Philosophy, Politics and Economics (BA)

At Southampton, learning PPE goes far beyond lectures — you’ll actively apply ideas, debate real-world issues, and build practical skills that employers value. The course is designed to immerse you in hands-on learning, from economic experiments and political simulations to research projects and interactive workshops. You’ll collaborate closely with classmates and academics, gaining experience in analysing data, presenting arguments, and solving complex problems.

Here’s how the program helps you learn by doing:

• Economics with Experiments – Take part in real laboratory-style experiments that bring economic theories to life. You’ll work in groups to model behaviours like cooperation or market competition, then analyse and present your findings.

• Group Projects & Debates – Throughout your degree, you’ll collaborate on projects, lead presentations, and debate philosophical and political ideas, developing teamwork and communication skills vital in professional life.

• Independent Dissertation – In your final year, you’ll design and complete a major research project in philosophy, politics, or economics, showcasing your ability to think critically and work independently.

• Interactive Teaching – Small-group seminars and tutorials let you test ideas in discussion and receive tailored feedback from experienced academics.

• Specialist Research Centres – Access to resources like the Southampton Ethics Centre and research events lets you explore current debates and connect with leading thinkers.

• World-Class Libraries & Digital Tools – You’ll benefit from extensive online databases, archives, and academic journals that support your coursework and research.

With this combination of practical learning and academic depth, you’ll graduate ready to analyse policies, shape decisions, and contribute meaningfully in government, business, or international organisations.

A PPE degree from Southampton opens doors to a world of possibilities. Because it blends three powerful disciplines, graduates are highly sought after for their critical thinking, analytical skills, and ability to understand how societies and economies work. Many go on to shape public policy, advise governments, work in financial services, or lead strategic decision-making in global organisations. Typical career paths include policy analyst, economist, public affairs consultant, investment analyst and social researcher.

Here’s how Southampton sets you up for success after graduation:

• Tailored career support: The university’s Careers, Employability & Student Enterprise team helps you plan your future from day one — offering personalised advice, CV and interview workshops, employer networking events, and access to internships and placements.

• Hands-on experience: You’ll have the option to complete a Year in Employment between your second and final year, giving you valuable work experience and industry contacts before you graduate.

• Practical skills in action: Throughout the course, you’ll develop career-ready skills through modules like Economics Skills and Employability and gain real-world experience using specialist facilities like the Social Sciences Laboratory and the Financial Laboratory (FinLab).

• Strong career outcomes: Around 94% of Humanities graduates from Southampton are employed or in further study within six months, and Economics graduates typically earn an average salary of about £31,500 just 15 months after graduation, rising to around £49,500 after five years.

• Valuable industry connections: Southampton’s close links with employers, government bodies, think tanks and global businesses mean you’ll benefit from guest lectures, networking events and recruitment opportunities throughout your degree.

• Globally respected qualification: PPE is a widely recognised degree that signals strong analytical and problem-solving skills — attributes valued by employers in every sector.

Graduates from this program have gone on to work in government departments, international organisations, financial institutions, research think tanks, NGOs and major corporations. Others choose to explore broader roles in consulting, communications, data analysis, and management.

 Further Academic Progression

Your PPE degree also provides a strong platform for further study. Many graduates go on to pursue Master’s degrees in areas like Public Policy, International Development, Economics, Political Science or Philosophy, while others specialise further through professional pathways such as Law, Public Administration (MPA) or Business (MBA). If research is your passion, you can also advance into an MPhil or PhD, exploring complex global issues in even greater depth.