University of Aberdeen

University of Aberdeen

Master of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Economics

The Master of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Economics in Political Science is offered by University of Aberdeen.

Program Length: 4 YEARS.

Master of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Economics offered by the University of Aberdeen

The degree of Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) is a springboard to a career in politics, finance or the media. The three complementary subjects have deep historical connections yet have developed as independent disciplines with distinctive methods. PPE students will leave the programme with an understanding not just of modern societies and their political institutions, but how rigorous critical evaluation can bring about significant social and political change.


PPE is a joint honours degree for students who have broad horizons and are interested in social and political studies and the humanities. The varied yet supporting nature of the three parts (containing courses from mathematical statistics to Aristotelian ethics) make it an interesting and dynamic programme. The variety provides students with three foundations from which to move forward. And, due to the intellectual connections that can be drawn between the disciplines, the knowledge and skills gained from each lends support to the others.

PPE students have a broad knowledge base:

  • An understanding of modern societies and their political institutions.
  • An understanding of the choices that political systems must make.
  • An understanding of how consumers, businesses and government make decisions and how these decisions collectively determine the allocation of resources.
  • An understanding of how rigorous critical evaluation can bring about significant social and political change.

And an impressive skills set:
  • Numeracy and data analysis skills
  • Reasoning and critical thinking skills
  • The ability to evaluate the concepts and values employed in political analysis
  • The ability to develop and express their views clearly

What You'll Study

Year 1
Students will be required to take the courses below, plus 15 credit points from a level 2 Philosophy option.

Compulsory Courses
The Economics of Business and Society (EC1006)
Experience, Knowledge and Reality (PH1023)
The Global Economy (EC1506)
Academic Writing for Social Sciences (AW1006)
Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)

Optional Courses
Select 30 credit points from the following courses:

PH 1027 Controversial Questions
PH 1522 How Should One Live?
PH 1518 Logic and Argument
Plus further courses of choice to make up 120 credit points.

Controversial Questions (PH1027)
How Should One Live? (PH1522)
Logic and Argument (PH1518)

Year 2
Compulsory Courses
Ideas and Ideologies in Politics and International Relations (PI2009)
Intermediate Microeconomics (EC2003)
Global Politics: Equality and Inequality (PI2508)
Intermediate Macroeconomics (EC2503)

Year 3
Optional Courses
60 credit points from level 3 courses in Philosophy and 30 credit points from level 3 courses in Economics, plus 30 credit points from level 3 courses in Politics & International Relations (see below).

PI3075 - The First 9/11 (30 credits)
Contemporary Challenges to African Security (IR3020)
American Politics (PI3074)
Working Together: Employability for Arts and Social Sciences (ED3536)
The Politics of Nationalism (PI3078)
Nordic Politics (PI3555)
Memory and Politics of the Past (PI3570)
Human Rights in Global Politics (PI3572)
Digital Politics: Political Communication in the Internet Age(S) (PI3579)
Global Challenges in an Ethnographic Perspective (SL3504)

Year 4
Optional Courses
30 credit points from level 4 courses in each of Economics, Philosophy and Politics & International Relations plus a dissertation in either Economics or Philosophy.

Global Politics from the Middle East (IR4032)
Extreme Right in Western Europe (PI4060)
Energy and Climate Politics (PI4072)
Between Peace and Conflict: Societies in Transition (TR4004)
The Constitutional Imagination (AT4525)
The Political Anthropology of Indigenous Rights (AT4547)
War and Peace in International Politics (IR4528)
Science, Technology & International Relations (IR4534)
Political Islam: Islamist Ideologies and Practices (PI4573)
Wealth, Poverty and International Order (PI4576)
Dirty War and Its Aftermath (PI4577)
Democratization (PI4583)
Gender and Politics (PI4584)



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