Programmes

BSc Philosophy, Politics and Economics

  • Undergraduate
  • Department of Philosophy Logic and Scientific Method
  • UCAS code L0V0
  • Starting 2024
  • Home full-time: Closed
  • Overseas full-time: Closed
  • Location: Houghton Street, London

The BSc Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) four year programme offers rigorous training in all three disciplines, as well as innovative interdisciplinary teaching and study. Unlike most other PPE programmes, this programme gives equal weight to all three subjects and has specially designed interdisciplinary courses.

Philosophy addresses challenging foundational questions in many fields, including ethics, political philosophy, and scientific methodology. It also involves training in rigorous argumentation, including formal logic and essay writing. The study of politics involves analyses of the ways in which individuals and groups define and interpret political issues and shape government decisions. It encompasses a broad spectrum of activities relating to public affairs, from elections and bureaucracies to war and terrorism. Economics tackles a large range of problems, from barriers to economic development to international financial crises.

As an example of the issues you will address on the degree, consider the following questions:

  • What are the moral advantages and disadvantages of markets?
  • Is income per capita a good measure of economic and social progress? If not, what should replace it?
  • Which limits, if any, should there be on migration?
  • What are the advantages of democratic institutions over non-democratic ones?
  • Do social sciences have limitations that natural sciences do not have? If so, what do these limits imply for policy-making?

Each of these questions names an issue of central importance in contemporary public debates. Each of them can also be answered satisfactorily only by drawing on knowledge from philosophy, political science and economics. We have put together a programme that delivers not just an excellent education in each subject but also encourages students to develop the integrative thinking skills required to tackle many social and economic issues.

Unlike other PPE degrees, our students will take all three subjects for at least the first three years of the degree. This commitment to the continued, in-depth study of all three disciplines and to multifaceted problem-solving sets our four year BSc programme apart. In addition, final-year PPE students get the chance to pursue independent research and to work alongside external client organisations as part of our innovative Capstone course. PPE students' research is celebrated each year at our Showcase event, with the very best work appearing in our online student journal, Studies in Philosophy, Politics and Economics.

LSE is regularly placed near the top of national and international league tables in the three subjects that comprise the PPE degree. Moreover, our PPE students will not study the subjects in isolation: as a specialist social science institution, academics and students at LSE are used to collaborating across departments and students will be taught to develop interdisciplinary thinking. 

We understand that choosing a four year degree represents a significant financial and personal commitment. We believe that to truly earn the title of a degree in philosophy, politics and economics, students must be given a thorough grounding in all three subjects; this cannot be done in three years. We are proud to say that students graduating with a degree in philosophy, politics and economics from LSE will be prepared for further study or employment in each of the three subject areas and will be uniquely capable of drawing on all three disciplines in their future work.

Visit the Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method Virtual Undergraduate Open Day page to find out more about studying in the department, access virtual resources and watch event recordings from our Virtual Undergraduate Open Day. 

 

 

Programme details

Key facts

Academic year (2024/25) 30 September 2024 - 20 June 2025
Application deadline 31 January 2024
Duration Four years full-time
Applications/places/ratio 2022 1,003/62/16:1

For information about tuition fees, usual standard offers and entry requirements, see the sections below.

Entry requirements

Below we list our entry requirements in terms of GCSEs, A-Levels (the entry requirements should be read alongside our A-level subject combinations information) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. We accept a wide range of other qualifications from the UK and from overseas.

GCSEs
A strong set of GCSE grades including a significant number at A (or 7) and A* (or 8-9)
GCSE English Language and Mathematics no lower than B (or 6)
We also consider your overall GCSE subject profile

A-levels*
A*AA, with an A* in Mathematics
We also consider your AS grades, if available. 

Contextual admissions A-level grades**
A*AB with an A* in Mathematics

IB Diploma 
38 points overall, with 766 in higher level subjects, including 7 in higher level Mathematics

Contextual admissions IB grades**
37 points overall, with 765 in higher level subjects, including 7 in higher level Mathematics

*Read our A-level subject combinations information below.

**Read our UG Admissions Information to learn more about contextual admissions.

A-level subject combinations

  • We consider the combination of subjects you have taken, as well as the individual scores.
  • We believe a broad mix of traditional academic subjects to be the best preparation for studying at LSE and expect applicants to have at least two full A-levels or equivalent in these subjects.
  • It is essential that you have studied, or are studying, Mathematics to A-level (or equivalent). This is to ensure you are able to complete the core economics courses at LSE. An additional qualification in Further Mathematics (at any level) is not required but is an indication of mathematical ability and a helpful preparation for the programme. 
  • For programmes requiring A* in Mathematics A-level, an A* in Further Mathematics in addition to an A grade in Mathematics is an acceptable alternative.
  • Beyond the mathematics requirements, there is no ideal subject combination. However, selectors like to see that you possess both analytical and writing abilities.
  • Students offering Mathematics, Further Mathematics and one other subject will be considered, however we have a very strong preference for the third subject to be in the arts or humanities and will look for evidence of your understanding of and commitment to the study of social sciences in your personal statement. 
  • Other subjects commonly studied at A level include Economics, English, Government and Politics, History, Languages, Philosophy, Sociology and Religious Studies. There is no requirement for students to have formally studied Philosophy, Politics or Economics before. Subjects where the content is deemed to overlap, such as Economics and Business Studies, or English and Media Studies, should not be taken together. Critical Thinking A-level will not be included in our standard offer, but success in this subject can be an indicator of your aptitude for following lines of reasoning and argument.

Find out more about A-level subject combinations.

Competition for places at LSE

Competition for places at the School is high. This means that even if you are predicted or if you achieve the grades that meet our usual standard offer, this will not guarantee you an offer of admission. Usual standard offers are intended only as a guide, and in some cases applicants will be asked for grades which differ from this. 

Assessing your application

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students and want to recruit students with the very best academic merit, potential and motivation, irrespective of their background. The programme guidance below should be read alongside our general entrance requirements information.

We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account all the information presented on the UCAS application form, including your:

- academic achievement including predicted and achieved grades (see 'Entry requirements' for programme specific information)
- subjects and subject combinations (see 'Entry requirements' for programme specific information)
- personal statement (see below for programme specific information)
- teacher’s reference
- educational circumstances

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency, although you do not need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE. See our English language requirements page.

Personal characteristics, skills and attributes

For this programme, we are looking for students who demonstrate the following characteristics, skills and attributes: 

- equal interest in philosophy, politics and economics and in areas of overlap
- awareness of and interest in exploring philosophical issues
- quantitative aptitude and the ability to follow complex lines of mathematical reasoning
- awareness of and interest in current political issues
- an ability to think logically and independently
- an ability to read extensively and to evaluate and challenge conventional views
- an ability to follow complex lines of reasoning
- intellectual curiosity and imagination
- motivation and capacity for hard work

Personal statement

In addition to demonstrating the above personal characteristics, skills and attributes, your statement should be original, interesting and well-written and should outline your enthusiasm and motivation for the programme.

You should explain whether there are any aspects of particular interest to you, how this relates to your current academic studies and what additional reading or relevant experiences you have had which have led you to apply. We are interested to hear your own thoughts or ideas on the topics you have encountered through your exploration of the subject at school or through other activities. Some suggestions for preliminary reading can be found above in the preliminary reading section, but there is no set list of activities we look for; instead we look for students who have made the most of the opportunities available to them to deepen their knowledge and understanding of their intended programme of study.

You can also mention extra-curricular activities such as sport, the arts or volunteering or any work experience you have undertaken. However, the main focus of an undergraduate degree at LSE is the in-depth academic study of a subject and we expect the majority of your personal statement to be spent discussing your academic interests.

Please also see our general guidance about writing personal statements. 

Fees and funding

Every undergraduate student is charged a fee for each year of their programme.

The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It does not cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

Tuition fees

Home students:

The 2024 tuition fee for new Home students is £9,250 per year. The Home student undergraduate fee may rise in line with inflation in subsequent years.

Overseas students:

The 2024 tuition fee for international students is £28,176. The overseas tuition fee will remain at the same amount for each subsequent year of your full-time study regardless of the length of your programme. This information applies to new overseas undergraduate entrants starting their studies from 2024 onwards.

The Table of Fees shows the latest tuition amounts for all programmes offered by the School. 

Fee status

The amount of tuition fees you will need to pay, and any financial support you are eligible for, will depend on whether you are classified as a home or overseas student, otherwise known as your fee status. LSE assesses your fee status based on guidelines provided by the Department of Education.

Further information about fee status classification

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

The School recognises that the cost of living in London may be higher than in your home town or country. LSE provides generous financial support, in the form of bursaries and scholarships to UK, EU and overseas students. 

In addition, UK Government support, in the form of loans, is available to UK and some EU students. Some overseas governments also offer funding.

Further information on tuition fees, cost of living, loans and scholarships

Information for international students

LSE is an international community, with over 140 nationalities represented amongst its student body. We celebrate this diversity through everything we do. 

If you are applying to LSE from outside of the UK then take a look at our Information for International students.

1) Take a note of the UK qualifications we require for your programme of interest (found in the ‘Entry requirements’ section of this page).

2) Go to the International Students section of our website.

3) Select your country.

4) Select ‘Undergraduate entry requirements’ and scroll until you arrive at the information about your local/national qualification. Compare the stated UK entry requirements listed on this page with the local/national entry requirement listed on your country specific page.

Programme structure and courses

This four year degree programme involves studying courses to the value of 16 units, plus LSE100. The BSc PPE gives equal weighting to all three subjects and has specially designed interdisciplinary courses.

First year

There are compulsory courses in the first year. You will study The Big Questions: An Introduction to Philosophy and either take Quantitative Methods (Statistics) and one of either Quantitative Methods (Mathematics) or Methods in Calculus and Linear Algebra, or take Mathematical Methods. You will take Introduction to Political Science and will take Microeconomics and Macroeconomics. In addition, you will also take LSE100.

(* denotes a half unit course)

The Big Questions: An Introduction to Philosophy
Provides an introduction to analytical philosophy by using classic and contemporary texts to study a selection of philosophical problems. 

Introduction to Political Science
Offers an introduction to politics in a globalised world, with a focus on how political science tries to understand and explain cross-country and cross-time differences.

Microeconomics I*
This course provides a foundation to help students understand key microeconomic questions using a variety of approaches including quantitative methods.

Macroeconomics I*
This course provides a foundation to help students understand key macroeconomic questions using a variety of approaches including quantitative methods.

EITHER

Quantitative Methods (Statistics)*
Develops the elementary statistical tools necessary for further study in management and economics with an emphasis on the applicability of these methods.

And one of:

Quantitative Methods (Mathematics)*
Provides the basic mathematical knowledge and develops the elementary statistical tools necessary for further study in economics.
or
Methods in Calculus and Linear Algebra*
This is an introductory level course for those who wish to use mathematics seriously in finance or economics.

OR

Mathematical Methods
An introductory level course for those who wish to use mathematics extensively in social science.

LSE100*
A half unit, running across Autumn and Winter Term in the first year, LSE100 is compulsory for all LSE undergraduate students. This innovative and interactive course is designed to build your capacity to tackle multidimensional problems as a social scientist through interdisciplinary, research-rich education.

Second year

There are compulsory courses in the second year. Your choice of courses will depend on the courses you take in first year. In addition, in the Winter Term you start your own tailor-made interdisciplinary course: Philosophy, Politics and Economics: Interdisciplinary Research Seminar. 

Introduction to Political Theory
Combines classical theory with modern ways of explaining and understanding international relations.

Philosophy, Politics and Economics: Interdisciplinary Research Seminar* (Winter Term only)
Engages you with leading academics and practitioners working in PPE and will train you in presentations and public speaking.

Introduction to Logic*
Introduces the basic system of modern formal logic, including propositional logic, predicate logic and the theory of identity.

Microeconomics II*
This intermediate-level course will help students understand key microeconomic questions and challenges and also evaluate possible solutions using a variety of approaches including quantitative methods.

Macroeconomics II*
This intermediate-level course will help students understand key macroeconomic questions and challenges and also evaluate possible solutions using a variety of approaches including quantitative methods.

EITHER

Research Design in Political Science
Introduces students to the fundamentals of research design in political science.

or

Econometrics I*
Introduction to econometrics to teach students the theory and practice of empirical research in economics.
and
Econometrics II*
Intermediate-level course to teach students the theory of econometrics and the practice of empirical research in economics.

OR

Elementary Statistical Theory
Provides a precise and accurate treatment of introductory probability theory, statistical ideas, methods and techniques.

Third year 

In the third year, you will take one government option, one philosophy option and one economics option. If you studied Quantitative Methods (Statistics) in your first year, then you will take another government, philosophy or economics option. If you studied Mathematical Methods in your first year, then you will take Econometrics I and Econometrics II. Philosophy, Politics and Economics: Research Seminar will continue for the Autumn and Winter terms. 

Philosophy, Politics and Economics: Research Seminar*
Engages you with leading academics and practitioners working in PPE and will train you in presentations and public speaking.

One approved economics option

One approved government option 

One approved philosophy option 

One further approved option depending on your previous choices

Alternatively, you will have the opportunity to study abroad in Year 3. See the study abroad section for more details.

Fourth year 

In your fourth year, you will study the compulsory course Politics, Philosophy and Economics: Applications. You will also choose optional courses to the value of two units from a range of options within government, philosophy or economics, or from outside the Department. For your final course, you will complete the Philosophy, Politics and Economics: Capstone and Research Project. 

Philosophy, Politics and Economics: Applications
Focuses on contemporary public policy topics and explores their political, economic and philosophical dimensions. 

Philosophy, Politics and Economics: Research Project*
Involves group work on an applied public policy project for a client organisation and a research paper. 

Philosophy, Politics and Economics: Capstone*

Final year students' best work is published in our student journal, Studies in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (SPPE), which is published each summer by Houghton St Press.

Courses to the value of two units from a range of options

For the most up-to-date list of optional courses please visit the relevant School Calendar page.   

Where regulations permit, you may also be able to take a language, literature or linguistics option as part of your degree. Information can be found on the Language Centre webpages.

You must note, however, that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up-to-date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that the School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.

You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. You should visit the School’s Calendar, or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the updated undergraduate course and programme information page.

Study abroad in Year 3

The BSc in Philosophy, Politics and Economics offers students in Year 3 the opportunity for studying a year abroad. The year abroad will be counted towards the programme, meaning that students taking this option will still complete their PPE programme in four years. Students with a year abroad will graduate will the degree “BSc in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (with a Year Abroad)”. Check the BSc PPE (Year Abroad) programme regulations for more information on the Year Abroad.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Format and contact hours: You will have at least a one-hour lecture and a one-hour related class for each course each week. Hours vary according to courses and you can view indicative details in the Calendar within the Teaching section of each course guide. We are committed to giving undergraduates a good deal of face-to-face time with faculty. All teachers have weekly office hours in which you can further discuss material from the lectures and classes. 

Independent study: You are also expected to complete independent study outside of class time. This varies depending on the programme, but requires you to manage the majority of your study time yourself, by engaging in activities such as reading, note-taking, thinking and research.

LSE teaching: LSE is internationally recognised for its teaching and research and therefore employs a rich variety of teaching staff with a range of experience and status. Courses may be taught by individual members of faculty, such as lecturers, senior lecturers, readers, associate professors and professors. Many departments now also employ guest teachers and visiting members of staff, LSE teaching fellows and graduate teaching assistants who are usually doctoral research students. You can view indicative details for the teacher responsible for each course in the relevant course guide.

Academic support

Academic mentor: Your attendance at classes and performance will be carefully monitored, and you will have a personal academic mentor to provide assistance and guidance. 

Other academic support: There are many opportunities to extend your learning outside the classroom and complement your academic studies at LSE. LSE LIFE is the School’s centre for academic, personal and professional development. Some of the services on offer include: guidance and hands-on practice of the key skills you will need to do well at LSE: effective reading, academic writing and critical thinking; workshops related to how to adapt to new or difficult situations, including development of skills for leadership, study/work/life balance and preparing for the world of work; and advice and practice on working in study groups and on cross-cultural communication and teamwork.

Disability and Wellbeing Service: LSE is committed to enabling all students to achieve their full potential and the School’s Disability and Wellbeing Service provides a free, confidential service to all LSE students and is a first point of contact for all disabled students.

Your timetable

  • The standard teaching day runs from 09:00-18:00; Monday to Friday. Teaching for undergraduate students will not usually be scheduled after 12:00 on Wednesdays to allow for sports, volunteering and other extra-curricular events.
  • The lecture and seminar timetable is published in mid-August and the full academic timetable (lectures/seminars and undergraduate classes) is published by mid-September and is accessible via the LSE Timetables webpages.
  • Undergraduate student personal timetables are published in LSE for You (LFY). For personal timetables to appear, students must be registered at LSE, have successfully signed up for courses in LFY and ensured that their course selection does not contain unauthorised clashes. Every effort is made to minimise changes after publication, once personal timetables have been published any changes are notified via email.

Assessment

Formative unassessed coursework: All taught courses are required to include formative coursework which is unassessed. It is designed to help prepare you for summative assessment which counts towards the course mark and to the degree award. LSE uses a range of formative assessment, such as essays, problem sets, case studies, reports, quizzes, mock exams and many others. Feedback on coursework is an essential part of the teaching and learning experience at the School. Class teachers must mark formative coursework and return it with feedback to you normally within two weeks of submission (when the work is submitted on time).

Summative assessment (assessment that counts towards your final course mark and degree award): There is some variation in the forms of summative assessment for different courses, but in general, you will have an examination for each course in June of the year in which you have taken it, as well as an essay due at the beginning of May. For each course, you will have to complete several essays and/or exercises as part of your class work. Please note that assessment on individual courses can change year to year. You will also receive feedback on any summative coursework you are required to submit as part of the assessment for individual courses (except on the final version of submitted dissertations). You will normally receive this feedback before the examination period. 

An indication of the current formative coursework and summative assessment for each course can be found in the relevant course guide.

Find out more about LSE’s teaching and assessment methods

Student support and resources

We’re here to help and support you throughout your time at LSE, whether you need help with your academic studies, support with your welfare and wellbeing or simply to develop on a personal and professional level.

Whatever your query, big or small there are a range of people you can speak to and who will be happy to help.

Academic mentors – an academic member of staff who you will meet with at least once a term and who can help with any academic, administrative or personal questions you have. (See Teaching and assessment).

Academic support librarians – they will be able to help you navigate the library and maximise its resources during your studies.

Accommodation service  - they can offer advice on living in halls and offer guidance on private accommodation related queries.

Class teachers and seminar leaders – they will be able to assist with queries relating to a specific course you are taking.

Disability and Wellbeing Service – the staff are experts in long term health conditions, sensory impairments, mental health and specific learning difficulties. They offer confidential and free services such as student counselling, a peer support scheme, arranging exam adjustments and run groups and workshops.

IT help – support available 24 hours a day to assist with all of your technology queries.

LSE Faith Centre – home to LSE's diverse religious activities and transformational interfaith leadership programmes, as well as a space for worship, prayer and quiet reflection. It includes Islamic prayer rooms and a main space for worship. It is also a space for wellbeing classes on campus and is open to all students and staff from all faiths and none.  

Language Centre – the centre specialises in offering language courses targeted to the needs of students and practitioners in the social sciences. We offer pre-course English for Academic Purposes programmes; English language support during your studies; modern language courses in 9 languages; proofreading, translation and document authentication and language learning community activities.

LSE Careers ­- with the help of LSE Careers, you can make the most of the opportunities that London has to offer. Whatever your future career plans, LSE Careers will work with you, connecting you to opportunities and experiences from internships and volunteering to networking events and employer and alumni insights.

LSE Library - Founded in 1896, the British Library of Political and Economic Science is the major international library of the social sciences. It stays open late, has lots of excellent resources and it’s a great place to study. As an LSE student, you’ll have access to a number of other academic libraries in Greater London and nationwide.

LSE LIFE – this is where you should go to develop skills you’ll use as a student and beyond. The centre runs talks and workshops on skills you’ll find useful in the classroom, offer one-to-one sessions with study advisers who can help you with reading, making notes, writing, research and exam revision, and provide drop-in sessions for academic and personal support. (See ‘Teaching and assessment).

LSE Students’ Union (LSESU) – they offer academic, personal and financial advice and funding.

Sardinia House Dental Practice - offers discounted private dental services to LSE students.

St Philips Medical Centre - based in Pethwick-Lawrence House the centre provides NHS Primary Care services to registered patients.

Student Services Centre – our staff here can answer general queries and can point you in the direction of other LSE services.

Student advisers – we have a Deputy Head of Student Services (Advice and Policy) and an Adviser to Women Students who can help with academic and pastoral matters.

 

Student life

As a student at LSE you’ll be based at our central London campus. Find out what our campus and London have to offer you on academic, social and career perspective.

Student societies and activities

Your time at LSE is not just about studying, there are plenty of ways to get involved in extracurricular activities. From joining one of over 200 societies, or starting your own society, to volunteering for a local charity, or attending a public lecture by a world-leading figure, there is a lot to choose from.

The campus 

LSE is based on one campus in the centre of London. Despite the busy feel of the surrounding area, many of the streets around campus are pedestrianised, meaning the campus feels like a real community.

Life in London

London is an exciting, vibrant and colourful city. It's also an academic city, with more than 400,000 university students. Whatever your interests or appetite you will find something to suit your palate and pocket in this truly international capital. Make the most of career opportunities and social activities, theatre, museums, music and more.

Want to find out more? Read why we think London is a fantastic student city, find out about key sights, places and experiences for new Londoners. Don't fear, London doesn't have to be super expensive: hear about London on a budget.

Preliminary reading

Philosophy

You can read about recent research and events involving Faculty members on the  LSE Philosophy Blog.

Listed below are texts that serve as good introductions to the various areas of philosophy. 

Classics

R Descartes Meditations (any edition)

D Hume An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding and An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals (any editions)

J S Mill On Liberty (any edition)

Plato The Republic, translated and edited by Robin Waterfield (Oxford Paperbacks)

K Popper Conjectures and Refutations: the growth of scientific knowledge (Routledge, 2003)

A Smith The Theory of Moral Sentiments (any edition)

General philosophy and philosophical tools

T Nagel What Does It All Mean? (Oxford University Press, 1987)

R M Sainsbury Paradoxes (Cambridge University Press, 2009)

B Skyrms Choice and Chance: an introduction to inductive logic (Wadsworth, 2000)

Moral philosophy

T Nagel Mortal Questions (Canto, 1991)

B Williams Morality: an introduction to ethics (Canto, 1993)

J Wolff An Introduction to Political Philosophy (Oxford University Press, 2006)

A Voorhoeve Conversations on Ethics (Oxford University Press, 2011)

Philosophy of science

A Chalmers What is this thing called Science? (Oxford University Press, 2006) 

S Okasha Philosophy of Science: a very short introduction (Oxford Paperbacks, 2002)

Preliminary listening

- The lecture 'Science and Pseudoscience' by the late LSE philosopher Imre Lakatos
- An interview 'Is Inequality Bad' on Philosophy Bites with Alex Voorhoeve 
- The lecture 'Free Will in a Deterministic Universe?' by Christian List
- An interview on 'Scientific Method' on BBC’s 'In Our Time' with speakers John Worrall, Michela Massimi and Simon Schaffer
- An interview on 'Game Theory' with Melvyn Bragg on BBC’s 'In Our Time' with speakers Richard Bradley, Ian Stewart and Andrew Colman
- An interview on 'Catholicism and HIV'  on Philosophy Bites with Luc Bovens
- An interview, 'Understanding Decisions' on Philosophy Bites with Richard Bradley
- An interview, 'Trolleys, killing and the doctrine of double effect', on OpenLearn 'Ethics Bites' with Mike Otsuka  

Economics

For those wishing to gain further insight into what economists study, we suggest looking at one or more of the following popular books or others like them:

A V Banerjee and E Duflo Poor Economics: barefoot hedge-fund managers, DIY doctors and the surprising truth about life on less than $1 a day (Penguin, 2012)

T Harford The Undercover Economist (Abacus, 2007) and The Logic of Life (Little Brown, 2009)

P Krugman End This Depression Now! (W W Norton, 2012)

S D Levitt and S J Dubner Freakonomics (Penguin, 2007)

S D Levitt and S J Dubner Superfreakonomics (Penguin, 2010) 

Politics

The general character of politics:

J Colomer The Science of Politics: an introduction (Oxford University Press, 2011)

R Goodin The Oxford Handbook of Political Science (Oxford University Press, 2009)

Katznelson and H Milner (eds.) Political Science: state of the discipline (New York: Wiley, 2002)

Political thought

Many classic texts of political thought are readily available in a variety of editions:

Machiavelli The Prince

J S Mill Considerations on Representative Government

M Wollstonecraft A Vindication of the Rights of Women

Political analysis and political institution

W R Clark, M Golder and S Nadenichek Golder Principles of Comparative Politics (CQ Press, 2009)

P Dunleavy and J Dryzek Theories of the Democratic State (Palgrave Macmillan, 2009)

R Morton Analyzing Elections (Norton, 2006)

E Ostrom, Governing the Commons: the evolution of institutions for collective action (Cambridge University Press, 1990/2015)

Careers

Quick Careers Facts for the Department of Philosophy

Median salary of our UG students 15 months after graduating: £36,000

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

  • Financial and Professional Services
  • Accounting and Auditing
  • Government, Public Sector and Policy
  • Information, Digital Technology and Data
  • Advertising, Marketing, PR, Media, Entertainment, Publishing and Journalism

The data was collected as part of the Graduate Outcomes survey, which is administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Graduates from 2019-20 were the third group to be asked to respond to Graduate Outcomes. Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and who were working in full-time employment.

The skills you will develop by studying philosophy, politics and economics are attractive to a range of employers. Our graduates have found work in a variety of industries including; politics and government, education and teaching, banking and finance, NGOs, charities and international development, as well as journalism, media and publishing, advertising marketing and PR, and accounting and auditing. 

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Support for your career

Many leading organisations give careers presentations at the School during the year, and LSE Careers has a wide range of resources available to assist students in their job search.

Find out more about LSE

Discover more about being an LSE student - meet us in a city near you, visit our campus or experience LSE from home.

Experience LSE from home 

Webinars, videos, student blogs and student video diaries will help you gain an insight into what it's like to study at LSE for those that aren't able to make it to our campus. Experience LSE from home.

Visit LSE

Come on a guided campus tour, attend an undergraduate open day, drop into our office or go on a self-guided tour. Find out about opportunities to visit LSE.

LSE visits you

Student Marketing, Recruitment and Study Abroad travels throughout the UK and around the world to meet with prospective students. We visit schools, attend education fairs and also hold Destination LSE events: pre-departure events for offer holders. Find details on LSE's upcoming visits.

Discover Uni data

Every undergraduate programme of more than one year duration will have Discover Uni data. The data allows you to compare information about individual programmes at different higher education institutions.

Please note that programmes offered by different institutions with similar names can vary quite significantly. We recommend researching the programmes you are interested in and taking into account the programme structure, teaching and assessment methods, and support services available.

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