This four year degree programme involves studying courses to the value of 16 units, plus LSE100. It gives equal weighting to all three subjects and has specially designed interdisciplinary courses.
First year
There are four compulsory courses in the first year. You will study The Big Questions: An Introduction to Philosophy and either take Quantitative Methods (Mathematics) jointly with Quantitative Methods (Statistics), or take Mathematical Methods. You will take Introduction to Political Science and will take either Economics A or Economics B, depending on your economics background. Economics B is only for students with A level Economics or equivalent. You will also take LSE100 in the Lent term.
(* 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
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.
Either
Quantitative Methods (Mathematics)*
Provides the basic mathematical knowledge and develops the elementary statistical tools necessary for further study in economics.
And
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
Or
Mathematical Methods
An introductory level course for those who wish to use mathematics extensively in social science.
Either
Economics A
Provides a foundation in economics, primarily to those without significant background in the subject.
Or
Economics B
An introductory course in microeconomics and macroeconomics.
LSE100
Beginning in the Lent term of the first year and running through the Michaelmas term of the second year, LSE100 is compulsory for all LSE undergraduate students, and introduces you to the fundamental elements of thinking like a social scientist.
Second year
There are four compulsory courses in the second year. Your choose of courses will depend on the courses you take in first year. In addition, in the Lent term you start your own tailor-made interdisciplinary course: Philosophy, Politics and Economics: Interdisciplinary Research Seminar. You will also take LSE100 in the Michaelmas term.
Either
Microeconomic Principles I
Studies the economic behaviour of individuals and firms
Or
Microeconomic Principles II
Studies the same topics employing more formal methods
Either
Research Design in Political Science
Introduces students to the fundamentals of research design in political science.
Or
Introduction to Econometrics
Aims to present the theory and practice of empirical research in economics.
Or
Elementary Statistical Theory
Provides a precise treatment of introductory probability theory, statistical ideas, methods and techniques.
Either
Formal Methods of Philosophical Argumentation
Combines the logic with probability theory and makes these formal methods relevant to argumentation analysis and the study of scientific reasoning.
Or
Logic
Introduces the basic system of modern formal logic, including propositional logic, predicate logic and the theory of identity.
Introduction to Political Theory
Combines classical theory with modern ways of explaining and understanding international relations.
Philosophy, Politics and Economics: Interdisciplinary Research Seminar*
Engages you with leading academics and practitioners working in PPE and will train you in presentations and public speaking.
LSE100
Beginning in the Lent term of the first year and running through the Michaelmas term of the second year, LSE100 is compulsory for all LSE undergraduate students, and introduces you to the fundamental elements of thinking like a social scientist.
Third year
In the third year, you will take one government option, one philosophy option and Macroeconomic Principles. If you studied Quantitative Methods (Maths) and Quantitative Methods (Statistics) in your first year, then you will take either a government, philosophy or economics option. If you studied Mathematical Methods in your first year, then you will take either an Introduction to Econometrics or Principles of Econometrics. Philosophy, Politics and Economics: Interdisciplinary Research Seminar will continue for the Michaelmas and Lent terms.
Macroeconomic Principles
Examines economic growth, consumption, investment, unemployment, inflation, monetary and fiscal policy, financial markets and international macroeconomics.
One approved government option
One approved philosophy option
Either
Introduction to Econometrics
Aims to present the theory and practice of empirical research in economics
Or
Principles of Econometrics
Offers an intermediate-level introduction to the theory and practice of econometrics
Or
One approved government or philosophy or economics option
Philosophy, Politics and Economics: Interdisciplinary Research Seminar
Engages you with leading academics and practitioners working in PPE and will train you in presentations and public speaking.
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.
Politics, Philosophy and Economics: Applications
Focuses on contemporary public policy topics and explores their political, economic and philosophical dimensions.
Philosophy, Politics and Economics: Capstone and Research Project
Involves group work on an applied public policy project for a client organisation and you will write an individual research paper.
Courses to the value of two units from a range of options
You can find the most up-to-date list of optional courses in the Programme Regulations section of the current School Calendar.
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 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.