About this course Discover how the world works on our BA Philosophy Politics and Economics degree. You’ll learn the quantitative skills, technical knowledge, and critical thinking skills required to rigorously analyse past and current socio-economic systems. Through a wide range of modules, you’ll develop the ability to properly frame and explore the questions which unite philosophy, politics, and economics, including issues of inequality, democracy, justice, happiness, work, and money. You'll be supported throughout the course to develop the skills which perfectly suit you a range of careers linked to politics, philosophy and the arts. A degree in Philosophy cultivates a deep understanding of human existence, thought, morality, and the nature of reality. Graduates are equipped with impeccable analytical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills – valuable assets in virtually any profession. This is reflected in our Graduate Outcomes where 95% of our Philosophy graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation” (Graduate Outcomes, 2022/2023, published 2025) Key features of the course - Customize your degree, with a wide range of optional modules, within Philosophy, Politics and Economics, and across other disciplines. - Benefit from small group sizes and personalized attention from lecturers and tutors, with a chance to explore your ideas in depth. - Career skills are embedded at every stage of our course - Access to the Southampton Ethics centre, nurturing inter-disciplinary research and outreach, and the Hartley Library, home to the University Archives & Special Collections. - Meet others with shared interests, with exciting activities and events organised by the PPE society. - Study and research through cutting-edge technology at the Digital Humanities facilities, such as virtual reality, 3D scanners and printers, and a 360 degree fully immersive audio-visual centre. Student Support Our courses are taught by philosophy experts with an exceptional breadth of interests. We offer high number of contact hours on a wide range of programmes, with a focus on small-group teaching and one-on-one tuition. Beyond academics, you’ll have access to wellbeing resources, peer mentoring, and careers advice, all in a friendly, welcoming community. Further information The BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics is a three-year, full-time course at our Avenue Campus. You can also apply to add a year abroad or placement year, extending your degree to four years. For details, visit our course page.
A Level: AAB | Typical Offer: AAB and grade 6 in GCSE Maths If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A-level offer: ABB plus grade A in the EPQ. Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. We are committed to ensuring that all students with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a student’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Students who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. | Scottish Higher | We normally consider applicants who offer at least 1 Advanced Higher. Applicants presenting with only Highers will be considered on a case by case basis. Where Highers are taken over two years it might be expected that higher grades are achieved, particularly in any specific subjects required. For example, S5 – S6 (2 years): AABBB (A in specific subject) or S6 (1 year): ABBBB (A in specific subject). Unless a more advanced level (Higher or Advanced Higher) is specified in the stated entry requirements, all applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4" We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. | Access to HE Diploma: 39 UCAS points | Access to HE Diploma: 6 UCAS points | Access to HE Diploma | 60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 39 must be at Distinction and 6 credits at Merit. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. | GCSE/National 4/National 5 Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C) | Scottish Advanced Higher | Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education. Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact Admissions for more information. | Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016): DD | Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Diploma plus A in an A level. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. | International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme: 34 UCAS points | Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 at Higher Level. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP): Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact Admissions for more information. | WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales: A | AAB from three A levels or AB from two A levels and A from the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales. Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. | Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016): DDD | Distinction, Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Diploma We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. | Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017): H1H2H2H2H2H2 | H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2 including Mathematics We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. | Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016): D | Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AA in two A levels. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. | Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal: D3D3M2 | D3 D3 M2 in three principal subjects. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
with no component below 6.0
The programme is designed to ensure that your learning is progressive. You will move from developing foundational skills in the first year, to pursuing your own self-directed research project in the final year. Year 1: Develop foundational skills in critical thinking and economic analysis, through modules such as: Truth, Knowledge, and Objectivity, Engaging Political Ideas, and Principles of Macroeconomics. Year 2: Deepen your understanding of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics with dedicated modules such as Rationality, Preference, Wellbeing and Fairness. Year 3: Personalise your degree, choosing to specialise in two of the three subjects, or continue with all three. You will undertake a self-directed dissertation project on a topic of your choice, and will choose from a range of specialist modules, each led by active researchers in the field exploring cutting-edge topics. For a full list of modules available please visit the course page.
Please see our website for further details and updates regarding tuition fees. We anticipate that international tuition fee levels for 2027 entry will be confirmed in August 2026. — UG 2027 Entry - Home Confirmed, International TBC
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