Explore the ideals that underpin governments and the clash of convictions that drives political unrest
Year of entry: 2022/23
VL52
Y50
3 years full-time (plus optional placement year)
AAA (full entry requirements)
September 2022(term dates)
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Discover YorkLearn about the foundations of thought and political theory from internationally respected experts. 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.
It's difficult to overemphasise the Club's role in developing a unique sense of friendship and community.Marat, BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics
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.
We combine intellectual rigour with a friendly and inclusive atmosphere. You will automatically become a member of our vibrant, student-run Club of PEP.
We're proud to announce that we've been shortlisted for two prestigious University of the Year awards.
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 through our interdisciplinary module Ethics and Public Policy.
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.
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 equally between Politics and Philosophy.
You will take core modules which may include:
You may choose one optional module, examples currently include:
You may choose two optional modules, examples currently include:
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:
In your second year you'll take a variety of modules for Philosophy and Politics, with the remainder from either subject.
You may choose between two and four Key Ideas modules. Current options include:
You may choose up to four short Key Ideas modules. Current options include:
You may choose:
Current modules include:
Political Theory group
The State and Political Institutions group
International Politics group
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.
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 may take an interdisciplinary module, which could include:
You will take option modules which may include:
You'll have the option to choose at least two politics modules. Current choices include:
You'll have the option to choose at least two philosophy modules. Current choices include:
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.
The fees and funding figures below are for 2022/23 entry. If you take a placement year - for example a year abroad or a year in industry - you'll pay a reduced rate of fees for that year
| UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|
| £9,250 | £19,600 |
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
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.
| Type | Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| Textbooks | Optional additional expense | £40 |
| Printing, photocopying and dissertation binding | Optional additional expense | £20 |
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2022/23 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 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.
In your first year, you can expect:
| Lectures | 8 hours per week |
|---|---|
| Seminars | 4-5 hours per week |
| Workshops | 0-2 hours per week |
| Practicals | 0-2 hours per week |
These figures are based on an average student in an average week. Your contact hours will vary throughout the year due to your module choices, non-compulsory classes, exam periods and changes to scheduled activities. Our course structures are changing in September 2023. Find out more about how this course may be affected.
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 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.
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.
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 | 48% | 48% | 0% |
| Coursework | 39% | 52% | 100% |
| Practical exams | 13% | 0% | 0% |
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.
Regardless of which course you take within the School of PPE, there is such a great variety of module choices. This increases as you progress so you’ll be able to study what you’re really interested in.Cerys, BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics
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.
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| A levels | AAA |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | 39 credits at Distinction and 6 at Merit or higher |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | DDD |
| European Baccalaureate | 85% overall |
| International Baccalaureate | 36 points. |
| 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: Next Step York, Realising Opportunities. 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. |
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 | 110 overall, with a minimum of 100 in each component |
| GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) | Grade C |
| LanguageCert International ESOL SELT | B2 Communicator High Pass with a minimum score of 33/50 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.
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.
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