skills into practice as well as allowing you to gain valuable real-world experience.

You can undertake a placement at any point in your degree and work in a company or charity relevant to your final year studies. For example, a previous Philosophy student worked at a zoo to learn more about the ethical treatment of animals.

In Politics, you can undertake a two-week placement as part of our module on British Government and Politics giving you the opportunity to gain first-hand experience working with an MP, charity, pressure group, local councillor or media organisation.

Other students have chosen to study abroad for one term in their second or final year. Partner institutions include universities in Europe, the USA, Canada, Japan or Australia.

Overview

Our BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics is a joint degree with a rich history — this combination of subjects has been a well-known favourite choice for politicians and future prime ministers.

Studying philosophy at the University of Reading will equip you with the ability to think logically, to evaluate arguments critically, and to challenge your own ideas and those of other people. We will give you an understanding of the central principles, concepts, problems, texts and figures of philosophy. You will be taught by leading experts whose research strengths lie especially in moral philosophy and the philosophy of the mind and language. You will also have the chance to examine non-Western philosophies such as Indian philosophy.

In politics, you will acquire a strong grounding in fundamental elements of the subject such as political ideas and democratic processes. You can study a wide range of specialist core modules, which cover topics such as British government and politics, European political integration, and political thinking. 

In economics, you will study both applied and practical issues and focus on the relationship between economics and society. This course places less emphasis on mathematical and statistical content than some Economics courses do; instead you will focus on the relevance of these techniques to applied problems. You will still learn necessary maths skills in your core modules, but extensive support is available should you need it.

This course offers you the opportunity to study philosophy, politics and economics in the first year, and allows you to focus on two or continue with all three subjects in your second and final years. Most of your contact time will be spent in small seminar-style groups, allowing you to interact directly with staff and add your own voice to the discussion.

Placement

Placements are encouraged as they provide you with a chance to put your newly acquired knowledge and skills into practice as well as allowing you to gain valuable real-world experience.

You can undertake a placement at any point in your degree and work in a company or charity relevant to your final year studies. For example, a previous Philosophy student worked at a zoo to learn more about the ethical treatment of animals.

In Politics, you can undertake a two-week placement as part of our module on British Government and Politics giving you the opportunity to gain first-hand experience working with an MP, charity, pressure group, local councillor or media organisation.

Other students have chosen to study abroad for one term in their second or final year. Partner institutions include universities in Europe, the USA, Canada, Japan or Australia.

Entry requirements A Level ABB

Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.

Typical offer

ABB

International Baccalaureate

32 points overall

GCSE

GCSE Maths at grade B (6)

Extended Project Qualification

In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDM

English language requirements

IELTS 7.0, with no component below 6.0

For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students

For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.

  • Learn more about our International Foundation programme

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

  • Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Structure

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Core modules include:

  • Introductory Microeconomics
  • Introductory Macroeconomics
  • Introduction to Political Ideas
  • Reason and Argument

Optional modules include:

  • Mental Machines
  • Meaning of Life
  • Radical Philosophy
  • The Right and the Good
  • British Society
  • Inequality
  • The Economics of Climate Change
  • Thinking Like an Economist

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Your module selection in year 2 will be determined by the pathway followed.

 

Tripartite pathway (Philosophy, Politics, Economics)

Core modules include:

  • Introductory Quantitative Methods in Economics and Business 1
  • Introductory Mathematics for Economics 1

Optional modules include:

  • Oppression, Inequality and the Enemies of Democracy
  • Ethical Argument
  • Hume, Kant, and Wittgenstein
  • Global Philosophy
  • Ignorance, Doubt, and Relativism
  • Intermediate Microeconomics
  • Intermediate Macroeconomics
  • Business Economics
  • Games and Economics Behaviour
  • Economic History
  • American Government and Politics
  • British Government and Politics
  • Comparative Government and Politics
  • Contemporary Strategy
  • Global Politics and History
  • Modern International Relations
  • Model United Nations
  • Political Classics
  • Politics of the Welfare State
  • Russia in the World
  • Political Thinking
  • The Media and Politics
  • War and Peace Since 1800

Bipartite pathway (Politics & Economics) 

Core modules include:

  • Introductory Quantitative Methods in Economics and Business 1
  • Introductory Mathematics for Economics 1

Optional modules include:

  • Intermediate Microeconomics
  • Intermediate macroeconomics
  • Business Economics
  • Games and Economic Behaviour
  • Economic History
  • American Government and Politics
  • British Government and Politics
  • Comparative Government and Politics
  • Contemporary Strategy
  • Global Politics and History
  • Modern International Relations
  • Model United Nations
  • Political Classics
  • Politics of the Welfare State
  • Russia in the World
  • Political Thinking
  • The Media and Politics
  • War and Peace Since 1800

Bipartite pathway (Philosophy & Economics)

Core modules include:

  • Introductory Quantitative Methods in Economics and Business 1
  • Introductory mathematics for Economics 1

Optional modules include:

  • Oppression, Inequality, and the Enemies of Democracy
  • Ethical Argument
  • Hume, Kant, and Wittgenstein
  • Global Philosophy
  • Ignorance, Doubt, and Relativism
  • Intermediate Microeconomics
  • Intermediate Macroeconomics
  • Business Economics
  • Games and Economic Behaviour
  • Economic History

Bipartite pathway (Philosophy & Politics)

Core modules include:

  • The Study of Politics
  • Political Classics

Optional modules include:

  • Oppression, Inequality, and the Enemies of Democracy
  • Ethical Argument
  • Hume, Kant, and Wittgenstein
  • Global Philosophy
  • Ignorance, Doubt, and Relativism
  • American Government and Politics
  • British Government and Politics
  • Comparative Government and Politics
  • Contemporary Strategy
  • Global Politics and History
  • Modern International Relations
  • Model United Nations
  • Politics of the Welfare State
  • Russia in the World
  • Political Thinking
  • The Media and Politics
  • War and Peace Since 1800

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Your module selection in Year 3 will be determined by the pathway followed.

You will take a 40 credit dissertation module; and students on the PPE, Politics and Economics and Philosophy and Economics pathway who have not taken Intermediate Macroeconomics or Intermediate Microeconomics in Year 2, must take at least one of Intermediate Macroeconomics or Intermediate Microeconomics in Year 3.

Optional modules include:

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

  • International Economics
  • Public Economics
  • Urban Economics
  • Development Economics
  • Economics of Labour
  • The Economics of Sports and Games
  • Economics of Banking
  • Industrial Organisation
  • Reason, Value, and Knowledge
  • Are we free?
  • Chinese Philosophy
  • Fairness
  • Business Ethics and Social Responsibility
  • Philosophy of Law
  • Philosophy of Religion
  • Christian, Islamic, and Jewish Mediaeval Philosophy
  • Philosophy of Language
  • British Foreign and Defence Policy since 1945
  • Introduction to Critical Security Studies
  • Dynamics of Civil Wars
  • The Far Right
  • Feminism and Political Theory
  • Intelligence, War and International Relations
  • International Organizations in Global Politics
  • International Political Economy
  • International Terrorism
  • Karl Marx
  • Politics & International Relations of the Middle East
  • The Politics of Nuclear Weapons
  • Parliamentary Studies
  • Risk
  • US Foreign and Defence Policy since 1950
  • Worlding International Relations
  • War, Peace and International Ethics

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250*

New international students: £20,300

*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Careers

Throughout your degree you will have the opportunity to complete career-related modules. These enable you to think about what career you would like and what skills you will need for it.

Studying philosophy enables you to develop a range of transferable skills, in particular, skills in clear thinking, logical analysis and the critical assessment of argument. These skills are greatly valued in a variety of professional careers such as law, politics, management and marketing. 

Overall, 92% of graduates from Economics are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation, and 91% of Politics and International Relations graduates.[1] Past students have put their political analysis skills to direct use in the home and European civil services, political research units, think tanks, non-governmental organisations and journalism. Other graduates have found employment in the civil service, journalism, consultancy, finance, local and central government, and previous employers have included the Ministry of Defence, Cambridge University Press, local authorities and other universities.

Some graduates choose to continue their studies at postgraduate level, or through conversion courses and teacher training.

[1] Based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2022, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20; includes first degree Economics responders, and first degree Politics and International Relations responders.

BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics

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