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An image to illustrate the BA (Honours) Politics, Philosophy and Economics
Politics, philosophy and economics (PPE) are central to understanding how modern societies are organised and governed. By studying them together, you'll gain a combination of skills that’s in high demand across the private, public and non-profit sectors. Whilst PPE has been described as ‘the degree that runs Britain’, this is better viewed as studying how countries are run, what motivates and constrains their rulers and residents, and how social order and prosperity are best understood and promoted. All three disciplines are presented in up-to-date form, covering alternative as well as ‘mainstream’ approaches and firmly rooted in the real world.
Q45
Honours DegreeUndergraduate360
Part-time – 6 years
Full-time – 4 yearsOctober 2026February 2027
Distance learning
Understand the debates that dominate the daily news and look beyond the headlines Learn skills and techniques to help you analyse, present and contribute to discussion Explore how arguments and public policies are constructed in theory and tested in practice Increase your employability across the private and public sectors Enjoy synergies among three complementary disciplines while studying a full curriculum in each
Q45
Honours DegreeUndergraduate360
Part-time – 6 years
Full-time – 4 yearsOctober 2026February 2027
Distance learning
This politics, philosophy and economics degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.
You can start with either a wide-ranging and topical introduction to the social sciences or take a combination of modules that focus on economics and personal finance. You’ll complete the stage by exploring UK and international politics through questions of rights, legitimacy, national identity, conflict and protest.
Please note this that stage can only be studied at part-time intensity as you need to complete 60 credits from the OU level 1 modules before starting DD211.

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll choose 60 credits from the following:
Global challenges: social science in action (D113)60Oct | Feb
Economics in context (DD126)30Oct | Feb
You and your money (DB125)30Oct | Feb
You'll complete Stage 1 with:
Understanding politics: ideas and institutions in the modern world (DD211)60Oct

You’ll build on the foundations gained at Stage 1 to apply economic ideas, models and techniques to a range of contemporary issues. You'll also be introduced to philosophy through six essential topics: philosophy of religion; political philosophy through Plato; philosophy of mind; ethics; knowledge; and philosophy of race.

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study both of the following:
Investigating philosophy (DA223)60Oct
Essential economics: macro and micro perspectives (D217)60Oct

At Stage 3, you’ll focus on two of the three PPE subjects, selected by what you’ve found most interesting or most relevant to your career path. Your choices at this stage can also form the basis for postgraduate study options, including our MA in Philosophy. 

ModulesCreditsStart month
You’ll choose two from three PPE subjects:
Politics (choose one of these modules)
International relations: people, power and change (D322)60Oct
Modern political ideas (DD316)60Oct
Philosophy
Key questions in philosophy (A333)60Oct
Economics
Doing economics: inequalities, innovation and environment (DD320)60Oct

By studying this degree, you’ll:
Grasp interconnected disciplines – Study politics, philosophy and economics together to understand how societies are governed, justified and enriched. Engage with real-world ideas – Apply mainstream and alternative approaches to explore debates on power, policy, justice and social order. Sharpen analytical ability – Evaluate evidence, compare theoretical perspectives, and work with textual, statistical and quantitative data, while recognising knowledge as contested and contextual. Develop autonomous, reflective skills – Manage workloads, plan research, communicate clearly, and reflect critically on how your understanding develops.
You’ll be supported throughout by expert tutors, structured distance-learning materials, and personalised feedback.
You’ll be awarded a BA (Honours) Politics, Philosophy and Economics upon successful completion.
Your honours classification (first, upper second, lower second or third class honours) will depend on the grades you gain at Stages 2 and 3. 
You'll also have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
If you plan to work or study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether this qualification meets local requirements. Find out more about the international recognition of Open University qualifications.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
BA (Honours) Politics, Philosophy and Economics
We regularly review our curriculum to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our Academic Regulations or contact us.
Our module-by-module approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that works best for you.
You have up to 16 years to finish your degree.
You can study every stage of this qualification part-time. That’s roughly half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.
From Stage 2 onwards, you also have the option to study at a full-time pace. That’s similar to a student at a campus-based university.
Part-time, it’ll take about two years, studying 16–18 hours each week.
Part-time, it’ll take about two years, studying 16–18 hours each week. Full-time, it’ll take about one year, studying 32–36 hours each week.
Part-time, it’ll take about two years, studying 16–18 hours each week. Full-time, it’ll take about one year, studying 32–36 hours each week.
At the OU, flexibility and support go hand in hand. You’ll be in control of when and where you study, with clear deadlines to guide your progress. Whether you’re balancing work, family or other commitments, our approach helps you fit learning into your life. Students consistently praise the support we provide, and from the very start, you’ll be part of a vibrant OU learning community.
As you progress through your qualification, you’ll have access to a dedicated online study space, expert tutor guidance, optional live tutorials, and a wide range of resources to help you succeed. The sections below outline what you can expect.
Your module website will be a central hub for your learning, giving you easy access to:
a weekly study planner, along with course materials like reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities module discussion forums and collaborative activities to connect with other learners a clear overview of assignments and due dates tools to book tutorials, access online tutorial rooms, and contact your tutor.
Discover how the OU’s module websites, course materials, and support tools help you study online with confidence.
Each module has a dedicated tutor who will guide you through your studies. They’ll provide feedback, help you find resources, mark your assignments and support your learning journey.
For extra support, you can attend optional live tutorials with your tutor. These are usually conducted online, and most are recorded so you can review them later.
See how OU tutors and tutorials help you build confidence, connect with others, and get the support you need to succeed in your studies.
Our assessments reinforce what you’ve learned and show your understanding. Assessment types vary by module and may include:
Computer-Marked Assignments – often multiple-choice questions completed online. Tutor-Marked Assignments – tasks like essays, shorter-structured questions, or other activities. You’ll submit them by a set deadline and receive detailed feedback from your tutor. End-of-Module Assessments – These are the final marked assignments for most modules. Modules with an end-of-module assessment usually don’t have an exam. Exams – Some modules have exams you will sit remotely. However, we regularly review the assessments in our modules, so we may update the examination methods used in this qualification to include in-person exams or remotely invigilated (proctored) exams.
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to a wide range of support services and be part of a vibrant learning community. Our subject-specific Student Support Teams can help with general queries and any updates to your OU account. You’ll also benefit from:
access to the OU’s extensive online library, filled with study resources the ability to use other university libraries across the UK and Ireland the online Help Centre, offering study tips and support free access to Microsoft Office 365 software IT support through our Computing Helpdesk the chance to connect with the OU community.
Discover the support network and learning tools you'll have access to throughout your studies.
There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.
If you’ve studied at university level before, you may be able to transfer the academic credit you've been awarded towards an OU qualification. This could save you time and money by reducing the modules you need to study.
It’s not just university study that can be considered; you can also transfer study from a wide range of professional or vocational qualifications, such as HNCs and HNDs.
You should apply to transfer credit before registering, at least four weeks before the registration closing date. We will need to know what you studied, where, and when, and you will need to provide evidence of your previous study.
For more details and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.
 A qualification comprises a series of modules, each with an individual fee. Added together, they give you the total cost. Our current fee for a 30-credit module is £2,044*. Our current fee for a 60-credit module is £4,088*.
£24,528*
Your course fees cover your tuition, assessment and study materials, but there are still a few additional costs that can come with studying. For this qualification, you'll need:
a computer and the internet to access our learning resources and to participate in online tutorials.
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section 5 of the University's Fee Rules.

Over 85% of our students in England fund their studies with a Tuition Fee Loan, meaning they pay nothing upfront.
Repay in monthly instalments while you study.
Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.
More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.
Combine your payment options to fund your studies the way you want.
If you’re a serving member of the British Armed Forces (or you’ve recently left), you may be eligible to use ELCs to cover up to 100% of your course fees.
You may be eligible for:
help with study-related costs like set books and internet access a free introductory Access module to build your confidence and skills funding to study an OU qualification for free from our Carers’ Scholarships Fund if you are, or have recently been, an unpaid carer a Care Experienced Scholarship to study an OU qualification for free if you're care experienced and aged 25 and under a Sanctuary Scholarship to study an OU qualification for free if you’ve been displaced from your homeland for political, economic, ethnic, environmental, or human rights pressures funding from our Scholarship for Black Students to study an OU qualification for free if you identify as being from a Black background
The Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) is a government grant to cover study support costs if you have a disability. It’s not means-tested, and there’s no age limit. Visit our Supporting students with disabilities page to find out more. If your disability is a result of being injured in, or due to, military service, you could be eligible for our Disabled Veterans’ Scholarship Fund.
In addition to specialist knowledge of politics, philosophy and economics, this degree course will help you develop valuable transferable skills for employment, including:
using a range of communication technologies to independently research, select and present information analysing and critically evaluating information and data writing and communicating concisely and clearly assembling reasoned arguments for particular audiences using a range of formats: essays, presentations, reports, collaborative working, online forums reflecting on your own learning and developing strategies to update your knowledge valuing critical feedback to reflect on progress and improve your work working on your own initiative and managing your time.
A degree in politics philosophy and economics is internationally recognised as providing a set of conceptual and quantitative skills particularly relevant for many areas of public service, such as the civil and diplomatic services and local government. In particular, you'll develop skills enabling you to express your ideas clearly and logically; understand and analyse complex information; and study independently.
This degree course is also good preparation for a wide variety of other careers, including banking and finance, politics, journalism and broadcasting, law, industry, teaching, social work, accountancy, business management, consultancy, marketing and advertising. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.
Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you'll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice. This includes online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service, as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
In the meantime, if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we've put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point. Some careers will require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree:
politician economic analyst policy advisor civil servant diplomat journalist chartered accountant economist lawyer statistician risk analyst lecturer investment banker charity worker business consultant.
Credit transfer: apply by 13/08/2026
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Credit transfer: apply by 13/08/2026
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