Politics, Philosophy and Economics BA
Understand the ideas and theories which shape our world. Politics, philosophy and economics are closely linked. Together they give you the analytical skills you need to evaluate the impact of government policies and understand the world around you.
-
A Levels
AAA -
UCAS code
L200 -
Duration
3 years -
Start date
September
- Course fee
- Funding available
- Optional placement year
- Study abroad
Explore this course:
Course description
Why study this course?
Access to a wide variety of optional modules across all three disciplines.
Summer and year-long work placement opportunities give you a chance to see how politics, philosophy and economics can shape a career.
Our team and our network will bring current research into the classroom, and bring your learning to life.
Follow the ideas that intrinsically link these three subjects, learn how politics, philosophy and economics mould our societies and develop the analytical skills to understand how they influence current events.
This combined degree is distinguished by our expert teaching team at Sheffield, who bring together the many layers and perspectives of three subjects into one coherent course.
Our subjects cover modules as diverse as metaphysics, Chinese politics and digital storytelling. With options to spend a year abroad or complete year-long or summer work placements, you will graduate from this degree course ready to play a role in shaping the future.
Thanks to our wide variety of partnerships with employers in Sheffield and across the country you’ll have the opportunity to gain valuable employment experience – working for governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other third sector employers focused on public policy.
After completing your dissertation, you’ll graduate with the broad experience and specialist knowledge you need to find the career of your choice.
Modules
Modules are subject to availability and specific combinations may be limited due to capacity and timetabling. Should this arise, we will provide you with support and guidance to find alternatives.
UCAS code: L200
Years: 2026
Core modules:
- Principles in Politics, Philosophy and Economics
- Foundations of Economics Analysis and Policy
- Thinking Politically: Key Concepts
- Ethics and Society
Optional modules:
- Religion, Reason and Reality
- Reason and Argument
- Death and Killing
- Bodies, Desire and Sex
- Writing Philosophy
- Science, Medicine and Society
- History of Philosophy
- Planet Politics
- Western Political Thought
- Race and Racism in World Politics
- British Politics
- Comparative Politics
- Gender Politics
- Global Political Economy
- Economic History of Britain and the Modern World
- Classic and Contemporary Thinkers in Economics
- Mathematical Methods for Economics
In your second year, you’ll continue to build your foundational knowledge of Politics, Philosophy and Economics, looking in depth at materials and further developing your skills.
Example core modules:
- Political Theory in Practice
- Political Philosophy
- Statistics and Econometrics
- Case Studies in Politics, Philosophy and Economics
You’ll also have the opportunity to develop more critical and in-depth examinations of political, philosophical, and economic concepts through a range of optional modules spanning areas such as Ethics: From Theory to Practice, Global History of Philosophy, Feminism, Religion and the Good Life, Philosophy of AI and Robotics, Social Justice Today, Science and the Search for Reality, The Political Economy of Global Capitalism, Chinese Politics, Contemporary Security Challenges, Migration and World Politics, Europe in Crisis, Oppression and Resistance, Autocracies and Democracies, International Economics.
In your third year, as well as working on your final year project, you’ll continue to advance your knowledge in specific areas of politics, philosophy and economics.
Example core modules:
- Politics, Philosophy and Economics Capstone
- Final Year Research Project
You’ll also have the opportunity to conduct further study of a specialist area of your choice through a range of optional modules spanning areas such as People, Organisation and Technology, Feminist and Queer Studies, Ethics and Belief, Political Resistance, Global Justice, Plato’s Symposium, Moral Theory and Moral Psychology, Utopia, Reform and Democracy, Phenomenology, Social Philosophy, Philosophy of Law, Global Culture Wars, Political Psychology, The Ethics of Political Leadership, Practical Politics: How to Make Policy & Influence People, Education Economics, Political Economy and Behavioural Economics.
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we will inform students and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.
Learning and assessment
Learning
As a student on this course you will be taught through a variety of methods including lectures and seminars to help you learn how to understand things from multiple perspectives and think creatively about problem-solving.
Our teaching is informed by real-world events that are happening now. You'll have the option to take modules throughout your degree to enable you to use the knowledge and techniques you’ve learned to tackle current issues.
You will benefit from the expertise and experience of our Politics, Philosophy and Economics academics.
Our PPE modules will teach you the methods and techniques to analyse and interrogate policy, skills that will set you apart from other graduates.
Assessment
You'll be assessed through a number of methods including essays, exams, group presentations and a final-year dissertation.
Every student is assigned a personal tutor who is there to support you throughout your studies.
Entry requirements
With Access Sheffield, you could qualify for additional consideration or an alternative offer - find out if you're eligible.
The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
AAA
- International Baccalaureate
- 36
- BTEC Extended Diploma
- D*DD in a relevant subject
- BTEC Diploma
- DD in a relevant subject + A at A Level
- Scottish Highers
- AAAAA
- Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels
- A + AA
- Access to HE Diploma
- Award of the Access to HE Diploma in Social Sciences, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 39 at Distinction and 6 at Merit
-
GCSE Maths grade 6/B
The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
AAB
- International Baccalaureate
- 34
- BTEC Extended Diploma
- DDD in a relevant subject
- BTEC Diploma
- DD in a relevant subject + A at A Level
- Scottish Highers
- AAAAB
- Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels
- B + AA
- Access to HE Diploma
- Award of the Access to HE Diploma in Social Sciences, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 36 at Distinction and 9 at Merit
-
GCSE Maths grade 6/B
You must demonstrate that your English is good enough for you to successfully complete your course. For this course we require: GCSE English Language at grade 4/C; IELTS grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component; or an alternative acceptable English language qualification
Equivalent English language qualifications
Visa and immigration requirements
Other qualifications | UK and EU/international
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school/department.
Graduate careers
This degree prepares you for work in government, NGOs and other third sector employers, and organisations focused on understanding, interpreting and advocating in the public policy arena. We'll teach you the principles and skills to start your career and make an impact in the workplace.
School of History, Philosophy and Digital Humanities
In the School of History, Philosophy and Digital Humanities, we interrogate some of the most significant and pressing aspects of human life, offering new perspectives and tackling globally significant issues.
As a philosophy student at Sheffield you will benefit from the diversity of our modules and the high quality of our teaching which draws on the research expertise of our staff to ensure your lectures and seminars are informed, relevant and exciting.
Our staff engage in cutting-edge research across a wide range of philosophical disciplines including epistemology, ethics, social, political and environmental philosophy, metaphysics and philosophy of the mind among others.
Our supportive and inclusive community will also provide you with opportunities to use your philosophical knowledge to engage with real world problems and make a difference in the community through projects like our award-winning Philosophy in the City programme, which enables students to teach philosophy in the local community to audiences of all ages. Our students also run a thriving Philosophy Society and an undergraduate philosophy journal.
Our Centre for Engaged Philosophy pursues research into questions of fundamental political and social importance, from criminal justice and social inclusion to climate ethics, all topics that are covered in our teaching. Their events are open to all students and there are opportunities to get involved in event planning and delivery.
Philosophy students are based at 45 Victoria Street at the heart of the University campus. We're close to the Diamond and the Information Commons, as well as Jessop West, which houses our fellow arts and humanities scholars of history, English, languages, arts and societies.
University rankings
A world top-100 university
QS World University Rankings 2026 (92nd) and Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 (98th)
Number one in the Russell Group
National Student Survey 2024 (based on aggregate responses)
92 per cent of our research is rated as world-leading or internationally excellent
Research Excellence Framework 2021
University of the Year and best for Student Life
Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024
Number one Students' Union in the UK
Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017
Number one for Students' Union
StudentCrowd 2024 University Awards
A top 20 university targeted by employers
The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers report
Fees and funding
Fees
Additional costs
The annual fee for your course includes a number of items in addition to your tuition. If an item or activity is classed as a compulsory element for your course, it will normally be included in your tuition fee. There are also other costs which you may need to consider.
Funding your study
Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for a bursary, scholarship or loan to help fund your study and enhance your learning experience.
Use our Student Funding Calculator to work out what you’re eligible for.
Placements and study abroad
Placements
There are also opportunities for placements taken over the summer.
Study abroad
Visit
University open days
We host five open days each year, usually in June, July, September, October and November. You can talk to staff and students, tour the campus and see inside the accommodation.
Subject tasters
If you’re considering your post-16 options, our interactive subject tasters are for you. There are a wide range of subjects to choose from and you can attend sessions online or on campus.
Offer holder days
If you've received an offer to study with us, we'll invite you to one of our offer holder days, which take place between February and April. These open days have a strong department focus and give you the chance to really explore student life here, even if you've visited us before.
Campus tours
Our weekly guided tours show you what Sheffield has to offer - both on campus and beyond. You can extend your visit with tours of our city, accommodation or sport facilities.
Apply
The awarding body for this course is the University of Sheffield.
Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.
Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.