Hone your analytical skills on the complex intersection of economics, human nature and our place in the world
Year of entry: 2023/24
LV15
Y50
3 years full-time
AAB (full entry requirements)
September 2023(semester dates)
Explore the ethical implications of financial decisions and train your mind as you question the fundamental principles that underpin society.
Economic forces affect every aspect of our lives, from the price of coffee to our structures of our government. Study these pressures under the guidance of world-class researchers and analyse the philosophical implications of economic theory. Who bears the burden of financial stability? Can great wealth ever be ethical? Is it permissible to weigh the poverty of some against the greater happiness of the whole?
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. The skills you will develop in thinking across boundaries and engaging critically with a range of material are highly valued by employers.
As one of the first Schools to offer a Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) degree, we have established a strong reputation around the world.
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.
You'll benefit from a solid grounding in the core subjects of Economics and Philosophy and build an understanding of the connections between these subjects through our interdisciplinary module Rationality, Morality and Economics.
You'll choose from a large range of option modules that will help you tailor the course to your own interests, meaning 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 extended piece of work in which you'll be able to apply the analytical skills you have developed across these disciplines.
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.
There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:
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.
Your first year will be split between Economics and Philosophy.
The economics modules will provide you with modules focusing on the mathematical and statistical skills necessary for advanced study of the discipline. In philosophy you will take modules that introduce you to the methods of thinking and writing that underpin philosophy, central areas of philosophical study and key figures and works from the history of philosophy.
You will also take five option modules. Examples from previous years have included:
Philosophy
Economics
The options available to you will be confirmed later in the year. For further information please get in touch.
In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.
This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.
This module will:
Your second year will also be split equally between Economics and Philosophy.
You will take core modules which may include:
You will also take three option modules. Examples from previous years have included:
Economics
Philosophy
The options available to you will be confirmed later in the year. For further information please get in touch.
In your final year you will be required to take one module in Economics and Philosophy. Beyond this, you are free to choose modules from either discipline - or even elective modules from other departments.
You may choose the PPE dissertation as one of your option modules. This is supervised over all three terms and assessed in the Summer Term.
Examples of previous dissertation titles include:
You will also take five option modules. Examples from previous years have included:
PPE
Economics
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.
Our course structures are changing in September 2023. Find out more about how this course may be affected.
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.
| UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|
| £9,250 | £21,950 |
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.
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.
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.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2023/24 throughout the year.
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.
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.
We teach in two main ways: seminars and lectures. The main focus of your coursework will be conducted 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, lectures are smaller - often with as few as 20 students.
In your first year, you can expect:
| Lectures | 8 hours per week |
|---|---|
| Seminars | 3-4 hours per week |
| Workshops | 0-2 hours per week |
| Practicals | 0-2 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 term time. 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.
The School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics is located in Derwent College, on Campus West. Teaching on this course takes place at various locations across Campus West including the Physics and Electronics Building and the newly opened Spring Lane Building.
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 campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
The majority of your assessments will be either unseen examination papers or essays, which will vary depending on the department running the module. Most Economics modules for example are assessed by exams, but in Philosophy there is more of a mixture of exams and essays.
Assessments occur throughout the three years of study, usually in the term immediately after the module has been taken. There are three assessment periods during the academic year: Week 1 of the Spring Term, Week 1 of the Summer Term and Weeks 5 to 8 of the Summer Term.
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exams | 83% | 63% | 83% |
| Coursework | 17% | 37% | 17% |
The figures above are based on data from 2016/17. Our course structures are changing in September 2023. Find out more about how this course may be affected.
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 well prepared to enter the global marketplace.
The Club of PEP also provides a platform for students to meet with experts and industry insiders through their careers branch, YorkWorks.
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| A levels | AAB including Mathematics |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | 36 credits at Distinction and 9 credits at Merit or higher plus Level 3 units in Mathematics or in conjunction with an alternative Level 3 Mathematics qualification |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | DDD including Mathematics or in conjunction with an acceptable alternative Level 3 Mathematics qualification |
| Cambridge Pre-U | D3, D3, M2 including Mathematics |
| European Baccalaureate | 80% overall including 80% in Mathematics |
| International Baccalaureate | 35 points, including 6 in Higher level in Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations). |
| T levels | We are currently not accepting T Levels for this course unless an additional A Level (or equivalent qualification) in Mathematics has been taken. |
| 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 |
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 A or higher at EPQ, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. |
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 and Indicator) | 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component |
| C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency | 176, with a minimum of 169 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 |
| PTE Academic/PTE Academic Online | 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.
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.
Get in touch if you have any questions
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