Program Overview
The University of Reading's Philosophy, Politics, and Economics program combines perspectives from three disciplines, empowering students with analytical and ethical problem-solving skills to tackle complex global issues. With optional modules, students tailor their studies to areas of interest, leading to career opportunities in diverse fields such as civil service, finance, journalism, and research.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Explore and analyze contemporary issues and complex dynamics in today's world using three disciplinary perspectives on our BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) degree. PPE at the University of Reading equips you with a wide range of key and complementary skills from the fields of Philosophy, Politics and Economics. This will enable you to critically assess and address some of the world's most pressing problems from a theoretical, practical, and ethical point of view. You will be a member of three departments meaning you will receive support from each and benefit from optional modules which enable you to specialize in areas that interest you the most. During your first year you'll develop a strong grounding in philosophy, politics and economics and have the flexibility to continue with all three subjects in your second and final years or focus on two.
Outline:
Year 1
- Compulsory modules:
- Reason and Argument
- Principles of Economics 1
- Principles of Economics 2
- Politics of Climate Change
- Introduction to Political Ideas
- Optional modules:
- Radical Philosophy
- Global Justice
- Philosophical Skills for Life
Year 2
- Compulsory modules:
- Intermediate Microeconomics
- Intermediate Macroeconomics
- Study of Politics
- Optional modules:
- Ethical Argument
- Oppression, Inequality, and the Enemies of Democracy
- Meaning and the Mind
- Global Philosophies
- Aesthetics
- Philosophy through the Ages: The Minds that Shaped our World
- Ignorance, Doubt, and Relativism
- Comparative Government and Politics
- Global Order
- Political Thinking
- American Government and Politics
- Politics Classics
- The Media and Politics
- British Government and Politics
- War, Peace and International Ethics
Year 3
- Compulsory modules:
- Dissertation in Philosophy
- OR
- Independent Learning Module
- OR
- Dissertation in Politics
- OR
- Dissertation in Politics (mini)
- Optional modules:
- Free Will and Responsibility
- Philosophy of Language: Animals, Babies, Colours, and Language Death
- Public Economics
- Environmental Economics
- Behavioural Economics
- Industrial Organisation
- Financial Economics
- International Economics
- Development Economics
- Money and Banking
- Karl Marx
- Risk
- Politics and International Relations of the Middle East
- International Political Economy
- Feminism and Political Theory
- Democracy, Division and Disagreement
- Paradoxes
- Metaphysics
- Philosophy of Religion
- Early Chinese Philosophy
- Current Moral Philosophy
- Fairness
- Business Ethics and Social Responsibility
- Society and State in Ancient Greece
- The Scandal of Film
- Hume and Wittgenstein
- Speech Attacks: Bullshit, Lies, Propaganda
- Global Justice
Careers:
Studying PPE at Reading will open many career doors for you. Past students have put their political analysis skills to direct use in the home and European civil services, political research units, think tanks, non-governmental organisations and journalism. Other graduates have found employment in the civil service, journalism, consultancy, finance, local and central government, and previous employers have included the Ministry of Defence, Cambridge University Press, local authorities and other universities. Some graduates choose to continue their studies at postgraduate level, or through conversion courses and teacher training.
Other:
- Placements provide you with a chance to put your newly acquired knowledge and skills into practice as well as allowing you to gain valuable real-world experience. You can convert to a 4-year PPE with a placement degree course in your first year.
- You can undertake a placement at any point in your degree and work in a company or charity relevant to your final year studies.
- In Politics, you can undertake a two-week placement as part of our module on British Government and Politics giving you the opportunity to gain first-hand experience working with an MP, charity, pressure group, local councillor or media organisation.
- Other students have chosen to study abroad for one term in their second or final year. Partner institutions include universities in Europe, the USA, Canada, Japan or Australia.
- New UK/Republic of Ireland students:
- £9,250
- New international students: £22,350
- UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.
- EU student fees With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.
- Additional costs Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs.
- Financial support for your studies You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs.
