BA (Hons) Philosophy, Politics and Economics with a Placement Year
Course options
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Arts
- UCAS Course Code
- L0VP
- Typical Offer
- BBB
- Contextual Offer
- BCC
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
Course Overview
By combining the study of philosophy, politics and economics, you’ll ask how things should be, why they're as they're, and how to change them for the better.
You'll learn how to analyse problems by thinking creatively from multiple directions, using tools and concepts from economics, political science and philosophy. Taught by UEA’s field-leading researchers, you’ll understand the economic and political context of contemporary global issues. At the same time, you’ll broaden your horizons by addressing the underlying philosophical questions those issues pose.
Our dynamic community offers you plenty of opportunities to connect and get involved. The student-led Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Societies are the perfect places for you to network and socialise with fellow students. In research seminars and public lectures, you'll witness how current debates are evolving in our society. To develop and enhance your employability prospects, we organise a wide variety of activities, including employability workshops, networking and alumni events, internships and consulting opportunities.
Our Philosophy, Politics and Economics with a Placement Year course combines the theoretical with the hands-on and practical, equipping you with excellent research, communication and decision-making skills that you can use in a wide range of careers, from economic analysis, policy advising, and think tanks, to working for international organisations, the Civil Service, or in banking and finance.
Placement Year and Study Abroad
Want to graduate with professional experience? On this course, you'll normally spend 9-12 months of your third year* in a placement, gaining invaluable work experience and employability skills in a relevant area of your choice. You'll be expected to seek your own work placement, and will be supported in doing so by UEA’s Career Central Service and your School. Support for you to find your placement will start early in the first year and will be tailored to the particular needs you'll have at various stages of the process.
The field in which you'll do your placement will depend on your own interests, and some of the preparatory workshops will help you have a clearer idea of what these are, what your values are, and which career they may lead to. Philosophy and Politics graduates go into a wide range of sectors, and so placements can be done in fields such as heritage, business, the public sector, creative industries and many more. We'll, however, require that the tasks you'll conduct as part of your placement meet the required learning outcomes and are complex enough to help you develop a range of skills that you'll be able to translate and use during the final year of your degree and your post-graduation career.
*Placements may be shorter on some occasions, or take place during different years of the degree, but this has to be agreed by the Placement Director and Learning and Teaching Services.
Have a business idea? If you’ve an idea you think would make a great business, you may be able to turn your Placement Year into a ‘Year in Enterprise’*. Your idea (business plan, budget etc.), motivation and academic record would have to be assessed by our team. Should you be given the go-ahead, you could use the year to start your business in a structured and supportive environment, accessing numerous training courses and extensive mentoring.
*Note that if you’re studying with us on a Student Visa, you can’t currently undertake a Year in Enterprise due to Visa rules.
This version of the degree gives you the opportunity and support to greatly enhance your employability by securing and undertaking a year-long placement in the third year of your degree. Find out more about this exciting opportunity on our 'Placement Years in Arts and Humanities' page.
Study and Modules
Structure
Benefiting from the collaborative nature of this degree, you’ll take a compulsory core set of modules, and also have the freedom to direct your own learning across the three disciplines with a choice of complementary modules across the three disciplines.
In your first year, you’ll get to grips with key concepts in the core modules for microeconomics, exploring how individuals and firms make decisions, and macroeconomics, exploring governments’ fiscal and monetary policies and their impact. You’ll also explore social and political theories and philosophical perspective on the making of social knowledge and the dynamics of various systems of beliefs.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
In your first year, lectures mainly take place in a large group setting and are often used to introduce new concepts, ideas and arguments. But they're also highly interactive, and audience response systems and other technologies will be keeping you engaged and keeping the lecturer informed about your confidence at every step. There will be regular breaks for peer-group discussion. Then, in workshops, you’ll be given a more hands-on experience: working in groups, with your teachers by your side, practicing and applying the new methods you’ve learned. You’ll also meet regularly in small group environments, led by an academic, where you’ll be able to discuss, debate and explore ideas with a freer rein. These events are complemented by additional study skills and support sessions.
Assessment
In your first year, you'll be assessed through a balanced mix of coursework and exams for the economics modules. Coursework is deliberately varied, and can include essays, presentations, and group work.
Each piece of assessment plays a role both in checking your progress, and in supporting your continued learning. Assessment is moreover an opportunity to develop your employability. We aim constantly to provide you both with the broadest workplace skills, and with the evidence you need to showcase these skills to employers.
Structure
In your second year, you’ll continue developing your understanding of micro and macroeconomics at the intermediate level. Alongside this, you’ll choose optional modules in philosophy and politics. You’ll explore questions in global politics and reflect on the philosophical ideas that have shaped current political ideologies. You’ll also have a range of optional modules to choose from in politics or philosophy. We encourage you to take initiative and reflect on the path you want to pursue as part of this degree.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
In your second year, you’ll start to experience an even greater diversity of teaching styles and settings. Whilst some core modules are still taken by the whole year-group, you’ll also be embarking on more specialised modules, in smaller groups, as you begin to establish and pursue your own goals and interests. In this year, you’ll be introduced to more specialised econometrics methods, which will enable you to analyse real world data and test the theories you’ll study in core modules.
Assessment
In your second year, assessment continues via coursework and tests. The variety of coursework widens and may include essays, presentations, group work, technical exercises, research projects, and data analysis assignments.
Structure
In your third year you will spend nine to 12 months in a full-time placement.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Whilst on placement, you’ll be supported by the Placement Team within the School and specialists from the Careers Service.
Assessment
During the placement year there will be a placement meeting / visit involving the supervisor, placement student and representative from the placement team. As a placement student you’ll be required to submit an evaluative report in the form of a presentation, which will be assessed on a pass or fail basis. There will be an opportunity for you to present this report to prospective students when you return in your final year.
Structure
You’ll continue your interdisciplinary studies in your final year, choosing from a broad range of modules from across the Schools of Economics and of Politics and Philosophy, Language and Communication Studies to ensure you have a deep understanding of all three disciplines. You’ll also have the option of choosing to pursue your own independent research on a topic that directly reflects your interests. Guided by expert members of staff, you’ll be given the chance to present your ideas as a consultancy, or policy paper or as an academic dissertation.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Min Credits: 20, Max Credits: 30)Optional B Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 30)Optional C Modules
(Credits: 40)Optional D Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
In your final year, your choice of optional modules will be wider, which means the range of teaching styles you’ll experience will also depend on your preferences. Technical training in economics will be delivered through a mix of traditional lectures and practical applications, which will involve the use of specialised software, including programming skills. The learning of more discursive and conceptual subjects will be grounded in group work, debates, collaborative projects, and practice of different forms of writing, from policy-briefs to social media collections and blogs.
Assessment
By your final year, the range of assessment types broadens even further. A balance of coursework and tests remains if you choose specialised modules in economics, but – in a range of assessments that may include case studies, projects, and poster presentations – you’ll be given more autonomy to choose your own topics and develop original submissions. You’ll be encouraged to find your own voice and to articulate arguments competently and rigorously in different situations.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language at minimum grade C or grade 4 and and Mathematics at minimum grade B or grade 5.
Can accept a grade C/4 if taking or achieved grade A in Core Maths or AS Maths B.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Contextual Offers
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
A levels
BBB
Contextual offer: BCC
BTEC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDM
Contextual offer: DMM
Combinations of BTEC and A levels
Extended Diploma: DDD
Contextual: DDM
Diploma: DD plus B at A level.
Contextual: DD plus C at A level.
Extended Certificate: D plus BB at A level.
Contextual: D plus BC at A level.
BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers
Access to HE Diploma
Pass Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 36 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 9 credits at Level 3
T levels
Obtain an overall Pass including a B in the core of the T Level and a Distinction in the Occupational Specialism. Any subject is acceptable.
Foundation Year options:
If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year programmes such as - Politics with a Foundation Year Philosophy with a Foundation Year
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
International Baccalaureate
31 points overall
Irish Leaving Certificate
2 subjects at H2, 4 subjects at H3
Scottish Highers
AABBB
Scottish Advanced Highers
CCC A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language at minimum grade C or grade 4 and and Mathematics at minimum grade B or grade 5.
Can accept a grade C/4 if taking or achieved grade A in Core Maths or AS Maths B.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students.
A levels
BBB
BTEC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDM
Combinations of BTEC and A levels
Extended Diploma: DDM
Diploma: DD plus B at A level.
Extended Certificate: D plus BB at A level.
BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers
International Baccalaureate
31 points overall
- INTO UEA
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree.
- English Foreign Language
English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
-
IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.
-
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
You’re eligible for reduced fees during your placement year. Further details are available on our Tuition Fees pages.
Extra costs, related to items such as your travel and accommodation, will vary depending on location.
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of other course-related costs.
How to Apply
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information:
Employability
After the Course
Graduating from the School of Politics, Philosophy and Area Studies, you’ll be able to demonstrate a combination of analytical and interpersonal skills that are highly valued by employers. You’ll be well placed to choose from a wide range of career opportunities, including working as an economist, analyst or in other managerial roles, within economics or business consulting, the Civil Service, international think-tanks and organisations, investment banking and finance, accounting and auditing, insurance and actuarial work.
Careers
Example of careers that you could enter include:
- Economic Analysis
- Management Consulting
- Government
- Think Tanks
- Political and Economic Risk Analysis
- NGOs and International Organisations
Discover more on our Careers webpages.