Skip to content Accessibility statement
Home>Study at York>Undergraduate>Courses 2024/25>Philosophy and Politics (BA)

BA (Hons) Philosophy and Politics

Explore the ideals that underpin governments and the clash of convictions that drives political unrest

Year of entry: 2024/25

UCAS code

VL52

Institution code

Y50

Length

3 years full-time (plus optional placement year)

Typical offer

AAB (full entry requirements)

Start date

September 2024 (semester dates)

UK (home) fees

£9,250 per year

International and EU fees

£23,700 per year

Meet us

Be the first to know about updates and events by signing up for emails.

Discover York

Learn about the foundations of thought and political theory, build the understanding and analytical skills valued by top employers and prepare to shape the world.

Studying Philosophy and Politics you'll develop an understanding not only of political theory but of the ancient and modern philosophical debates that drive political ideals. What is freedom, without the power to act? By what right do our rulers govern? What makes a society good and is ethical governance even possible?

You'll learn with a diverse and international student body and with opportunities to study abroad you can develop a truly global perspective. Our active Club of Politics, Economics and Philosophy (PEP) encourages debate beyond the classroom, and employers value the skills you will develop in thinking across boundaries and engaging critically with a range of material.

Watch video on YouTube
Studying in the School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University of York

13th in the UK

for Politics, according to the Times Good University Guide 2023

Flexibility

With degrees in PPE, Economics and Philosophy, Economics and Politics, and Philosophy and Politics you can choose the right degree to develop your strength across these interconnected disciplines.

9th in the UK

for Philosophy, according to the Times Good University Guide 2023

Course content

The Economics and Philosophy degree programme aims to train students to combine different disciplinary perspectives in an instructive way. You'll benefit from a solid grounding in the core subjects of Philosophy and Politics and build an understanding of the connections between these subjects

You'll choose from a large range of option modules that will help you tailor the course to your own interests so that you can develop your strengths in your second and third years.

You also have the option of taking the Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) dissertation - an independent piece of work in which you'll be able to apply the analytical skills you have developed across these disciplines. 

Course transfer within PPE

It is reasonably easy to transfer between the courses in the School of PPE, subject to space being available on the course you want to move to and providing you have the required qualifications. It is relatively easy to change within the first few weeks of the first year. After this, you may have to wait until the start of the second year, and at that point you can move only into a course for which you have taken the relevant first year introductory modules.

Study abroad

There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:

Placement year

The university-wide placement scheme gives you the chance to work for a year as part of your degree to prepare you for the world of work. Previous placements have included GlaxoSmithKline, HSBC, British Airways, DAI and Lloyds Bank.

Year 1

Your first year will be split equally between Politics and Philosophy. 

Core modules

Option modules

You will study four option modules - Two from Philosophy, and two from Politics:

Philosophy

Politics

The options available to you will be confirmed later in the year. For further information please get in touch.

Academic integrity module

In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.

Year 3

In your third year, you will be able to select a variety of topics from Philosophy and Politics - or even elective modules from other departments.

Dissertation

You may choose the PPE dissertation of 4,000-5,000 words as one of your option modules. You’ll receive one-to-one support from a supervisor. 

Examples of previous dissertation titles include:

  • How Can Liberal Democracy Contain Populism?: A Pragmatist Critique of Liberal Responses To Contemporary Populism
  • Personal and social morality in Hume’s political theory: Are the artificial virtues ‘real’ virtues?
  • The Impact of Foreign Aid on Poverty Rates

Core modules

Option modules

You will study up to five option modules. Two from Politics, two from Philosophy, and one of your choice. In previous years, option modules have included:

Politics

Philosophy

The options available to you will be confirmed later in the year. For further information please get in touch.

 

Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.

Learning by design

Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.

Students who complete this course will be able to:

  • Understand and explain key problems, issues, and debates across a wide range of areas of philosophy and politics—including some at the forefront of contemporary work - and communicate complex and difficult ideas in clear, precise, and accessible terms in a variety of formats.
  • Apply theories, concepts and methods to political and philosophical phenomena, showing reflexive disciplinary understanding and using cross-disciplinary relations when appropriate.
  • Develop and articulate systematic, logical arguments for and against alternative solutions considered in relation to a particular problem, subjecting key concepts and principles to critical scrutiny.
  • Communicate issues, methods and results as we find them in philosophy and politics in a clear and accessible manner showing disciplinary understanding and drawing cross-disciplinary relations when appropriate.
  • Critically engage with, and, when necessary, synthesise academic and professional research in both disciplines, thereby becoming a versatile and multi-skilled analyst.
  • Use interdisciplinary thinking to reflect upon and engage with complex contemporary issues arising in modern societies by drawing on the complementary set of skills developed in both disciplines.
  • Improve academic and personal performance by developing initiative, self-organisation and time management skills, as well as the ability to assimilate advice and feedback in individual or collaborative work.
  • Demonstrate intercultural awareness and a reflective approach to differing visions of the public good in light of the values of tolerance and inclusivity.

Fees and funding

Annual tuition fees

UK (home) International and EU
£9,250 £23,700

UK (home) or international fees?

The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.

Fees for subsequent years

  • UK (home) fees may increase within the government fee cap in subsequent academic years. We will notify you of any increase as soon as we can.
  • International fees are subject to increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).

More information

For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.

Additional costs

There are no mandatory additional fees, but we do recommend that you set aside some money for photocopying. Course books will be available from the Library and online reading packs are available for most modules, but you may wish to buy your own copies. 

Funding

We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2024/25 throughout the year.

Living costs

You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.

Teaching Excellence Framework Gold Award

Gold-standard education

Our teaching, learning and student experience is outstanding, recognised by a Gold rating from the Office for Students in the 2023 national assessment (Teaching Excellence Framework).

Why we’re gold-rated

Teaching and assessment

You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.

Teaching format

We teach in two main ways: seminars and lectures. The main focus of your coursework will be in seminar groups, normally of 10-15 students. In seminars you will produce and discuss your own work, under the guidance of a module tutor. Seminars are normally accompanied by lectures, attended by all of the students taking the module.

In the first year, you will take introductory modules alongside students from a wide range of degree courses. In the second and third year modules and lectures are smaller - often with as few as 20 students.

Timetabled activities

In your first year, you can expect:

Lectures8 hours per week
Seminars4-5 hours per week
Workshops0-2 hours per week
Practicals0-2 hours per week

These figures are representative of a typical week. Your contact hours will vary throughout the year due to your module choices, non-compulsory classes, exam periods and changes to scheduled activities.

Outside your timetabled hours, you'll study independently. This may include preparation for classes, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.

In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.

Teaching location

The School of Politics, Economics and Philosophy is located in Derwent College, on Campus West. Teaching on this course takes place at various locations across Campus West including Derwent, the Physics and Electronics building and the newly opened Spring Lane Building.

About our campus

Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour.

Assessment and feedback

The majority of your assessments will be either unseen examination papers or essays, which will vary depending on the department running the module.

Assessments occur throughout the three years of study, usually at the end of a semester.

A student in a seminar
Students in a lecture

Careers and skills

The interdisciplinary nature of Economics and Philosophy provides transferable skills that are highly sought after by employers. With our diverse student body and opportunities for internships and study abroad you'll be prepared to enter the global marketplace.

The Club of PEP also provides a platform for students to meet with experts and and industry insiders through their careers branch, YorkWorks.

Career opportunities

  • Central and local government
  • Private industry
  • Creative arts and media
  • Teaching
  • Social work
  • Law
  • Journalism
  • Accountancy
  • Banking
  • Publishing

Transferable skills

  • Analytical and problem solving skills
  • Debating and clear expression of ideas
  • Development and structuring of arguments
  • Processing information
  • Time management
  • Working collaboratively in a diverse environment
  • Working and learning independently

Entry requirements

Typical offer
A levels

AAB

Access to Higher Education Diploma 36 credits at Distinction and 9 credits at Merit or higher
BTEC National Extended Diploma DDD
Cambridge Pre-U D3, D3, M2
European Baccalaureate 80% overall
International Baccalaureate 35 points
T levels We will consider a range of T Level qualifications for entry. Please visit our dedicated T Levels page for a full list of accepted T Levels.
Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers Scottish Highers - AABBB

Advanced Highers - not required for entry

We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications.
International foundation programme Foundation Certificate from our International Pathway College or an appropriate alternative.
Other qualifications We welcome applications from mature students (ie those aged over 21), and usually admit a number each year. In all cases we look for evidence of ability, interest and commitment, but we may not require specific formal qualifications. In most cases, we prefer to interview mature candidates before offering them a place.
Other international qualifications Equivalent qualifications from your country

Alternative offers

Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.

Criteria Adjustment
Widening participation If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to three A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities, YESS, YorWay to York. More about widening participation.
Contextual offers If you have experience of local authority care or live in an area with low progression to university, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer. More about contextual offers.
EPQ If you achieve C or higher at EPQ, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer.

English language

If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:

Minimum requirement
IELTS (Academic) 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
Cambridge CEFR 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component
Oxford ELLT 7, with a minimum of 6 in each component
Duolingo 120, minimum 105 in each component
GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) Grade C / Grade 4
LanguageCert SELT B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component
LanguageCert Academic B2 Communicator with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component
KITE 459 Main Flight score with 426 in each component
Skills for English B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component
PTE Academic 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component
TOEFL 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component
Trinity ISE III Merit in all components

For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.

If you haven't met our English language requirements

You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.

The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.

After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.

Applying

To apply to York, you will need to complete an online application via UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).

Next steps

Contact us

Get in touch if you have any questions

Dr Sara Van Goozen

Learn more

School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Discover York

Accommodation

We offer a range of campus accommodation to suit you and your budget, from economy to premium.

Student life

Explore campus and city life and hear what our current students have to say about living here.

The city

Lively, full of culture and beautiful, York is regularly voted one of the best places to live and visit in the UK.

Meet us

Find out more about York. Chat to staff and students and take the tour, on campus or online.