BSc Philosophy, Politics and Economics

At LSE, studying PPE is not just about reading theories and writing essays — it’s about testing your ideas, applying your knowledge, and building the kind of skills that employers and graduate schools look for. From group research projects to client-based assignments, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to put what you learn into practice and gain confidence working across philosophy, politics, and economics.

Here are some of the standout experiences you can expect:

• Capstone Project (Final Year) – You’ll work in a small team to tackle a real policy or business challenge for an external client such as an NGO, government body, or international organisation. It’s hands-on, collaborative, and designed to feel like real consultancy work, ending with a professional report and presentation.

• Annual PPE Showcase – Each year, final-year students present their research through posters and talks, sharing ideas with peers, staff, and external audiences. It’s a great way to showcase your work and build presentation skills.

• Research Seminars (Years 2 & 3) – These are workshops where you learn how to design, structure, and carry out interdisciplinary research. They guide you step-by-step, so by your final year you’re ready to produce independent, professional-quality projects.

• Study Abroad Opportunity – In Year 3, you can spend a year at a partner university such as Sciences Po in Paris, UC Berkeley, or the University of Tokyo. Living and studying abroad expands your perspective and adds a global edge to your degree.

• Digital Skills & Support – Facilities like the Digital Skills Lab and LSE LIFE run workshops on data analysis, econometrics software, presentation skills, and collaborative tools. This ensures you’re not just learning theory, but also mastering the digital and analytical tools that employers use.

• Student Journal – You’ll also have the chance to publish in Studies in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, LSE’s student-led journal, which helps you develop writing for a real academic and professional audience.

Graduating with a PPE degree from LSE opens up a wide set of doors. Because you’ll be trained to think critically, analyse data, and understand how societies, governments, and economies interact, you’ll be well-prepared for roles in consulting, finance and banking, government and public policy, or international NGOs and organisations. Employers value the fact that you’re not just a specialist in one area, but someone who can connect the bigger picture with practical solutions.

Here’s how LSE supports your next steps and what recent graduate outcomes look like:

• Career Support – You’ll benefit from LSE Careers, which offers one-to-one guidance, skills workshops, employer networking events, and access to the CareerHub platform for internships and jobs.

• Graduate Outcomes – LSE graduates from PPE go on to successful roles in consulting, financial services, auditing, government, and non-profits. Within 15 months of finishing, the majority of graduates are either in full-time work or pursuing further study.

• Industry Engagement – Through the Year 4 Capstone Project, you’ll actually work on real assignments for clients such as NGOs, government departments, or businesses — a powerful way to gain experience before graduation.

• Reputation & Long-Term Value – While PPE doesn’t come with a professional “license,” the LSE brand carries huge weight internationally. Employers recognise it as one of the world’s top universities for social sciences, which makes your degree a long-term asset throughout your career.

Further Academic Progression

Many students choose to continue their studies after PPE. Depending on your interests, you could move into a master’s in Economics, Public Policy, Political Theory, International Relations, or even cross-disciplinary areas like Development Studies or Data Science. If you enjoy research, you’ll also be well-prepared to go into an MPhil or PhD, building on the independent research and capstone projects you’ll complete in your final years.