Philosophy, Politics and Economics

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.

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.

Indicative courses

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Assessment

: All three branches of PPE are studied:

• Philosophy
  • General philosophy
  • Moral philosophy
  • Elementary logic
• Politics
  • The theory of politics (introductory political theory)
  • The practice of politics (introductory comparative government and politics)
  • Political analysis (introductory empirical and quantitative methods)
• Economics
  • Microeconomics: the functioning of the market economy
  • Macroeconomics: dealing with national output and employment, exchange rates and policy issues
  • Mathematical and statistical techniques used in economics

First University examinations: three written papers

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