Philosophy, Politics and Economics
BA
3 years full-time
Durham City
VL52
Typical offers
A Level | A*AA |
---|---|
BTEC | D*DD |
International Baccalaureate | 38 |
Course details
Do you question what drives human actions and decisions? Are you curious about the ways in which government policies impact society? Or the ethics of global production and consumption? By combining the study of philosophy, politics and economics you’ll gain insight into the thinking behind some of the big ideas that shape contemporary society.
This prestigious degree offers you the opportunity to explore these three important disciplines – their connections, influences and impact. You’ll gain an understanding of how and why they’ve been so inextricably linked historically, and the ways in which they’ve developed and diverged over the course of the last two centuries, both in content and in method.
Using a combination of academic theory and real-world practice, you’ll examine issues such as global politics, ethics and economic growth, gaining the knowledge and skills to pursue different lines of inquiry and the confidence to question your own thinking.
The course offers the opportunity to add a placement year or spend a year abroad, increasing the degree from three years to four. This extra dimension, coupled with the variety of option modules gives the degree the flexibility and eclecticism that are its defining characteristics.
The rigorous academic framework opens the door to a wide range of career options including policy making, journalism, the financial sector, the legal profession, consultancy, education and the civil service.
While the first year provides a foundation in all three areas, the choice broadens substantially in subsequent years. Across Years 2 and 3, you’ll study a minimum of two modules for each discipline, and you can tailor the remainder of your choices from a wide selection of option modules.
Course structure
Year 1 modules
Core modules:
Principles of Economics
provides a sound foundation for modules in micro- and macroeconomics. You will cover areas including methodology of economics, supply and demand, consumer spending choices, competition and growth theories.
Economic Methods
familiarises you with the use of mathematical and statistical tools in solving economic problems. You will look at equations, matrix algebra, calculus, statistics, distribution, confidence intervals and hypothesis testing.
Ethics and Values
provides a structured introduction to moral philosophy, including applied ethics, by exploring key moral concepts and showing how they influence moral practices and theories.
Knowledge and Reality
introduces philosophical problems in epistemology (the study of knowledge), and metaphysics (the study of reality and ourselves).
Optional modules:
- Researching Politics and International Relations
- Introduction to Political Theory
- Introduction to Comparative Politics
- Introduction to International Relations
- Perspectives of Political Economy.
Year 2 modules
Core modules:
Macroeconomics, whichuses real-world examples to analyse the general equilibrium of an economy both in the short term, with a static model, and in the medium to long term, with a dynamic model.
Political Philosophy
which introduces, assesses and discusses major philosophical questions concerning politics and political life, its structures and organisations.
Microeconomics
whichaims to develop understanding of the essential components of microeconomics with a particular focus on the analytical skills relevant to consumer and production theories, general equilibrium and welfare.
Economic Theory
which develops understanding and applications of microeconomic and macroeconomic theory at an intermediate level. You will cover areas such as consumer theory, money and inflation, economic growth and fiscal policy.
The Philosophy of Economics & Politics
which introduces assesses and discusses both contemporary and historical philosophical issues at the intersection between economics and political theory.
Optional modules:
The remaining modules
are chosen from a wide selection of optional modules in politics, philosophy and economics, including modules in econometrics, political theory, international relations, historical philosophy and logical analysis.
Year 3 modules
Core modules:
Dissertation
is a detailed and critical examination of a relevant area of either philosophy, politics or economics. It develops your ability to plan and manage your own learning and provides you with an opportunity to research a specific topic and present your findings and conclusions.
Optional modules:
Plus four additional options from an extensive selection of modules across the three subject areas.
Additional Pathways
Students can apply to be transferred onto either the with Year Abroad or with Placement pathway during the second year. Places on these pathways are in high demand and if you are chosen your studies will extend from three years to four.
Accreditation
BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics will equip you with a distinct skill set that will be valuable across a range of professions. Skills such as critical thinking, independent thought and the ability to express your ideas clearly - both verbally and in writing. And with our global business connections, you’ll build world-class foundations whether you’re looking to start your career or progress to further study.
Our graduates work across a diverse range of professions including investment analysts, chartered and certified accountants, civil servants, management consultants, economic analysts, global sales and development roles and teachers. Some have set up their own businesses and others have progressed to higher level study.
Take a look at some of the roles taken up by recent graduates from the course:
- Tax Analyst at Deloitte
- Trainee Accountant at EY
- Engagement Executive at Alzheimer's Research UK
- Tax Associate at KPMG
- Policy Advisor at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
- Statistician at the Department for Work and Pensions
- Financial Analyst at Barclays
- Research Analyst at Integrum ESG
Learning
Most learning takes the form of lectures and small-group seminars, complemented by subject-specific tutorials and dedicated economics workshops. You’ll also benefit from one-to-one support and self-directed learning to develop your critical thinking skills.
We place great importance on research-led teaching. This approach integrates new and cutting-edge developments into the curriculum and introduces you to a variety of research-oriented skills and research-based projects.
We prioritise small-group teaching, with tutorials often including between eight and 20 students. The small-group teaching format and one-on-one attention from your personal academic advisor are embedded into the learning experience to enhance the quality of learning and encourage you to become an independent thinker.
As you progress to the final year there's an increased focus on self-directed learning and independent research as you begin to prepare for professional or postgraduate life.
Assessment
Modules are assessed via a combination of examinations and unseen essay questions, essays and group projects.
The range of assessment methods is designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of the material, test your critical thinking skills, enhance your written and oral communication skills, and assess your ability to relate your learning to real-world issues.
The Year 3 dissertation, which should be based around a relevant philosophy, politics or economics topic of your choice, makes up one-third of your final-year marks.
Entry requirements
A level offer – A*AA
Contextual offer – ABB
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma – D*DD and A level requirements as above.
IB Diploma score – 38 with 666 in higher level subjects, including an arts/humanities subject and Mathematics.
In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements, please note:
- We also consider other level 3 qualifications, including T-levels.
- We welcome applications from those with other qualifications equivalent to our standard entry requirements and from mature students with non-standard qualifications or who may have had a break in their study. Please contact our Admissions Selectors.
- We do not accept Advanced Higher Statistics as a substitute for AH Mathematics.
- For students taking the IB we are happy to accept either Higher Level grade 6 or Standard Level grade 7 in Mathematics. Mathematical Studies is not acceptable.
- If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take an International Foundation Year pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.
including an arts/humanities or social sciences subject and Mathematics.
B
Alternative qualifications
International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree might have the option to complete an International Foundation Year.
Fees and funding
The fees for this academic year have not been confirmed yet.
Full-Time Study
The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full-time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.
The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full-time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and will be subject to an annual inflationary increase expected to rise throughout the programme of study. The fee listed above is for the first year of the course only; fees for subsequent years will be confirmed not less than 3 months before the start of the academic year to which the increase is intended to apply and will be published on the Finance webpages.
In deciding the annual level of increase, the University will take into account inflationary pressures on the costs of delivery. Tuition fees will rise annually by up to the higher of:
- 6%, or
- the latest annual percentage increase in the Consumer Prices Index.
Part-Time Study
The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of part-time study and are charged proportionately to the Full-Time fee. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.
Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.
Scholarships
We are committed to supporting the best students irrespective of financial circumstances and are delighted to offer a range of funding opportunities.
Find Out MoreCareer opportunities
Economics
Our students graduate with subject-specific knowledge such as economic theory and data analysis, as well as the commercial awareness, IT and problem-solving skills that are highly valued by employers across the world. This combination of academic knowledge and transferable skills will open up a range of career possibilities in the economics and finance sector and beyond.
Our focus on employability stretches beyond the classroom. You will benefit from events that will give you a competitive edge in the job market. From employer talks and interview advice to business-tailored careers fairs, we work with you to achieve your goals.
Previous Economics graduates have gone on to work for global innovators and leaders in their sector including Ernst and Young, Deloitte, Lloyds Banking Group, PwC, JP Morgan and for government departments such as the National Audit Office, HMRC and the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.
Of those students who graduated in 2020-21:
- 94% in work or further study.
Of those in employment:
- 100% in highly or medium skilled employment.
- £36,470 is the average salary.
(Source: HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after graduation. Further information about the Graduate Outcomes survey can be found here www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk)
Department information
Economics
Gain constructive insights from active practitioners and researchers. Our Economics degrees close the gap between the business world and the classroom, and prepare the next generation for success across a range of disciplines.
We are part of Durham University’s Business School, one of the UK's longest established business schools. We offer an inspiring and stimulating learning environment, and consistently rank highly for the quality of our teaching, research and for graduate career prospects.
The rigorous curriculum combined with exceptional teaching prepare you to navigate the economic challenges faced by the modern world.
You will learn from leading academics across a range of economic disciplines. Many of the academic team are active practitioners and researchers who will share their skills and knowledge directly, delivering their insights to the classroom and bringing you closer to the realities of the business world. You will also benefit from lectures by guest speakers who give new perspectives on relevant topics, while case studies give you the opportunity to explore a range of contemporary economics issues. There are further opportunities for hands-on work placements and international study.
You will gain an understanding of the principles of Economics, including supply and demand, competition and growth theories while developing the skills to effectively analyse and interpret data. All our degrees can be tailored to your interests through a wide range of option modules, including the chance to study a language.
Economics degrees at Durham prepare students to become the innovative business thinkers of the future and our qualifications are highly successful in creating job opportunities.
For more information see our department pages.
Rankings
7th The Complete University Guide 2025
4th The Guardian University Guide 2025
1st The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
Staff
For a current list of staff, please see our department web pages.
Facilities
You’ll be taught across the University campus by world leading academics from the Business School. The University campus is within walking distance of the historic centre of Durham, a city with UNESCO World Heritage Status.
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VL52
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