phd in philosophy politics and economics

School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

PhD in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)

Take the chance to explore multiple disciplines within your research, challenged by experts in the field.

October 2023 ( semester dates )

Apply for this PhD

International fees

2022/23 international fees

Meet us online or on campus and find out more about postgraduate study at York.

Our PhD programme offers high-quality training and a supportive environment in which to pursue your passion for research with internationally respected experts in the field from different disciplines.

Your research

Our PhD programme offers you the chance to become an agent of change, having the chance to explore multidisciplinary opportunities in research. You will be supported in your research by internationally respected experts in the field who will challenge you academically to enhance your PPE knowledge, skills, and experiences.

The PhD programme is aimed at those who wish to research areas such as:

• Political economy
• Economic philosophy
• Political philosophy

Supervision for your research projects will be across disciplines, meaning you will have access to support across at least two of our three highly regarded departments; Philosophy , Politics and Economics .

You should speak to potential supervisors before making your application, and you should say in the application who they are. If you need help in identifying potential supervisors please contact Professor Greg Currie, who is in charge of admissions to the programme. He is happy to talk through your ideas with you.

[email protected] +44 (0)1904 324167

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International reputation

As one of the first universities to offer a Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) degree, we have an established and strong reputation around the world.

Inspiring and innovative

We combine intellectual rigour with a friendly and inclusive atmosphere. You will have access to support, resources, and facilities across our three innovative departments.

Explore funding for MPhil/PhD researchers and wider postgraduate support.

Supervision

You will be supported by academic supervisors. Supervisors will normally share or complement your research interests.

Training and support

The PhD programme is undertaken over three years (full-time), with progression points at the end of the first and second year.

Throughout this time, your supervisors will guide you through the process of clarifying and completing your doctoral thesis.

In addition, during the first year, a range of subject-specific research training modules will be available to support your through the exploratory phase of this programme.

Course location

You will be based in the  School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)  located on  Campus West . 

You should live in or near York during your PhD programme, whether part-time or full-time. We do not offer distance learning arrangements for this programme.

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a 2:1 at undergraduate degree level, and have or be completing a Masters degree. Fields of previous study may be Philosophy, Politics or Economics (singularly or in combination).

Other fields of study may be considered, however, it should be clear from your academic record that you are suitably prepared for the research that you propose to do. If your area of previous study is another field, please make sure to discuss this with potential supervisors to ensure you are suitable to apply for this PhD programme.

You should also be able to demonstrate proven interdisciplinary PPE skills and experience.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your ability.

Apply for the PhD in Philosophy, Politics and Education (PPE)

Take a look at the  supporting documents  you may need for your application.

Identify a supervisor

You should speak to potential supervisors before making your application, and you should say in the application who they are. They should be academics whose research overlaps with the area you wish to study.

You can find details on the research interests of our academic staff and how to contact them by using the following:

• Staff research interests for Philosophy
• Staff research interests for Politics
• Staff research interests for Economics

If you need help in identifying potential supervisors please contact Professor Greg Currie , who is in charge of admissions to the programme. He is happy to talk through your ideas with you. 

If your application is unsuitable for interdisciplinary supervision, we may encourage you to submit a single-subject application instead. 

Submitting your application

You will be required to submit the following documents:

• Application form
• Research proposal
• Academic transcripts
• Details of two referees
• Your curriculum vitae (CV)
• Personal statement

You can apply and send all your documentation electronically through our online system. You don’t need to complete your application all at once: you can start, save and finish it later.

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Home » PPE Programs Around the World

PPE Programs Around the World

International ppe programs.

Listed below is a compilation of university PPE programs around the world, with links to their program websites.

We hope this can be useful when thinking about the exponential growth of PPE internationally in recent years.

If you know of an institution not listed below, or if you would like to request an update, please email us at  [email protected] .

If you have not filled out the PPE Program survey , please do so.

To see a cross sample of PPE Programs and information about them, generated from the survey above,  visit our spreadsheet.

Jump to: Africa | Asia | Australia and New Zealand | Europe | North America | South America

• Afe Babalola University
• Obafemi Awolowo University

South Africa

• Stellenbosch University
• University of Cape Town
• University of KwaZulu-Natal
• University of South Africa
• University of Johannesburg
• University of Pretoria
• University of Witwatersrand
• Asian University for Women
• Tsinghua University
• Peking University
• Renmin University of China
• Amity University, Noida
• Ashoka University
• Bangalore University, Bangalore
• Lucknow University, Lucknow
• The Open University of Israel
• University of Haifa
• Hebrew University of Jerusalem
• Tel Aviv University  ( PPEL with law)
• Waseda University
• Parami University
• National University of Singapore

South Korea

• Korea University
• Sogang University  ( PEP )
• Hanyang University  ( PPEL with law )
• Rangsit University
• Thammasat University
• Istanbul Bilgi University  ( Political Economy and Social Philosophy )

Australia and New Zealand

• Australian National University
• Deakin University
• La Trobe University
• Monash University
• Murdoch University
• University of Adelaide
• University of New South Wales
• University of Queensland
• University of Technology, Sydney
• University of Western Australia
• University of Wollongong

New Zealand

• University of Otago
• Victoria University Wellington
• Central European University
• University of Graz  ( MA in Political, Economic and Legal Philosophy “PELP” )

Czech Republic

• Charles University, Prague   (BA & MA)
• American University of Paris
• European School of Political and Social Sciences (ESPOL)
• Institutes for Political Studies (Sciences Po)
• Frankfurt School of Finance & Management (B.Sc. in Management, Philosophy & Economics, ‘MPE’)
• Karlshochschule International University  ( BA )
• Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
• University of Bayreuth
• University of Düsseldorf
• University of Hamburg  ( M.Sc. in Politics, Economics and Philosophy “PEP” )
• University of Saarland
• Witten/Herdecke University  ( BA and MA )
• Corvinus University, Budapest
• Bifröst University
• Maynooth University  (MA)
• University of Dublin
• Free University of Bolzano
• Ca’ Foscari University of Venice  (Philosophy, International and Economic Studies “PISE”)
• Libera Università Internazionale degli Studi Sociali Guido Carli, Rome
• The University of Bari Aldo Moro (MA in PPE in Med)
• University of Milano  (MA in Politics, Philosophy, and Public Affairs or  Economics and Political Science )

Netherlands

• Erasmus University College
• Leiden University
• University of Amsterdam
• University of Groningen
• VU University Amsterdam
• Portuguese Catholic University
• University of Bucharest   (MA in PPE)
• National Research University – Higher School of Economics, Moscow  (MA in P.E.P.)
• Charles III University of Madrid
• Autonomous University of Madrid
• Autonomous University of Barcelona
• Pompeu Fabra University
• Francisco de Vitoria University
• IE University
• Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona 
• University of Navarra
• University of Deusto, Basque Country
• Ramon Llull University, Barcelona
• Comillas Pontifical University, Madrid
• Lund University

Switzerland

• University of Zurich  ( MA in Economic and Political Philosophy )
• University of Lucerne
• University of Bern  ( MA in Political, Legal and Economic Philosophy “PLEP” )
• Ukrainian Catholic University, Lviv  (Ethics, Politics, Economics “EPE”)

United Kingdom

• Durham University
• Goldsmiths University of London
• Keele University (Philosophy and Politics)
• King’s College London
• Lancaster University
• London School of Economics
• The Open University
• Queen’s University Belfast
• Royal Holloway, University of London
• SOAS – University of London
• Swansea University
• University College London
• University of Aberdeen
• University of East Anglia
• University of Essex
• University of Exeter
• University of the Highlands and Islands
• University of Hull
• University of Leeds
• University of Liverpool
• University of Manchester
• University of Nottingham
• University of Oxford
• University of Reading
• University of Sheffield
• University of Southampton
• University of Stirling
• University of Sussex
• University of Warwick
• University of Winchester
• University of York

North America

• Mount Allison University
• Queen’s University
• The King’s University
• University of British Columbia – Okanagan Campus
• University of Regina
• University of Western Ontario

United States

• Adelphi University
• Austin College
• Binghamton University
• Bowie State University
• Bowling Green State University
• Bridgewater State University
• Brown University
• Calvin University
• Carroll University
• Carnegie Mellon University
• Claremont McKenna College
• Criswell College
• Dartmouth University (Political Economy Project)
• Denison University
• Drexel University
• Duke University
• Eastern Oregon University
• Elon University
• Emory & Henry College
• Florida State University
• George Mason University 
• Georgia State University (BIS and MIS)
• Juniata College
• The King’s College (NY)
• La Salle University
• Mercer University
• Minnesota State University, Mankato

(U.S. cont.)

• Mount St. Mary’s University
• Northeastern University
• Pomona College
• Rhodes College
• Rutgers University
• Seattle Pacific University
• St. John’s University
• Suffolk University
• The Ohio State University
• Taylor University
• Transylvania University
• Tulane University
• University of Alabama – Birmingham
• University of Akron
• University of Arizona
• University of Baltimore (PLE)
• University at Buffalo
• University of California, Irvine
• University of Idaho
• University of Iowa
• University of Michigan
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• University of Notre Dame
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Richmond
• University of San Diego
• University of Southern California
• University of Virginia
• University of Washington – Tacoma
• University of Washington – Bothell
• Virginia Tech
• Wabash College
• Wesleyan University
• Western Washington University
• Xavier University
• Yale University

South America

• Universidad Torcuato Di Tella  ( Ciencia Sociales, Orientación en Política y Economía )
• Universidad del Desarrollo
• Universidad de Las Américas
• Universid ad de Montevideo

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MPhil/PhD Philosophy

• Graduate research
• Department of Philosophy Logic and Scientific Method
• Application code V7ZP
• Starting 2024
• Home full-time: Closed
• Overseas full-time: Closed
• Location: Houghton Street, London

The Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method is a world-leading centre for research in three broad areas of philosophy: rational choice theory and formal epistemology; philosophy of science; and moral and political philosophy.

We accept MPhil/PhD students wishing to work in any field of research in which the department has special expertise, including philosophy of the natural sciences (especially physics and biology); distributive justice and normative ethics; philosophy and public policy; philosophy of the social sciences (especially economics); decision theory, evolutionary and game theory; and formal epistemology.

We are committed to research that makes a difference not only to philosophy and the philosophies of the various sciences, but also to the practice of the sciences themselves – from economics and political science to physics, biology and medicine – as well as to the wider world. The Department’s teaching is research-led: courses cover cutting-edge material and are taught by some of the field’s leading scholars.

On this programme you will work towards producing a substantial piece of work that makes an original contribution to the subject and is of a sufficient standard to give rise to publications in professional academic journals.

You will benefit from the department’s close association with the Centre for Philosophy of Natural and Social Science , which hosts leading visiting scholars and supports a range of research projects, seminars and lecture series, and The Forum for Philosophy , which runs a full and varied programme of philosophy and interdisciplinary events. You will also have the opportunity to attend and take part in the Department’s regular seminar and lecture series, including the Choice Group on decision theory and social choice, and the Sigma Club on the philosophy and foundations of modern physics.

As a Philosophy MPhil/PhD student you will be given the chance to teach the undergraduate discussion classes that are run in parallel with lectures. An essential part of becoming a good philosopher is learning how to teach, share and discuss ideas with those interested in philosophy at all levels, and the discussion classes you lead at LSE will provide ample opportunity.

The department  is currently recruiting one research student for a fully funded 4-year PhD degree, as part of the ‘Not in My Name!’ project . Applications close on 15 January 2024 for a September 2024 start date.

Programme details

For more information about tuition fees and entry requirements, see the fees and funding and assessing your application sections.

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements for mphil/phd philosophy.

The minimum entry requirement for this programme is a taught master’s degree (or equivalent) in philosophy (or a sufficiently relevant discipline). We normally accept only those who achieve the equivalent of a distinction overall and in the dissertation component of their master's degree.

Competition for places at the School is high. This means that even if you meet our minimum entry requirement, this does not guarantee you an offer of admission. 

If you have studied or are studying outside of the UK then have a look at our  Information for International Students  to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

Assessing your application

We welcome applications for research programmes that complement the academic interests of members of staff at the School, and we recommend that you investigate  staff research interests  before applying.

We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account all the information presented on your application form, including your:

- academic achievement (including existing and pending qualifications) - statement of academic purpose - references - CV - outline research proposal - sample of written work.

Research proposal

This is an important document, which should provide a description of your likely research topic for your PhD. (There is scope for changes in this topic during the first year. In consultation with your academic supervisor, you will need to settle on a definite research topic by the end of that year.) So long as you provide a brief summary of your entire research project at the outset, it is not a problem to exceed the suggested 1,500 word limit even by a significant amount. If you already have a well-worked-out PhD project, you are in fact encouraged to supply a detailed description, which may include chapter by chapter summaries. If you would like your project to be supervised by a particular member or members of the Department, please indicate this in your proposal. Contrary to LSE's general guidance on research proposals, you do not need to provide either a description of the methodology you will employ or case studies, as these particular guidelines are for dissertations in the social sciences rather than philosophy.

Please note that a precise research topic can be accepted only if someone in the Department is well-placed to supervise such a project.

Writing sample

This is another important document. It is not a problem to include a writing sample that exceeds 3,000 words even by a significant amount, so long as you indicate, at the outset, a 3,000 word subset of this longer piece of writing on which the selection committee should focus their attention. It is not necessary to provide a scanned copy of your writing sample. You may, for example, simply upload a Word file.

See further information on supporting documents

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency. You do not need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE, but we recommend that you do.  See our English language requirements  for further information.

When to apply

The application deadline for this programme is 15 January 2024 . However, to be considered for any LSE funding opportunity, you must have submitted your application and all supporting documents by the funding deadline. See the fees and funding section for more details.

Fees and funding

Every research student is charged a fee in line with the fee structure for their programme.  The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It does not cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

Tuition fees 2024/25 for MPhil/PhD Philosophy

Home students: £4,829 for the first year (provisional) Overseas students: £22,632 for the first year

The fee is likely to rise over subsequent years of the programme. The School charges home research students in line with the level of fee that the Research Councils recommend. The fees for overseas students are likely to rise in line with the assumed percentage increase in pay costs (ie, 4 per cent per annum).

The Table of Fees shows the latest tuition amounts for all programmes offered by the School.

Fee status​

The amount of tuition fees you will need to pay, and any financial support you are eligible for, will depend on whether you are classified as a home or overseas student, otherwise known as your fee status. LSE assesses your fee status based on guidelines provided by the Department of Education.

Further information about fee status classification.

Scholarships, studentships and other funding

This programme is eligible for  LSE PhD Studentships . Selection for the PhD Studentships is based on receipt of an application for a place – including all ancillary documents, before the funding deadline. 

The department is also currently recruiting one research student for a fully funded 4-year PhD degree, as part of the ‘Not in My Name!’ project . 

Funding deadline for the LSE PhD Studentships and the fully-funded 'Not in My Name!' project: 15 January 2024 . 

In addition to our needs-based awards, LSE also makes available scholarships for students from specific regions of the world and awards for students studying specific subject areas.  Find out more about financial support.

External funding 

There may be other funding opportunities available through other organisations or governments and we recommend you investigate these options as well.

Further information

Fees and funding opportunities

Information for international students

LSE is an international community, with over 140 nationalities represented amongst its student body. We celebrate this diversity through everything we do.  

If you are applying to LSE from outside of the UK then take a look at our Information for International students . 

1) Take a note of the UK qualifications we require for your programme of interest (found in the ‘Entry requirements’ section of this page). 

2) Go to the International Students section of our website. 

3) Select your country. 

4) Select ‘Graduate entry requirements’ and scroll until you arrive at the information about your local/national qualification. Compare the stated UK entry requirements listed on this page with the local/national entry requirement listed on your country specific page.

Programme structure and courses

In addition to making progress on your PhD project, you are expected to take the listed training and transferable skills courses. You may take courses in addition to those listed and should discuss this with your supervisor. All programmes of study should be agreed with your supervisor at the start of the year.

The first “coursework” year prepares students for research in philosophy and the completion of a central thesis chapter. At the end of this first year the progress of students is reviewed, to establish that they are on track to upgrade from MPhil to PhD status. In consultation with their academic supervisors, PhD students also settle on a definite research topic by the end of the first year.

Training courses

Compulsory (examined/not examined)  Philosophical Problems Seminar Examines a range of classic papers in contemporary analytic philosophy that might not otherwise be covered in LSE Philosophy Department courses.  Either Logic and Probability Aims to give a precise formulation of correct deductive reasoning – of what it means for a sentence to follow from a set of other sentences taken as premises – and to investigate on this basis other important logical notions such as that of consistency.  Or One further master's-level course not already taken

Either one further  master's-level course not already taken And Courses to the value of one unit of PhD Seminars Or   Three term units of PhD level seminars with associated coursework

Optional (not examined) Transferable skills courses offered by the Teaching and Learning Centre or the Methodology Institute.

Second year

Years 2–4 is the time when PhD students dive deep into the research and writing of their thesis. While writing the thesis students attend the Department’s Popper Seminar, but also any of the wealth of regular research seminars that may be relevant to their research.

Students in their 2nd year aim to write two or three further chapters beyond the chapter they completed in their first year.

Optional (not examined) Research Seminar in the Philosophy of Natural Sciences This is a special topics course on the philosophy of physics. It meets weekly, and has two components. The first component (roughly half the meetings) will consist in lectures on the philosophy of physics. The remaining component will consist in attending cutting-edge lectures by professional philosophers of physics, and in some cases by other philosophers of science.

Research Seminar in the Philosophy of Economics and Social Sciences Covers philosophical issues in economics and the social sciences. Research Methods in Philosophy Covers topics in contemporary philosophy. Optional (examined/not examined)  Transferable skills courses offered by the Teaching and Learning Centre or the Methodology Institute.

In the 3rd year students produce a draft of the entire thesis, while writing papers, submitting to conferences, and getting to know the dynamic field of philosophy and their place in it. In the 4th year, students polish their material and prepare to go on the job market.

Optional (not examined)

Research Seminar in the Philosophy of Natural Sciences This is a special topics course on the philosophy of physics. It meets weekly, and has two components. The first component (roughly half the meetings) will consist in lectures on the philosophy of physics. The remaining component will consist in attending cutting-edge lectures by professional philosophers of physics, and in some cases by other philosophers of science.

Research Seminar in the Philosophy of Economics and Social Sciences Covers philosophical issues in economics and the social sciences. Research Methods in Philosophy Covers topics in contemporary philosophy.

Optional (examined/not examined)  Transferable skills courses offered by the Teaching and Learning Centre or the Methodology Institute.

Fourth year

Optional (examined/not examined)  Transferable skills courses offered by the Teaching and Learning Centre or the Department of Methodology.

For the most up-to-date list of optional courses please visit the relevant School Calendar page.  

You must note, however, that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that the School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.  

You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. You should visit the School’s  Calendar , or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the  updated graduate course and programme information page.

Supervision, progression, and assessment

Supervision.

PhD students in the Department work with two supervisors from the  academic faculty , to ensure a wide range of advice. The choice of secondary supervisor can be quite flexible (and occasionally includes academics from outside the Department). The primary supervisor is a senior member of staff. Both primary and secondary supervisory arrangements can change in the course of the degree as your thesis develops. 

Progression and assessment

Successful completion of work required for each year is a necessary condition for re-registration in the following year; and for upgrading from MPhil to PhD status. During the first year you must write a first chapter of the thesis as well as an outline (research plan) of the rest of the thesis. The chapter should be around 40 pages; the research plan around ten pages. This upgrading will normally take place after the successful completion of Year One requirements in Case A, and after the successful completion of Year Two requirements in Case B. In both cases, once you are registered for the PhD that registration will be backdated to the start of your MPhil/PhD studies.

Student support and resources

We’re here to help and support you throughout your time at LSE, whether you need help with your academic studies, support with your welfare and wellbeing or simply to develop on a personal and professional level.

Whatever your query, big or small, there are a range of people you can speak to who will be happy to help.  

Department librarians   – they will be able to help you navigate the library and maximise its resources during your studies. 

Accommodation service  – they can offer advice on living in halls and offer guidance on private accommodation related queries.

Class teachers and seminar leaders  – they will be able to assist with queries relating to specific courses. 

Disability and Wellbeing Service  – they are experts in long-term health conditions, sensory impairments, mental health and specific learning difficulties. They offer confidential and free services such as  student counselling,  a  peer support scheme  and arranging  exam adjustments.  They run groups and workshops.  

IT help  – support is available 24 hours a day to assist with all your technology queries.   

LSE Faith Centre  – this is home to LSE's diverse religious activities and transformational interfaith leadership programmes, as well as a space for worship, prayer and quiet reflection. It includes Islamic prayer rooms and a main space for worship. It is also a space for wellbeing classes on campus and is open to all students and staff from all faiths and none.   

Language Centre  – the Centre specialises in offering language courses targeted to the needs of students and practitioners in the social sciences. We offer pre-course English for Academic Purposes programmes; English language support during your studies; modern language courses in nine languages; proofreading, translation and document authentication; and language learning community activities.

LSE Careers  ­ – with the help of LSE Careers, you can make the most of the opportunities that London has to offer. Whatever your career plans, LSE Careers will work with you, connecting you to opportunities and experiences from internships and volunteering to networking events and employer and alumni insights. 

LSE Library   –   founded in 1896, the British Library of Political and Economic Science is the major international library of the social sciences. It stays open late, has lots of excellent resources and is a great place to study. As an LSE student, you’ll have access to a number of other academic libraries in Greater London and nationwide. 

LSE LIFE  – this is where you should go to develop skills you’ll use as a student and beyond. The centre runs talks and workshops on skills you’ll find useful in the classroom; offers one-to-one sessions with study advisers who can help you with reading, making notes, writing, research and exam revision; and provides drop-in sessions for academic and personal support. (See ‘Teaching and assessment’). 

LSE Students’ Union (LSESU)  – they offer academic, personal and financial advice and funding.  

PhD Academy   – this is available for PhD students, wherever they are, to take part in interdisciplinary events and other professional development activities and access all the services related to their registration. 

Sardinia House Dental Practice   – this   offers discounted private dental services to LSE students.  

St Philips Medical Centre  – based in Pethwick-Lawrence House, the Centre provides NHS Primary Care services to registered patients.

Student Services Centre  – our staff here can answer general queries and can point you in the direction of other LSE services.  

Student advisers   – we have a  Deputy Head of Student Services (Advice and Policy)  and an  Adviser to Women Students  who can help with academic and pastoral matters.

Student life

As a student at LSE you’ll be based at our central London campus. Find out what our campus and London have to offer you on academic, social and career perspective. 

Student societies and activities

Your time at LSE is not just about studying, there are plenty of ways to get involved in  extracurricular activities . From joining one of over 200 societies, or starting your own society, to volunteering for a local charity, or attending a public lecture by a world-leading figure, there is a lot to choose from. 

The campus 

LSE is based on one  campus  in the centre of London. Despite the busy feel of the surrounding area, many of the streets around campus are pedestrianised, meaning the campus feels like a real community. 

Life in London 

London is an exciting, vibrant and colourful city. It's also an academic city, with more than 400,000 university students. Whatever your interests or appetite you will find something to suit your palate and pocket in this truly international capital. Make the most of career opportunities and social activities, theatre, museums, music and more. 

Want to find out more? Read why we think  London is a fantastic student city , find out about  key sights, places and experiences for new Londoners . Don't fear, London doesn't have to be super expensive: hear about  London on a budget . 

Quick Careers Facts for the Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method

Median salary of our PG students 15 months after graduating: £34,500

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

• Education, Teaching and Research            
• Government, Public Sector and Policy   
• Consultancy      
• Health and Social Care  
• International Organisations

The data was collected as part of the Graduate Outcomes survey, which is administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Graduates from 2020-21 were the fourth group to be asked to respond to Graduate Outcomes. Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and who were working in full-time employment.

Students who successfully complete the programme often embark on an academic career. Recent doctoral graduates have also gone into careers in consulting, teaching and business. 

The Department maintains a placement record of its former PhD students.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Support for your career

Many leading organisations give careers presentations at the School during the year, and LSE Careers has a wide range of resources available to assist students in their job search. Find out more about the  support available to students through LSE Careers .

Find out more about LSE

Discover more about being an LSE student - meet us in a city near you, visit our campus or experience LSE from home. 

Experience LSE from home

Webinars, videos, student blogs and student video diaries will help you gain an insight into what it's like to study at LSE for those that aren't able to make it to our campus.  Experience LSE from home . 

Come on a guided campus tour, attend an undergraduate open day, drop into our office or go on a self-guided tour.  Find out about opportunities to visit LSE . 

LSE visits you

Student Marketing, Recruitment and Study Abroad travels throughout the UK and around the world to meet with prospective students. We visit schools, attend education fairs and also hold Destination LSE events: pre-departure events for offer holders.  Find details on LSE's upcoming visits . 

How to apply

Virtual Graduate Open Day

Register your interest

Visit the Philosophy website

Related Programmes

Msc philosophy and public policy.

Code(s) V7U8

MRes/PhD Political Science

Code(s) M1ZN

MSc Philosophy of Economics and the Social Sciences

Code(s) V7U1

MPhil/PhD Sociology

Code(s) L3ZS

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Philosophy politics and economics.

PPE's curriculum is designed to foster an interdisciplinary perspective. A good PPE student should be able to look at the world through different disciplinary windows - including economics, psychology, and ethics - so that they can better understand how political and economic systems shape human welfare. In other words, PPE helps us model problems that arise when we interact with each other and then evaluate the tradeoffs among the economically/politically feasible and morally desirable set of solutions.

For which careers and graduate programs Penn PPE students pursue after graduation, see this overview from Career Services which is updated every year (select the year you are interested in and keyword search "Philosophy, Politics, & Economics" in the document).

Arc of the major

The progression of courses generally begins with common foundations, proceeds through Core PPE classes, and culminates with courses in the student's elected thematic concentration. Students finish with a Capstone seminar.

Stage 1: What disciplines are we connecting?

At the first stage in the major, students take a variety of courses in the allied disciplines to develop a foundational understanding of each. These courses constitute the major's  Common Foundation  courses (7 credits). In addition, students must complete either the formal reasoning or quantitative data analysis foundational approaches in the college, in order to fulfill PPE's Rigorous Reasoning Pre-requirement .

Stage 2: How are we connecting them?

The PPE Core courses (3 credits) serve an integrative role after the breadth in the common foundations emphasizing PPE's coherent interdisciplinary perspective. These PPE-specific interdisciplinary courses enhance a student's ability to look at a problem through several possible analytic lenses. 

Stage 3: Developing a focus

Building on the Foundations and Core, students develop a coherent Thematic Concentration (5 credits). Here students fashion a course of study, choosing five interdisciplinary, complimentary courses developing a concentration within a theme to study. Students are encouraged to do research or take additional advanced interdisciplinary courses as appropriate when developing the theme.

Capstone, Advanced Interdisciplinary Course : PPE 470-490 (1 credit) Students may take more than one Advanced Interdisciplinary Course and count the additional courses as electives in their thematic concentration.

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Political Economics

The political economics field is an interdisciplinary field focusing on the collective, political activity of individuals and organizations.

The PhD Program in political economics prepares students for research and teaching positions by providing rigorous training in theoretical and empirical techniques. The intellectual foundation for the program is positive political economy, which includes formal models of rational choice, collective action, political institutions, political competition, and behavioral political economy. Development and extensions of theories are often combined with empirical analysis, including the identification of causal effects.

Students become involved in research early in the program. They begin their own research during the first year and are required to write research papers during the summers following the first and second years. The program is flexible and allows ample opportunity to tailor coursework and research to individual interests. The program is small by design to promote close interaction between students and faculty.

Fields of Inquiry

Specific fields of inquiry include:

• Bureaucratic politics
• Comparative institutions
• Constitutional choice
• Government and business
• Interest groups
• Judicial institutions
• Law and economics
• Legislative behavior and organization
• Macro political economy
• Political economy of development
• Political behavior and public opinion

Cross-Campus Collaboration

The program, embedded in the larger community of political economics scholars at Stanford University, combines the resources of Stanford GSB with opportunities to study in the departments of economics and political science .

Drawing on the offerings of all three units, students have a unique opportunity to combine the strengths of economic methods and analytical political science and to apply them to the study of political economy. The program involves coursework in economic theory, econometrics, game theory, political theory, and theories of institutions and organizations.

Preparation and Qualifications

Faculty selects students on the basis of predicted performance in the PhD Program. Because of the rigorous nature of the program, a substantial background or ability in the use of analytical methods is an important factor in the admission decision.

In many instances, successful applicants have majored in economics, mathematics, or political science as undergraduates. However, this background is not a prerequisite for admission.

Students are expected to have, or to obtain during their first year, mathematical skill at the level of one year of calculus and one course each in linear algebra, analysis, probability, optimization, and statistics.

The successful applicant usually has clearly defined career goals that are compatible with the purposes of the program and is interested in doing basic research in empirical and/or theoretical political economics.

Faculty in Political Economics

Jonathan bendor, steven callander, katherine casey, dana foarta, andrew b. hall, bård harstad, saumitra jha, daniel p. kessler, neil malhotra, gregory j. martin, condoleezza rice, emeriti faculty, david p. baron, david w. brady, keith krehbiel, recent publications in political economics, the effects of facebook and instagram on the 2020 election: a deactivation experiment, mediated collusion, on accountability and hierarchy, recent insights by stanford business, studying news junkies reveals insights into online reading and info bubbles, the gap between the supreme court and most americans’ views is growing, the federal government pays farmers. that doesn’t mean farmers are fans..

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Philosophy, Politics and Economics

• Admissions Requirements
• Fees and Funding
• Studying at Oxford

Course overview

UCAS code: L0v0 Entrance requirements: AAA Course duration: 3 years (BA)

Subject requirements

Required subjects: Not applicable Recommended subjects: Maths Helpful subjects: History

Other course requirements

Admissions tests:  TSA Written Work: None

Admissions statistics*

Interviewed: 35% Successful: 11% Intake: 232 *3-year average 2021-23

Tel: +44 (0) 1865 288564 Email:  [email protected]

Unistats information for this course can be found at the bottom of the page

Please note that there may be no data available if the number of course participants is very small.

About the course

Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) arose from the belief that the advanced study of all three subjects would transform students’ intellectual lives, to great social benefit. This conviction remains as firm today as it was then. As the world has evolved, so has PPE. The course brings together some of the most important approaches to understanding the world around us, developing skills useful for a wide range of careers and activities.

PPE is a highly flexible degree which allows you to shape your own path through it. You may choose to specialise in two branches at the end of the first year, or continue with all three. You can also explore a wide variety of disciplines under the overarching headings of Philosophy, Politics and Economics. For example, you can specialise in Sociology or International Relations by choosing the relevant Politics options. 

The three subjects each make a distinctively valuable contribution to the degree. Studying philosophy develops analytical, critical, and logical rigour – a highly transferable skill – through discussion of deep, puzzling questions such as 'what can we (really) know?' and 'why be moral?' that are fascinating in their own right.

In turn, the study of politics provides a thorough understanding of the impact of political institutions on modern societies. It helps you to evaluate the choices that political systems must regularly make, to explain the processes that maintain or change those systems, and to examine the concepts and values used in political analysis.

Economics is the study of how consumers, firms and government make decisions that collectively determine how resources are allocated. An appreciation of economics has become increasingly necessary to make sense of governmental policy-making, the conduct of businesses and the enormous economic transformations throughout the world. 

All three branches of PPE at Oxford have an international reputation, supported by more than 200 renowned scholars. 

Astrophoria Foundation Year

If you’re interested in studying PPE but your personal or educational circumstances have meant you are unlikely to achieve the grades typically required for Oxford courses, then choosing to apply for PPE with a Foundation Year might be right for you.

Visit our Foundation Year course pages for more details. 

Unistats information

Discover Uni  course data provides applicants with Unistats statistics about undergraduate life at Oxford for a particular undergraduate course.

Please select 'see course data' to view the full Unistats data for PPE. 

Please note that there may be no data available if the number of course participants is very small. 

Visit the Studying at Oxford section of this page for a more general insight into what studying here is likely to be like.

A typical week

Your weekly timetable will usually include six to eight lectures and two to three tutorials and classes, supplemented by private study, which will be mainly spent preparing essays or problem sets for tutorials and classes.

Tutorials typically involve two to four students and a tutor. Class sizes may vary depending on the options you choose.

Teaching in all three PPE subjects is normally done in tutorials rather than classes. Where a class does form part of the teaching for a paper, it will typically include around six to ten students, although one computer-based training course in Politics may have up to 24 students in it. 

Most tutorials, classes, and lectures are delivered by staff who are specialists in their subject. Many are world-leading experts with years of experience in teaching and research. Some teaching may also be delivered by postgraduate students, typically doctoral students who are also expert in the relevant field.

To find out more about how our teaching year is structured, visit our  Academic Year  page.

Course structure

Years 2 and 3.

The content and format of this course may change in some circumstances. Read further information about potential course changes .

Academic requirements 

Wherever possible, your grades are considered in the context in which they have been achieved.

View further information on  how we use contextual data .

* Although a background in Mathematics is not an essential requirement for admission, it is recommended, and   PPE applicants should have sufficient interest in, and aptitude for, mathematics to cope with the mathematical elements of the course. Mathematics is a particular advantage for the Economics component of the course, as well as for the first year logic course in philosophy, and for understanding theories and data in politics. It is recommended to have learnt the basics of differentiation before starting your university course in PPE. Many successful applicants have studied Maths to at least AS-level, or another equivalent.

You may like to consider taking Maths to AS-level, or an equivalent qualification such as IB Standard Level, even if you do not pursue it further. However, we do understand that these qualifications may not be available to all students.

Extra tuition will be available to students that have not studied Maths A-Level who require any assistance. View the  PPE admissions statistics  for information on the success rates for applicants applying with different A-level subjects.

If a practical component forms part of any of your science A‐levels used to meet your offer, we expect you to pass it.

If English is not your first language you may also need to meet our English language requirements .

If your personal or educational circumstances have meant you are unlikely to achieve the grades listed above for undergraduate study, but you still have a strong interest in the subject, then applying for PPE with a Foundation Year might be right for you.

Visit the Foundation Year course pages for more details of academic requirements and eligibility.

Admissions tests

All candidates must take the paper-based Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) as part of the application. 

Guidance on how to prepare can be found on the  TSA page . 

We will be putting in place new arrangements for our admissions tests for 2024 onwards. We will provide more information on these arrangements at the earliest opportunity. 

Written work

You do not need to submit any written work when you apply for this course.

What are tutors looking for?

Admissions tutors will want to find out if you can think clearly and analytically. They are less concerned with what you know than with how you think and use your knowledge. They will seek evidence of interest in all three subjects. 

Visit the PPE website for more detail on the selection criteria for this course.

Many PPE graduates go on to further academic study. The careers most commonly chosen by PPE graduates are in:

• banking and finance
• broadcasting and new media
• political activism and campaigning
• social work
• voluntary organisations and charities
• accountancy
• business management
• management consultancy
• advertising
• university teaching and research
• think tanks and consultancy
• work in international organisations
• and the many branches of public service.

Ella was managing director of Abel & Cole, the organic food retailer. She says:

'I first saw a video of the Amazon rainforest burning when I was at school in the early 1990s. From that moment, I urgently wanted to protect the natural world. I didn’t know how, though. PPE was invaluable in helping me understand how economic and political systems work, and how they drive such damage to nature. PPE also gave me confidence to evaluate solutions to these problems, and to articulate my responses. The degree gave me credibility when I was starting out, and it helped me navigate my way to a constructive career. I feel proud of what I achieved at Abel & Cole. I’m sorry to say that the Amazon is still burning, though, and that there is a great deal more work to be done.'

Rayan went on to pupillage at a leading barristers’ chambers in London. He says:

'PPE encouraged me, more than anything else, to think critically about the social world and our place in it. It taught me how to test and challenge arguments and disentangle their constituent parts. That experience has been crucial to my pursuing a career as a barrister. First, because the philosophical skills that I acquired have proven invaluable in thinking about, developing, and challenging legal arguments in practice. And second, because it's helped me to continuously reflect upon the social impact of the law and its relationship with political power.'

Note: These annual fees are for full-time students who begin this undergraduate course here in 2024. Course fee information for courses starting in 2025 will be updated in September.

We don't want anyone who has the academic ability to get a place to study here to be held back by their financial circumstances. To meet that aim, Oxford offers one of the most generous financial support packages available for UK students and this may be supplemented by support from your college.

Further details about fee status eligibility can be found on the fee status webpage.

For more information please refer to our  course fees page . Fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our  guidance on likely increases to fees and charges.

Living costs

Living costs at Oxford might be less than you’d expect, as our  world-class resources and college provision can help keep costs down.

Living costs for the academic year starting in 2024 are estimated to be between £1,345 and £1,955 for each month you are in Oxford. Our academic year is made up of three eight-week terms, so you would not usually need to be in Oxford for much more than six months of the year but may wish to budget over a nine-month period to ensure you also have sufficient funds during the holidays to meet essential costs. For further details please visit our  living costs webpage .

• Financial support

**If you have studied at undergraduate level before and completed your course, you will be classed as an Equivalent or Lower Qualification student (ELQ) and won’t be eligible to receive government or Oxford funding

Fees, Funding and Scholarship search

Additional Fees and Charges Information for Philosophy, Politics and Economics

There are no compulsory costs for this course beyond the fees shown above and your living costs.

Contextual information

Unistats course data from Discover Uni provides applicants with statistics about a particular undergraduate course at Oxford. For a more holistic insight into what studying your chosen course here is likely to be like, we would encourage you to view the information below as well as to explore our website more widely.

The Oxford tutorial

College tutorials are central to teaching at Oxford. Typically, they take place in your college and are led by your academic tutor(s) who teach as well as do their own research. Students will also receive teaching in a variety of other ways, depending on the course. This will include lectures and classes, and may include laboratory work and fieldwork. However, tutorials offer a level of personalised attention from academic experts unavailable at most universities.

During tutorials (normally lasting an hour), college subject tutors will give you and one or two tutorial partners feedback on prepared work and cover a topic in depth. The other student(s) in your tutorials will be doing the same course as you. Such regular and rigorous academic discussion develops and facilitates learning in a way that isn’t possible through lectures alone. Tutorials also allow for close progress monitoring so tutors can quickly provide additional support if necessary.

Read more about tutorials and an Oxford education

College life

Our colleges are at the heart of Oxford’s reputation as one of the best universities in the world.

• At Oxford, everyone is a member of a college as well as their subject department(s) and the University. Students therefore have both the benefits of belonging to a large, renowned institution and to a small and friendly academic community. Each college or hall is made up of academic and support staff, and students. Colleges provide a safe, supportive environment leaving you free to focus on your studies, enjoy time with friends and make the most of the huge variety of opportunities.
• Porters’ lodge (a staffed entrance and reception)
• Dining hall
• Lending library (often open 24/7 in term time)
• Student accommodation
• Tutors’ teaching rooms
• Chapel and/or music rooms
• Green spaces
• Common room (known as the JCR).
• All first-year students are offered college accommodation either on the main site of their college or in a nearby college annexe. This means that your neighbours will also be ‘freshers’ and new to life at Oxford. This accommodation is guaranteed, so you don’t need to worry about finding somewhere to live after accepting a place here, all of this is organised for you before you arrive.
• All colleges offer at least one further year of accommodation and some offer it for the entire duration of your degree. You may choose to take up the option to live in your college for the whole of your time at Oxford, or you might decide to arrange your own accommodation after your first year – perhaps because you want to live with friends from other colleges.
• While college academic tutors primarily support your academic development, you can also ask their advice on other things. Lots of other college staff including welfare officers help students settle in and are available to offer guidance on practical or health matters. Current students also actively support students in earlier years, sometimes as part of a college ‘family’ or as peer supporters trained by the University’s Counselling Service.

Read more about Oxford colleges and how you choose

FIND OUT MORE

• Visit the PPE website
• Visit the Philosophy Faculty's website
• Visit the Politics Department's website
• Visit the Economics Department's website

Our 2024 undergraduate open days will be held on 26 and 27 June and 20 September.

Register to find out more about our upcoming open days.

RELATED PAGES

• Which Oxford colleges offer my course?
• Your academic year
• Foundation Year

RELATED COURSES

• Economics and Management
• Foundation Year (PPE)
• History and Economics
• History and Politics
• Human Sciences
• Philosophy and Modern Languages
• Philosophy and Theology

Feel inspired?

You might like to read some of the following sources:

Thomas Nagel’s  What Does it all Mean? and Jennifer Nagel’s Knowledge: A Very Short Introduction are useful introductions to Philosophy.

Jonathan Wolff’s An Introduction to Political Philosophy , the Palgrave Macmillan series Developments in British [French, German, East European, etc.]  Politics and Adrian Leftwich’s What is Politics? are good introductory texts for Politics.

The best introduction to Economics is to read the economics and business pages of newspapers.

Tim Harford’s Undercover Economist and Paul Krugman’s The Accidental Theorist are also recommended.

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Philosophy, Politics and Economics Program

Are you interested in how the economy, political and social institutions, and questions of justice interact? The major in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) is all about understanding and approaching complex social problems while developing the skills for working with others to solve them.

What is PPE?

Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) is a cutting-edge interdisciplinary field which studies the complex interactions of markets, formal political institutions, and informal social arrangements.

• 10/30/23 What is Philosophy, Politics and Economics?

The Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) The PPE major is designed to help students develop an interdisciplinary toolkit for approaching social and political problems.

• 11/3/23 BA in PPE

Minor in PPE

A minor in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) is a perfect companion to a major in Economics, Political Science, Law, Geography, Sociology, Criminology, or Philosophy.

• 6/16/21 Minor in PPE

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Politics, Philosophy and Economics

Application options include:

Course Overview

It is impossible to fully understand the modern world without knowledge of politics, philosophy and economics. They have long been recognised as overlapping and informing one other and it was only relatively recently in intellectual history that the three subjects were separated from one another. Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) brings together these subjects to help you understand and engage with the world. You will develop essential skills of reasoning, inquiry and analysis that are applicable to a wide range of careers, including banking and finance, law, academia and teaching, journalism and politics. 

Birkbeck's interdisciplinary MSc Politics, Philosophy and Economics introduces you to the basics of the three subjects and it will hone your ability to understand, evaluate and analyse real-world information. The study of philosophy will introduce you to critical reasoning and some of the most profound questions it is possible to ask about humanity. The study of politics will acquaint you with modern governing structures in the UK, EU and further afield and with the concepts and ideas that underpin the theory and practice of politics. The study of economics will help you grasp how business, finance and politics intersect and determine how we live and work. 

You can choose from a wide range of option modules and your learning will be informed by the cutting-edge research and expertise of academics across the three subject areas at Birkbeck. 

You will also receive one-to-one dissertation supervision on a topic of your choosing.

Discover the career opportunities available by taking Politics, Philosophy and Economics (MSc).

Key information and modules

Politics, philosophy and economics msc: 1 year full-time, on campus, starting october 2024.

Central London

Politics, Philosophy and Economics MSc: 2 years part-time, on campus, starting October 2024

Find another course:

• This is the only PPE course available for part-time evening study in the UK. 
• Birkbeck has a strong international research reputation in politics, philosophy and economics.
• Birkbeck Library has large politics, philosophy and economics collections, including the major specialist journals, and provides you with access to an extensive range of online materials. 
• You can also take advantage of the rich research collections nearby, including Senate House Library , which is right next door to Birkbeck, the British Library , which is five minutes’ walk away, and the British Library of Political and Economic Science at the London School of Economics, which is also walkable from Birkbeck.

Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

Entry Requirements

A second-class honours degree (2:2) or above in any subject; prior exposure to at least one of the three component subjects would be a distinct advantage, but it might be possible for able students to acquire the relevant knowledge as part of this course.

Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now  to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.

If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement,  we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our  English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country .

Visa and funding requirements

If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

• Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
• Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol as a student on Birkbeck's part-time courses (with the exception of some modules).

For full information, read our visa information for international students page .

Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country .

Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

If you have studied at university, you may have accumulated credits through the modules you studied. It may be possible to transfer these credits from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

Politics, Philosophy and Economics MSc: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2024-25

Academic year 2024–25, starting october 2024.

Part-time home students: £6,075 per year Full-time home students: £12,150 per year Part-time international students : £9,915 per year Full-time international students: £19,830 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the College Fees Policy .

If you’ve studied at Birkbeck before and successfully completed an award with us, take advantage of our Lifelong Learning Guarantee to gain a discount on the tuition fee of this course.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

International scholarships

We provide a range of scholarships for eligible international students, including our Global Future Scholarship. Discover if you are eligible for a scholarship .

At Birkbeck, most of our courses are taught in the evening and all of our teaching is designed to support students who are juggling evening study with work and other commitments. We actively encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching, to ensure our students have the best learning experience.

Teaching may include formal lectures, seminars, and practical classes and tutorials. Formal lectures are used in most degree programmes to give an overview of a particular field of study. They aim to provide the stimulus and the starting point for deeper exploration of the subject during your own personal reading. Seminars give you the chance to explore a specific aspect of your subject in depth and to discuss and exchange ideas with fellow students. They typically require preparatory study.

In addition, you will have access to pastoral support via a named Personal Tutor.

Methods of teaching on this course

Lectures, guided reading and small-group seminars. You will also have one-to-one dissertation supervisions and intensive training in academic writing.

Teaching hours

Our evening hours are normally between 6pm and 9pm (6-7.30pm and 7.30-9pm). Some programmes also offer teaching during the day and this will be clearly signposted to you where it is available.

On our taught courses, you will have scheduled teaching and study sessions each year. Scheduled teaching sessions may include lectures, seminars, workshops or laboratory work. Depending on the modules you take, you may also have additional scheduled academic activities, such as tutorials, dissertation supervision, practical classes, visits and field trips. On our taught courses, the actual amount of time you spend in the classroom and in contact with your lecturers will depend on your course, the option modules you select and when you undertake your final-year project (if applicable).

Alongside your contact hours, you will also undertake assessment activities and independent learning outside of class. The amount of time you need to allocate to study both for taught sessions (this might include online sessions and/or in-person sessions) and personal study will depend on how much you are studying during the year and whether you are studying full time or part time.

Birkbeck’s courses are made up of modules and allocated ‘credit’. One credit is equivalent to ten hours of learning time. Modules are usually in 15, 30 or 60 credit units. A 15-credit module will mean around 150 hours of learning, including taught sessions and independent study or group work. This is spread out over the whole period of that module and includes the time you spend on any assessments, including in examinations, preparing and writing assessments or engaged in practical work as well as any study support sessions to help you in your learning.

On our distance-learning and blended-learning courses, discussion, collaboration and interaction with your lecturers and fellow students is encouraged and enabled through various learning technologies.

Timetables are usually available from September onwards and you can access your personalised timetable via your My Birkbeck Profile online (if you have been invited to enrol).

Indicative class size

Class sizes vary, depending on your course, the module you are undertaking, and the method of teaching. For example, lectures are presented to larger groups, whereas seminars usually consist of small, interactive groups led by a tutor.

Independent learning

On our taught courses, much of your time outside of class will be spent on self-directed, independent learning, including preparing for classes and following up afterwards. This will usually include, but is not limited to, reading books and journal articles, undertaking research, working on coursework and assignments, and preparing for presentations and assessments.

Independent learning is absolutely vital to your success as a student. Everyone is different, and the study time required varies topic by topic, but, as a guide, expect to schedule up to five hours of self-study for each hour of teaching.

Study skills and additional support

Birkbeck offers study and learning support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed. Our Learning Development Service can help you in the following areas:

• academic skills (including planning your workload, research, writing, exam preparation and writing a dissertation)
• written English (including structure, punctuation and grammar)
• numerical skills (basic mathematics and statistics).

Our Disability and Dyslexia Service can support you if you have additional learning needs resulting from a disability or from dyslexia.

Our Counselling Service can support you if you are struggling with emotional or psychological difficulties during your studies.

Our Mental Health Advisory Service can support you if you are experiencing short- or long-term mental health difficulties during your studies.

Assessment is an integral part of your university studies and usually consists of a combination of coursework and examinations, although this will vary from course to course - on some of our courses, assessment is entirely by coursework. The methods of assessment on this course are specified below under 'Methods of assessment on this course'. You will need to allow time to complete coursework and prepare for exams.

Where a course has unseen written examinations, these may be held termly, but, on the majority of our courses, exams are usually taken in the Summer term, during May to June. Exams may be held at other times of the year as well. In most cases, exams are held during the day on a weekday - if you have daytime commitments, you will need to make arrangements for daytime attendance - but some exams are held in the evening. Exam timetables are published online.

Find out more about assessment at Birkbeck, including guidance on assessment, feedback and our assessment offences policy.

Methods of assessment on this course

Essays, or examinations supplemented with coursework assignments.

Careers and employability

Graduates can pursue career paths in:

• the Civil Service
• international development
• think tanks. 

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.

You will need to prove your identity when you apply - read more about suitable forms of identification .

When to apply

You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places on your chosen course and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.

You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.

You will also receive information about subject-specific induction sessions over the summer.

Help and advice with your application

Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at Birkbeck.

Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.

Apply for your course

Apply for your course using the apply now button in the key information section .

Related courses

• Philosophy (MA, MRes, PG Cert, PG Dip)

Course structure

Course structure listing, course structure and modules for politics, philosophy and economics msc: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, on campus, starting october 2024.

You complete modules worth a total of 180 credits comprising:

• one compulsory module in economics (30 credits)
• one option module in politics (30 credits)
• one option module in philosophy (30 credits)
• one option module chosen from politics, philosophy or economics (30 credits)
• a 12,000-15,000-word dissertation due in September (60 credits).

Compulsory module

• Economics: Theory, Policy and Institutions

Politics option modules

• Emerging Powers in World Politics
• Food, Politics, and Society (Level 7)
• Global Politics, Governance and Security
• International Political Economy
• Middle East Politics
• Nationalism, Religion, and Conflict
• Political Communications: Media, Campaigns, and Citizens
• Political Theory and Contemporary Politics
• Power and Politics in the UK
• Public Policy: Interests, Ideas, Institutions
• The European Union: Integration, Politics and Policy
• The Geopolitics of Environment and Resources
• The Politics of Population Change: Immigration, Ageing and Conflict

Philosophy option modules

• Contemporary Epistemology (Level 7)
• Ethical Traditions (Level 7)
• Evolution, Science and Morality (Level 7)
• Free Will and Moral Responsibility (Level 7)
• Language and Metaphysics (Level 7)
• Metaphysical Traditions, Ancient and Modern (Level 7)
• Philosophy of Mind and Cognitive Science (Level 7)
• Philosophy of Science (Level 7)
• Philosophy, Art and Literature (Level 7)
• Philosophy, Business and Society (Level 7)
• Political Philosophy (Level 7)
• The Biology of Evil (Level 7)
• The Ethics of Life and Death: Humans, Animals and the Environment (Level 7)
• The Idea of Freedom (Level 7)
• The Philosophy of Nietzsche (Level 7)
• Themes in Twentieth-Century French and German Philosophy (Level 7)
• Theories of Value: Aesthetics and Ethics (Level 7)
• Topics in Early Modern Philosophy (Level 7)
• Women in Philosophy (Level 7)

Economics option modules

• Economics of Public Policy
• Financial Markets, Banking and Regulation
• Industrial Economics I
• International Economics I
• Monetary Economics
• Topics in Economic Policy

MSc PPE Dissertation (choose one)

• Dissertation MSc PPE
• Dissertation MSc PPE Philosophy
• Dissertation MSc PPE Politics

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Department of Economics

• Why Economics?

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Applications for Fall 2024 open August 1, 2023.

The deadline to apply is January 10, 2024 , at 12:00 AM EST.

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M.A. in Philosophy, Political Science and Economics (PPE)

The M.A. program in Philosophy, Political Science and Economics (PPE) provides students with a broad yet thorough education in its three constitutive fields. The objective of the program is to train students to evaluate critically individual and collective decision-making and public policy. The study of Philosophy equips students with tools to reason rigorously and facilitates ethical reflection. The study of Economics provides tools for evaluating individual and collective decision-making. And the study of Political Science provides an understanding of the real contexts in which ethical and economic principles must be applied. Thus, the three disciplines that make up PPE are mutually supportive, and a background in each is needed if one is to gain a robust understanding of social phenomena. The 4+1 M.A. in PPE may be of considerable interest to students who would like to pursue further study in ethics, logic, decision-making, or public policy. The program is also excellent preparation for students considering law school. A full description of the program, with relevant application information, can be found on the Graduate Program webpage of the Department of Logic and Philosophy of Science.

Contact Philosophy

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School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences

Graduate programs in political science, doctor of philosophy in political science.

75 semester credit hours minimum beyond the baccalaureate degree

FACG> epps-political-science-phd

Professors: Patrick T. Brandt @pxb054000 , Thomas L. Brunell @tlb056000 , Paul Diehl @pxd153230 , Euel W. Elliott @eelliott , Edward J. Harpham @harpham , Jennifer S. Holmes @jholmes , Robert C. Lowry @rcl062000 , Clint W. Peinhardt @cwp052000 , Marianne C. Stewart @mstewart

Associate Professors: Jonas Bunte @jbb130330 , Banks P. Miller @bxm093000

Assistant Professors: Rebecca Cordell @rxc190010 , Thomas Gray @txg171430 , Lauren Santoro @lar170530

Professors Emeriti: Anthony M. Champagne @tchamp , Todd Sandler @tms063000

Associate Professor of Instruction: Karl K. Ho @kxh022100

Mission Statement

The Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science provides a rigorous, disciplinary program with strong multidisciplinary links. The Program consists of innovative, state-of-the-science graduate education in political methodology and the fields of Comparative Politics and International Relations; Law and Courts; and Political Institutions and American Politics. In the first two years of the program, students acquire research skills and tools, work on research projects, and acquaint themselves with professional norms in the discipline. Later, they have opportunities to develop their instructional and presentation skills and to conduct research answering an important question (or questions) in the field. Throughout, emphasis is placed on preparing students for life after graduate school in academia, government, or industry.

• Students will demonstrate the ability to apply political science and other social scientific theories to research questions.
• Students will develop the ability to apply advanced methodological training in understanding important political and social questions.
• Students will develop advanced skills in professional communication appropriate for presentation to professional audiences in academia, government, or industry.

Students have access to the computing faculties in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences and the University's computer labs. The school has four computing laboratories which house 24-30 computers each that are network linked and equipped with major social science software packages, including EViews, R, RATS, SPSS and Stata. A geographic information system, the LexisNexis database, and Westlaw are also available for student use. The University's computer labs provide personal computers and UNIX workstations. Many important data and reference materials are also available online via the library and the school's memberships in numerous organizations.

NOTE> Please be advised, the admissions section below feeds in from a separate page. Any changes made to the admissions section below will not be retained. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

Admission Requirements

The University's general admission requirements are discussed on the Graduate Admission page.

Although applications will be reviewed holistically, in general, the Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science Program seeks applications from students with at least a baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education. An undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.2 and a combined quantitative and verbal Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of 310 are desirable. Standardized test scores are only one of the factors taken into account in determining admission. Applicants should submit all transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a one-page essay describing educational and professional objectives.

Prerequisites:

While there are no specific course prerequisites, entering students will benefit from exposure to undergraduate courses in economics, political science, sociology, calculus, statistics, and research design.

Degree Requirements

The University's general degree requirements are discussed on the Graduate Policies and Procedures page.

The PhD in Political Science requires a minimum of 75 post-baccalaureate graduate semester credit hours. Full-time students can complete the degree in an average of 5 years. Students must receive a grade of B or better in all core courses and must maintain at least a 3.2 grade point average to graduate. If placed on probation, students will have one semester to bring their cumulative grade point average to a 3.0 or greater.

Semester Credit Hour Requirements

Students must complete the following:

• 18 semester credit hours of core courses
• Courses in Major Field: 12 semester credit hours
• Courses in Minor Field: 6 semester credit hours
• PSCI 8381 Research Seminar in Political Science (3 semester credit hours)
• Research Methods: 6 additional hours
• Electives: at least 12 semester credit hours
• Matriculation to the dissertation phase
• Successful completion of a dissertation
• Successful completion of 75 semester credit hours

The requirements are outlined in further detail below.

I. Core Courses (18 semester credit hours)

Core semester credit hours include three courses in Political Science methodology and theory, and three proseminars in the program fields.

PSCI 6350 Logic, Methodology, and Scope of Political Science

Methodology (6 semester credit hours)

One of the following sequences:

EPPS 6313 Introduction to Quantitative Methods

and EPPS 6316 Applied Regression

EPPS 7313 Descriptive and Inferential Statistics

and EPPS 7316 Regression and Multivariate Analysis

Three of the following four: (9 semester credit hours)

PSCI 6321 Proseminar in Comparative Politics

PSCI 6319 Proseminar in International Relations

PSCI 6311 Proseminar in Law and Courts

PSCI 6347 Proseminar in Political Institutions and American Politics

II. Major and Minor Field Courses (18 semester credit hours)

The field coursework consists of four courses (12 semester credit hours) taken in the student's chosen major field and two course taken (6 semester credit hours) in the student's chosen minor field for a total of 18 semester credit hours of coursework. Students may select their major and minors from the following fields: Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Institutions and American Politics, or Law and Courts.

Comparative Politics

PPPE 6319 Political Economy of MNCs

PSCI 6305 Workshop in Constitutional Law Studies

PSCI 6306 Human Rights and International Law

PSCI 6335 Institutions and Development

PSCI 6337 Comparative Institutions

PSCI 6342 Comparative Courts and Law

PSCI 6352 Empirical Democratic Theory

PSCI 6361 Civil Conflict

PSCI 6362 Political Development

PSCI 6363 Conflict and Development

PSCI 6365 U.S. and International Asylum and Refugee Law

PSCI 6374 U.S. Global Security and Public Opinion

PSCI 7313 Counterterrorism and Counterinsurgency

PSCI 7318 Conflict Management

PSCI 7350 Institutions and Citizen Behavior

International Relations

PSCI 6309 International Political Economy

PSCI 6316 International Organizations

PSCI 6358 Refugee and Migration Policy

PSCI 7330 International Conflict

PSCI 7335 Theories of International Relations

Political Institutions and American Politics

PSCI 6301 Constitutional Law

PSCI 6323 Public Choice

PSCI 6324 Local and State Government and Politics

PSCI 6330 Campaigns and Elections

PSCI 6331 Executives, Legislatures and Public Policy

PSCI 6333 Political and Civic Organizations

PSCI 6339 Election Law and Electoral Systems

PSCI 6343 Law and the Policy Process

Law and Courts

PPPE 6366 Law and Development

With approval of the Director of Graduate Studies or Program Head, other classes may be substituted for field courses.

III. Optional Concentration in Research Methods (12 semester credit hours)

In addition to major and minor field concentrations, students who have completed EPPS 7313 and EPPS 7316 can complete a concentration in research methods by taking four courses from the following list of research methods classes.

IV. Research Methods (6 hours)

Students must take two of the following classes:

ECON 6306 Applied Econometrics

ECON 6309 Econometrics I

ECON 6316 Spatial Econometrics

ECON 6320 Game Theory for the Social Sciences

ECON 6380 Experimental Economics I

ECON 7309 Econometrics II

ECON 7315 Econometrics III

ECON 7316 Game Theory

EPPS 6346 Qualitative Research Orientation

EPPS 6352 Evaluation Research Methods in the Economic, Political and Policy Sciences

EPPS 7304 Cost-Benefit Analysis

EPPS 7318 Structural Equation and Multilevel (Hierarchical) Modeling

EPPS 7344 Categorical and Limited Dependent Variables

EPPS 7370 Time Series Analysis I

EPPS 7371 Time Series Analysis II

EPPS 7390 Bayesian Analysis for Social and Behavioral Sciences

EPPS 7386 Survey Research

GISC 5322 ( GEOS 5322 ) GPS (Global Positioning System) Satellite Surveying Techniques

GISC 5324 ( GEOS 5324 ) 3D Data Capture and Ground Lidar

GISC 6301 GIS Data Analysis Fundamentals

GISC 6363 Internet Mapping and Information Processing

GISC 6384 ( GEOS 6384 ) Advanced Geographic Information Systems

GISC 6385 ( GEOS 6385 ) GIS Theories, Models and Issues

GISC 6388 Advanced GIS Programming

GISC 7310 Advanced GIS Data Analysis

GISC 7360 GIS Pattern Analysis

GISC 7361 Spatial Statistics

GISC 7365 ( GEOS 5326 ) Advanced Remote Sensing

PPPE 6310 Research Design I

PPPE 6342 Research Design II

PPPE 6V91 Evaluation Research (Field Practice) (6 semester credit hours) 1

PSCI 6364 Public Opinion and Survey Research

PSCI 7372 Game Theory for Political Scientists

Other courses as approved by the Director of Graduate Studies or Program Head.

V. Core and Field Exams

To advance to the dissertation stage of the program, students must pass both core and field exams. The core exam is taken at the first scheduled opportunity once students have completed the relevant core classes. The field exam consists of a field paper and an oral examination.

VI. Additional Coursework (12 semester credit hours minimum)

Students must take at least 12 semester credit hours of additional coursework.

VII. Research Seminar (3 semester credit hours)

After the core and field exams have been successfully completed, students are required to enroll in PSCI 8381 Research Seminar in Political Science or in an independent study with their likely chair to develop their dissertation prospectus. Full-time students should defend their dissertation prospectus prior to the start of their 4th year.

VIII. Electives and Dissertation Hours (variable semester credit hours)

In order to fulfill the 75 semester credit hour PhD requirement, students should enroll in a combination of additional electives and dissertation hours ( PSCI 8V99 Dissertation or Practicum). Students may not enroll in dissertation hours before they have successfully defended a dissertation proposal. No more than 6 semester credit hours of independent study ( PSCI 7V83 ) may be taken, unless approved by the Director of Graduate Studies or Program Head.

IX. Dissertation

There are two possible options of dissertation format. One is the "book-length" format. Another option is the "three-paper" dissertation, which consists of three papers that may or may not be thematically related. The submission of an approved dissertation will complete the course of study for the PhD degree in Political Science. The procedure for approval of the dissertation is outlined in the UT Dallas Graduate Catalog.

Master of Arts in Political Science

30 semester credit hours minimum

FACG> epps-political-science-ma

Associate Professor: Banks P. Miller @bxm093000

Professor Emeritus: Anthony M. Champagne @tchamp

The mission of the Master of Arts in Political Science (MAPS) degree is to offer advanced instruction in the social science literature and theories about politics, citizenship and governance. We offer two optional concentrations. Students who want an intellectually rigorous legal education as preparation for law school, for more advanced graduate learning, or for law-related careers in teaching, journalism, government, policy-making, or the private sector, can pursue the Law and Courts optional concentration to obtain the reasoning and analytic skills necessary to understand the technical rules of law, legal practices and policies, and law more generally as a social phenomenon. Students interested in positions as legislative staff, political consultants, or other careers in professional politics, should pursue the Legislative Studies option concentration to advance their knowledge of legislative processes and the role that legislatures play at the local, state, and national levels of government.

Students in the Master of Arts in Political Science program will:

• Develop a competency in one of the fields of Comparative Politics and International Relations; Political Institutions and American Politics; or Law and Courts.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply political science theories and concepts to the study of citizenship, governance and politics.
• Develop competency in analysis, evaluation, and research design relevant to political science research and analysis.

Law and Courts Concentration

• Acquire detailed knowledge of the role of the judicial system in the evolution of public policy in the United States.

Legislative Studies Concentration

• Demonstrate proficiency in skills required for at least one position in the practice of politics by successfully completing an internship.

Students have access to the computing facilities in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences and the University's computer labs. The school has four computing laboratories that have 24-30 computers that are network linked and equipped with major social science software packages, including EViews, R, RATS, SPSS, and Stata. A geographic information system, the LexisNexis database, and Westlaw are also available for student use. The University's computer labs provide personal computers and UNIX workstations. Many important data and reference materials are available online via the library and the school's memberships in numerous organizations.

Admissions Requirement

The Master of Arts in Political Science program seeks applications from students with a baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education.

Although applications will be reviewed holistically, in general, entering students have all of the following:

• a GPA of 3.00 or higher (on a 4.0 scale)
• English Proficiency (per UTD requirements)
• a Statement of Purpose, approximately one page in length, outlining their background, education and professional objectives.
• Two Letters of Recommendation
• all Official Transcripts

Prerequisites

While there are no specific course prerequisites, entering students will benefit from exposure to undergraduate courses in economics, political sciences, sociology, college algebra, statistics, public policy, and research design. In cases where undergraduate preparation is not adequate, students may be required to take additional course work before starting the master's program.

Students seeking a Master of Arts in Political Science must complete at least 30 semester credit hours of work in the program, must receive a grade of B- or better in all required courses, and must maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average to graduate. The program has two optional specialized concentrations: Law and Courts, and Legislative Studies.

Required Courses: 6 semester credit hours

or EPPS 7313 Descriptive and Inferential Statistics

All students should complete the core courses as soon as possible.

General Political Science Majors: 24 semester credit hours

Prescribed Electives: 9 semester credit hours

Choose three of the following:

Field Courses: 6 semester credit hours

Choose two additional courses at the 6000 or 7000 level in one of the following fields:

Other field courses as approved by the Director of Graduate Studies or Program Head.

Free Electives: 9 semester credit hours

Three additional political science courses at the 6000 or 7000 level, or EPPS methods courses offered throughout the School, or internship. Students may write an optional thesis by registering for three semester credit hours of independent study.

Law and Courts Concentration: 24 semester credit hours

Required Course: 3 semester credit hours

or PSCI 6311 Proseminar in Law and Courts

Prescribed Electives: 21 semester credit hours

Choose seven courses from the following:

EPPS 6316 Applied Regression

or EPPS 7316 Regression and Multivariate Analysis

PSCI 6304 Internship in Constitutional Law Studies

Legislative Studies Concentration: 24 semester credit hours

Choose three courses from the following:

PSCI 6341 Texas Legislative Process

Free Electives: 6 semester credit hours

Two additional courses at the 6000-level or above offered by programs in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences, subject to approval by the Director of Graduate Studies or Program Head. These may include additional courses from the list above.

Internship: 6 semester credit hours

PSCI 6V42 Legislative Affairs Internship (6 semester credit hours total; can be spread over more than one semester). Internships can be done in Austin, TX or Washington, D.C., or with another state or local government agency or political organization.

1. This is a two-semester long program evaluation project that culminates in a final report.

London, England, March 2020: Newsagents | Image by  imageportal  / Shutterstock

Course: Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) BA

I have really appreciated the broad nature of the PPE course and the ability to engage with contemporary social and political issues.

PPE bridges three departments and joins together some of the most important approaches to understanding the social world. It is a highly flexible degree which allows you to shape your own path through it and you can, to a large extent, choose to specialise in politics, and different aspects of politics, if you wish.

How to find information about this course

The tripartite nature of the degree means there is information in various places—the definitive information (including entry requirements) is on the  University of Oxford PPE webpage . 

Very detailed information about the practicalities and details of the degree can also be found in the course handbook on the  dedicated PPE website . Each year a course handbook (covering that year’s papers and rules) is given to current students. While the exact details change from year-to-year, it can give you an insight into how the degree works and what you may be able to study.

Our  Undergraduate study webpage  aims to give you a flavour of what you will learn through the politics papers within History and Politics. There are equivalent pages hosted on the  Faculty of Philosophy's website  and Department of Economics' website .

Undergraduate stories

PPE students and alumni

“84% in work or doing further study 15 months after the course” (data from students graduating during 2017-2018).

The PPE degree celebrated its centenary in 2020. Over the last five decades, more than 16,000 students have graduated in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. Our students have gone on to an incredibly broad range of careers, from teaching to the civil service, data analysis to policy-making, journalism to politics, finance to the third sector. Some of our alumni have become well-known names  in their chosen profession. Many PPE-ists continue into post-graduate education after their degree and make a career in the world of academia.

For information about how to apply for PPE see the University of Oxford’s guidance for Undergraduate applications .

Where next?

Why study with us

Introduction

The Oxford College Experience

Information

Opportunities for students

Alumni careers.

QS WORLD RANKINGS FOR POLITICS & INT’L STUDIES: 2

BEST UK UNIVERSITIES FOR POLITICS – THE GUARDIAN: 1

THE World University Rankings for Politics and Int’l Studies: 1 in the UK

PhD in Political Economy & Government

In this section.

• Degree Requirements
• Current Students
• Dissertations & Job Placements
• Faculty & Research

Beginning in Fall 2022, the PhD in Political Economy and Government (PEG) will no longer be admitting students.  Students may apply to the PhD program in Public Policy (PPOL) , or consider the PhD Programs in the Economics Department or the PhD Program in Government . 

The PEG program will continue with the outlined course requirements for students who matriculated in Fall 2021. HKS will continue to fully fund and support all current PEG students until they have completed the program and graduated. However, going forward, prospective students will no longer be able to apply to or be admitted to the PEG program.

As of Fall 2021, prospective students interested in focusing on an economics or political science perspective of political economy are encouraged to apply to the PhD programs offered by the Department of Economics and the Department of Government at the  Graduate School of Arts and Sciences or the newly created PhD program in Public Policy (PPOL) tracks: Economics and Politics and Institutions (Political Science) . 

History of the PhD in Political Economy and Government

Dating to the 1930s, the PhD Program in Political Economy and Government (PEG) was initiated with the objective of fostering research at the intersection of Economics and Political Science. A collaborative program between Harvard Kennedy School, the Department of Economics, and the Department of Government, PEG emphasized positive—as opposed to normative—political economy. The PEG program combines rigorous training in economics, formal theory, and quantitative empirical methods with a substantive focus on the interaction between economic and political institutions and processes. Students combine coursework from the Department of Economics  and the Department of Government for an interdisciplinary program of study.

Students and faculty members in the PEG program share an intellectual interest in the impact of politics on economic processes and outcomes, and the reciprocal influence of economic conditions on political life. It covers research areas as diverse as international economic relations, financial economics, political development, political and economic institutions, institutional transition and reform, the economic importance of culture, economic performance, environmental resource policies, and social policy.

Doctoral Program Admissions

Phd student life.

This demanding major trains students in political economy, grounding their study in the historical, conceptual and moral foundations of our shared political and economic lives. The interdisciplinary major allows students to trace interconnections between political, economic and legal issues within a range of broader humanistic concerns. It also fosters the development of logical, quantitative and analytic skills needed for clear thinking and effective communication, leaving students with a wide range of options for further, more specialized study or careers in law, politics or economics. 

The major requires 11 courses including an introductory lower-division course, a final capstone seminar and a range of further courses in the three disciplines. 

Lower-Division Course

Students must complete one of the following courses. 

• PHIL 101g Free People, Free Thought and Free Markets Units: 4
• PHIL 103g Philosophy, Politics and Economics in Europe, from Renaissance to Enlightenment Units: 4
• PHIL 174gw Freedom, Equality, and Social Justice Units: 4
• PHIL 178gw Moral Dilemmas in the Legal Domain Units: 4
• PHIL 258g Probability and Rational Choice Units: 4
• PHIL 260gw Ethical Theory and Practice Units: 4
• POSC 130g Law, Politics and Public Policy Units: 4

Logic Course

• PHIL 220 Introduction to Logic Units: 4
• PHIL 222g Logic and Language Units: 4
• PHIL 350 Intermediate Logic Units: 4
• PHIL 450 The Limits of Logic Units: 4
• PHIL 452 Modal Logic Units: 4

Lower-Division Political Science Recommendation

One lower-division POSC course is  strongly  recommended before taking any upper-division POSC courses. 

Philosophy Gateway Course

Completing a gateway course is recommended prior to enrolling in any 400-level Philosophy course. This course will count toward the upper-division Philosophy requirements.

• PHIL 311 The Quest for the Individual in Early Modern Europe Units: 4
• PHIL 314 Origins of Free Market Thought in Early Modern Europe Units: 4
• PHIL 315 History of Western Philosophy: Ancient Period Units: 4
• PHIL 320 History of Western Philosophy: Modern Period Units: 4
• PHIL 336 Philosophy of Mind and Language Units: 4
• PHIL 337 Political Philosophy Units: 4
• PHIL 339 Philosophy of Economics Units: 4
• PHIL 340 Ethics Units: 4
• PHIL 360 Epistemology and Metaphysics Units: 4
• PHIL 362 Possible Worlds Units: 4
• PHIL 363 Philosophy of Perception Units: 4
• PHIL 385 Science and Rationality Units: 4

Philosophy of Economics, Political or Legal Philosophy

Students must complete one of the following courses.

• PHIL 430 Philosophy of Law Units: 4
• PHIL 431 Law, Society, and Politics Units: 4
• PHIL 437 Social and Political Philosophy Units: 4

History of Philosophy

Students must complete one of the following courses. 

• PHIL 410 Early Greek Thought Units: 4
• PHIL 411 Plato Units: 4
• PHIL 415 Aristotle Units: 4
• PHIL 416 The Ancient Stoics Units: 4
• PHIL 421 Continental Rationalism Units: 4
• PHIL 422 British Empiricism Units: 4
• PHIL 423 The Critical Philosophy of Kant Units: 4
• PHIL 424 19th Century Philosophy Units: 4

Moral Philosophy

• PHIL 440 Contemporary Ethical Theory Units: 4
• PHIL 442 History of Ethics to 1900 Units: 4
• PHIL 443 Value Theory Units: 4

Upper-Division Political Science

Students must complete any two 4-unit upper-division POSC courses, excluding internship, research, special topics and seminar ( POSC 390   , POSC 391   , POSC 392   , POSC 395   , POSC 398L   , POSC 410x   , POSC 420   , POSC 490x   , POSC 490x   ). Students may also choose IR 309   . 

• IR 309 Global Governance Units: 4

Students must complete the following two courses in economics. 

• ECON 203g Principles of Microeconomics Units: 4
• ECON 317 Introduction to Statistics for Economists Units: 4

Upper-Division Economics

Students must complete one 4-unit, 300-level ECON course  after  having completed ECON 203g    and ECON 317   . 

Capstone Course

Students must complete the following capstone course. In semesters when the capstone course is not offered, students may enroll in an acceptable course equivalent with departmental approval. 

• PHIL 475 Topics in Philosophy, Politics and Economics Units: 4

Majors may graduate with departmental honors by doing the following: (i) completing all major requirements, (ii) having a GPA of at least 3.5 for upper-level courses for the major, and (iii) completing the Honors Capstone Seminar ( PHIL 495   ), or if that’s not possible, the Senior Thesis Seminar ( PHIL 494   ). To take PHIL 494    of PHIL 495   , students must be seniors and we recommend having completed two other 400-level Philosophy courses first.

• Chancellor’s Message

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2023-24 edition, philosophy, political science, and economics, m.a. (4+1).

The goal of this program is to train students in three critically important and related approaches to understanding the social world around us. Philosophy develops analytic rigor and trains students to reason logically. Political science provides an understanding of how institutions impact modern societies and helps students evaluate the choices that such institutions regularly make. And economics is the study of how individuals, firms, and governments make decisions that together determine how resources are allocated. An appreciation of economics has increasingly become crucial for an understanding of institutional policy making. The objective of the M.A. in PPE is to prepare students for careers in government, law, private or public corporations, and non-profit organizations.

In order to be admitted to the program, undergraduate students must submit an application in the winter quarter of their third year. More information on the application process can be found on the PPE Program website

The program of study can be divided into three stages: pre-requirements that must be met for admission into the program, undergraduate requirements to be completed before the end of the fourth year, and graduate requirements to be completed by the end of the fifth year.

Pre-Requirements

• MATH 2A and MATH 2B .
• Advancement toward completing a B.A. in one of the associated disciplines.

Undergraduate Requirements

• Completion of a B.A. in one of the associated disciplines.
• Three additional courses - including at least one upper-division course - in each of the two disciplines that are not the student's major.

Graduate Requirements

• Proseminar in PPE I, II, II.
• Six graduate courses approved by the director of the PPE program, two in each of the three areas.

The normative time to degree is four years in undergraduate study and one additional year as graduate students. A full description of the program can be found on the LPS Department Graduate Program website .

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2023-2024 Catalogue

A PDF of the entire 2023-2024 catalogue.

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Philosophy, Politics and Economics: Public Policy & Governance, BA

Related programs.

• Philosophy, Politics and Economics: Choice & Behavior, BA
• Philosophy, Politics and Economics: Distributive Justice, BA
• Philosophy, Politics and Economics: Globalization, BA
• Philosophy, Politics and Economics: Public Policy & Governance, BA

Philosophy, Politics, and Economics allows undergraduates to study a variety of comprehensive analytical frameworks that have been developed to understand and justify political and economic structures, particularly constitutional democracy and the market system. The program prepares its graduates for careers in public policy, public services, business, and law among others.

The minimum total course units for graduation in this major is 36. Double majors may entail more course units.

For more information: http://www.sas.upenn.edu/ppe/

For information about the General Education requirements, please visit the College of Arts & Sciences Curriculum page.

You may count no more than one course toward both a Major and a Sector requirement. For Exceptions, check the  Policy Statement .

Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.6 in the major.

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2024 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

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A PDF of the entire 2024-25 catalog.

A PDF of the 2024-25 Undergraduate catalog.

A PDF of the 2024-25 Graduate catalog.

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Thinking of Pursuing a PhD in Economics? Info on Graduate School and Beyond

Kasey Chatterji-Len and Anna Kovner

Becoming a PhD economist can provide a fulfilling and financially secure career path. However, getting started in the field can be daunting if you don’t know much about the preparation you’ll need and the available job opportunities. If you’re wondering what it means to be an economics researcher or how to become one, please read on. We’ll review how to prepare for a career in economics research, what an economics PhD program entails, and what types of opportunities it might bring. Economic education is a core component of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s mission to serve the community. To empower would-be economists, this post provides information for students who seek a career in economics research. We hope this information will be helpful to students interested in economics, regardless of their background and economic situation.  This information is most applicable to students applying to programs in the United States.  

The Breadth of Economics Research  

Academic disciplines conduct research in different ways, so it’s important to have a basic understanding of the types of questions economists ask and how they approach answering them. There are many definitions of economics, but a broadly useful one is the study of how people, organizations, and governments make decisions under different constraints, and how those decisions may affect their outcomes. 

When answering these questions, economists seek to ground their analyses in models and to be quantitatively precise about the effects they assign to any given cause. The range of topics economists can study is wide, but the accepted approaches to answering questions are stricter. Some examples of what economists might ask: 

• How do different public housing programs affect the children who live there? 
• Does a certain type of law encourage businesses to innovate? 
• How will a change in the interest rate affect inflation and unemployment rates? 
• How much does affordable health insurance improve people’s health? 
• How can poor countries eradicate poverty? 

There are many different subfields within economics, including, but not limited to behavioral, econometrics, energy/environmental, development, financial, international, monetary, public, and urban economics. You can familiarize yourself with the latest work in economics by subscribing to working paper series, such as NBER’s New This Week or the New York Fed’s Staff Reports . To get an idea of the breadth of questions economists can answer, you could listen to Stephen Dubner’s “ Freakonomics Radio ” podcast. You may also want to explore the Journal of Economic Perspectives , the New York Fed’s Liberty Street Economics blog, VoxDev , or VoxEU .  

What Is a PhD Program Like?    

Economics PhD programs typically last five to seven years. Unlike masters programs, they are often fully funded with a stipend, though most require students to complete teaching assistant and/or research assistant (RA) work as part of their funding package. In the first two years, students take classes, many of which are mathematically demanding. The rest of the program can include additional classes but is primarily devoted to original research with the aim of producing publishable papers that will constitute the dissertation.  

Faculty advisors are a central part of PhD programs, as students look to them for guidance during the research process. Economics PhD programs are offered within university economics departments, but there are similar programs in public policy and business schools. You can look at their websites to understand any differences in coursework and subsequent job placements. 

What Can You Do with an Economics PhD?  

Upon graduation, students can obtain jobs in a variety of industries. Many PhD students hope to become university professors. Governments and public policy-related institutions such as the Federal Reserve System, the U.S. federal government, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) also hire economists to work on policy, lead programs, and conduct research. Finally, economics PhD graduates can also find employment at a variety of private sector companies, including banks, economic consulting firms, and big tech companies. The pay for these different positions can vary. According to the American Economics Association (AEA), the average starting salary for economics assistant professors in 2022-23 was approximately $140,000 at PhD granting institutions and $98,000 at BA granting institutions. 

Programs often publish the placements of their PhD graduates, so you can look online to see specific employment outcomes. See, for example, the University of Maryland’s placements . Ultimately, economists are highly regarded as authorities on a variety of topics. Governments, nonprofits, philanthropic foundations, financial institutions, and non-financial businesses all look to economists to answer important questions about how to best achieve their goals. Thus, earning an economics Ph.D. can potentially help you to influence issues that are important to you. 

Preparing for an Economics PhD Program  

There are several components to an economics PhD program application: college transcripts, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. Please download the Appendix linked below to learn more about transcripts and letters of recommendation. The Appendix details ways in which you can select coursework, obtain research experience, and develop relationships to position yourself for success as a PhD applicant.  

If you feel that you are too far along in your academic career to take enough of the classes described in the Appendix, this does not necessarily preclude you from pursuing an economics PhD. For example, it’s possible to take some of these classes through a master’s program, or through a pre-doctoral RA job. Some pre-doctoral RA jobs, such as the one here at the New York Fed , may enable you to take classes in preparation for graduate school. If you are concerned about your transcript, reach out to an economist at your university for advice; program standards for coursework and grades vary, and it’s a good idea to get more personalized advice. 

Research Experience   

If you’re interested in becoming an economics researcher and applying to PhD programs, it’s best to get research experience as soon as possible. Working as an RA is a great way to learn how to conduct research and get a better idea of whether it’s the right career path for you. Additionally, it can help you obtain a letter of recommendation for graduate school applications and improve your qualifications.  

All types of academic research can be enriching, but it’s beneficial to gain experience working directly with an economist. To find a position, you can reach out to professors whose work you find interesting or find an RA program at your school. Typical RA tasks may involve data collection and cleaning, as well as running analyses and creating charts to represent results. This is where coding skills become crucial; having taken math, statistics, and econometrics courses will also enable you to take on more responsibilities. 

You may also have the opportunity to conduct your own research, possibly under the supervision of a professor at your university. This research could be self-initiated or part of a course such as a thesis workshop. Self-directed research is a great opportunity to learn about all stages of the research process. It’s also an excellent opportunity to create a writing sample for graduate school applications. Ultimately, though, your motivation for conducting your own research project should be that you want to answer a question.  One thing economists have in common is a love of answering questions using data and theory. 

Research experience is also often obtained after completing an undergraduate or master’s degree. Taking on a full-time RA position before applying to PhD programs is very common and can make you a more competitive applicant. You may either get an RA job working for a professor or participate in a pre-doctoral RA program.  

Research assistant programs are more structured than positions with individual professors or projects, which could be helpful. Universities, parts of the government, think tanks, research organizations, and the Federal Reserve System are all good places to look for research assistant programs. To help you decide which opportunities are most desirable, you may want to ask potential employers : Where do people in this program tend to go afterward? Will I be working directly with an economist? How much of my time will be spent on academic research work? Will I be able to take classes as part of this program? Considering whether an economist will be able to evaluate your performance is an important factor for recommendation letters. The ability to take classes, either through tuition reimbursement or waivers, can also be an important benefit. 

The Research Analyst program here at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is one example of these programs and you should check it out here . The Federal Reserve Board of Governors also has a large program, and many other regional Federal Reserve Banks have similar programs. In addition, the PREDOC website and the  NBER post listings of RA opportunities. J-PAL and IPA also tend to recruit RAs for economic development projects. Another source of RA opportunities is the @econ_ra account on X. 

Who Should Get a PhD in Economics?  

A PhD may not be for everyone, but it is for anyone—people of all genders, religions, ethnicities, races, and national origins have PhDs in economics. Many economists majored in economics, but others majored in math, physics, or chemistry. Because economics is such an integral part of policymaking, it is important that economists come from a wide range of backgrounds so policy can be stronger and more effective. The inclusion of differing perspectives helps ensure that the contribution of economists to work in public policy, academia, and beyond effectively serves the broadest range of society. 

• Coursework Appendix

Kasey Chatterji-Len is a research analyst in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Research and Statistics Group.

Anna Kovner  is the director of Financial Stability Policy Research in the Bank’s Research and Statistics Group.

How to cite this post: Kasey Chatterji-Len and Anna Kovner, “Thinking of Pursuing a PhD in Economics? Info on Graduate School and Beyond,” Federal Reserve Bank of New York Liberty Street Economics , May 31, 2024, https://libertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org/2024/05/thinking-of-pursuing-a-phd-in-economics-info-on-graduate-school-and-beyond/.

You may also be interested in: AEA: Resources for Students

PREDOC: Guidance for Undergraduates

RA Positions-Not at the NBER

Disclaimer The views expressed in this post are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or the Federal Reserve System. Any errors or omissions are the responsibility of the author(s).

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