collageMaybe you have found this article looking for more information about PPE MSc and become convinced that it is the degree you are after. Maybe you are still a little unsure whether this is the right choice for you. If so, read on to find out some more about the subject and why it could be a good option for you.
PPE has long been known as one of ‘the’ Oxford degrees: a quintessential brand in and of itself. The goal was to ensure that scholars were ready to apply their learning in practical, governmental, legal and business contexts to become leaders and change agents. Over the past few decades, as PPE made its way to the United States, the curriculum and tools of analysis have changed considerably.
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Is PPE Degree Worth It?
A person who has a postgraduate degree in public policy and administration (PPE) is eligible to pursue careers in government, non-government organizations (NGOs), academia, law and business.
The PPE degree is often referred to as the Master of Public Administration or Master of Public Policy. A PPE degree can also be referred to as MA in Public Policy or MPA. The term “postgraduate” refers to the fact that these degrees are earned after completing a bachelor’s degree program.
Historically, the disciplines we know today as political science and economics descend from what was previously called “political economy” — the application of philosophical reflection and criticism to issues in markets and politics. It considered how societies decided what goods should be produced, under what conditions they were produced, and ultimately how those goods would be distributed and enjoyed. PPE today acknowledges the insight that is often lost in the separation of politics and economics, and is devoted to the idea that re-engaging them will inspire and empower students to leave an impact on the world.
Public Policy and Administration Degrees: Types
There are two types of PPE degrees available: a Masters in Public Policy (MPP) and a Masters of Science in Public Policy (MSP). MPP programs tend to focus more on policy development while MSP programs tend to focus more on research methods. Both types of programs have the same core courses but will differ in elective courses offered at different schools.
Many people who enter into an MPP or MSP program have already worked for some time in government or non-profit organizations before they decide they want to go back to school or change fields altogether. Others may enter into these programs right out high school with no prior experience at all!
Philosophy, Politics and Economics BSc
The Philosophy, Politics and Economics BSc (PPE) aims to provide breadth and depth in understanding social and political phenomena and the principles informing, and consequences following, policy choices. Teaching across UCL’s highly regarded Departments of Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics combines an education in social sciences and philosophy with a comprehensive grounding in research methods.
Key Information
Programme starts
September 2022UCAS code4V86DurationFull-time: 3 yearsApplication deadline26 January 2022LocationLondon, Bloomsbury
Entry requirements
A Levels
GradesA*AASubjectsA* in Mathematics.GCSEsEnglish Language and Mathematics at grade C or 5.
Contextual offer
GradesA*BB (more about contextual offers)SubjectsA* in Mathematics.GCSEsEnglish Language and Mathematics at grade C or 5.
IB Diploma
Points39SubjectsA total of 19 points in three higher level subjects including 7 in Mathematics, with no score lower than 5. The programme will accept either ‘Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches’ or ‘Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation’ at higher level.
Contextual offer
Points36 (more about contextual offers)SubjectsA total of 17 points in three higher level subjects including grade 7 in Mathematics, with no score lower than 5. The programme will accept either ‘Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches’ or ‘Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation’ at higher level.
UK applicants qualifications
For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below: Select qualification BTEC National Diploma Access to HE Diploma Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects Scottish Advanced Highers Welsh Baccalaureate
EQUIVALENT QUALIFICATION
International applications
In addition to A level and International Baccalaureate, UCL considers a wide range of international qualifications for entry to its undergraduate degree programmes. Select a country
Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates
UCL Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPCs) are intensive one-year foundation courses for international students of high academic potential who are aiming to gain access to undergraduate degree programmes at UCL and other top UK universities.
Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.
For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.
English language requirements
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency. Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.
The English language level for this programme is: Advanced
A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
Degree benefits
- Enjoy a learning environment created by UCL’s internationally recognised research departments of Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics.
- Acquire applied and policy knowledge with UCL’s PPE programme, housed in UCL Political Science – home of our Policy and Practice Seminar Series with its eminent list of speakers.
- Gain the skills needed to provide evidence for policy problems and prepare for research and work inside and outside academia. Study a breadth of methods or choose the Quantitative Methods stream.
- Take a degree inspired by UCL’s founding tradition in political economy and its historic Bloomsbury location.
Degree structure
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
In year one, students take modules introducing the three disciplines and the principles of social and political analysis.
In years two and three, students choose modules in two disciplines (politics and philosophy or politics and economics concentration) and in research methods. A limited number of study abroad placements may be available (subject to first-year grades and a successful application) for students who wish to study abroad in year three, transferring to a four-year programme at the end of the second year.
The final year includes a dissertation or independent research project and brings the three disciplines back together in a multidisciplinary capstone course on policy problems.
A sustained policy and methods focus distinguishes the UCL PPE and, for students wishing to specialise, there is a separate Quantitative Methods (QM) stream, provided by the UCL Q-Step Centre.
Upon successful completion of 360 credits, students on the mixed method stream will be awarded a BSc (Hons) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics.
Upon successful completion of 360 credits, students on the Q-Step stream will be awarded a Bsc (Hons) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics with Social Data Science.
Upon successful completion of 360 credits, you will be awarded a BSc (Hons) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics.
Modules
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
All students are required to take the following three compulsory modules:
- Introduction to Politics (30 credits)
- Economics (30 credits)
- Introduction to Political Philosophy (15 credits)
Compulsory module(s)
Students entering the Economics and Politics concentration will take Introduction to Mathematics for Economics (15 credits)
Students entering the Philosophy and Politics concentration will take Principles of Social Science Research (15 credits)
Students entering the Quantitative Methods stream will take Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods (15 credits)
Students entering the Mixed Methods stream will take Modern Classics in Political Analysis (15 credits)*
* the department may choose to substitute this module with an appropiate alternative module for mixed method students
Optional modules
15 credits from the optional modules offered by UCL Philosophy:
- Early Modern Philosophy (15 credits) OR
- Introduction to Moral Philosophy (15 credits)
Your learning
Teaching is based on lectures and seminars across the three participating departments. Normally lectures are accompanied by small-group seminars or tutorials that allow for an in-depth and participatory approach to the topic.
Assessment
Assessment includes essays, examinations and an independent research project or dissertation. Graded coursework and comments prepare the students for the dissertation and independent research projects.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.
Careers
The Philosophy, Politics and Economics BSc programme exposes students to the modes of reasoning, types of evidence, and methods used by the three disciplines, a concentration in two disciplines, and case examples of the contributions of a multidisciplinary approach to complex problems.
The degree combines an education in social sciences and philosophy with a sustained treatment of the methods of social and normative inquiry. Drawing on multiple lines of inquiry, the degree prepares students for the contemporary and increasing likelihood of a multi-career working life.
Philosophy, Politics and Economics BSc is the gold standard of multidisciplinary degrees for those seeking careers in the public sector, the media and the policy community.
UCL is committed to helping you get the best start after graduation. Read more about how UCL Careers and UCL Innovation and Enterprise can help you find employment or learn about entrepreneurship.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2022/23 academic year. The UK fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2022/23 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.UK students£9,250 (2022/23)Overseas students£26,600 (2022/23)
Full details of UCL’s tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.
Additional costs
A guide including rough estimates for these and other living expenses is included on the UCL Fees and funding pages. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).
Funding
Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.
Departmental scholarships
Funding opportunities relevant to the department may appear in this section when they are available. Please check carefully or confirm with the programme contact to ensure they apply to this degree programme.
The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.
Application and next steps
Your application
Entry to this programme is highly competitive. People who have received an offer to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics at UCL have been predicted an A* in Mathematics. Your academic qualifications, as well as other evidence of a serious commitment to the study of social and political phenomena and an interest in public policy will be assessed.
How to apply
Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.
Application deadline: 26 January 2022
Is PPE right for you?
The first and most important thing to bear in mind is that PPE is a generalist’s degree. The flip side of covering three subjects (politics, philosophy and economics) is that you get less depth on any individual one. If you’re really set on getting as deep into economics as possible, for example, Cambridge Economics is probably a better bet (or Cambridge philosophy). On the other hand, you still do get quite a lot of depth––enough for graduate study. Moreover, the essence of PPE is the connections between all three subjects: a knowledge of the other disciplines helps with any single one. For example, many political judgments need both economic knowhow and a normative (philosophical) basis. Finally, if you don’t want as much breadth, in your second and third years you can choose to narrow down to just 2 of the 3 subjects.
is a pPE degree worth it reddit
PPE is also both fascinating and difficult because it needs essay-writing and quantitative ability. Moral philosophy or political theory are close to humanities and require facility with essays; formal logic or econometrics are quite mathematical. This can be an attraction, but is worth bearing in mind. Again, this also means you have to be comfortable with each; otherwise the degree might end up becoming a grind.
Most universities offer this program degree or variations of it. It is an extremely valuable option to consider for those who do not have a specific idea of what to study or for learners who have a passion for current affairs and politics. If you choose to study this degree, it definitely can offer people a variety of job opportunities.
PPE brings together some of the most important approaches to understanding the social and human world around us, developing skills useful for a whole range of future careers and activities.
Make sure you do actually want to study these three subjects together – look at the following different subject descriptions carefully. There are different combination degrees available at other prestigious Universities – Politics and Philosophy at LSE for instance or Politics and Social Policy at Bristol. Make certain that you really do want to do a ‘PPE’ degree because of the subjects it includes in combination.
Economics will provide a useful knowledge of the functioning of the economy, which is necessary for any future businessperson or entrepreneur. Also, there is a trend for firms to employ people, who have a philosophical background, because this subject teaches critical thinking, logic and the development of arguments, all of which are valuable in any career option. Finally, the politics will give you an understanding how South Africa’s, and other countries political systems, functions. This is essential if you hope to become a diplomat, political analyst, politician or even president!
If you’re interested in the commercial, this course will increase your understanding of South Africa’s relationship with other countries. politics is essential, because as much as we wish to deny it, politics tends to dominate every part of our lives!
Once you have your degree, I would strongly recommend studying an honors degree. This will increase your knowledge of your career, for example, if you have dreams of entering the business world, honors in economics will bring your dreams that much closer. Also, if you want to live or work overseas, the students who have studied at foreign universities have an advantage, as an honors degree is included in their degrees, similar to our law program offered in South Africa.
This degree offers the best of all degrees that your chosen university will offer. The PPE degree will give you an excellent basis for your chosen career. The different subjects included in the degree will open you up to different career opportunities, which I think is important because during your working life, statistics show that you are likely to change jobs many times. Also, this is one of the most interesting degrees. You’ll actually enjoy what you are studying and this is extremely important because then you are more likely to succeed in your studies and in the rest of your life!
The PPE degree offers students the opportunity to study philosophical, political, and economic theories in order to better understand the world around us. Students study all three subjects in their first year to gain an introductory understanding of each subject’s key issues, culminating in an exam at the end of the year. In their second and third year, most students then choose to concentrate on two of the branches of PPE, pursuing a combination of core and optional modules. PPE is thus a highly flexible degree and allows students to study a range of subjects—from the narrowly empirical to the highly abstract—within a coherent overall structure
PPE: Things to note about the application
Many aspects of applying for PPE follow from the nature of the course. Even before application season, the A levels you choose matter. Since PPE is both qualitative and quantitative, tutors look for ability in both the humanities and mathematics. Single Maths A-level is highly recommended, and in my experience Further Maths is even better. They also want to see an essay writing A level, such as History.
The first hurdle is the personal statement. Personal statements should first and foremost be academic—tutors who have devoted their lives to academia make admissions decisions. The books you have read, the essays you have written, courses you have taken, ideas you have had: these are the primary fodder of the personal statement. These play a role in deciding who gets invited to interview, but more importantly might steer the interview itself: be prepared to be grilled on anything in your personal statement. Re-read the books on it and don’t put down stuff you only half understand. If something from your personal statement comes up (and it might not), you really don’t want to be caught not understanding it.
Next, you take the Thinking Skills Assessment test (TSA). It’s worth getting special help with this test, as it determines a large amount of both the decision to invite you to interview, and the ultimate decision whether to offer a place. It has problem solving and critical thinking components, and practicing for a high score is essential.. Tutors will have to teach you for the next three years if they give you a place: they want to make sure they get the best candidates. The important thing is to remember that they are trying to help you give a good account of yourself. The important thing is to help them see your intellectual ability. To prepare, the only solution is to read a lot, think a lot, and practice putting yourself in that situation, so nerves don’t become overwhelming on the day.
A simple breakdown of the course
- Studying Philosophy, you will develop analytical rigour and the ability to criticize and reason logically, and be able to apply these skills to many contemporary and historical schools of philosophical thought, and to questions concerning how we acquire knowledge or how we make ethical recommendations.
- The study of Politics will acquaint you with the ideas behind the decisions which govern our lives as members of nations, states and other political groupings. You will also learn how to evaluate the choices which political systems must regularly make, and about the processes that maintain or change those systems. The study of Politics also includes opportunities to take core and optional papers in Sociology and International Politics.
An appreciation of Economics and the general workings of the economy has become increasingly necessary to make sense of governmental policy-making, the conduct of businesses and the enormous changes in economic systems which are occurring throughout the world at the current time. Economics focuses both on individual units and on the aggregate behaviour of groups, societies and international markets
Things to know before applying for PPE
PPE applicants should have sufficient aptitude for mathematics to cope with the mathematical elements of the course. Mathematics is a particular advantage for the Economics component of PPE, as well as for the first year logic course in Philosophy, and for understanding theories and data in Politics; it is useful to have learnt the basics of differentiation before starting PPE.
Many successful applicants have studied Mathematics to at least AS-Level or equivalent. Therefore you may like to consider taking Mathematics to AS-Level, or an equivalent qualification such as IB Standard Level, even if you do not pursue it further.
More reasons why PPE is for you
- PPE has no required subjects. You do not need to have previously studied any of the composite subjects individually, but the university does say History and Maths are helpful.
- PPE is reading and essay intensive. If you haven’t studied an obvious essay subject like English Literature, History, Politics etc at A level or similar, you will find the first year of the course very challenging.
- Without previous study of a related subject, you may find it difficult to write a sensible PS justifying your choice of course, but not necessarily. If you have a genuine interest in the subjects and can show wider reading, your statement may be more unique and interesting than someone who only reiterates A Level course material.
- You must be interested in intense high-level study in these specific subject areas. Yes, this sounds obvious, but clearly just wanting to be a future Cabinet Minister won’t get you through three years of PPE at Oxford if you aren’t actually interested in these subjects.
Career opportunities
Due to its interdisciplinary character, BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) equips students with diverse tools of analysis of social phenomena, and develops exceptional problem solving abilities useful to future politicians, diplomats, public servants, local government officials, researchers and policy analysts, journalists, NGO activists, but also financiers. The ability to appreciate the importance of cultural factors for analysis of political processes is enhanced by the fact that the student body is highly diverse, enriching the class discussions with different sensitivities, and enabling students to learn how to feel comfortable and function effectively in an international milieu.
- Archiving and Librarianship
- Art & Design
- Arts
- Business Development & Administration
- Community & Social Services
- Consultancy
- Diplomacy
- Education
- Entrepreneurship
- Government Policy
- Healthcare Policy & Management
- Heritage Specialist
- Human Resources
- Information Technology & Design
- Journalism
- Social Policy
- Translation & Interpreting
- Legal Work
- Marketing & Advertising
- Media & Publishing
- Politics
- Production and Management
- Tourism and Hospitality
PPE is thriving in the U.S. and U.K. in part because students are looking for conceptual tools to help them understand and evaluate the world around them. But many of these students want to do this while asking questions they typically don’t get to ask (or don’t get complete answers to) if they take economics, politics, or philosophy classes in isolation.
Time and time again, we’ve seen that the answer to this question is “yes.” There are so many reasons why a degree in PPE can be worth it. Not only do you get to learn how to think critically and prepare yourself for a career in politics, but you also get to learn about how government works and how it impacts your life. If you want to work in politics, or if you’re just curious about how things work in our government, then a degree in PPE is something that will help you achieve your goals.
The most important thing about getting a PPE degree is that it can help you get a job in politics. Most people who go into politics have some sort of training—it’s just part of the job description! And having a PPE degree means that you’ll be able to start off at an advantage over other applicants who don’t have any formal training.
It’s also worth noting that many people who go into politics have degrees from prestigious universities like Harvard or Yale—and those schools aren’t cheap! So if one of those schools accepts you with an offer of free tuition and then they give out scholarships based on academic merit… well then it might be worth thinking about taking them up on their offer!
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