BSc Philosophy, Politics and Economics

What are the advantages of democratic institutions? Should we have limits on migration? What are the moral pros and cons of our financial markets? These are just some of the challenging questions you’ll address on this BSc Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE).

You’ll look at fundamental philosophical questions, anaylse the way individuals and groups define political ideas, and look at economic challenges and change. Unlike most other PPE degree programmes, our students study all three subjects for the first three years. Final-year PPE students also complete independent research and work with external organisations on our innovative Capstone course.

LSE regularly achieves top rankings in university league tables for philosophy, politics and economics. Studying at a leading social science institution, you’ll develop interdisciplinary skills that will set you apart from other graduates. Our students progress to careers in financial services, accounting and auditing, consulting, IT and tech, and government.

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 Otsukate

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)

Founded by Sir Karl Popper in 1946, the Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method is consistently ranked among the top places in the world to study philosophy.

Our research and teaching embody LSE’s long tradition of analytic, interdisciplinary and socially engaged philosophy.

We have particular strengths in:

• the philosophy of natural and social sciences
• logic
• moral and political philosophy
• epistemology
• decision and game theory
• social choice.

Some of the world’s leading thinkers and social reformers have taught or studied at LSE – including Beatrice Webb, Bertrand Russell and, of course, Karl Popper. Today, we offer a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, attracting high-calibre students from across the globe.

Located in the heart of London, LSE provides one of the most exciting places in the world to study for your philosophy degree. We were ranked second in the UK in the Good University Guide 2024 and third in the QS World University Rankings 2023.

Our research is internationally renowned. We were ranked joint third overall in the UK for the quality and impact of our research in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (2021).

LSE has some of the best outcomes for philosophy graduates in the UK. Our graduates find rewarding and interesting careers in government, the public sector, education, teaching, NGOs and charities, and research.

Learn more about our undergraduate, MSc and PhD programmes and research.

Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method

We consider each application carefully, taking into account all the details you’ve included on your UCAS form, such as:

• academic achievement, including predicted and achieved grades (also see specific information about this programme in the "entry requirements" above)
• subjects and subject combinations (also see specific information about this programme in the "entry requirements" above)
• your personal statement
• your teacher’s reference
• educational circumstances

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency, although this is not needed at the application stage. See our English language requirements page.

We’re looking for students who demonstrate:

• an interest in philosophy, politics and economics and the links between these subjects
• an awareness of and interest in philosophical issues
• an aptitude for quantitative learning
• intellectual curiosity and a good imagination
• logical reasoning (particularly mathematical) and independent thinking
• a willingness to read extensively
• the ability to evaluate and challenge conventional views
• self-motivation and a willingness to work hard.

Formative coursework

All taught courses include formative coursework, which is not assessed. This helps prepare you for summative assessment. We use a wide range of formative assessment methods, such as essays, case studies, reports, quizzes and mock exams.

Feedback on coursework is an essential part of the learning experience. Class teachers mark formative coursework and feedback is normally given within two weeks – provided the work is submitted on time.

Summative assessment

This counts towards your final course mark and degree award.

Summative assessment varies depending on the course. Typically, you’ll have an essay for each course (due at the beginning of May) and an exam in June.

For each course, you’ll complete several essays and/or exercises as part of your class work.

Assessment on individual courses can change from year to year. You’ll receive feedback on summative coursework as part of the assessment for individual courses (except on final submitted dissertations). Feedback is normally provided before the examination period.

Read about the current formative coursework and summative assessment for each course in the relevant course guide.

Find out more about LSE’s teaching and assessment methods.

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

The department is committed to supporting students' options after graduation in the world of work or further studies by organising a careers programme tailored specifically to International History students with the help of LSE Careers. Also, 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 the support available to students through LSE Careers.