Description
This qualification is only available until 31 December 2017.
To claim this qualification, you must complete the required 360 credits by this date.
If you have any questions about your eligibility for this qualification, please contact the Centre for Qualifications and Ceremonies on +44 (0)1908 653003 or by email.
Where do social order (and disorder) come from? How can we make ourselves richer, and does society always gain from this? What does justice mean, and on what basis do we define our rights? Politics, philosophy and economics – and the ideas and values that inform them – are central to how modern societies are organised and governed. This degree in politics, philosophy and economics (PPE) explores fundamental questions of power and ideology, beliefs and values, and how income and wealth are produced and distributed. As well as gaining insight and knowledge of the debates that dominate the daily news, you’ll learn a range of skills and techniques to help you analyse and contribute to the discussion. Through this combination of subjects, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the way arguments, and public policies, are constructed in theory and tested in practice. These analytical and critical skills are highly valued by employers in a broad range of occupations, in both the private and public sectors. You’ll receive your own specialist, subject-based support in each subject alongside opportunities to join online communities of other students following this qualification for teaching, learning and peer support.
Planning your studies
Whether or not you’re new to study or to the OU, we recommend that you start with a module at Level 1.
At Level 2 you must study modules on all three subjects in this degree but at Level 3 you can choose two from politics, philosophy or economics.
You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 120 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you (with the exception of an undergraduate-level qualification of less than 120 credits). If you have graduated with an OU BA degree without honours and are continuing your studies on to honours, this minimum requirement is reduced to 60 credits. Before being awarded any intermediate qualifications on the way to your OU honours degree, we advise you to check that you’ll have sufficient new credits to qualify for your degree.
Career relevance and employability
A degree in politics philosophy and economics is internationally recognised as providing a set of conceptual and quantitative skills particularly relevant for many areas of public service, including civil and diplomatic services and local government. You’ll develop skills enabling you to express your ideas clearly and logically; understand and analyse complex information; and study independently. A PPE degree is also good preparation for a wide variety of other careers, including banking and finance, politics, journalism and broadcasting, law, industry, teaching, social work, accountancy, business management, consultancy, marketing and advertising.
As well as knowledge of politics, philosophy and economics, you’ll develop valuable skills for employment which include:
- using a range of communication technologies to independently research, select and present information
- analysing and critically evaluating information and data
- writing and communicating concisely and clearly
- assembling reasoned arguments for particular audiences
- using a range of formats: essays, presentations, reports, collaborative working, online forums
- reflecting on your own learning and developing strategies to update your knowledge
- valuing critical feedback to reflect on progress and improve your work
- working on your own initiative and managing your time.
Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.
Modules
For this 360-credit honours degree you require:
60 credits from the following optional modules:
| Level 1 optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Introducing the social sciences (DD102)
|
60 |
|
- You and your money: personal finance in context (DB123)*
|
30 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued 60-credit modules D103, DD100, DD101, the discontinued 30-credit modules DD121, DD122, DD131, DD132, DSE141
*Can only be studied if you have already studied one of the discontinued 30-credit modules
And 180 credits from the following compulsory modules:
| Level 2 compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Exploring philosophy (A222)**
|
60 |
|
- Understanding politics: ideas and institutions in the modern world (DD211)
|
60 |
|
- Running the economy (DD209)
|
60 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules A211**, DD200*, DD202, DD203*, DDZX200*
* Please note that you can only study one of these modules
** Please note that you can only study one of these modules
And 120 credits from the following optional modules:
| Level 3 optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Doing economics: people, markets and policy (DD309)
|
60 |
|
- Key questions in philosophy (A333)**
|
60 |
|
- International relations: continuity and change in global politics (DD313)*
|
60 |
|
- or
-
|
- Living political ideas (DD306)*
|
60 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules AA308**, AA311**, D319, DU301*
* Please note that you can only study one of these modules
** Please note that you can only study one of these modules
The modules listed can count towards this degree after we have stopped presenting them for a maximum of twenty years for Level 1 modules and ten years for Level 2 and 3 modules. Please see module descriptions for future availability.
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution we may be able to give you credit for this study that you can count towards this Open University qualification. You can find out more on our Credit Transfer site. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of modules so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.
Classification of your degree
On successful completion of the required number and type of modules you will be awarded a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Politics Philosophy and Economics degree.
Your honours degree will be classified either as first-class honours, upper second-class honours, lower second-class honours or third-class honours. The class of degree is determined by the best grades you achieve in 240 credits from those modules above Level 1 listed above. At least 120 of those credits must come from modules at Level 3.
You will have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
How to register
If you want to study for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of
our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the
module you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that module.
During the registration procedure you will be asked to declare which qualification you are studying towards.
See a full list of modules available for this qualification