Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Philosophy, politics, and economics, known as PPE, is one of the most intellectually demanding and professionally influential degree programmes in British higher education. Philosophy provides the tools of rigorous argumentation, conceptual analysis, and ethical reasoning. Politics examines how power is organised and contested, how governments work, and what concepts such as democracy, justice, and legitimacy actually mean when applied in practice.

Economics gives you the quantitative and theoretical frameworks to understand markets, growth, inequality, and policy, and to evaluate the evidence behind competing claims about how economies work. Together, they address the most important questions about how societies should be organised and governed.

At the University of Reading, this three-year, full-time degree gives you three disciplinary perspectives on contemporary issues and complex dynamics in today's world. A sandwich year provides the opportunity for a substantial professional placement in a policy, research, commercial, or public sector environment, and work placements are embedded in the course throughout. A year abroad is also incorporated, broadening your analytical perspective through experience in a different political and economic context.

A typical entry tariff of 104 points reflects the accessible and inclusive character of this programme.

PPE graduates go on to work in politics and government, the civil service, economics and finance, journalism and broadcasting, law, consultancy, international organisations, think tanks, NGOs, and across the private sector in roles that require analytical range and the ability to move between disciplines. Postgraduate study in philosophy, economics, politics, law, or public policy is a well-supported next step, and many PPE graduates proceed to postgraduate research or to professional training in law or finance.