Politics, Philosophy and Economics

It is impossible to fully understand the modern world without knowledge of politics, philosophy and economics. They have long been recognised as overlapping and informing one other and it was only relatively recently in intellectual history that the three subjects were separated from one another. Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) brings together these subjects to help you understand and engage with the world. You will develop essential skills of reasoning, inquiry and analysis that are applicable to a wide range of careers, including banking and finance, law, academia and teaching, journalism and politics.

Birkbeck's interdisciplinary MSc Politics, Philosophy and Economics introduces you to the basics of the three subjects and it will hone your ability to understand, evaluate and analyse real-world information. The study of philosophy will introduce you to critical reasoning and some of the most profound questions it is possible to ask about humanity. The study of politics will acquaint you with modern governing structures in the UK, EU and further afield and with the concepts and ideas that underpin the theory and practice of politics. The study of economics will help you grasp how business, finance and politics intersect and determine how we live and work.

You can choose from a wide range of option modules and your learning will be informed by the cutting-edge research and expertise of academics across the three subject areas at Birkbeck.

You will also receive one-to-one dissertation supervision on a topic of your choosing.

Highlights

This is the only PPE programme available for part-time evening study in the UK.

Birkbeck has a strong international research reputation in politics, philosophy and economics.

Birkbeck Library has large politics, philosophy and economics collections, including the major specialist journals, and provides you with access to an extensive range of online materials.

You can also take advantage of the rich research collections nearby, including Senate House Library, which is right next door to Birkbeck, the British Library, which is five minutes’ walk away, and the British Library of Political and Economic Science at the London School of Economics, which is walkable from Birkbeck.

Careers and employability

Graduates can pursue career paths in:

the Civil Service

journalism

politics

international development

think tanks.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.