Overview
Introduction
What are the advantages of democratic institutions? Should we have limits on migration? What are the moral pros and cons of our financial markets? These are just some of the challenging questions you’ll address on this BSc Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE).
You’ll look at fundamental philosophical questions, anaylse the way individuals and groups define political ideas, and look at economic challenges and change. Unlike most other PPE degree programmes, our students study all three subjects for the first three years. Final-year PPE students also complete independent research and work with external organisations on our innovative Capstone course.
LSE regularly achieves top rankings in university league tables for philosophy, politics and economics. Studying at a leading social science institution, you’ll develop interdisciplinary skills that will set you apart from other graduates. Our students progress to careers in financial services, accounting and auditing, consulting, IT and tech, and government.
Preliminary readings
Philosophy
You can read about recent research and events involving Faculty members on the LSE Philosophy Blog.
Listed below are texts that serve as good introductions to the various areas of philosophy.
Classics
- R Descartes Meditations (any edition)
- D Hume An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding and An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals (any editions)
- J S Mill On Liberty (any edition)
- Plato The Republic, translated and edited by Robin Waterfield (Oxford Paperbacks)
- K Popper Conjectures and Refutations: the growth of scientific knowledge (Routledge, 2003)
- A Smith The Theory of Moral Sentiments (any edition)
General philosophy and philosophical tools
- T Nagel What Does It All Mean? (Oxford University Press, 1987)
- R M Sainsbury Paradoxes (Cambridge University Press, 2009)
- B Skyrms Choice and Chance: an introduction to inductive logic (Wadsworth, 2000)
Moral philosophy
- T Nagel Mortal Questions (Canto, 1991)
- B Williams Morality: an introduction to ethics (Canto, 1993)
- J Wolff An Introduction to Political Philosophy (Oxford University Press, 2006)
- A Voorhoeve Conversations on Ethics (Oxford University Press, 2011)
Philosophy of science
- A Chalmers What is this thing called Science? (Oxford University Press, 2006)
- S Okasha Philosophy of Science: a very short introduction (Oxford Paperbacks, 2002)
Preliminary listening
- The lecture 'Science and Pseudoscience' by the late LSE philosopher Imre Lakatos
- An interview 'Is Inequality Bad' on Philosophy Bites with Alex Voorhoeve
- The lecture 'Free Will in a Deterministic Universe?' by Christian List
- An interview on 'Scientific Method' on BBC’s 'In Our Time' with speakers John Worrall, Michela Massimi and Simon Schaffer
- An interview on 'Game Theory' with Melvyn Bragg on BBC’s 'In Our Time' with speakers Richard Bradley, Ian Stewart and Andrew Colman
- An interview on 'Catholicism and HIV' on Philosophy Bites with Luc Bovens
- An interview, 'Understanding Decisions' on Philosophy Bites with Richard Bradley
- An interview, 'Trolleys, killing and the doctrine of double effect', on OpenLearn 'Ethics Bites' with Mike Otsukate
Economics
For those wishing to gain further insight into what economists study, we suggest looking at one or more of the following popular books or others like them:
- A V Banerjee and E Duflo Poor Economics: barefoot hedge-fund managers, DIY doctors and the surprising truth about life on less than $1 a day (Penguin, 2012)
- T Harford The Undercover Economist (Abacus, 2007) and The Logic of Life (Little Brown, 2009)
- P Krugman End This Depression Now! (W W Norton, 2012)
- S D Levitt and S J Dubner Freakonomics (Penguin, 2007)
- S D Levitt and S J Dubner Superfreakonomics (Penguin, 2010)
Politics
The general character of politics:
- J Colomer The Science of Politics: an introduction (Oxford University Press, 2011)
- R Goodin The Oxford Handbook of Political Science (Oxford University Press, 2009)
- Katznelson and H Milner (eds.) Political Science: state of the discipline (New York: Wiley, 2002)
Political thought
Many classic texts of political thought are readily available in a variety of editions:
- Machiavelli The Prince
- J S Mill Considerations on Representative Government
- M Wollstonecraft A Vindication of the Rights of Women
Political analysis and political institution
- W R Clark, M Golder and S Nadenichek Golder Principles of Comparative Politics (CQ Press, 2009)
- P Dunleavy and J Dryzek Theories of the Democratic State (Palgrave Macmillan, 2009)
- R Morton Analyzing Elections (Norton, 2006)
- E Ostrom, Governing the Commons: the evolution of institutions for collective action (Cambridge University Press, 1990/2015)
Entry requirements
Here, you can check our entry requirements for GCSEs, A-levels (please read them alongside our information about subject combinations) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. We also consider applications from students with a range of other UK qualifications and from overseas. Please select the overseas button below and choose your country from the dropdown list to find the equivalency to A-levels of your qualification.
We welcome students from all walks of life at LSE. We want to recruit students with the very best academic merit, potential and motivation. So, whatever your background, please do apply. Get all the details on our general entry requirements.
Competition for places at LSE is high. We cannot guarantee you an offer of a place even if you’re predicted or achieve our standard entry requirements.
Our standard offer requirements are intended only as a guide and, in some cases, you’ll be asked for different grades.
Programme content
On this four-year programme, you’ll study 16 units, plus LSE100.
The BSc PPE gives equal weight to all three subjects and the programme includes specially designed interdisciplinary courses.
You’ll have the chance to study abroad for one year in Year 3 and graduate with the degree, BSc in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (with a Year Abroad). See the BSc PPE (Year Abroad) programme regulations for more information on the year abroad.
Our students’ research is celebrated each year at our Showcase event, with the very best work appearing in our online student journal, Studies in Philosophy, Politics and Economics.
Year 1
In the first year, you take compulsory courses The Big Questions: An Introduction to Philosophy, Introduction to Political Science, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and LSE100. Then, you’ll either take Quantitative Methods (Statistics) and one of either Quantitative Methods (Mathematics) or Methods in Calculus and Linear Algebra, or Mathematical Methods.
Year 2
There are compulsory courses and options, which will depend on your course choices from the first year. In the Winter Term, you’ll also start your tailor-made interdisciplinary course – Philosophy, Politics and Economics: Interdisciplinary Research Seminar.
Year 3
In the third year, you’ll take one government option, one philosophy option and one economics option.
- If you studied Quantitative Methods (Statistics) in your first year, you’ll take another government, philosophy or economics option.
- If you studied Mathematical Methods in your first year, you’ll take Econometrics I and Econometrics II.
- Philosophy, Politics and Economics: Research Seminar will continue for the Autumn and Winter Terms.
- Alternatively, you’ll have the opportunity to study abroad in Year 3.
One approved economics option
One approved government option
One approved philosophy option
One further approved option depending on your previous choices
Year 4
In the fourth year, you’ll take the compulsory course, Politics, Philosophy and Economics: Applications.
You’ll also choose optional course options within government, philosophy or economics, or from outside the department (two units in total). The final course is the Capstone and Research project.
Final year students' best work is published in our student journal, Studies in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (SPPE), which is published each summer by Houghton St Press.
Choose courses to the value of two units from a range of options
Why study with us
Discover more about our department and students.
Meet the department
Founded by Sir Karl Popper in 1946, the Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method is consistently ranked among the top places in the world to study philosophy.
Our research and teaching embody LSE’s long tradition of analytic, interdisciplinary and socially engaged philosophy.
We have particular strengths in:
- the philosophy of natural and social sciences
- logic
- moral and political philosophy
- epistemology
- decision and game theory
- social choice.
Some of the world’s leading thinkers and social reformers have taught or studied at LSE – including Beatrice Webb, Bertrand Russell and, of course, Karl Popper. Today, we offer a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, attracting high-calibre students from across the globe.
Located in the heart of London, LSE provides one of the most exciting places in the world to study for your philosophy degree. We were ranked second in the UK in the Good University Guide 2024 and third in the QS World University Rankings 2023.
Our research is internationally renowned. We were ranked joint third overall in the UK for the quality and impact of our research in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (2021).
LSE has some of the best outcomes for philosophy graduates in the UK. Our graduates find rewarding and interesting careers in government, the public sector, education, teaching, NGOs and charities, and research.
Learn more about our undergraduate, MSc and PhD programmes and research.
Why LSE
University of the Year 2025 and 1st in the UK
Times and The Sunday Times - Good University Guide 20251st in London for the 13th year running
The Complete University Guide - University League Tables 20256th In the world
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024Carbon Neutral In 2021, LSE became the first Carbon Neutral verified university in the UK
Your application
Overview
We consider each application carefully, taking into account all the details you’ve included on your UCAS form, such as:
- academic achievement, including predicted and achieved grades (also see specific information about this programme in the "entry requirements" above)
- subjects and subject combinations (also see specific information about this programme in the "entry requirements" above)
- your personal statement
- your teacher’s reference
- educational circumstances
You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency, although this is not needed at the application stage. See our English language requirements page.
Who attends
We’re looking for students who demonstrate:
- an interest in philosophy, politics and economics and the links between these subjects
- an awareness of and interest in philosophical issues
- an aptitude for quantitative learning
- intellectual curiosity and a good imagination
- logical reasoning (particularly mathematical) and independent thinking
- a willingness to read extensively
- the ability to evaluate and challenge conventional views
- self-motivation and a willingness to work hard.
Fees and funding
The table of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes.
You're charged a fee for each year of your programme. Your tuition fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It doesn't cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.
Home
Home student fee per each year of your programme
This is the 2025/26 tuition fee. The home student undergraduate fee may rise in line with inflation in subsequent years.
Overseas
Overseas student fee per each year of your programme
This is the 2025/26 fee for each year of your programme. The overseas tuition fee will remain at the same amount for each subsequent year of your full-time study regardless of the length of your programme. This information applies to new overseas undergraduate entrants starting their studies from 2025/26 onwards.
Learning and assessment
How you learn
How you're assessed
Formative coursework
All taught courses include formative coursework, which is not assessed. This helps prepare you for summative assessment. We use a wide range of formative assessment methods, such as essays, case studies, reports, quizzes and mock exams.
Feedback on coursework is an essential part of the learning experience. Class teachers mark formative coursework and feedback is normally given within two weeks – provided the work is submitted on time.
Summative assessment
This counts towards your final course mark and degree award.
Summative assessment varies depending on the course. Typically, you’ll have an essay for each course (due at the beginning of May) and an exam in June.
For each course, you’ll complete several essays and/or exercises as part of your class work.
Assessment on individual courses can change from year to year. You’ll receive feedback on summative coursework as part of the assessment for individual courses (except on final submitted dissertations). Feedback is normally provided before the examination period.
Read about the current formative coursework and summative assessment for each course in the relevant course guide.
Graduate destinations
Overview
The skills you will develop by studying philosophy, politics and economics are attractive to a range of employers. Our graduates have found work in a variety of industries including; politics and government, education and teaching, banking and finance, NGOs, charities and international development, as well as journalism, media and publishing, advertising marketing and PR, and accounting and auditing.
Further information on graduate destinations for this programme
Median salary of our undergraduate students 15 months after graduating:
Top 5 sectors our students work in:
Career support
From CV workshops through to careers fairs, LSE offers lots of information and support to help you make that all-important step from education into work.
Many of the UK’s top employers give careers presentations at the School during the year and there are numerous workshops covering topics such as job hunting, managing interviews, writing a cover letter and using LinkedIn.
See LSE Careers for further details.
Discover Uni
Every undergraduate programme of more than one year duration will have Discover Uni data. The data allows you to compare information about individual programmes at different higher education institutions.
Programmes offered by different institutions with similar names can vary quite significantly. We recommend researching the programmes you're interested in and taking into account the programme structure, teaching and assessment methods, and support services available.