SOAS University of London

BSc Politics, Philosophy and Economics

BSc Politics, Philosophy and Economics (2022 entry)

Select year of entry: 2022 2021

  • Structure
  • Teaching and Learning
  • Fees and funding
  • Employment
  • Apply

Overview

Overview and entry requirements

BSc Politics, Philosophy and Economics degree offers the opportunity to study three disciplines crucial for understanding, analysing and shaping the contemporary world: Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE). At SOAS, we look at these disciplines from a non-Western perspective, equipping our students with a global outlook that is valued by employers.

In the first year students will be introduced to core topics, debates and methods in each of the three disciplines, focusing on Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. A dedicated core module helps to establish relationships between the three disciplines and to develop an applied outlook. The interdisciplinary and regional approach is fostered and pursued in subsequent years, offering increased specialisation within each of the three subjects, as well as the opportunity to study one of the vast range of languages offered at SOAS.

A SOAS PPE degree will equip students with the knowledge and skills to pursue a wide range of careers in the public and private sectors at national and international levels, including in public policy, governmental or non-governmental organisations, diplomacy, data management, risk analysis, business and finance.

See Department of Politics and International Studies

Why study BSc Politics, Philosophy and Economics at SOAS

  • we’re ranked 5th in the UK for Politics (QS World University Rankings 2022)
  • as well as 3rd globally for academic reputation (QS World University Rankings 2022)
  • we have been ranked 3rd for research outputs and 7th place overall in the Theology and Religious Studies research rankings in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
  • an interdisciplinary approach throughout the three years
  • discuss core issues in politics, philosophy and economics from the perspective of Asia, Africa and the Middle East
  • students can choose to study a language in second and third years

Explore

Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings

Mode of Attendance: Full-time

Entry requirements

Featured events

Fees 2022/23

Fees for 2022/23 entrants per academic year

UK fees:
£9,250
Overseas fees:
£20,350


Please note that fees go up each year. Further details see 'Fees and funding' (tab on this page) or the Registry's undergraduate tuition fees page.

Convenors

Structure

Structure

Year 1 

Compulsory Modules 

Students will take the following 4 compulsory modules (90 credits total):

Module Code Credits Term
Introduction to Political Economy 153400154 30 Full Year
Economic Principles (Macro) 155901494 15 Term 2
Economic Principles (Micro) 155901495 15 Term 1
Introduction to Political Analysis 153400086 30 Full Year
Essay Writing Workshop - Undergraduate Economics 153400146 0 Term 1

AND 

Guided Options 

Choose modules from List A below to the value of 30 credits.

List A
Module Code Credits Term
Metaphysics in Comparative Perspective 158000198 15 Term 2
Debates, Methods and Themes in World Philosophies 158000209 15 Term 1
Introduction to Epistemology 158000210 15 Term 2
World Philosophies in Context 158000211 15 Term 1

Year 2

Students will take "Philosophy of Interpretation and Understanding" plus 30 credits from each Lists B, C and D. They also have the option of taking a language (30 credits).

Module Code Credits Term
Philosophies of Interpretation and Understanding 158000135 30 Full Year
List B
Module Code Credits Term
Macroeconomic Analysis 153400123 30 Full Year
Banking and Finance 155901493 15 Term 1
International Trade and Investment 155901498 15 Term 2
Global Financial Markets 155901499 15 Term 2
Development Economics 155901501 15 Term 1
List C 
Module Code Credits Term
Philosophies of Language 158000196 15 Term 1
Islam: Religion and Rationality 158000189 15 Term 2
R451 Jewish Identity from Ancient to Modern Times 158000168 15 Term 2
Ancient and Medieval Indian Philosophy 158000098 15 Term 1
African Philosophy 155901397 15 Term 1
Indian Buddhist Philosophy 154800308 15 Term 1
List D 
Module Code Credits Term
Politics of Nationalism 153400057 15 Term 1
Government and Politics of the Middle East 153400060 30 Full Year
The State and Politics in Africa 153400064 15 Term 1
Government and Politics of China 153400071 30 Full Year
War and the International 153400167 15 Term 1
Politics of South Asia Beyond India 158000214 15 Term 1
Democracy and Authoritarianism in India 158000215 15 Term 2

Year 3 

Students will take "Research Project in Politics, Philosophies, and Economics", "Global Economic Policy", 15 credits from List E and 30 credits from each List F and List G.

They also have the option of taking a language (30 credits).

Module Code Credits Term
Global Economic Policy 153400141 15 Term 1
List E
Module Code Credits Term
Economic development in the Asia Pacific region 153400133 15 Term 2
Political Economy of Development and Change in the Middle East 153400142 15 Term 1
China and World Development 153401003 15 Term 1
Economic development of Africa (UG) 153401016 15 Term 2
List F 
Module Code Credits Term
Japanese Buddhist Thought 154800315 15 Term 2
Islamic Philosophy 155901338 15 Term 2
R472 Classical Chinese Thought 158000103 15 Term 1
Modern Jewish Thought 158000178 15 Full Year
Modern Indian Philosophy 158000192 30 Full Year
Philosophies of Language 158000196 15 Term 1
List G 
Module Code Credits Term
Globalisation and Global Governance 153400070 15 Term 2
Politics of Gender 153400074 15 Term 2
Palestine/Israel and the International 153400087 15 Term 2
Going Global: An Introduction to International Migration 153400088 15 Term 2
Environment and Climate Crisis 153400150 15 Term 2
Conflict, Rights and Justice 153402006 15 Term 1

Important notice

The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. If you are a current student you can find structure information on the previous year link at the top of the page or through your Department. Please read the important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.

Teaching and Learning

Teaching & Learning

Teaching and learning take various forms appropriate for different disciplines and topics covered in the PPE programme. Some of our modules are taught through a combination of lectures and tutorials with lectures providing broad overviews of the topic, and tutorials giving students the opportunity to discuss readings and key issues in small groups.

Contact hours

In the final year, modules may also take the form of two-hour seminars allowing for deeper engagement with more specialised topics, while others combine innovative use of audio-visual materials, practical exercises, group discussions and conventional lecturing

The programme provides methodological and skills training throughout and allows final year students to undertake an independent research project supervised by an academic member of staff from one of the three disciplines. Upon completion, students will have acquired a range of transferable skills beyond the subject matter. These skills include the ability to collect and synthesise information, read and evaluate complex materials, assess evidence, construct arguments and communicate effectively.

In addition, a lively events programme with prominent speakers from academia and the policy world allows students to engage with cutting edge debates on contemporary politics beyond the classroom.

Learning resources

SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.

Fees and funding

Employment

Employment

SOAS Politics and International Relations students leave SOAS not only with a knowledge and understanding of the complex political and cultural issues of our time, but also with a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek in many professional and management careers.

Recent graduates from the Department of Politics and International Studies have been hired by:

  • BBC World Service
  • Bloomberg
  • British Red Cross
  • British Council
  • Center for International Peace Operations
  • Channel 4
  • Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA)
  • Department for International Development (DfID)
  • Eversheds LLP
  • Financial Times
  • Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO)
  • Global Policy Institute
  • Go East Consulting
  • Grassroot Diplomat
  • Palestine Red Crescent Association
  • Save the Children
  • UNICEF Ethiopia
  • United Nations

Find out about our Careers Service. 

A Student's Perspective

With some of the West’s leading experts on Taiwan’s political economy, SOAS was the ideal place for me to study cross-Strait relations

Daniel Mojahedi

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