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UCAS code L0V1
This programme offers the same content as our three-year BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, but with the addition of a year in industry after the second year.
The course content on these pages is for 2026 entry. The University is currently reviewing its programmes for 2027 entry. Course listings for students beginning in September 2027 will be published on our website before our Open Days on June 19 and 20. Please note, the University reserves the right to make reasonable changes, including to content, entry requirements, or fees, or to discontinue programmes. Applicants will be informed of any significant change.
A degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics unites three disciplines that are foundational to public life and policy. Nowadays, anyone hoping to understand or advance in politics has to be proficient in economics, and an understanding of the philosophical underpinnings of the various political views that jostle on the public stage has long been recognised as hugely important.
As with the three-year degree, this programme provides the opportunity to master the overlap of the three disciplines, to come to grips with some of their specialisms, to attain a very thorough grounding in mathematical economics, and to develop skills in identifying and evaluating the principles and values that underlie debates. The combination is highly sought after by employers, who appreciate the breadth of knowledge and variety of skills that it provides.
Year one will comprise entirely of compulsory modules: four from Economics, and two each from Philosophy and Politics. In year two, as well as a range of Philosophy and Politics options, you will take some compulsory modules which include SOTA260, which will prepare you for your year in industry.
Your third year will be spent on a salaried placement in a role related to your studies, giving you the opportunity to apply skills and knowledge acquired during study to a real-life situation, thus developing key life and employability skills.
In your final year you will undertake a PPE-focused dissertation, and then optional modules from each of the three subjects.
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
You will take compulsory modules in each of the three subjects, which will give you the mathematical, philosophical, and political foundations for the rest of you degree.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
You must take either PHIL271 or PHIL272.
In semester one, you will be required to:
In semester two, you will be required to:
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| BUSINESS ETHICS (PHIL271) | 15 |
| MACROECONOMICS 1 (ECON223) | 15 |
| MICROECONOMICS 1 (ECON221) | 15 |
| PROFESSIONAL AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT (SOTA260) | 15 |
| BUSINESS ETHICS (PHIL272) | 15 |
| MICROECONOMICS 2 (ECON222) | 15 |
| MACROECONOMICS 2 (ECON224) | 15 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
You will spend your third year on a paid placement within an organisation in a related industry. Support for your placement will be provided by the Department and the School of the Arts.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| WORK PLACEMENT YEAR (SOTA600) | 120 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
In your final year, you must complete a dissertation (HASS301). The rest of your modules are chosen from a range of options.
In semester one, you will be required to:
In semester two, you will be required to:
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| PHILOSOPHY, POLITICS AND ECONOMICS DISSERTATION (HASS301) | 30 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
In studying Philosophy, you will learn how to defend your views with reasoned arguments, and to assess the arguments of others. Argumentative skills are learned through attending lectures and reading philosophical texts, developed by group seminar discussions, and formally assessed through essays and exams. You will complete modules to the value of 120 credits per year, from a wide range of options available. Most modules employ a blend of lectures, seminars, and online support materials. You will learn by reading and studying outside class time, by attending and participating in classes, by doing coursework and, for dissertations, via one-to-one meetings with a supervisor. There is also scope, both formally in the placement module and informally, for you to develop practical skills by volunteering.
Philosophy employs a mixture of modes of assessment: exams and coursework in many different varieties including essays, oral presentations, dissertations, exercises, and supported independent work (eg in the placement module).
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
This course is also available without an included year in industry.
View Philosophy, Politics and Economics BA (Hons)
To spend a year in industry, you'll need to secure a placement with an organisation. If you're unable to find a placement, you'll continue with the standard version of the course without a year in industry.
Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:
The Department of Philosophy is based in Gillian Howie House, although teaching will take place across the campus. Gillian Howie House is an accessible and inclusive space. We have ramp and lift access to all floors, single sex, gender neutral and disabled toilets, and a Hearing Assist System in our seminar rooms. Students who require one can ask for a disability support plan and access to dedicated support.
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
The interdisciplinary nature appealed to me. It provided me with a wide range of angles to approach both my modules and the wider world. I really enjoyed the Political Philosophy and International Political Economy modules.
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Graduating with a degree in philosophy will empower you to delve into the profound questions that shape human existence but also position you as a valuable asset in today’s competitive job market.
The School has its own placements and employability officer, and you will have the opportunity to undertake a work placement or a year in industry as part of your programme.
Graduates in Philosophy obtain work in fields such as:
Hear what graduates say about their career progression and life after university.
US District Judge Wendy Beetlestone described her time at University of Liverpool as a “great start” that delivered the “thought discipline” that continues to influence her professional life.
Emma is a Production Management Assistant on the One Show.
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Full-time place, per year - £9,790
Year in industry fee - £1,955
Year abroad fee - £1,465 (applies to year in China)
Full-time place, per year - £27,000
Year in industry fee - £1,955
Year abroad fee - £13,500 (applies to year in China)
The fees shown are for the academic year 2026/27. Please be advised that tuition fees may increase each year for both UK and international students. For UK students, this will be subject to the government’s regulated fee limits.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. Learn more about paying for your studies.
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.
If you’re a UK student joining an undergraduate degree and have a household income below £35,000, you could be eligible for a Liverpool Bursary worth up to £2,000 for each year of undergraduate study.
Apply for an Asylum Seekers Scholarship and you could have your tuition fees paid in full and receive help with study costs. You’ll need to have applied for asylum in the UK, or be the dependant of an asylum seeker, and be joining an eligible undergraduate degree.
If you’ve spent 13 or more weeks in Local Authority care since age 14, you could be eligible for a bursary of £3,000 per year of study. You’ll need to be a UK student joining an eligible undergraduate degree and be aged 28 or above on 1 September in the year you start.
Are you a UK student with a Black African or Caribbean heritage and a household income of £25,000 or less? You could be eligible to apply for a Cowrie Foundation Scholarship worth up to £8,000 for each year of undergraduate study.
If you’re a UK student identified as estranged by Student Finance England (or the equivalent UK funding body), you could be eligible for a bursary of £1,000 for each year of undergraduate study.
Do you live in the Liverpool City Region with a household income of £25,000 or less? Did neither of your parents attend University? You could be eligible to apply for a Nolan Scholarship worth £5,000 per year for three years of undergraduate study.
Are you a UK student with a household income of £25,000 or less? If you’ve participated in an eligible outreach programme, you could be eligible to apply for a Rigby Enterprise Award worth £5,000 per year for three years of your undergraduate degree.
Are you a UK student with a household income of £25,000 or less? Did neither of your parents attend University? You could be eligible to apply for a ROLABOTIC Scholarship worth £4,500 for each year of your undergraduate degree.
Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.
If you’re a young adult and a registered carer in the UK, you might be eligible for a £1,000 bursary for each year of study. You’ll need to be aged 18-25 on 1 September in the year you start your undergraduate degree.
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| A levels |
AAB Including A in Mathematics. Only one of General Studies, Critical Thinking and Citizenship will be accepted.You may automatically qualify for reduced entry requirements through our contextual offers scheme. Based on your personal circumstances, you may automatically qualify for up to a two-grade reduction in the entry requirements needed for this course. When you apply, we consider a range of factors – such as where you live – to assess if you’re eligible for a grade reduction. You don’t have to make an application for a grade reduction – we’ll do all the work. Find out more about how we make reduced grade offers. |
| T levels |
T levels are not currently accepted. |
| GCSE |
GCSE Mathematics at grade 5/C and GCSE English at grade 4/C required. |
| BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma | DDD plus A level Maths at A. BTEC qualifications must be in a Business related subject. |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points overall with no score less than 4 including 6 in higher level Maths or pass the IB Diploma plus 6,6,5 in 3 HL subjects including 6 in higher level Maths. |
| Irish Leaving Certificate | H1,H1,H2,H2,H2,H3 including H1 in Maths |
| Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher | AAB including A in Maths. |
| Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced | B in the Welsh Baccalaureate, plus grades AA at A level to include Maths grade A. |
| Access | Pass relevant Access to HE Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits with 36 at Distinction including 15 level 3 credits in Maths and 9 at Merit. |
| International qualifications |
Many countries have a different education system to that of the UK, meaning your qualifications may not meet our direct entry requirements. Although there is no direct Foundation Certificate route to this course, completing a Foundation Certificate, such as that offered by the University of Liverpool International College, can guarantee you a place on a number of similar courses which may interest you. |
You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.
We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5 |
| TOEFL iBT | If you took a TOEFL test on or before 20 January 2026, you’ll need 88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 17, writing 17, reading 17 and speaking 19. If you took a TOEFL test from 21 January 2026 onwards, when a new scoring system was introduced, you’ll need 4.5 overall, with 4 or above in all components. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted. |
| Duolingo English Test | 125 overall, with speaking, reading and writing not less than 105, and listening not below 100 |
| Pearson PTE Academic | 61 overall, with no component below 59 |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 overall, with no skill below 60 |
| Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0500 | Grade C overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking and listening. Speaking and listening must be separately endorsed on the certificate. |
| Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0990 | Grade 4 overall, with Merit in speaking and listening |
| Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0510/0511 | 0510: Grade B overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0511: Grade B overall. |
| Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0993/0991 | 0993: Grade 6 overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0991: Grade 6 overall. |
| Cambridge ESOL Level 2/3 Advanced | 176 overall, with no paper below 162 |
| International Baccalaureate English A: Literature or Language & Literature | Grade 5 at Standard Level or grade 5 at Higher Level |
| International Baccalaureate English B | Grade 7 at Standard Level or grade 6 at Higher Level |
Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests, to determine the length of Pre-sessional English course you require.
Use the table below to check the course length you're likely to require for your current English language ability and see whether the course is available on campus or online.
| Your most recent IELTS score | Pre-sessional English course length | On campus or online |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5 | 6 weeks | On campus or online |
| 5.5 overall, with no more than one component at 5.0 | 10 weeks | On campus or online |
| 5.5 overall, with no component below 5.0 | 12 weeks | Online |
| 5.0 overall, with no component below 5.0 | 20 weeks | On campus |
| 5.0 overall, with no component below 4.5 | 30 weeks | On campus |
| 4.5 overall, with no more than one component at 4.0 | 40 weeks | On campus |
If you’ve completed an alternative English language test to IELTS, we may be able to use this to assess your English language ability and determine the Pre-sessional English course length you require.
Please see our guide to Pre-sessional English entry requirements for IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5, for further details.
Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.
Last updated 5 February 2026 / / Programme terms and conditions