Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics - UAB/UPF/UAM/UC3M

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Autonomous University of Barcelona

Program Overview

The Bachelor's Degree in Contemporary History, Politics and Economics at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) offers an interdisciplinary 4-year program (240 ECTS credits) that equips you with the tools to analyze contemporary global challenges from the 1930s onward, blending history, politics, and economics for a multifaceted worldview. It's perfect for curious, argumentative students who love debating ideas, thinking critically, and tackling real-world issues like globalization and policy—with 80% of classes in English to boost your international edge and mobility options.

Curriculum Structure
First Year
You'll kick off with foundational skills in historical analysis and economic principles, diving into Contemporary History to explore key 20th-century events, Microeconomics to understand individual and market behaviors, and Introduction to Political Science to grasp power structures and ideologies. This year builds your ability to connect past events with today's political debates, setting a strong base for interdisciplinary thinking in a classroom-based setting at the Bellaterra Campus.

Second Year
Building momentum, you'll tackle Macroeconomics to analyze national and global economies, International Relations for insights into diplomacy and conflicts, and Economic History to see how past policies shaped modern wealth distribution. These courses sharpen your skills in synthesizing data from politics and economics, helping you propose solutions to issues like trade wars or inequality.

Third Year
Here, things get more applied with Comparative Politics examining government systems worldwide, Public Economics focusing on policy impacts like taxation and welfare, and Globalization Theories (inspired by courses like Politics, War and Economics in the Age of Globalization) to debate concepts like Westernization and global interdependence. You'll develop a critical lens on how history influences current geopolitical tensions, preparing you for real-world analysis.

Fourth Year
The final stretch emphasizes advanced integration through a Final Project, electives in areas like Geopolitical Analysis, and specialized modules on economic policy in historical contexts, letting you specialize while honing research and presentation skills. Graduates emerge ready to tackle complex problems with confidence, backed by UAB's transversal approach across Arts & Humanities, Political Science, and Economics faculties.

Focus Areas
Interdisciplinary analysis of socio-political and economic issues since the 1930s; globalization processes; historical contexts for policy solutions; international relations and economic consequences of political decisions.

Learning Outcomes
Develop analytical skills to propose solutions for political-economic challenges; gain a global, multifaceted vision; argue discursively, synthesize data, and communicate findings orally/written; achieve B2 English proficiency for 80% of coursework.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
This EHEA-aligned bachelor's (240 ECTS) from UAB, a public university with HR Excellence in Research distinction, prepares you for regulated professions via its quality-assured framework under Royal Decree standards.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)
UAB leads Catalan universities with top cut-off marks (e.g., 9.006 admission note, among highest like 13+ for elite degrees); strong employability in public admin, international orgs (UN, World Bank), NGOs, consultancies, media, and research—reflecting its benchmark status in research and international rankings.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), students in the Degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics build practical skills through hands-on experiences tied directly to the program's focus on real-world analysis of social, political, and economic issues. You'll engage with leading departments that emphasize applied learning, preparing you for careers in policy, analysis, and leadership—right from the Faculty of Economics and Business Studies, which highlights outstanding practical experience to get you job-ready. This means diving into dynamic events, research collaborations, and campus resources that bring theory to life.

Here are key experiential opportunities specific to this program and its supporting departments at UAB:
- Department of Philosophy events, like seminars in the Rectorat building, where you discuss contemporary ethical and political challenges with experts.
- Department of Political Science and Public Law resources for group projects on public policy and governance, fostering teamwork on real policy simulations.
- Department of Economics and Economic History and Department of Applied Economics facilities for practical economic modeling and analysis, often involving data tools for quantitative projects.
- Science Carriage Expert's Seat field trips on FGC trains from Plaça Catalunya or UAB station, featuring discussions with PhD experts on topics like energetic transition—directly linking to political and economic sustainability debates.
- Access to UAB's broader research ecosystem, including PhD lines in Philosophy, Politics, Policies and International Relations, and Applied Economics, for undergraduate research labs and thesis supervision.
- Campus libraries, exchange offices for international group collaborations, and the SiS Campus for sustainable projects tying into economic and political studies.

These elements make the program a standout—imagine applying philosophy to policy debates on a moving train or crunching economic data in dedicated department spaces.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics offered jointly by UAB, UPF, UAM and UC3M are well prepared for careers in public institutions, international organisations, consultancy firms, NGOs, research centres, and the private sector. The interdisciplinary training develops strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, which are highly valued in today’s global job market. Typical career paths include policy advisor, economic analyst, international relations specialist, public affairs consultant, and research professional.

This programme provides excellent academic and professional support:

Career Services and Employability Support: Students have access to university career guidance, professional development activities, and opportunities to connect with employers and internship providers across the four participating universities.
Internship Opportunities: The programme encourages practical experience through placements and professional training, helping students gain real-world exposure before graduation.
Employment Outcomes: Official university information highlights that graduates benefit from strong employability prospects due to the programme’s rigorous interdisciplinary training and analytical focus.
University Collaboration: The degree is delivered through the Alliance of four leading Spanish public universities, combining academic strengths, faculty expertise, and institutional resources.
Long-Term Academic Recognition: As an official European Higher Education Area qualification, the degree is recognised across Europe and internationally, providing strong long-term academic and professional value.
Graduate Outcomes: Students graduate with the ability to analyse complex social, political, and economic issues from multiple perspectives, making them adaptable and competitive in many sectors.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing this degree, students can continue their studies by enrolling in official master’s programmes in areas such as economics, political science, public policy, international relations, philosophy, or related disciplines. It also provides a strong foundation for research-oriented postgraduate studies and doctoral programmes, opening pathways to academic careers, think tanks, and high-level policy institutions.