Department of Politics and International Studies, Department of Economics & Department of Religions and Philosophies

BSc Politics, Philosophy and Economics

Key information

Duration
3 years
Start of programme
September
Attendance mode
Full-time
Location
Russell Square, College Buildings
Fees

Home student fees: £9,250
Overseas student fees: £21,990

Please note that fees go up each year. 
See undergraduate fees for further details.

Course code
UGSF0581
Entry requirements

A Levels: AAB

Contextualised offer: ABB

Austria: Reifeprufungszeugnis / Maturazeugnis: four subjects at 1, 1, 2, 2 

A Level equivalent: AAB 
Contextualised offer: ABB

 

Belgium: Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs: 80% (8/10, 16/20) overall

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

Information for prospective students from Belgium

 

Bulgaria: Diploma za Zavarsheno Sredno Obrazovanie: 5.5 and 5.0 in two State Maturity Exams

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

Information for prospective students from Bulgaria

Canada: High School Diploma: 83% with 5 acceptable Grade 12 subjects (most territories). 
British Colombia: AAABB in Grade 12 subjects.

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

Information for prospective students from Canada

 

China: Senior Secondary Graduation Certificate + Gaokao: 80% overall in Gaokao PLUS 85% overall in Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate (year 11 and 12)

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

Information for prospective students from China

 

Croatia: Matura Certificate: 5 overall with 5 in 2 Higher level subjects

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

 

Cyprus: Apolytirion with 2 A-Levels: Apolytirion 18/20 + A-level grades AB

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

 

Czech Republic: Matura Certificate: 1, 1, 2, 2

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

 

Denmark: Studentereksamen; Hojere Forberedelseseksamen; Hojere Handelseksamen; Hojere Teknisk Eksamen10 plus 10, 10, 7 in three Level A subjects 

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

Information for prospective students from Denmark

 

Estonia: Gümnaasiumi lõputunnistus with the Riigieksamitunnistus4.5 with 85%, 85%, and 80% in 3 state exams 

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

 

Finland: Ylioppilastukint / Studentexamen: four subjects at 6, 6, 6, 5

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

 

France: French Baccalaureat or Option Internationale du Baccalauréat (OIB): 14/20

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

Information for prospective students from France

 

Germany: Abitur: 1.6

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

Information for prospective students from Germany

 

Greece: Apolytirion of Geniko Lykeio with Pan Hellenic exams: 18.5/20

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

Information for prospective students from Greece

 

Hong Kong: Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education: 554 in two electives and one core module (all other subjects grade 3)

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

Information for prospective students from Hong Kong

 

Hungary: Matura (Erettségi): 5 overall

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

 

Iceland: Stúdentspróf: 8

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

 

India: Standard XII: 80% (CBSE, CISCE, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra & West Bengal boards), 85% (all other state boards)

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

Information for prospective students from India

 

Ireland: Irish Leaving Certificate: H1, H1, H2, H2, H3

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

 

Israel: Bagrut: Overall grade of 8-10, 85% with 3 subjects at 5-unit level

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

Information for prospective students from Israel

 

Italy: Diploma Consequito con L’Esame di Stato: 85% overall

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

Information for prospective students from Italy

 

Latvia: Certificate of General Secondary Education: 88% in four State subject exams

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

 

Lithuania: Brandos Atestatas: 9/10 and 90%, 90%, 85% in three State Exams

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

Information for prospective students from Lithuania

 

Malta: Advanced Matriculation Certificate: AA (Advanced) + BBB (Intermediate)

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

 

Netherlands: Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs: Overall 7.5 with 8, 8, 8, 7 in four subjects

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

 

Norway: Vitnemål vidergaende opplaering: 4.7 overall

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

Information for prospective students from Norway

 

Poland: New Polish Matura: 80% in three Advanced Level subjects

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

Information for prospective students from Poland

 

Portugal: Diploma de Ensino Secundario: overall 18/20

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

 

Romania: Diploma de Bacalaureat: 9 overall

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

Information for prospective students from Romania

 

Singapore: Polytechnic Diploma (Nanyang, Ngee Ann, Singapore, Temasek and Republic Polytechnic): GPA 3.5

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

Information for prospective students from Singapore

 

Slovakia: Maturitná skúška / Maturita / Vysvedčenie o maturitnej skúške: four subjects at 1, 1, 2, 2

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

 

South Africa: National Senior Certificate: 77766

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

Information for prospective students from South Africa

 

Spain: Curso de Orientación Universitaria / Título de Bachillerato: 8

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

Information for prospective students from Spain

 

Sweden: Slutbetyg / Examensbevis från Gymnasieskolan: A in 1500 credits and no grades below D / 18.5 / mainly A overall (MVG/VG)

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

Information for prospective students from Sweden

Switzerland: Federal Maturity Certificate: 4.7

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

Information for prospective students from Switzerland

Tanzania: Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education: ACSE with AAB in 3 principle subjects

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

Information for prospective students from Tanzania

Trinidad and Tobago: CAPE: Six CAPE units with grade 2 (+two double-unit courses = grade 2)

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

Turkey: Lise Diplomasi: 80-85% (depending on high school)

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

Information for prospective students from Turkey

USA: High School Diploma plus ACT, SAT, or AP exams:

  • High School Diploma GPA 3.2 plus SAT 1300 or ACT 29 and 2 AP's at 5,4/ 3 AP's at 5,4,4
    or
  • High School Diploma GPA of 3.4 plus 2 AP's at 5,4 or 3 AP's at 5,4,4
    or
  • High School Diploma GPA of 3.5 plus SAT 1340 or ACT 30
    or
  • 2-year Associate degree GPA 3.2

A Level equivalent: AAB
Contextualised offer: ABB

Information for prospective students from the USA

See undergraduate entry requirements and English language requirements for international and alternative entry requirements.

Course overview

The BSc Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) programme at SOAS offers you the rich and exciting opportunity to study three disciplines crucial for understanding, analysing and shaping the contemporary world: Politics, Philosophy and Economics.

Moreover, unlike other PPE degrees, the SOAS programme offers a rigorous and balanced focus in each discipline area across the three years of study.

At SOAS, we look at politics, philosophy, and economics from a decolonial and global perspective, equipping our students with a robust cosmopolitan outlook that is highly valued by employers. In the programme, you will be introduced to core topics, debates and methods in each of the three disciplines, focusing on Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Our uniquely interdisciplinary and cross-cultural approach offers 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 you 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.

Why study BSc Politics, Philosophy and Economics at SOAS?

  • Politics and International Studies is ranked 5th in the UK and 17th worldwide for Politics (QS World University Rankings 2023)
  • SOAS is ranked 27th in UK for Economics (QS World University Rankings 2023)
  • In the 2023 NSS, BA World Philosophies scored above sector in the following categories: teaching quality (92%, >3%), learning opportunities (84%, >4%), academic support (91%, 4%), student voice (72%, >1%)
  • We offer a state-of-art decolonial philosophy curricula, which is further enhanced by research-led teaching and by critical pedagogical practices designed to enhance students’ digital literacy, cultural sensibilities, and ability to challenge the status quo and become agents for transformative progressive change.
  • You will be exposed to the innovative work and seminar series of the SOAS Centre for Global and Comparative Philosophies.
  • Students can choose to study an African, or Asian, or Middle Eastern language in Second Year and in Final Year.

I

Structure

Important notice

The information on the website reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. The modules are indicative options of the content students can expect and are/have been previously taught as part of these programmes.

However, this information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. 

Year 1 

Compulsory modules 

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

 

Guided optional modules

List A

Students will take modules to the value of 30 credits from the list below

Year 2

Credits must be taken in the following combination:
⦁    Philosophy of Interpretation and Understanding (158000135) (30 credits) 
⦁    Maximum of 30 credits from each of list B, C and D
⦁    Maximum of 30 credits of language options instead of 30 credits from list B, C or D

Year 3 

Credits must be taken in the following combination; 
⦁    Research Project in Politics, Philosophies and Economics (155901505) (30 credits) 
⦁    Global Economic Policy (153400141) (15 credits) 
⦁    15 credits from list E
⦁    Maximum of 30 credits from list F
⦁    Maximum of 30 credits from list G
⦁    Maximum of 30 credits of language options instead of 30 credits from list E, F or G

Teaching and 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

Fees for 2023/24 entrants per academic year

ProgrammeFull-time
Home studentsOverseas students
BA, BSc, LLB£9,250£21,160
BA/BSc Language year abroad£1,385£10,580

Please note that fees go up each year. See undergraduate fees for further details.

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 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

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