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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.
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:
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.
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.
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:
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:
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:
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.
£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:
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to a fee limit, as set out in 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:
In addition to specialist knowledge of politics, philosophy and economics, this degree course will help you develop valuable transferable skills for employment, including:
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:
Credit transfer: apply by 13/08/2026
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Our prospectus will help you explore your course options, get a feel for life as an OU student, and register for study.
Request a prospectus
Credit transfer: apply by 13/08/2026
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