Course information

Entry requirements

UCAS code

LLV1

Entry requirements

A-level: BBB
BTEC: DDM
IB: 33 points overall with Three HL subjects at 655

Length

3 years full-time

Department

Politics and International Relations
Anthropology
Sociology

Course overview

This challenging and ground-breaking degree introduces you to core ideas and issues in politics, philosophy and economics (PPE). It will help you understand how the economy is governed, how public policy gets made, and the ideas which shape our world.

Why study BA Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Goldsmiths

  • We offer a distinctive, fresh and critical take on the well-established combination of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE), drawing on our strengths in social science and theory. You'll gain an introduction in the ideas and concepts that have shaped the world you live in, and learn to challenge established political and economic policies, institutions and methods.

  • We offer a dynamic undergraduate culture, with active student media and politics groups. By the time you graduate, you will have gained a wealth of practical experience, and discovered what excites you for your career ahead.

  • You’ll be taught by highly engaged lecturers working across politics, philosophy and economics, all of whom are active researchers and accomplished writers in their fields.

  • The programme includes a basic introduction to economics, so you don’t need any prior experience of economics or an A-level in Mathematics before you start.

  • Over the three years, you’ll be introduced to alternative approaches to the economy, drawn from anthropology and sociology. You will be encouraged to think more broadly and imaginatively about the way in which markets, states and public policies operate in the 21st century.

  • You’ll focus on contemporary, real-world problems, such as financial and environmental regulation, which will prepare you for a career in public policy, NGOs, media, consulting or social innovation.

  • In addition to the taught curriculum, you will have the opportunity to hear from experts and policy-makers at special guest lectures. 

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Professor Saul Newman (for information about applying).

Watch videos about your course

What you'll study

Note about optional modules (if available): The below is indicative of the typical modules offered, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. The module content and availability is subject to change.

Year 1 (level 4) modules

Students take a total of 120 credits comprised of these compulsory modules:

Module title Credits
Foundations of Economics 1: Theories 15 credits
Foundations of Economics 2: Business Applications 15 credits
Introduction to Philosophy: The Problems of Ethics 15 credits
Introduction to Political Philosophy 15 credits
Issues in Political and Cultural Economy 30 credits
Identity, Agency & Environment 1 15 credits
Identity, Agency & Environment 2 15 credits

Year 2 (level 5) compulsory modules

In your second year, you'll take the following compulsory modules:

Module title Credits
Knowledge and Subjectivity 15 credits
Aesthetics 15 credits

You'll take a minimum of 30 credits from the following:

Module title Credits
International Political Economy 2 15 credits
Political Economy 30 credits
The Making of Global Capitalism 15 Credits

Year 2 (level 5) optional modules

You'll also take 60 credits of optional modules from a list provided annually by the Department of Politics and International Relations. This may include modules from other departments across the University, such as:

Module title Credits
The Goldsmiths Elective 15 credits
Goldsmiths’ Social Change Module 15 credits
Mathematics for Economics and Business 30 credits

Year 3 (level 6) compulsory modules

In your final year, you'll take the following compulsory modules which include an extended piece of research through a dissertation:

Module title Credits
Dissertation 30 credits
Global Cultural Politics 30 credits

 

Year 3 (level 6) optional modules

You'll also take 60 credits of optional modules across three groupings:

  • Economics related
  • Politics and Philosophy related
  • Interdisciplinary

These module lists are produced annually by the Department.

If you have taken Mathematics for Economics and Business in Year 2, you may also choose the following options:

Module title Credits
Quantitative Economics 15 credits
Applied quantitative economics 15 credits

Teaching style

This programme is mainly taught through scheduled learning - a mixture of lectures, seminars and workshops. You’ll also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study. This includes carrying out required and additional reading, preparing topics for discussion, and producing essays or project work.

The following information gives an indication of the typical proportions of learning and teaching for each year of this programme*:

  • Year 1 - 14% scheduled learning, 86% independent learning
  • Year 2 - 14% scheduled learning, 86% independent learning
  • Year 3 - 14% scheduled learning, 86% independent learning

How you’ll be assessed

You’ll be assessed by a variety of methods, depending on your module choices. These include coursework, examinations, group work and projects.

The following information gives an indication of how you can typically expect to be assessed on each year of this programme*:

  • Year 1 - 100% coursework
  • Year 2 - 69% coursework, 31% written exam
  • Year 3 - 99% coursework, 1% practical

*Please note that these are averages are based on enrolments for 2022/23. Each student’s time in teaching, learning and assessment activities will differ based on individual module choices. Find out more about .

Credits and levels of learning

An undergraduate honours degree is made up of 360 credits – 120 at Level 4, 120 at Level 5 and 120 at Level 6. If you are a full-time student, you will usually take Level 4 modules in the first year, Level 5 in the second, and Level 6 modules in your final year. A standard module is worth 30 credits. Some programmes also contain 15-credit half modules or can be made up of higher-value parts, such as a dissertation or a Major Project.

Download the programme specification.

Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.

Entry requirements

We accept the following qualifications:

A-level: BBB
BTEC: DDM
International Baccalaureate: 33 points overall with Three HL subjects at 655
Access: Pass with 45 Level 3 credits including 30 Distinctions and a number of merits/passes in subject-specific modules
Scottish qualifications: BBBBC (Higher), BBC (Advanced Higher)
European Baccalaureate: 75%
Irish Leaving Certificate: H2 H2 H2 H2

International qualifications

We also accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.0 with a 6.0 in writing and no element lower than 5.5 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for degree-level study.

Alternative qualifications

See our full list of undergraduate entry qualifications.

Fees & funding

Annual tuition fees

These are the fees for students starting their programme in the 2024/2025 academic year.

From August 2021 EU/EEA/Swiss nationals will no longer be eligible for 'Home' fee status. EU/EEA/Swiss nationals will be classified as 'International' for fee purposes, more information can be found on our fees page.

  • Home - full-time: £9250
  • International - full-time: £19640

If your fees are not listed here, please check our undergraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.

It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time under a student visa. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.

If you are looking to pay your fees please see our guide to making a payment.

Additional costs

In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.

There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.

Funding opportunities

We offer a wide range of scholarships and bursaries, and our careers service can also offer advice on finding work during your studies. Find out more about funding your studies with us.

Careers

Skills

This programme will develop you intellectually, and will enhance your transferable and communication skills – learning to plan your workload, to research solutions, and to express your ideas coherently.

Careers

Our graduates go on to a wide variety of careers. Some go on to postgraduate study or further training in law, accountancy, social work, business administration, or to specialise in one area of their academic studies, whilst others go directly into employment.

Recent graduates have found employment in administration and management; in various departments of central and local government; in finance, in the media; in research and computing; in voluntary agencies; in health, education and housing management; the probation service; in company management, and as lecturers and teachers. You can find out more about career options after graduating on our Poliitics and International Relations careers page.

Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths.